© Birch Photo @Adam Firman
Birch in Hertfordshire looks like a hotel, and feels like a festival and is just 30 minutes north of London. 140 bedrooms, a growing farm, two restaurants and an interactive bakery, three bars, 20 event spaces, a co-working space, fitness studios, a lido, a pottery workshop, plus screening, music, and art rooms sit within 55 acres of nature.
@BirchCommunity is a guest and membership hub for creative minds that is brimming with a history as colourful as its stylistic interiors.
It's such an easy drive from East London or Essex, despite today's inclement weather.
I arrive to the sight of green lawns and a red brick Georgian building. White pillars and a stone lion flank a welcome reception area.
Photo @CrystalMcClory
Things are looking up - to see a painted ceiling and James Joyce’s wonderful Clown paintings putting a smile on my face. A giant gold 'Love Bomb' artwork from one of my favourite Hackney-based artists, Dave Buonaguidi @realhackneydave on the beautifully tiled mosaic floor.
Photo @CrystalMcClory
A sultry purple corridor leads you towards the casual Links bar. The Hub serves as an informal space for lounging or working on your laptop. Through industrial-chic hallways to the cool, stylish, minimalist designed bedrooms. An extra large comfy bed, but no desk or telly encourages you to get out and join in the fun.
Photo @CrystalMcClory
There are cubbyholes with table football, fun graphic neon prints on the walls, a cosy bar and chill-out areas. Rooms are eclectic with one stairwell painted in vibrant Yves Klein International blue. Friendly dogs wag their tails in this dog-friendly hotel.
Photo @CrystalMcClory
I don’t fancy braving the lido (tucked away in the walled garden) in January but thoroughly enjoy a visit to the Wellness Centre for a Forrest yoga class (thankfully not in the forest today – it's a style of hatha yoga). Followed by a fabulous Gong Bath Sound Healing session with @mysticmela then a warming sauna. There is a Screening room showing movies if you prefer.
Photo @CrystalMcClory
Tonight is dinner at low-key, bustling restaurant Valerie’s, for casual food in the noisy hubbub. The conversation and wine flows so well that we miss tonight's Comedy House Party at Rogers which would have been a laugh! A young crowd dance around by the buzzy Links bar. Others sing along at a private party in the Gun Room, enjoying different kinds of shots.
© Birch Photo @Adam Firman
The Zebra Riding Club restaurant (reopens in Feb, closed Mon & Tues) is set in the old stables and named after the flamboyant and eccentric Lady Valerie Meux's zebras.
© Birch Photo @Adam Firman
Lady Valerie moved into Theobalds House after marrying Sir Henry in 1878 and challenged conventions, norms and ideas. Depending on what you read, Lady Valerie was either an actress or a banjo-playing sex worker. She set about transforming the estate into a haven of frivolity, free spirits and fun (zebras, not horses would pull her carriages into London). We like her style!
Photo @CrystalMcClory
On Sundays there are drop-in Sessions at the Bakery. First, we grab a coffee and pastry from the informal Links café next door. It feels like a stylish slice of East London brought to the 'burbs. Strolling past bell tents under crisp, winter blue skies, we take a walk on the vast lawn to peek at the pigs and sheep in the fresh air.
We've signed up for a two-hour Focaccia bread class which is strangely meditative. Kneading the dough is almost as fun as seeing the end result. Tasting the warm focaccia with cherry tomatoes dipped in home-made pesto is the highlight.
Photo @CrystalMcClory
Overnight guests and members can take advantage of free yoga, pilates, spin classes, screening rooms and the lido. Treatments, pottery, gong bath and baking classes are at an additional cost. Just make sure you book in advance using your confirmation number.
https://www.birchcommunity.com/events/
Double rooms are available from £150. Weekend deal: Friday and Saturday nights for £300; Sunday nights for free, worth commuting straight to work on Monday morning!
Written by Crystal McClory