Just thirty minutes from central London in lovely, leafy Richmond is the newly renovated, The Bingham Riverhouse. Proudly sitting riverside since the 18th century, the property was originally built as two Georgian Houses home to Katherine Bradley and Edith Cooper, known for penning literature under the pseudonym Michael Field. From 1984 the property has belonged to the Trinder family and to this day, mother and daughter Ruth and Samantha remain its loving owners. Following an extensive makeover, The Bingham Riverhouse reopened its doors earlier this year to reveal its latest reincarnation; a place so perfectly suited to each and every occasion, and one that will no doubt be enjoyed for generations to come.

At the reins of The Bingham’s reinvention is the award-winning interior designer Nicola Harding, the woman behind one of the most popular hotel openings of 2018, The Rose in Deal. Suffice to say The Bingham Riverhouse equally delights and oozes the same sophisticated charm of that of the boutique bolthole off the Kentish Coast.

Impeccably designed to complement and accentuate the character and features of the period property, The Bingham Riverhouse has again been brought cleverly and stylishly up-to date by Harding with the use of contemporary tones and textures. The dusky-pink drawing room feels both intimate and spacious with its high ceiling, airy French windows leading onto the terrace and modern marble top bar perfectly situated next to classic wood panelling, offering the best spot for a pre-dinner cocktail by the very talented and knowledgeable barman Kennet- and possibly the friendliest man ever. Next door vintage literature adorns the dining room walls, a nice nod to the hotel’s history, whilst upstairs in one of fifteen newly renovated bedrooms, the deepest and most luxurious copper bathtub sits ready and waiting to sink into. That would of course be after you’ve indulged in a massage or manicure at sister company Bhuti; a gorgeous wellness hub owned by Samantha Trinder, located just a stone’s throw away on Richmond Hill and offering a variety of exceptional spa and beauty treatments at a discounted rate to those staying at the hotel.

The food is exceptional and whether you’re a guest for the night or not, dinner at The Bingham Riverhouse is something not to be missed. Head chef Andy Cole oversees a seasonally changing menu of modern, hearty, British cuisine using local and sustainable produce to create the most outstandingly delicious dishes, from crispy pork belly and chicory marmalade to succulent beef sirloin with white onion puree, accompanied by an impressive and comprehensive wine list. Breakfast serves a variety of favourites; pastries, crumpets and porridge, but I’d recommend the quality oak smoked salmon with creamy scrambled eggs on soft sourdough bread, which was enjoyed in-room and still piping hot.

Overall, quality and comfort are the overriding themes at The Bingham Riverhouse, but the added charm comes from the hotel staff who are a genuinely warm, friendly and happy team. But who wouldn’t be working at such a delightful place? Here’s to the next chapter.