The Historic Aynho Park, a magnificent 400-year-old estate spanning 73 acres is an exceptional example of the work of preeminent British architect Sir John Soane. Constructed in 1615 and later rebuilt after the English Civil War. From the 17th century through the mid-1950s the manor house was the home of the Cartwright Family. The rare Grade 1-listed structure (a category of significant buildings that includes Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament and Tower Bridge) is late Georgian in style, with elements of Continental Baroque.
Aynho Park represents the most inspiring physical expression of the American home-furnishings company RH (Restoration Hardware) to date. The concept behind the company is their “curated world of luxury living, travel, dining and design services”, developed around so called “galleries”. The Gallery at Aynho Park provides 60 designed rooms throughout the main house as well as east and west wings – all open to the public. Visitors can also enjoy a Sir John Soane exhibition curated in partnership with his namesake London museum, as well as an extensive architecture and design library. The library boasts an impressive collection of modern, vintage, and even out of print books spanning back as far as 2,000 years.
An organic garden is being developed and is to provide seasonal vegetables and herbs for the on-site restaurants and bars.
The gardens
Set on an elevated plateau at the southern edge of Aynho Village in Oxfordshire, the estate features historic gardens by Capability Brown and stunning views of the (so reported) largest herd of White Hart deer in Europe.
Capability Brown modernised the gardens and park at Aynho in the 1760s. Brown’s scheme involved the removal of many of the formal 18th century elements in the garden surrounding the house. Brown built a ha-ha, introduced informal walks in the grounds and thinned out the formal avenues of elms in the parkland.
Restoration Hardware (RH)
RH England in Aynho is the first RH physical footprint outside North America.
The Gallery at Aynho Park offers “bespoke design and hospitality experience” throughout the estate. Visitors can wonder through the exceptional house whilst taking advantage of the various hospitality options; The Orangery (main restaurant), The Loggia (al fresco pizza restaurant) and the soon to open Conservatory with American Bistro fare. Hurried shoppers in need of quicker solution can turn to The Juicery, Tea lounge or The Wine Lounge on site. Though despite RH England’s impressive gastronomic offerings, most of revenues are expected to be driven by the interior design and trade businesses.