Lucknam Park, Cotswolds t ld

this elegant hotel and spa near bath is five star in every way. an impressive country estate set in 500 acres of listed parkland, you’ll arrive in style, gravel crunching underneath, as you zoom up the tree-lined driveway.

rooms are cosy with modern bathrooms and espa toiletries. We loved the Cornflower suite, overlooking the main driveway. the spa offers espa treatments from £102, and it has one of the best indoor pools and steam/sauna/Japanese salt room complexes we’ve seen in the Uk. We spent hours in the indoors/outdoors hot tub – just push a button to open the sliding glass doors, and then gently float outside.

executive chef hywel Jones offers michelin-starred food, and the seasonal tasting menu (£110) in restaurant hywel Jones is out of this world. a more casual lunch in the brasserie (three courses for £27) was equally delicious. there’s a fantastic equestrian centre in the grounds, a cookery school and plenty to see and do nearby – if you can bear to leave lucknam that is!