Wanderlust in Wiltshire
GETAWAYS
Wanderlust in Wiltshire
THE WIDBROOK GRANGE HOTEL
WITH SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT WORLD HERITAGE SITES, ANCIENT HISTORIC WONDERS, MEDIEVAL CITIES AND HALF THE COUNTY DESIGNATED AS AREAS OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY, WILTSHIRE OFFERS IT ALL IN A PERFECT ESCAPE PACKAGE. BY SAMANTHA READY
Ah, the elusive family short break dream: scenic drives through rolling English countryside, picnics by babbling brooks, educational and inspiring trips to historical wonders, and peaceful sleeps fuelled by local gastronomic delights and fresh countryside air.
If only!
Our own family adventure began with a nonstop inquisitive preschooler preaching the classic‘ are we there yet?’ from the moment we joined the M20, demands for a wee in the absolute middle of nowhere, and a miserable teething baby. Living the dream …
Whilst the journey wasn’ t quite what we were hoping for, our end destination was the definitive light at the end of the tunnel, or more accurately the beams of sunlight on a beautiful Georgian house, as we arrived at the Widbrook Grange Hotel.
Originally built as a model farm during the early 1700s, Widbrook Grange’ s main house – with its light stone facade, cosy lounges, dining rooms and bedrooms; and stables and barns blocks, home to yet more cosy bedrooms and even an indoor swimming pool and gym – is located in 11 acres of Wiltshire countryside, just outside the historic market town of Bradford on Avon.
Entry along the winding driveway framed by lawns, lush gardens and a hive of nature quietened the 3-year-old as gasps of‘ look there’ s a bunny, and another, and a baby one and a bird’( all said in one not-pausing-forbreath sentence), impressed even the screaming 11-month-old, who happily pointed out of the window at one of the dogs running freely around the quirky metal sculptures within the impressive grounds.
Not only priding themselves on being family friendly( travel cots, camp beds, high chairs and children’ s menus were all effortlesses produced), Widbrook Grange is also the epitome of‘ dog-friendly’, as pooches are encouraged to stay and can even join guests for dinner in a dedicated separate dining room – but without compromising comfort, design and style.
The Music Room, one of three super deluxe double rooms in the main house, was the perfect example: classic English countrysideinspired décor and furnishings with a musicthemed twist. Alongside stunning views across the grounds from the dual aspect windows, comfortable bed with Egyptian cotton sheets and goose down duvets, and much to the amusement of the 3-year-old, a stunning rolltop bath located in the bedroom, were lamps made of instruments; milk, coffee and biscuits stored in an old violin case; and musicthemed framed prints. Although the quirkiest( and our most loved) feature was found in the bathroom, where beside the huge modern walk-in shower was an old pedal bike, lovingly
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