Home & Away with Robert Walshe
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Weekend Hotspot – French Horn Sonning on Thames – Pride of Britain Hotels
Sonning-on-Thames is a village three miles east of Reading, in the English county of Berkshire. Sonning has been a bridge point on the Thames since Saxon times. It is named after the Saxon chief Sunna. Sonning Bridge, built from brick in 1775, spans the river at the same point where a wooden Saxon bridge once
stood. The French Horn opened during the 19th century and in more recent times hosts a selection of rooms and suites alongside the river. The original mill cottages across the road provide the majority of the guest accommodation. It’s a perfect terrace of small red brick houses with manicured lawns & flower beds right down to the Thames. Guests enjoy a sitting room, bedroom and a very large
■ Dining Room at the French Horn
bathroom and all suites offer complete privacy, with breakfast taken on the patio weather permitting. The main rooms include a welcoming bar with a huge fireplace irresistible on a cold winter’s night. The French Horn has been run by the Emmanuel family since the early 1970’s when it was bought by restaurateurs Ronnie and Carole, Their son and daughter, Michael and Elaine now lead the charge. Michael trained in Lyon under Paul Bocuse and in Mougins under Roger Verge. The highly-acclaimed restaurant serves exceptional French cuisine, plus delicious English dishes including local duck spit-roasted on an open fire in the bar. The family’s passions for fresh ingredients can be felt in every dish that comes from the kitchens. This combined with Michael’s skills at developing a splendid wine cellar make dining here a real pleasure. The dining room decor is classic and so is the food. As well as London, there are many other attractions near the French Horn at Son-
For our best deals call 0044 28 9038 1111 or visit www.mooneyhotelgroup.com ning on Thames including Ascot & Newbury racecourses and Henley on Thames, home of the famous regatta, is also nearby. Blenheim Palace, Stratfield Saye House and Windsor Castle are just some of the historic buildings for guests with an interest in English heritage. National Trust properties locally include Greys Court, Basildon Park and fascinating sixteenthcentury house, The ■ The Fr ench Horn So nning on Tham Vyne. Shopping is es pure pleasure at Bicester Village, where sophis- pick up ticated boutiques, spacious is available at London Heaboulevards, attentive service throw. A reminder also that and a friendly, unhurried at- gold plus rewards members mosphere combine to offer a enjoy fast pick up and drop truly unique experience. Dis- off car rental including exclucover a relaxed shopping sive benefits. Hertz consumer haven about 45 minutes away discounts with full details are where spacious boutiques available at www.hertz.ie The showcase the world’s leading French Horn is a member fashion and lifestyle brands, of Pride of Britain Hotels – a normally only found in the consortium of 49 privatelymost exclusive shopping owned independent British streets, and all offering fabu- hotels. An enchanting old rivlous savings, all year round. erside inn and restaurant, The My preferred car rental com- French Horn overlooks the pany on this trip was Hertz & River Thames at Sonning in
B e r k shire. The price for a double room costs from £80 pp (two sharing) including breakfast. www.prideofbritainhotels.com) Robert Walshe is a travel broadcaster with Q Radio Network and Travel Editor for River Media newspaper titles across the island of Ireland. www.robertwalshe. com