Birch Community Cheshunt Review: ‘The Great Escape…'

Looking for a staycation a short distance from London? Birch promises the perfect escape and is just 40 minutes away from London via train, or if you are ambitious it’s a fifteen-mile cycle from the city. 

Image: Birch Community, December 2021, © MTotoe

Housed in a 18th century English mansion, Birch is not only a luxurious concept hotel, but also features as a co-working space and members club. Named by The Times as ‘Hotel of the Year’ in 2020 it is located in heart of Hertfordshire, just a short journey from London.

Image: Tipi Huts, Birch Community, December 2021, © MTotoe

It’s the perfect home away from home, which promises to help you ‘pause, think, create, and savour’. With classes and events ranging from gong sound healing to terrazzo and pottery throwing sessions, sourdough bread making, glassblowing, yoga and cold-water therapy, you won’t be wanting things to do. Sustainability and the environment are apparent throughout both the minimalist décor, focused on up-cycling, and the farm table style restaurants all situated amongst vast grounds which you are free to roam in your own time. 

The facilities 

Birch is seriously edgy but in a chic-industrial kind of way; think classic country living décor meets flaking wallpaper with bold blue staircases, bare wood flooring, quirky furniture and cool artwork throughout. 

The facilities include a brand-new lido, art and pottery studio arcade, screening room, music room, bakery, wellness hub including a gym and treatment rooms, as well as lots of co-working spaces located in the Hub – which is also a great place to read or grab a bite to eat in. Outdoors there are vast grounds, which will have you feeling like you’ve just arrived at a festival with tipi tents, hammocks, and draping fairy lights.

Image: Hub, Birch Community, December 2021, © MTotoe

Image: Lido, Birch Community, December 2021, © MTotoe

There are 140 rooms – singles, doubles, twins and family rooms are available. None of the rooms are fitted with desks, TVs or kettles, but caffeine can be found at Valarie’s from 7am if that’s your thing.

Don’t miss out on some of the great events, for example, why not check out the pottery throwing class which is just perfect for beginners – but will set you back £65.  During the class you get the chance to make three or so items all of which you can decorate after throwing and will be sent to you your home once fired. If that’s not your thing don’t be disheartened as Birch has a great line up of weekly classes including yoga, spinning, boxing, and even cold water therapy.

Image: Screening room, Birch Community, December 2021, © MTotoe

Image: Pottery Throwing at Birch Community, December 2021, © MTotoe

Dining

There are lots of dining options at Birch, all of which serve up the produce grown on-site in a multitude of exciting ways. If you're looking for fine dining, head to the Zebra Riding Club, which is a collaboration with chef, Robin Gill. The décor is beautifully classic, and it is here that you can enjoy a delicious tasting menu, starting from £49 per person. Some of the dishes you could expect include a parsnip risotto with Curb egg yolk with fresh greens, a sunflower tahini sauce, and sweet potatoes.

A highlight has to be the incredibly tasty sourdough bread, which as a guest you can actually get involved in the making of. From 6am there is a drop-in session at the bakery where the team will talk you through their process, from the ideal temperature to the importance of a well-floured mould they will teach you everything you need to know.

Image: Zebra Riding Club, Birch Community, December 2021, © MTotoe

Image: Vegetarian tasting menu, Zebra Riding Club, Birch Community, December 2021, © MTotoe

Other on-site dining options include Valaries, an all-day dining restaurant located in the middle of the house, featuring a beautiful indoor dining space and a terrace with heaters and blankets. Valaries opens from 7am serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner including grilled dishes, pasta, deserts and pastries. 

All food can be taken anywhere to be eaten be that your room or if you want you can make up your very own log fire and eat around that. If you want a more private dining experience, then check out the Gun Room which seats up to six people for a more intimate dinner.

Image: Bread making at Birch Community, December 2021, © MTotoe

Image: Sourdough break exclusively available at Zebra Riding Club, Birch Community, December 2021, © MTotoe

For slightly more casual food options head to the Hub for pastries, sweet treats, light salads and veggie quiche. Coffees, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are also available at the Hub, along with the three other bars on site serving lots of delicious wines and cocktails. Or if you fancy something slightly further afield, head to the outdoor tipi on the back lawn on the weekends for cocktails and small plates.

Art

Birch is is positively breaming with amazing artwork, all of which is for sale at somewhat affordable prices. Each month they feature an ‘Artist of the Month’, shining a light on emerging creatives with regular ‘in conversation with’ talks that are free to attend.

Artist of the month during our stay in December 2021 was graphic painter and designer Angus Hyland, whose latest collection of works ‘Looking For A Certain Ratio’ is on display throughout the Mansion House. 

Image: Art from Angus Hyland Collection, ‘Looking For A Certain Ratio’, Birch Community, December 2021, © MTotoe

Image: Art from Angus Hyland Collection, ‘Looking For A Certain Ratio’, Birch Community, December 2021, © MTotoe

“The collection’s title is taken from the Brian Eno song ‘The Third Wheel’, and the brightly coloured geometric works find Angus exploring a series of bold compositions, each set around three or more reference points. Each piece connects to three different design systems (the golden ratio, ISO and the rule of thirds) that combine to give each painting a natural balance between the shapes and negative space.”

Image: Mansion House, Birch Community, December 2021, © MTotoe

Image: Library, Birch Community, December 2021, © MTotoe

Image: Medium Room, Birch Community, MTotoe

Getting there

Birch is in an amazing location if you are looking for a quick getaway out of London. A train from Liverpool Street will take you just 24 minutes to arrive at Cheshunt Station, which is then just a 5-10-minute car journey from the hotel. Or if you’re looking to drive it’s just off the M25 and there are plenty of parking spaces available.

Price

Double rooms start at £120 at night, however, the prices are for rooms only and nothing else is included – aside from access to the gym and some exercise classes. The cost can definitely add up, with lots of items being on the side of ‘London prices’, for example £7.50 for a small glass of wine or £2.75 for a croissant. But it is worth noting that there are some great weekend deals, for instance if you book to stay on a Friday and Saturday night you will get Sunday free! Plus, they offer 10% off your first booking.

Birch offers memberships that give all areas pass to Birch and discounted room rates. Anyone can become a member for £100 a month, as well as a £150 joining fee. Click here for more.

#FLODown: Birch is a great place to switch off from the hustle and bustle of city life, which is made even more appealing by just how easy it is to get there from London. There is quite a lot to do though so it’s definitely easy to spend your holiday busy and not really relaxing. Equally the price of doing all these fun-filled activities, dining, and drinking can definitely add up! 

 Location: Lieutenant Ellis Way, Cheshunt,
EN7 5HW

birchcommunity.com.