He wants to protect all his guests' privacy, he explains, although he confirms that numerous politicians, actors, pop stars and other distinguished people have stayed there.

But his reluctance to go into greater detail also stems from his keeness to dispel the notion that Hartwell is the sole preserve of the rich and famous.

"That is the biggest challenge," he admits. "People perceive Hartwell as being exclusive and expensive when really it is not.

"It is the mystery of the wall. When they built these old historic houses they tended to build big parameter walls and they are not very welcoming and what we have tried to do is make Hartwell accessible. We do offer value for money and there's so many opportunities for people to come and experience us."

Mr Thompson, 53, is a man who clearly loves his job.

"To come to work in this setting of 90 acres of parkland and a wonderful historical house is a joy," he says.

And who wouldn't marvel at the spectacular environment and rich history of the luxury hotel, restaurant and spa, located right on Aylesbury's doorstep?

Hartwell House's past stretches back almost a thousand years to the reign of Edward the Confessor. It has been the seat of William Peveral, the natural son of William the Conqueror, and to King John, who signed the Magna Carta and was supposedly the nemesis of Robin the Hood.

But probably its most famous resident was not English at all. He was French, and his name was Louis XVIII, the exiled King of France who held court there from 1809 to 1814 during the time of the Napoleonic Revolution.

"I never thought when I was learning about the French Revolution at school that I would one day be working and looking after the place where Louis XVIIII and his court had stayed during that period," said Mr Thompson. "All the names I was studying - they all stayed here at Hartwell. That is remarkable."

In 1987 Hartwell's golden past presented a golden business opportunity. Historic House Hotels Ltd acquired the lease to the estate, which had fallen into disrepair whilst a finishing school for girls. After extensive renovation it re-opened in 1989. It now employs 135 staff, 60 per cent of whom live locally.

Mr Thompson said: "What we do means the house is brought back to life. It was built for people to come and enjoy and that is what our guests do today."

Hartwell's market changes depending on the day of the week. At weekends, Londoners escape to the countryside and many local private events such as weddings and anniversaries are celebrated. During the week the market is more business-led and Hartwell hosts many meetings, and at this time of year tourists are also welcomed.

Next year Hartwell will celebrate its 20th anniversary as a hotel- in what will also be the 200th anniversary of the arrival of Louis XVIII. Plans for the celebrations started a year ago, and Mr Thompson promised there would be plenty for people to get involved in.

"The history of the house will go on through time. All we want as a company is for people to look back and say ours was a rich period of that long history."