As a city gal, I’m always on the hunt for an escape from the hustle and bustle of central London. So when the opportunity popped up to go to Bingham Riverhouse in Richmond, (an area I had never explored), I had to snatch it up. And after looking it up on Instagram, I was absolutely sold on the stunning copper bathtubs and quaint countryside surrounds. So did it live up to the hype?

The Richmond hotel is quite a stylish retreat.

About a 20-minute walk from the train station, the hotel is easily accessible if you’re searching for a quick trip away. Walking inside, I instantly got a cosy yet chic vibe. The lobby manages to capture a boutique feel with its colourful artwork and wooden floors while just a peek at the bar revealed hanging potted plants and sleek marble tables. We were seated at the dining room for a fab three-course tasting menu (£55) all whipped up by former winner of MasterChef: The Professionals, Steven Edwards. My date and I kicked off with cocktails and I immediately went for the apple margarita (£14). Fruity, light and flaunting a nice punch of Cointreau tequila, the drink was beautifully topped off with a dried slice of apple. Meanwhile, my date ordered the Wild Woman (£14), a boozy bevvie celebrating the beauty and power of women using smooth bourbon, peach liqueur, hibiscus-infused syrup and chickpea water to create a foamy texture on top.

The staff gave us some nibbles to munch on, and these were some of the most luxurious snacks. We started off with a little mushroom bite topped with a delicate shaving of truffle, followed by a toasty marmite bread paired with seaweed butter. For starters, we tried the scallops, which were light, buttery and melt-in-your-mouth good. It would also be a crime not to try Steven’s signature dish – the dippy egg, which was a duck yolk with nasturtium root, and broccoli. A must-have, it had a savoury flavour, accentuated by fried onions and a succulent roll of duck. The fanciest version of egg with soldiers I’ve ever tried.

An eggcellent signature dish from Steven Edwards.

Another highlight of our meal was a stunning plate of pork belly, complete with charred courgette. While the meat was tender and soft, the veg was perfectly cooked and drenched in a zesty sauce. Once we polished off our meals, they let us wander outside on the terrace, where we could settle into a number of spaces, from dining domes with armchairs to wicker seating overlooking the river.

No two rooms are the same at this hotel, with each one being named after a Michael Field poem. We stayed in The Baudelaire, and when we first threw open the doors, we were floored. Atop our all-white king-sized bed, there were hot pink throw pillows and a plaid blanket in the centre. In between two grey armchairs was a table with antic books – one of which was written by Winston freaking Churchill might I add. However, the real star of the show was that copper bathtub I had been eyeing on Insta.

The room has the perfect marriage of comfort and luxury.

The venue was also kind enough to give us tickets to Kew Gardens (£13.50 for adults), a Richmond must for anyone visiting. We first made our way to the closest exhibit, The Palm House, which was a botanical haven of plants with sky-high staircases. Fab for weekends with the fam or cute couples dates, our favourite attraction had to be the sky-high Great Pagoda (an extra £4.50). Key tip: be sure to wear comfy shoes as there are 253 steps to climb before getting to the top.

When I returned back to my room, I drew a bath, and luckily, the hotel had already placed some beaut products to tuck into. I drizzled in the La Eva Blu wash, which exuded notes of blue chamomile and lavender. I watched an episode of Black Mirror on their HD screen to end the evening – perfection.

The next morning, I wandered downstairs to see a gorgeous breakfast buffet (£16) spread. The array included everything from charcuterie meats and croissants to banana chia loaves and avocado smoothies - all of which were delish. In addition to this package, you can also order off the breakfast menu for hot plates of eggs on toast, full English veggies and much more. So before heading off, I tucked into eggs benedict (£14.50). Upon two muffins were plump poached eggs, a square slice of ham and the creamiest hollandaise sauce, topped with chives to give a bit more depth to the brekkie favourite. Oh, and the endless coffee top ups were ideal.

The DesignMyNight Digest 

Wow, what a stunner. I was blown away with Bingham Riverhouse's chic and cosy ambience. From the delicious tasting menu and botanical cocktails to the copper bathtub and plush bedsheets, it was all well worth it. While it may be on the pricier side, I recommend heading here for a little escape from the London madness. I mean I'm still dreaming about those riverside views.

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