Paris House, Woburn

Talk about a house taking your fancy. This charming Tudor-style building was built in Paris in 1878, spotted by the then Duke of Bedford and shipped piece by piece to his estate in Woburn Park at the end of the 19th century!

It’s now a luxury restaurant with 3 AA Rosettes run by Michelin chef Phil Fanning and his wife, Claire, who is no stranger to top notch establishments, having worked for Heston Blumenthal and Tom Kerridge.

Phil has been Head Chef since 2010, having cut his teeth at L’Ortolan in Berks, but he decided to buy Paris House in 2014. The emphasis is on Modern British cuisine with some Asian twists using seasonal produce and served by warm and friendly staff. You can watch the team in action from the Chef’s Table with its dramatic red banquette, offering groups of between 2 and 8 guests an immersive experience, plus Phil offers cooking masterclasses for all abilities.

The stately approach through the deer park gives a great sense of anticipation (you can pretend you’re a duchess) and the modern interiors with chandeliers, contemporary furniture and artworks are a pleasant surprise given the period exterior. Consistently lauded as the best restaurant in Beds, its food credentials are impressive, and the setting in 22 acres of parkland make this a special occasion destination.