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LIFE is sweet sipping a berry julep cocktail with mint in the garden of The White Hart.
Located in the Wiltshire village of Ford, a hamlet in a valley on the River Bybrook, it has a long history as a place to rest and revive.
The site is a former watering hole from Roman times; they passed through on their way to Bath, drawn here by clear drinking waters from neighbouring hills.
Over 400 years old, with wonky beams, original exposed stone, nooks and crannies, the pub is cosy and inviting.
We stay in one of the 11 beautiful rooms, refurbished to highlight the beauty of the original building but with modern comforts.
A Nespresso coffee maker, Marshall bluetooth speaker, White Company toiletries and luxury robes come as standard.
The stylish restaurant serves simple, seasonal food. For starters, soy-marinated duck, pickled cucumber and noodles, and a buffalo mozzarella salad bursting with fresh green asparagus, broad beans and peas.
From seven different steaks, matured for a minimum of 28 days, I plump for the 10oz rib eye, seared rare to perfection and served with a smoked flat mushroom, peppercorn sauce and triple-cooked chips.
The city of Bath, a World Heritage site due to its spectacular Georgian architecture, is a 10-mile drive.
A trip around its famous bath house, where the Romans came to bathe in the warm, mineral-rich waters, is fascinating.
For the full immersive experience, we head for the Thermae Bath Spa. This historic building, converted with an ultra-contemporary interior, offers a Minerva Bath, a larger indoor bath with massage jet, a whirlpool, lazy river and a multisensory Wellness Suite.
Its crowning glory is the open-air rooftop pool which looks out over the Bath skyline. Heated to 33.5 degrees, steam rises gently from the surface. Entering the soothing mineral waters feels like a warm hug against the cool springtime air.
Rooms at The White Hart start from £99. Get half-price steaks on Tuesdays. Cocktails £5 between 5pm and 8pm, Monday to Friday. Book at whitehart-ford.com.
Entry to the Thermae Bath Spa starts at £36 (£40 at weekends) including two hours access to the Rooftop Pool, Minerva Bath, Wellness Suite and restaurant.
Entry to the standalone Cross Bath starts at £18.
To book call visit thermaebathspa.com or 01225 33 1234.