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Set on the banks of the River Thames in the historic village of Sonning, The Great House is a relaxed riverside hotel and restaurant surrounded by water meadows and quintessential English countryside. Guests come for stays by the river, long lunches overlooking the Thames and time spent exploring the beautiful villages of Berkshire – continuing a tradition of hospitality on this site that stretches back to the Middle Ages.
A MEDIEVAL RIVERSIDE INN
The Great House’s story is rooted in the ancient history of Sonning itself. The site is believed to occupy the location of a 12th-century ferryman’s dwelling, a reminder of the days when this stretch of the Thames was crossed by ferry long before the famous eleven-arched bridge was built. For centuries the inn that grew here was known as the White Hart – a name with a direct connection to the English Crown – before becoming The Great House in 1989.
OUR STORY
Over the centuries, The Great House has evolved from a medieval river crossing into the characterful retreat it is today. The site brings together several historic buildings – including the 16th-century Palace Yard and the 17th-century Coach House – each with their own story to tell. While interiors have been thoughtfully refreshed over the years, the spirit of the place remains rooted in its surroundings. The river still shapes the rhythm of life here – from peaceful mornings beside the Thames to leisurely evenings dining with the water at your side. Today The Great House blends its remarkable heritage with a relaxed, contemporary approach to hospitality. A place to gather, unwind and enjoy the beauty of the Thames Valley.
THE COPPA CLUB STORY
The Great House sits naturally within the Coppa Club collection, one of our signature Clubhouses set on the river’s edge. Like all of our Coppa Clubs, it’s designed to move with you, from morning coffee to late evening drinks, from quiet moments to something more social. It brings together everything Coppa Club stands for, a sense of place, a slower pace when you want it, and just enough energy when you don’t, all in a setting that feels considered, welcoming and unmistakably part of the Club.
Learn MoreCOMMUNITY
We’re proud to be part of the local community, with strong connections to the people and place that make Sonning so special. We support a number of local initiatives and events, including the annual Sonning Regatta, and work closely with Sonning Primary School to create opportunities and enriching experiences for local children.
Whether you’re joining us for a meal by the river, a countryside stay or time to reset and recharge, The Great House offers a relaxed way to experience life by the Thames. From seasonal food and drink to comfortable stays and wellness on and off the water, everything is shaped by our surroundings.
Questions about The Great House’s history and heritage? Discover some of our most frequently asked questions below.
The Great House Sonning has roots stretching back to the 12th century, when a ferryman's dwelling stood on this stretch of the Thames to serve travellers crossing the river at Sonning. Long before Sonning Bridge was built, a ferry provided the only crossing here, and the hospitality that grew around it laid the foundations for over 800 years of welcomes on this site. The inn became known as the White Hart - a name connected directly to the English Crown - before being transformed into The Great House in 1989 when it was combined with the neighbouring Red House.
The Great House has one of the most layered histories of any hotel on the Thames. The site traces its origins to a 12th-century ferryman's dwelling and grew into the White Hart inn, whose name pays tribute to a remarkable royal connection: King Richard II's personal badge was a white hart, and his young wife Isabella of Valois was held at the Bishop's Palace in Sonning after Richard's death. The property expanded over the centuries, with the 16th-century Palace Yard added during the Tudor period and the 17th-century Coach House reflecting Sonning's growing importance as a stopping point for travellers between London and the west of England. In 1945–47, celebrated playwright Sir Terence Rattigan lived in the adjacent Red House during one of the most creative periods of his career. In 1989, the White Hart and the Red House were united to create The Great House at Sonning as it exists today.
The Great House is located on Thames Street in the village of Sonning, Berkshire (RG4 6UT), sitting directly on the banks of the River Thames and surrounded by water meadows and English countryside. Sonning is a short drive from Reading and easily reached from the M4. For those travelling without a car, Reading train station is the nearest rail hub with connections to London Paddington, from where Sonning is accessible by taxi or bus.
Coppa Club is a collection of distinctive venues designed to feel like a home away from home - spaces that work for morning coffee, long lunches, lazy evenings and everything in between. The Great House Sonning is part of the Coppa Club family, bringing together the Club's philosophy of warmth, ease and a strong sense of place with one of the most remarkable settings on the Thames. Like all Coppa Club venues, it's built around the idea of moving at your own pace - whether that means a quiet moment by the river or something more social.
The Great House makes an excellent base for exploring the Thames Valley and the surrounding villages of Berkshire. The hotel is set among water meadows with easy access to riverside walks, and the picturesque village of Sonning itself - with its famous eleven-arched bridge - is worth exploring on foot. The area is well placed for visiting the historic towns of Henley-on-Thames and Windsor, and for walking sections of the Thames Path. The hotel has strong ties to the local community, supporting events such as the Sonning Regatta and working closely with Sonning Primary School. For guests who prefer to stay closer to base, there is dining overlooking the river, comfortable rooms steeped in history, and wellness experiences on and off the water.
