Originally built as a Summerhouse for the Duchess of Sutherland, this charming and picturesque cottage, set on the banks of the Thames, offers the utmost in privacy and escapism as well as the luxury of your own private butler.
One of the most beautiful cottages on the River Thames, Spring Cottage was originally built as a secluded summerhouse by the Countess of Orkney in 1813, and takes its name from the spring that emerges from the nearby cliffs. The Duchess of Sutherland had it extended in the 1870’s.
Today, as then, it is a tall chimneyed, mock-Tudor pleasure house nestling in the woods on the very edge of the tranquil Thames. It provides a perfectly peaceful hideaway for those who wish to be alone together, far from the madding crowd and the cares of the world. Queen Victoria was a close confidant of the Duchess of Sutherland. When the burdensome affairs of state and the loss of her beloved Albert weighed too heavily the Queen would frequently take a carriage from nearby Windsor Castle and join the Duchess for tea in the cottage’s secluded garden.
Ironically this little haven of pastoral bliss became the centre of a violent political storm in the early ‘60s. It was here that Stephen Ward and Christine Keeler were staying when they triggered the infamous Profumo scandal. So, even the cottage is not without its share of colourful Cliveden history.
Guests not only enjoy total seclusion and perfect tranquillity – they are also provided with their own personal butler, a well stocked fridge bulging with indulgent provisions, plus a car that’s always available to drive them up to the main house. It is ideal for a romantic couple or those travelling with friends or family as it sleeps up to six.
You can even cruise the River Thames from Spring Cottage in one of Cliveden’s famous vintage launches.
Spring Cottage
