Head out into the countryside near Bath to live your lord and lady dreams in historic houses where you’ll find foraged food fresh from the countryside, classically decorated suites, sumptuous spas, and incredible views all within a short drive of the city.
1. Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa
Horse-loving history buffs can stay in a Palladian mansion just six miles outside of Bath, surrounded by 500 acres of parkland and manicured gardens at the grand Lucknam Park in Colerne.
Dating back to 1720, Lucknam Park became a hotel in 1987 and now has 42 luxury bedrooms, 13 suites, and six cottages to choose from for your stay. Each is individually designed and features antique furniture for a nod to its historic past.
With a spa offering indoor and outdoor hydrotherapy pools, thermal cabins, and a skincare mixology bar, plus an equestrian centre with 35 horses, you can spend the whole weekend here. Tuck into Michelin starred fare at the Hywel Jones restaurant (dinner only, Wednesday to Saturday) or head to the more casual Brasserie for daily light bites.
Booking Information
Address: Lucknam Park, Colerne, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14 8AZ
Phone: 01225 742 777
2. Homewood Hotel & Spa
Arty types will enjoy the eclectic eccentricity of Homewood Hotel & Spa, which combines the grandeur of a Georgian country house with creative decor and a modern spa. Set between Bath and the village of Freshford, it’s only seven miles from the city (eight minutes on the train), but surrounded by countryside.
If you’re rolling up in an electric Porsche then you can enjoy fee car charging (fee for other electric cars).
Lavish rooms range from doubles to suites in the 21 bedrooms in the main house to 10 suites in Mallingford Mews, which has deluxe suites with hot tubs, balconies, and epic views of the Somerset countryside.
Although each one has its own personality they all feature extra special touches like statement art pieces, Dyson hair dryers, and Smeg coffee machines.
Retreat to a spa haven with treatment rooms, plunge pool, sauna, steam room, indoor hydrotherapy pool, outdoor heated pool and hot tub with views over the valley.
Hungry after your spa session? Tuck into hearty Mediterranean sharing plates at the restaurant, and eat outside in a dining dome during the warmer months.
Booking Information
Address: Abbey Lane, Freshford, Bath, Somerset BA2 7TB
Phone: 01225 580439
3.The Pig
Quirky country house meets a home away from home at The Pig in Pensford, which describes itself as a ‘restaurant with rooms’. Cosy rooms come complete with locally sourced snacks and vintage treats in the larder, monsoon showers, and four poster beds and a freestanding bath (in Comfy Luxe rooms).
As well as a range of 29 bedrooms, The Pig also has ‘The Apple Store’, which is a converted rustic ‘shed’ with a wood-burning stove, monsoon shower, and freestanding bath, hidden away in the Kitchen Garden. Here you’ll also find ‘The Hide’, a two-floor space with a wood stove and bathtub, which also has amazing views of the 80 Fallow Deer that roam the property.
The Kitchen Garden is also the location where the two spa sheds, the Potting Sheds, can be found. Here you can enjoy spa treatments with organic, seaweed-based VOYA products.
Menus are based on produce from the garden and what’s been foraged in the local countryside, with a focus on a 25-mile menu that supports local suppliers so you can truly get a taste of local life.
Booking Information
Address: Hunstrete House, Hunstrete, Pensford, Bath, BS39 4NS
Phone: 0345 2258484
4.Bailbrook House Hotel
Combine countryside and city living at Bailbrook House, which is situated on the outskirts of Bath in Batheaston. The grand Grade II listed house was built as a private home in the early 1790s.
Set in 20 acres, there’s plenty of room to feel like you’re in the country even though Bath is a short bus ride or drive away. Each of the 88 rooms have a unique decor, inspired by classic luxury.
The contemporary wing, Bailbrook Court, houses 75 classic and executive level bedrooms and in the Mansion House you’ll find 13 feature bedrooms and suites, many of which contain indulgent touches like a four-poster bed or roll top bath.
In the basement of the mansion you’ll find the architecturally stunning Cloisters restaurant, known for Head Chef Michael Ball’s modern British dishes (including ingredients foraged from the hotel’s estate), and elsewhere the Royal Lounges and Conservatory Bar offer places to relax with a glass of wine or cup of tea.
Booking Information
Address: Eveleigh Avenue, London Road West, Bath, Somerset, BA1 7JD
Phone: 01225 855100
5. Widbrook Grange
Discover a Georgian farmhouse close to Bradford on Avon near Bath. Lovingly restored to feel like a contemporary country pile, Widbrook Grange is a dog-friendly haven in 11 acres of Wiltshire countryside.
Each of the 19 boutique bedrooms is decorated in Cotswolds inspired colour schemes and feature a king bed with 400-thread Egyptian cotton sheets, and goose down duvets for a blissful slumber.
Stays also include a hearty farmhouse breakfast (when you book direct), and you can dine at The Kitchen Restaurant for locally sourced afternoon tea and dinner – be sure to check out the Gin Bar for an extensive collection of tipples!
Booking Information
Address: Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, BA15 1UH
Phone: 01225 864750
6. Woolley Grange
Family–friendly Woolley Grange is set in 14 acres of grounds near Bradford on Avon and here you can collect eggs from the chickens, roam the walled gardens, or take advantage of complimentary childcare to soak in the heated indoor swimming pool, or the outside pool during warmer months).
Even the spa is family-friendly with areas where kids can enjoy the facilities and even get treatments designed for younger skin!
Cosy rooms range from quirky ones tucked in the eaves of the historic house to family suites, and even seasonal glamping tents, where you can stay under canvas with the comfort of a wood burning stove and comfy beds.
With a focus on families, the dining options feature locally sourced produce and hearty breakfasts, informal lunches, a Matilda themed afternoon tea, and children’s dining at 5pm (followed by a family seating at 6pm).
Booking Information
Address: Woolley Green, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, BA15 1TX
Phone: 01225 864705
7. Whatley Manor
Foodies flock to five star Whatley Manor, in Malmesbury (around 18 miles from Bath), thanks to the Michelin starred restaurant, simply called The Dining Room, and the more informal Grey’s Brasserie.
Make a night of it and stay in one of the 23 rooms, which range from classic cosy rooms to sumptuous suites.
Chill out (or warm up) at the Aquarias Spa where you’ll find a thermal suite, hydrotherapy pool, heated stone recliners, and salt scrub showers as well as a range of treatments from Gaia and Natura Bissé.
Explore the 26 gardens that make up the 12 acre estate or relax in the private cinema and tuck into popcorn and a good film.
Booking Information
Address: Easton Grey, Malmesbury, SN16 0RB
Phone: 01666 822 888
8. Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort
Combine sightseeing and a country house hotel stay at Bowood Hotel Resort, which is nestled in the idyllic Bowood Estate and offers 43 contemporary rooms and suites. It’s an ideal base for a golf or spa weekend thanks to the PGA 18-hole golf course and the modern The Spa at Bowood.
Take a spa break and unwind in the indoor infinity pool, with views across the countryside, or relax in the rock sauna, aromatherapy showers, and crystal steam room.
Dine on seasonal menus at the 2 AA Rosette Shelburne Restaurant or enjoy a delicate afternoon tea in the library. Complimentary seasonal access to Bowood House & Gardens is included between April and October and free electric car charge points means you can keep your stay green!
Booking Information
Address: Old Rd, Derry Hill, Calne SN11 9PQ
Phone: 01249 822 228
9. The Bath Priory
Cosy up in a country house that is right in the city! Hunker down in the honey-coloured Georgian house of Bath Priory, which is nestled within four acres of award-winning gardens.
Rooms are each named after a flower and all come with crisp white linen and Vispring beds. They range from simple comfy rooms to suites with fireplaces, four-poster beds and roll top baths. Inside the main house Andrew and Christina Brownsword’s private art collection adorns the walls and the decor combines refined elegance with some quirkier touches.
Step into the Garden Spa by L’OCCITANE for a selection of treatments by French skincare brand L’OCCITANE (this is the only spa by them in the UK) or relax in the indoor pool, sauna, or steam room.
Enjoy garden views as you dine on modern French cuisine in the 3 AA Rosette restaurant or enjoy more relaxed fare for breakfast, lunch, and supper in The Pantry & Terrace.
Booking Information
Address: The Bath Priory, Weston Road, Bath, BA1 2XT
Phone: 01225 331 922
10. Tracy Park
Golfers can tee off while their partners enjoy afternoon tea in the drawing room of Tracy Park, a 19th Century Jacobean manor house that’s only 10 minutes from Bath.
Home to two championship golf courses, the historic house is also a popular place for weddings and currently rooms can only be booked as part of wedding packages here.
Booking Information
Address: Tracy Park Golf & Country Hotel Bath Road, Wick, BS30 5RN
Phone: 0117 937 1800
Looking for somewhere to stay in the city? Try these Bath-based hotels or snuggle up with your bae in one of these Bath hotels for couples.
Amy is an award-winning travel writer born and bred in Bath. She has written for national newspapers and magazines from the Guardian and Mail on Sunday to Conde Nast Traveller and Good Housekeeping. Now she’s helping travellers explore Bath, one story at a time.
