Great Fosters is a hotel full of historic charm and features.

Close enough to London for a quick getaway, but far enough away to enjoy the tranquillity of the countryside, this 16th century manor will capture your imagination.

Set in a 50 acre estate, this hotel's historical elegance is visible throughout; mullioned windows, Jacobean fireplaces and authentic tapestries adorn the interiors.

Converted into a hotel in the 1930s, the rooms at Great Fosters are individually decorated and, depending on your own preference, styled in either a contemporary or historic way.

For a more romantic or special occasion, the historic rooms and suites in the Main House are a complement to the illustrious architecture throughout the building. These rooms are adorned with antiques, historical art work, gilt furnishings and, in some, stunning four poster beds.

A more contemporary feel can be found in the Cloisters and Coach House. These rooms are richly decorated in silver, gold and bronze tones with modern amenities.

The Oak Room is the hotel's restaurant, serving an array of modern British dishes in an atmospheric setting. Large windows allow the natural daylight to cast a warm glow in the dining room and the exposed oak beams add a touch of the past to the up to date decoration.

The hotel's crowning glory is the extensive gardens that stretch across the estate. With clipped box hedges and an impressive Saxon moat, the gardens are the perfect place to get lost in your own thoughts for an afternoon or take a stroll.

The wisteria-clad Japanese bridge, which straddles the Saxon moat, sits beside a babbling fountain and leads into a sunken rose garden which is prettily decorated with arches and pergolas that encircle a tranquil lily pond.

Rates at Great Fosters are between £195-425.00 in the main house, with the historic rooms starting from £395.00 and the junior suites starting from £310.00. Rooms in the Cloisters and the Coach House are between £195-£250.00. These rates include 17.5% VAT and, on Friday-Sunday, English breakfast.