Charming waiters are happy to recommend cocktails and dishes and chat. Walking maps, bicycles, iPads and iPod touches with Netflix accounts are available and there’s a choice of films to watch in the cinema and buggies to take you around the place. There are two tennis courts, outdoor pool and children’s pool as well as a spa with an indoor pool.

The house’s 18 rooms are individually designed by Susie Atkinson, and named after former guests. Winston Churchill’s favourite suite retains a private door he used to escape discreetly during war time and a huge James Bond photograph hangs over the bath in the Fleming studio suite.

Sushi, sashimi and amazing Japanese specialities are the order of the day in head chef, Maruyama Taiji’s Japanese Grill. Chocolate fondant and a silky basil sorbet to finish off are yummy. Some cocktails, too, have a Japanese slant – or the Beaverbrook Breeze is fruity fresh.