The Bingham – London’s Elegant Riverside Retreat, Romantic Getaway and UK Minimoon Hotel

A couple of summers ago, I spent an awful lot of time walking the Thames towpath in preparation for The Thames Path Challenge, a rather fearsome 100km endurance event that takes competitors from Putney to Henley, and I loved every moment of the training because, you see, I fell in love with the river. I adore the fact it has a pace of its own and even now, I feel instantly better the moment I set eyes on the Thames. So, you can well imagine my joy when I was asked if I’d like to stay at The Bingham, a genuinely delightful boutique hotel or ‘restaurant with rooms’ that occupies a Georgian townhouse on the very fringes of Richmond and is right on my beloved river…

the bingham, riverside retreat, uk minimoon, uk honeymoon, london romantic wedding venues

Image credit, Timeless Pictures

From the moment I pushed open the hotel’s front door, I felt at home. From the warm and friendly welcome I received to the waved goodbyes, all was perfect. My room, the incredibly spacious ‘Baudelaire’ on the first floor was sublime – the big bay windows give a 180-degree view across the hotel’s gardens and the river just beyond. The bathroom, equally huge, was home to a whirlpool bath and a walk-in shower (I’m happy to report I tested both and they were both excellent!) but it was the huge four-poster bed with feather duvets and masses of pillows that really made my stay and I slept like the proverbial baby.

the bingham, riverside retreat, uk minimoon, uk honeymoon, london romantic wedding venues

the bingham, riverside retreat, uk minimoon, uk honeymoon, london romantic wedding venues

Photography Credit (above + below), Candid Apple (iPhone)

If you wander down through The Bingham’s fabulous garden and push open the gate onto the path beside the river, you have a choice. Turn right and you’ll find yourself in Richmond in a few minutes. Here, you’re literally spoiled for choice if shopping is your thing – Anthropologie, LK Bennett, Jack Wills and Jo Malone, to name but a few rub shoulders with old style jewellers, artisan bakers, individual boutiques and well known high street names. The pavements bustle and you could spend hours wandering.

the bingham, riverside retreat, uk minimoon, uk honeymoon, london romantic wedding venuesHowever, should you choose to turn left when you stand on the towpath, you literally step out of London and into the wide open spaces that run alongside the river. You’ll be rambling through Petersham Meadows and on toward Teddington Lock in minutes. However, when you reach the slipway opposite Glover’s Island, turn away from the water’s edge and up River Lane towards the wonderful Petersham Nurseries. I can guarantee you’ll lose yourself here for happy hours and if you’d like a real treat, visit the iconic café

the bingham, riverside retreat, uk minimoon, uk honeymoon, london romantic wedding venues

the bingham, riverside retreat, uk minimoon, uk honeymoon, london romantic wedding venues

Image credit The Bingham (top) +  Candid Apple (iPhone)

But, whatever you do, make sure that you leave plenty of room for dinner at The Bingham because the restaurant is all kinds of amazing. In the interests of being able report back to you with a wedding slant, I was treated to a parade of delights from the banqueting menu with carefully selected matching wines and oh my goodness, it was heaven.

To start, a beautiful plate of Gravlax, heritage beetroot and crème fraiche appeared and it would be the most perfectly elegant entrée at a summer wedding breakfast. It was fresh, it was delightful and it was a delicious taste of other delights to come. Also, if you wrinkled your nose a tad when I mentioned beetroot, please cast aside all notions of acidic pickled beetroot, this was the real deal and it was heavenly.

the bingham, riverside retreat, uk minimoon, uk honeymoon, london romantic wedding venues
the bingham, riverside retreat, uk minimoon, uk honeymoon, london romantic wedding venues
the bingham, riverside retreat, uk minimoon, uk honeymoon, london romantic wedding venues
the bingham, riverside retreat, uk minimoon, uk honeymoon, london romantic wedding venues
the bingham, riverside retreat, uk minimoon, uk honeymoon, london romantic wedding venues

Image credits, Timeless Pictures

Then, I moved onto a main course of beef, kale and chicory with a touch of mashed potato and a thick, luscious sauce. The beef was simply outstanding and I have to admit to being quite sad when I finished it all. My dessert was a sharp and super refreshing apple trifle that was complemented by a sweet and almost syrupy dessert wine. It was a genuinely wonderful meal – beautifully presented without being ridiculously fussy, substantial without being heavy and special without being intimidating. I would eat it again tomorrow. And indeed, I could eat it on the day after that too.

If you’re looking for an elegant wedding venue or a bolthole for a pre-wedding break or post-wedding minimoon then I recommend The Bingham heartily and without hesitation. I love that fact that it’s technically a London venue but you’ve got greenery all around and a sense of space abounds. It’s easy to get to but still feels like a hidden gem and really fantastic people staff this fabulously designed hotel.

the bingham, riverside retreat, uk minimoon, uk honeymoon, london romantic wedding venues
the bingham, riverside retreat, uk minimoon, uk honeymoon, london romantic wedding venues

Image credits: Timeless Pictures (top) +  Maria de Faci

So I urge you to visit soon. And, if when you do, there’s a woman with short hair and a smile on her face sat by the river, do say hello to me won’t you?

The Bingham has just launched the most gorgeous summer wedding packages – complete with ice cream tricycle! Indulge with Pimms by the river on arrival and then enjoy the gourmet barbecue that includes delights such as Scottish beef, tiger prawn skewers, scallops, halloumi and courgette skeweres and heavenly side dishes. The summer wedding package starts at £80 per guest including VAT and service.

the bingham, riverside retreat, uk minimoon, uk honeymoon, london romantic wedding venues
the bingham, riverside retreat, uk minimoon, uk honeymoon, london romantic wedding venues
the bingham, riverside retreat, uk minimoon, uk honeymoon, london romantic wedding venues

Weddings and civil ceremonies take place in the elegant Garden Rooms, a series of three interconnecting spaces that can be tailored to suit you and can accommodate 90 seated guests or 150 standing. These rooms open right onto the terrace and garden so you’re assured the most picturesque of settings. Exclusive use options are also available where you could truly call The Bingham your own.

the bingham, riverside retreat, uk minimoon, uk honeymoon, london romantic wedding venues

Image Credits: Timeless Pictures

For more information on weddings at The Bingham, contact the events team on 020 8940 0902 or via [email protected].

Love Tamryn x

 

This is a sponsored post – Love My Dress were kindly offered a weekend visit at The Bingham which our team member Tamryn accepted on our behalf.  There was no exchange of money and we have not been paid to share or are profiting from blogging this feature. Tamryn genuinely had a really lovely time at The Bingham and would recommend it in a second).

 

Tamryn Settle

Tamryn Settle View all Tamryn's articles

Self-confessed wedding addict Tamryn spends her days in her Berkshire studio writing about all things beautiful and romantic with her black Labrador for company.

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