The Astor Grill at Cliveden House

A short walk from the stately home, this stable block once housed Lord Astor’s most prized fillies (horses, that is), but now accommodates a bright Anglo-American brasserie from executive chef André Garrett. Blue leather banquette seating, parquet flooring and equestrian touches lend an informal air that extends to the inviting menu. A nostalgic snack of mini venison sausage rolls dunked in homemade brown sauce could begin a meal, perhaps followed by Crispy Cornish squid with piquant devilled tomato mayo. Perfectly al dente Wye Valley asparagus, scattered with crumbly feta and coated in silky pistachio dressing, is a seasonal delight. For mains, halibut off the grill stood plump and proud, drizzled with tangy salsa verde; meat lovers might prefer the hefty steaks, ranging from Barnsley chop to on-the-bone fillet – the accompanying truffle triple-cooked chips are golden-potato perfection. Comfort-food puds include the recommended raspberry jam soufflé. Add the solid global wine list and this attractive bistro makes an ideal pit stop for brunch through to boozy Sunday lunch, with a walk in Cliveden’s famed gardens providing an excuse for a slap-up meal.

If you're lucky enough to be visiting Cliveden House, either for the day as a National Trust card holder, or staying overnight in one of the luxurious bedrooms, you'll be chomping at the bit to book one of its wonderful restaurants. There are several options to choose from when dining at Cliveden, including The Dining Room, plenty of private dining options and the Astor Grill.

The Astor Grill is the most relaxed dining option at the five-star hotel, while still delivering award-winning food and an atmospheric ambience. Located near the stables, it has an equestrian theme which sees guests sit within large booths that resemble horse pens, with saddle-topped stools at the bar. The menu is curated by Executive Chef Christopher Hannon with a view of combining British and American dishes, nodding to the restaurant's namesake, William Waldorf Astor who owned Cliveden in the early 1900s. America's richest man, he bought the house as a gift for his newly-wedded son, who went on to throw many of the house's most iconic parties, attended by the likes of Charlie Chaplin and Winston Churchill.

The Astor Grill has one main menu with a large selection of dishes. Why not start things off with some snacks for the table including sundried tomato and smoked mozzarella arancini or toasted rosemary focaccia? As for starters, we like the sound of the twice-baked cheese soufflé with parmesan cheese sauce, walnut and apple salad, as well as soft shell crab sliders with mango, chilli and coriander. If you fancy a salad or plant-based main, check out the Cliveden cobb salad with hen’s egg, baby gem, tomato, cucumber and avocado, with options to add salmon, tuna or chicken.

While other mains look like indulgent cheese and buttermilk-fried waffles, Cliveden fish and chips, or something from the grill like 28-day sirloin steak, the Astor burger with maple-cured bacon or Cliveden Wellington for two.