Luxury countryside dinning in Surrey Hills
If you were to google ‘special places to eat’ or ‘unusual dining experiences’ then the Balloon Dining experience at the Beaverbrook should be right up there in the results.
Exclusivity, tick. Beautiful surroundings, tick. Sumptuous food, tick. Instagram-worthy dining experience? Tick.
I had wanted to visit Beaverbrook for a really long time but the right time and occasion had not presented itself. The hotel is pricey- an entry-level room at over £700 a night. The Irishman and I had a free Saturday, which was rare, and I decided to take a punt for a last-minute lunch booking. I had come across the Fanning the Flame’s Balloon Dining Experience on socials and was lucky to come across availability. It was early availability at 12 pm, but happy to have the booking.
Fanning the Flame’s Balloon Dining Experience offered 3 Japanese menu options, a standard, pescatarian vegetarian/vegan menu. The menus included a welcome cocktail or mocktail by local distillers Silent Pool Gin, four courses and an amuse bouche.
We arrived by car, and as you are entering the grounds, there is a security check. You had to have a booking to even drive onto the site. Felt exclusive.
We drove through the 70 acres of grounds- when I say the grounds are immaculate, I mean they are immaculate.
We arrive at the main house which was once home to who I learnt was a close friend of Winston Churchill- Lord Beaverbrook.
Instagram-worthy
There are 6 balloons with a pretty in pink marble design. Instagram-worthy indeed. We settle into our basket and enjoy the Silent Pool Gin cocktail. Other guests start to arrive and all take the time to take photos of the balloons and the grounds.
A small tabletop charcoal grill is placed on our table. The amuse bouche arrives, and it is decorated with a tiny but perfectly formed Spitfire. Lord Beaverbrook was Minister of Aircraft Production during World War II and famously tripled Spitfire production, which helped win the war. Not only did he have this important position of responsibility, he was also a notorious mischief-maker.
The main dish arrives and is raw lamb chop, salmon, octopus, beef and wagyu beef. Asparagus, okra and peppers and some exotic looking leaves accompany the meat feast grill. Sauces, rice, truffle join the course.
You cook your own meat which is great fun and turns the meal into an experience. It all takes a while and this adds to the relaxing and serene settings. Its wonderfully quiet and peaceful.
You could opt for a wine paring package at £195 which is curated by Giovanni Tallu, Beaverbrook’s Head Sommelier. Tallu is a heavy weight in the elite hospitality world and spent 21 years at the iconic Annabel’s members’ club.
We were unadventurous and stuck to ales and cocktails on this occasion.
What to do at Beaverbrook Hotel
If you are a family you can enjoy the acres of space and they offer a complimentary family day at Hobbledown Adventure Farm Park. They have a dedicated kids zone and They have some great family room options which include bunkbeds. They even have a dedicated kids zone.
Padel tennis, pickleball, tennis, fencing, falconry, wine tasing and a private cinema where you can enjoy old classics to the latest blockbusters.
Beaverbrook’s Coach House Health Club & Spa offers treatments, packages and facilities. It’s rather posh. You can join as a member for £4,000 and a £1,000 ‘Wellness Journey’ introduction fee.
Is the Beaverbrook balloon dining experience worth it?
For a special occasion, yes it is. It is the perfect experience to wow a partner, celebrate a big birthday or indulge in a romantic occasion. Bucket list dining and fine al fresco dining at it’s best. Prepare to pay though- £135 per head for the food was well worth it but our drinks added another £150 to the bill so not a cheap lunch.
I hope one day to have that special occasion and stay at the Beaverbrook and able to add a Beaverbrook Hotel review to my list. One day…
Things to know about Beaverbrook balloon dining experience:
The experience is for children 13 years or older and all guests must dine on one of the above menus.
They welcome well-behaved dogs on a lead to the experience
All bookings are subject to weather conditions.
You can only book a max of 4 people.
