Some places become part of your story long before you ever return as a guest. 10 years ago, Mr R and I stood beneath the Kent sky at Port Lympne and said “I do.” Returning to celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary felt wonderfully fitting, made even more poignant as the reserve marks its own milestone year celebrating 50 years of pioneering wildlife conservation. There could hardly have been a better place to toast both occasions, or to stay just because… BY SAMANTHA READY

Few visitor attractions have evolved quite like Port Lympne Reserve. What began in the 1970s under the vision of conservationist John Aspinall has grown into one of Europe’s leading wildlife reserves and is home to more than 900 rare and endangered animals across 600 acres of rolling Kent countryside. Alongside its world-renowned conservation work, the reserve now offers one of the country’s most diverse collections of overnight accommodation, from treehouses and safari tents to cabins, cottages and, sitting proudly at its heart, the elegant Mansion Hotel; perhaps the most perfect option for a couple-only escape?

Originally built in the early 20th century for Sir Philip Sassoon, politician, art collector and one of Britain’s great society hosts, The Mansion remains every inch the grand country house. Its striking architecture, sweeping terraces and beautifully proportioned reception rooms speak of another era, while carefully restored interiors balance heritage with understated luxury. Original fireplaces, rich wood panelling and period detailing sit comfortably alongside contemporary comforts, creating a hotel that feels refined without becoming formal.

Our room, appropriately enough, was the Philip Sassoon Suite. Spacious, elegant and flooded with natural light, it reflected the grandeur of the house itself with beautiful period features, including an original 1920’s bathroom, softened by calming fabrics, luxurious furnishings and views stretching across the grounds beyond. It feels more like staying in a distinguished private residence – especially when crossing the ‘guests only’ rope, than a hotel – which only adds to its exclusive charm.

One of the great privileges of staying at the Mansion Hotel (and indeed the majority of Port Lympne’s accommodations) is access to your own private golf buggy. It quickly becomes indispensable, allowing guests to explore the vast estate at their own pace, whether heading down to the restaurants, discovering the many unique accommodation options dotted across the reserve or simply pausing at viewpoints to watch rhino, giraffe and primates grazing across the landscape. The reserve suddenly feels wonderfully accessible, encouraging spontaneous detours and unhurried exploration.

Every overnight stay also includes a shared safari; an excellent introduction to Port Lympne’s remarkable conservation work. If there is one recommendation I’d make, however, it would be to upgrade to one of the private or small-group animal experiences – for us, that meant giraffe feeding!

Accompanied by one of the reserve’s knowledgeable keepers, we stepped behind the scenes for an experience few visitors ever enjoy. Standing eye-to-eye with these extraordinary animals, hand-feeding towering giraffes as they gently reached down with impossibly long purple tongues, was simply unforgettable. Even more special was meeting the mother of baby Jude while she was still heavily pregnant, a quiet reminder that conservation here isn’t simply something visitors observe, but something happening every single day.

Back at the Mansion, dinner awaited in the elegant The Garden Room Restaurant, where a relaxed yet elevated approach to modern British cooking perfectly suits the surroundings.

We began by sharing warm rosemary focaccia, its golden crust giving way to a wonderfully light centre, accompanied by olive oil, balsamic vinegar and silky red pepper hummus. Alongside came crispy chicken bites glazed in sticky gochujang, their gentle sweetness balanced beautifully by the sharp freshness of kimchi.

As both Port Lympne’s 50th anniversary and our own anniversary deserved celebrating properly, we raised a glass of the estate’s 50th Anniversary Signature Cocktail. Combining Grand Marnier, Cognac, sugar, Angostura bitters and Gusbourne Brut 2018, it offered citrus brightness layered over rich warming notes before finishing with elegant English sparkling wine. A glass of Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs followed, crisp and beautifully mineral with fine bubbles and delicate notes of green apple and brioche.

For mains, Mr R’s beef burger arrived unapologetically indulgent. Smoked cheese melted over perfectly cooked beef while garlic mayonnaise and smoky barbecue pulled pork added richness beneath crisp butter lettuce and ripe tomato, all accompanied by delicious sweet potato fries with just the right amount of crunch. 

My lamb rump showcased the kitchen’s lighter touch. Perfectly blushing at its centre, the lamb was paired with silky leek fondue, sweet roasted cherry tomatoes and a vibrant green sauce, while a fragrant tarragon lamb jus tied every element together with quiet confidence.

Dessert continued the celebratory tone as a chocolate and caramel tart delivered deep cocoa richness beneath a perfectly crisp pastry shell, elevated further by the delicate crunch of a cocoa nib tuile. The Kentish Summer Berry Pudding, meanwhile, offered a fittingly seasonal finish. Soft berries burst with freshness beneath generous clotted cream creating a dessert that felt both nostalgic and unmistakably Kentish.

The following morning, as the estate slowly came to life beyond our windows to the background hum of lion roars and giraffes wandered the horizon once more, it struck me just how unique Port Lympne has become. Few places combine meaningful conservation, remarkable wildlife encounters and genuinely luxurious hospitality with such authenticity.

Returning a decade after our wedding made the experience deeply personal. Yet, even without that connection, the Mansion Hotel offers something rather special. It isn’t simply a beautiful country house hotel set within a wildlife reserve. It is an opportunity to wake up surrounded by one of Britain’s greatest conservation success stories, where every overnight stay contributes towards protecting some of the world’s most endangered species.

For us, there could have been no finer place to celebrate where our own story began. For you, if it hasn’t already, it should be your first Port Lympne chapter.