Country living… Why not give it a go?
From the ancient Roman spas to the Georgian Royal Crescent and the Jane Austen Festival, there is more than one good reason to spend a very British weekend in Bath…
TRAVEL SNAPSHOT
After months of anticipation and the meticulous planning that has gone into the new Country Living Hotels, I was thrilled to finally be paying a visit to the first one to open – The Lansdown Grove in Bath.
Pulling into the charming railway station at the heart of the Georgian city, I decided to walk the 10 minutes to the hotel.
I’m pleased to say that when I first sighted the Country Living Hotel, it did not disappoint. Sitting on a hill, a little outside the gentle bustle of the town, and with great views across to the Royal Crescent, it looks like a charming 18th century country house.
INSIDER’S GUIDE
One of the great advantages of Bath is that there is no shortage of things to see and do in the city. It’s also surrounded by beautiful countryside – full of places to explore.
Lacock Abbey with monastic origins reaches back to the 13th century (nationaltrust.org.uk) and Bowood House, surrounded by Capability Brown inspired gardens ( bowood.org), are just over the border in Wiltshire. Grade I listed Tyntesfield (nationaltrust.org.uk) and the lovely village of Shepton Mallet – home to the historic Kilver Court Gardens and The Kilver Court Emporium ( kilvercourt.com) – are all just an hour’s drive away.
‘There is no shortage of things to do in the city, and it’s surrounded by beautiful countryside’
FOOD AND DRINK
Staying at the Country Living Hotel? Try the pork crackling and Bounders cider apple purée from the ‘Nibbles’ list. Dinner? Staff persuaded me to try the slow-cooked Bath Chaps, a traditional pork dish which has been made in the town since the Second World War. My verdict? It has a melt in your mouth tenderness. With other options like warm cinnamon spiced peaches and nectarines with west country clotted cream and toasted almonds, dessert is a must.