It’s almost inconceivable that there should be a grand private country house within a stone’s throw of Victoria station, but The Goring has all the necessary attributes, from the elegant dining room to the beautiful English country garden, complete with a brand new herb plot, and ducks waddling across the lawn. In keeping with the hotel’s dedication to presenting a quintessential English experience, the newly-reimagined Goring Bar’s cocktail list focuses on British spirits complemented by herbs sourced from the garden (of which there are over a hundred). Concoctions such as the Rosehip Royale – comprising Pimm’s, rosehip cup and a summer sherbet of strawberries, cucumber, mint and rose, topped with Champagne – and The Madness of King George – King George III’s favourite whisky turned into an apple Manhattan.
If sipping cocktails makes you peckish, the selection of posh bar bites such as lobster scampi with chilli and pepper jam are an excellent shout, while those looking for something a little more substantial can opt for heartier snacks in the form of a club sandwich or smoked fish platter. Live entertainment from the resident pianist rounds off this gorgeous bolthole nicely, making it equally appealing for a quiet business drink or a jolly get-together with a (smart-ish) bunch of friends.