The Launch of the Veuve Clicquot Terrace Bar at Cliveden House

Last week saw me attend the dazzling launch of the Veuve Clicquot Terrace Bar at the iconic hotel, Cliveden House (the Duchess of Sussex stayed there the night before her wedding to Harry, and it’s hosted everyone from Churchill to Chaplin)-and what a dreamy midsummer night it was.

Taking my two great thespian friends along with me, superstar, Harriet Thorpe, and writer and actress Kelly Juvilee, we had an absolute ball.

Visiting Cliveden House is always a treat. Steeped in history, from the moment you arrive, you’re gifted a piece of history from its 350 year legacy. It’s no wonder Cliveden House hotel feels so majestic, it’s played host to almost every British Monarch since George 1 and was home to three Dukes, an Earl and Frederick Prince of Wales.

Queen Victoria famously adored Cliveden House and was not amused when William Waldorf Astor, America’s richest citizen bought it in 1893.

By 1906, he’d bestowed it to his son and daughter-in-law and it soon transformed into a socialites’ haven with Chaplin, Churchill, George Bernard Shaw and even President Franklin D. Roosevelt lapping up the good life there. It was also, of course, the setting for the political scandal, the Profumo affair with scenes from the film it was based on, also filmed there.

You might have also caught a candid insight into the inner-workings of Cliveden House on Channel 4’s series, ‘A Very British Country House’ last year. Standing proud in the heart of the beautiful Berkshire countryside, just 40 minutes from Central London, overlooking the River Thames and surrounded by 376 acres of National Trust gardens, there really is nowhere quite like it.

Now, while the surroundings are naturally grand within, the atmosphere is never stuffy. Quite the opposite in fact, Cliveden House is always warm and welcoming whether you visit the spa (which FYI, boasts the only listed pool in the UK and is my all-time favourite place for a massage) or you enjoy a sumptuous private dining experience as I was lucky enough to, one Christmas- you will feel at home there.

And the Veuve Clicquot Terrace Bar launch was no different. We loved every single minute.

Sipping the crisp and refreshing Veuve while taking in the expansive views of manicured lawns and dazzling fauna (safely warm inside, away from the quintessentially British summer drizzle), followed by a few brave al fresco shots and some dancing back inside as we were serenaded by the live band, I can’t remember a more fun night in Berkshire!

Cliveden has a long history of celebrating strong women and the same applies with their choice of partnering with Veuve Clicquot.

I’ve always been a fan of not just the champagne but also the backstory behind the brand. Founded in 1772 in Reims, France, Madame Clicquot, the innovator of the champagne house, took over in 1805 and became one of the first female businesswomen, paving the way for others with her motto being, ‘only one quality, the finest’.

Having been acquired in 1986 and creating its non-vintage Rosé in 2004 (with a 2 year waiting list no less), it remains one of the largest and most in-demand champagne houses in the world.

Cheers to that and cheers to the opening of the Terrace Bar.

What a nourishing, fun, giddy, girlie, and utterly gorgeous night: the company, hotel, new friendships forged-hi there Therese Cooklin of Beaconsfield Local (far right in the first photo), the attentive and kind staff,  the Parmesan crisps of perfection consumed, and the magical atmosphere Cliveden, it was utter perfection.

Huge thanks to the super James Rogers, PR extraordinaire, lovely pal of mine and owner of the best eyebrows in the biz, and of course our wonderful host, General Manager, Kevin Brooke, and the charming Max who quite possibly, and extremely patiently, took one million and one photos of us all as we bickered over lighting, angles and the best backgrounds for Instagram. You were a hero ;)!

As I said, it was the BEST night.

The Veuve Clicquot Terrace Bar at Cliveden House is on all summer. Cheers to that!