The Winning Post Inn may be in the heart of unabashed horse country, but it’s not the thunder of hooves that brought us to nearby Kempton Park Racecourse today, but the Sunbury Antiques Market.
There are 700 stalls selling everything from old jam bottles to jewellery, some eerie stone lions and some post-war Soviet military insignia.
We leave laden with a clothes rack and an antique vase, feeling like we’ve backed a winner.
This part of Berkshire is steeped in beauty and history, with Windsor Castle just a 12-minute drive away or just beyond Eton and its hooded students who look like characters from Harry Potter.
The annual Royal Windsor Horse Show is also held nearby, and the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club hosts some fierce competitions if you like the thrill of horses in full coats.
Andrew Davies stays at The Winning Post Inn, located in the “heart of outrageous horse country” in Berkshire
The beautiful, rural Wenpos is housed in an 18th-century building, just a five-minute drive away. It’s quintessentially British with its cozy corners, wooden and stone floors and a cheerful buzz emanating from the customers at the bar.
The 12 rooms have been recently renovated with a tribute to horse lovers evident in the historic posters, paintings and photographs that capture the area’s unique heritage.
There was no bathtub but our room – #11 – had a spacious walk-in rain shower with great water pressure if you wanted to relax. The room was at the front of the building with its own little patio.
Cozy nooks: “It’s quintessentially British with its cozy nooks, wooden and stone floors and a happy buzz emanating from the guests at the bar,” says Andrew of the inn
The 12 rooms have been recently renovated with a tribute to horse lovers evident in the historic posters, paintings and photographs that capture the area’s unique heritage.
Each room has been refurbished with Egyptian cotton duvets and very plump pillows, a Nespresso machine, DAB radio and widescreen TV.
The bar is also pet-friendly for those who want to take their dog along for the ride.
The rich, imaginative and hearty portions on the menu are the perfect way to end a busy day. For dinner, baked sea bass, baked new potatoes, a salad of fresh pancetta and sea fennel, and a fragrant salsa verde are a hit. Or try the outstanding Crabacado burger, which combines tempura soft-shell crab and guacamole.
The bar is pet friendly for those who want to take their dog along for the ride
Visitors can walk in nearby Windsor Great Park and enjoy the “majestic view” from the hilltop to Windsor Castle
Double rooms at The Winning Post start from £109
The next morning you will be positively fortified by freshly brewed coffee before heading to the breakfast menu. This includes everything from an exquisite, locally sourced Full English to towering pancakes that groan under the weight of maple syrup and berries.
After this excellent breakfast, a five-mile cruise around peaceful Virginia Water is required. It’s a gentle, flat circuit, but for those with more energy, it branches off to Deer Park and the Long Walk in Windsor Great Park, with majestic hilltop views of King’s Castle.
A word of caution: the post office is cashless, so no Del Boy is leaving for the weekend with rolls of banknotes.
Maybe save your money for the bookies at the racetrack.
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James is an author and travel journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a love for exploring new cultures and discovering unique destinations, James brings his readers on a journey with him through his articles.
