Ardour Milton Park Bowral reveals signature dining concepts, Horderns Restaurant and The Polo Bar, ahead of 2026 opening
15 October 2025
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Today, Salter Brothers Hospitality (SBH) reveals further details around the much-anticipated reopening of Ardour Milton Park Bowral, with the unveiling of a new space and culinary concept at the historic estate’s signature restaurant, Horderns, and transformed bar space for The Polo Bar featuring a dedicated charcuterie room.
The new culinary offering at Ardour Milton Park Bowral is defined by two distinct concepts within the grand homestead. Horderns Restaurant showcases refined pan-European cuisine designed for seasonal, shared dining, while The Polo Bar offers a relaxed yet sophisticated all-day setting with charcuterie, small plates, and a curated drinks list. Both names will be familiar to those who know the estate, yet their reinvention delivers an entirely fresh experience.
Leading the kitchen is executive chef Mark Holland (ex-Nomad, Paddington Inn, Box Tree UK), who was brought onto the team in late 2024 with this culinary evolution in mind.
Horderns Restaurant, once an intimate fixture of the original Milton Park, is undergoing a significant transformation. Relocated to a more expansive setting, the restaurant now enjoys views of the estate’s historic gardens and an abundance of natural light. Seating capacity has more than doubled, growing from 38 to 102.
At the heart of Horderns’ transformation lies the chef’s pass, a new focal point where guests can watch chefs assemble and plate each dish, bringing a sense of theatre and connection to the dining experience.
A reflection of the estate itself, Horderns is rooted in heritage and local Southern Highlands produce. The restaurant’s philosophy embraces seasonality, craftsmanship, and the joy of sharing food. Executive chef Mark Holland is designing the menu around communal dining and table-side theatre, with select dishes set to be served family-style and finished in front of guests to create a sense of connection and ceremony. Guests can expect a dining flow that encourages lingering.
Extending the culinary vision of Ardour Milton Park Bowral, The Polo Bar will offer small plates, hand-cut charcuterie, classic cocktails, and an extensive wine list championing Southern Highlands wineries. The crowning jewel of The Polo Bar will be an adjoining charcuterie room, offering a dedicated space where guests can enjoy cured meats and artisan cheeses.
Designed as a showcase of craftsmanship, the charcuterie room will celebrate producers from Southern Highlands, South Coast and beyond, forming part of The Polo Bar and Horderns menus. The Polo Bar will be complete with an impressive selection of deluxe spirits, single malts, fine ports and aged cognacs — the perfect place to begin or wind down an evening.
Holland said: "Cooking has always been about connection for me — from growing up in my father’s restaurant in Yorkshire, to training under culinary luminaries including Simon Gueller and Marco Pierre White in Europe, or now working with the incredible producers of the Southern Highlands such as Snake Creek Beef, Bunny Galore Lamb and Pecora Dairy. At Horderns, my goal is to create food that feels both comforting and memorable. I want every guest to leave with a memory that stays with them long after they’ve gone."
A firm favourite with locals, Milton Park’s High Tea will continue to offer a refined take on the grand European tradition with sweet and savoury delights, seasonal local produce, and a touch of Southern Highlands charm.
In July 2025, SBH announced the multimillion-dollar refurbishment and rebrand of the beloved Southern Highlands estate. Relaunching in early 2026 as Ardour Milton Park Bowral, the property will serve as the flagship Ardour Hotels & Estates, a new collection of immersive luxury retreats in Australia’s most breathtaking regional destinations.
Originally established in 1910 as a grand country residence, Milton Park has long been a cherished landmark of the Southern Highlands. Its latest transformation, led by boutique Sydney design firm MAC Design Studio, takes inspiration from the romantic countryside manors of Europe while infusing a distinctly modern sensibility.
The new position of Horderns embraces the restaurant’s garden outlook, with full-height windows flooding the space with natural light. Inside, two distinct sections strike a balance between timeless refinement and contemporary warmth: one alive with vibrant greenery and jewel-toned seating beneath cascading pendant lights; the other defined by botanical motifs, terracotta and ochre accents, and plush chocolate leather banquettes.
The Polo Bar and its adjoining charcuterie room extend this narrative with soft blush tones, sculptural timber detailing and intimate seating. Together, these spaces create a seamless journey through Ardour Milton Park Bowral, where history, design and culinary excellence converge in an experience that is as refined as it is welcoming.
Ardour Milton Park Bowral general manager David McDonald said: "Together, Horderns and The Polo Bar embody Milton Park’s vision for boutique regional hospitality. We want to redefine what luxury means in Australia; it’s about slowing down, connection, craft and character. The evolution of this storied estate marks the beginning of a new era for regional hospitality, and we look forward to welcoming return guests and first-time visitors."
With works currently underway, Ardour Milton Park Bowral is anticipated to open in early 2026. Further details around opening dates for Horderns Restaurant and The Polo Bar, operating hours and bookings to follow.
ENDS
Ardour Milton Park Bowral
200 Horderns Road, Bowral NSW 2576
ardourhotelsandestates.com/milton-park/
@ardourmiltonpark
For further information, images or interview requests, please contact Salter Brothers Hospitality:
Nicole Ford: 0414 554 356 | nicole.ford@salterbrothershospitality.com
About Mark Holland (executive chef, Horderns)
Mark Holland is the executive chef at Horderns, the signature restaurant at Ardour Milton Park Bowral. With more than three decades of international experience, he brings a philosophy of seasonal, sustainable cooking that celebrates local produce and timeless technique.
Raised in Harrogate, UK, Mark grew up immersed in the hospitality industry, inspired by his father’s Yorkshire restaurant. He trained at acclaimed establishments including the Michelin-starred Box Tree under Simon Gueller and with Marco Pierre White, before working as a private chef across Europe and leading one of London’s top gastro pubs.
In 2015, he was a finalist in the UK’s MasterChef competition, which aired late that year. He then moved to Australia and spent time working in acclaimed restaurants including Nomad and Paddington Inn, before moving into the boutique hotel market.
Mark became part of the Milton Park team in late 2024 as a key element of the major rebrand and renovation of Horderns. At the restaurant, he champions food that is generous, flavour-driven and elegant, aiming to create dishes that connect people. Holland will lead the kitchen when Horderns reopens to guests in 2026 with a brand-new location and look, and the same commitment to quality dining and strong relationships with local farmers and producers.
About Ardour Hotels & Estates
Launching in 2026, Ardour Hotels & Estates is set to become a curated portfolio of boutique luxury lifestyle destinations designed for immersive shared experiences in Australia’s most iconic regional and natural locations.
A Salter Brothers Hospitality brand, Ardour redefines regional luxury by offering elevated accommodations paired with exceptional dining and beverage, indulgent spa and wellness offerings, and epicurean food and beverage experiences.
Crafted for couples, families and corporate gatherings alike, Ardour properties are purpose-built to foster connection through curated rituals, seasonal menus, captivating landscapes and unexpected moments of magic. Each hotel and estate is designed in harmony with its surrounding terroir and shaped by passionate hospitality professionals, creating spaces where milestones become memories and everyday escapes are transformed into something extraordinary.
With an unwavering commitment to community, sustainability and place, Ardour is where meaningful celebrations and restorative moments coexist, wrapped in warmth, refinement and soul.
Find out more: ardourhotelsandestates.com