If you are looking for somewhere iconic and unusual for the best day of your life then Amazing Retreats has a stunning collection of venues to choose from for your special day.
If you are planning a corporate function and are looking for a venue with a bit of a difference - something that will inspire and invigorate? then why not consider an Amazing Retreat.
We have some great offers on selected venues, including special breaks on Bank Holidays, and key dates throughout the year. 
About Mike Clare D.L. Hon DUniv - Executive Chairman
- Mike Clare - Executive Chairman
Mike is a passionate Buckinghamshire entrepreneur. He was born and bred in Beaconsfield and is now a Deputy Lieutenant and Ambassador for Buckinghamshire, where he still lives with his wife Carol and his family. Mike was educated at Davenies School, Chalfont's Community College and High Wycombe College (now BNU) before starting a career in the retail furniture industry, which ultimately led to him opening his own bed store at the age of 30.
Although a serial entrepreneur, Mike is probably best known as the founder of Dreams which he launched with one store in 1987 growing to over 250 superstores before Mike eventually sold most of his shares in 2008 and stepped down as Chairman and CEO. He still remains committed and involved with the company as a major shareholder and non-Executive President.
Mike realised he wasn’t quite ready for retirement in 2008 so he decided to pursue his love of unique & iconic properties by making a hobby into a business. Mike formed Clarenco LLP in 2009 and has now built up a considerable property portfolio of amazing & unusual properties such as Towers, Castles, Forts and Monasteries (throughout Britain) under the ‘amazing retreats’ division. These properties are let out for Exclusive Use, Weddings and Corporate Hospitality and Themed Events.
- Mike Clare receiving his doctorate
Clarenco has also invested in many pre-let commercial properties in High Wycombe and Slough as well as larger residential homes through Beaconsfield Executive Homes. Another division of Clarenco is Country Manor Estates which as the name suggests specialises in the development, sale and holiday letting of substantial country houses.
By far the largest part of Clarenco is the Amazing Retreats portfolio with places such as Ackergill Tower in the Highlands of Scotland, Plas Rhianfa in Wales and Stanbrook Abbey in Worcestershire. Solent Forts is a trio of Palmerston sea forts in the Solent, Spitbank, No Man’s Land and Horse Sand which are the ultimate venues for any celebration.
The Clare Foundation was created by Mike and Carol in 2009, to support and improve the efficiency of charities throughout the UK and help them become more commercial and entrepreneurial. Based in Saunderton, near High Wycombe, The Clare Foundation also acts as a hub for local charities by offering subsidised accommodation and shared resources.
Mike also supports many other philanthropical organisations including The Princes Trust, the Retail Trust, Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers, Wycombe 4C, Bucks Business Foundation and Skidz.
More recently, Mike through a joint collaboration with Bucks New University helped launch the Clare Business School. This is an exciting new initiative enabling the Education and Business sectors to work together by bringing ‘real live business’ experience to students in Buckinghamshire.
Among all of this, Mike still finds time to help and mentor many local businesses and entrepreneurs and is often heard on the speaker circuit, lecturing and advising students and business men alike to help make their ‘Dreams’ come true.
Mike is a Freeman of the City of London, a Fellow of the Institute of Directors and a winner of numerous entrepreneurial awards. In 2009 Mike was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Bucks New University in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the field of commerce and entrepreneurship.
In their spare time, Mike and Carol enjoy travelling the world (literally) seeing different countries and cultures from their apartment on board ‘The world’……. the unique residential luxury ship that constantly circumnavigates the Globe.
In 'Who's Who', Mike lists his interests and hobbies as simply... "Making dreams come true"!
