New vintage homeware store in Bruton

New kids (well, mother and daughter) on the super cool block that is Bruton: Philo & Philo, a homeware shop selling vintage furniture, lighting, plants, artist’s work and specially curated stuff old and new, with the emphasis on playfulness and fun. Design runs in the family: fashion designer Phoebe Philo OBE is a rellie.

Up, up and away

Film director, producer and Madonna’s ex, Guy Ritchie has just become the new owner of Compton Abbas airfield, just south of Shaftesbury. We loved watching the planes taking off and landing from the great little cafe. Temporarily closed for refurbing – the airfield is due to re-open in March – maybe the place for star as well as Spitfire spotting in the future?

Bath’s latest restaurant

One of Bath’s swankiest hotels, the Gainsborough Bath Spa (one of Condé Nast Traveller‘s Top 20 UK hotels) has just opened Socialize. The new restaurant serves up very pretty, contemporary British cuisine in elegant (it’s Grade II listed Georgian, don’t you know) but relaxed surroundings. On the menu stuff like seabass fillet with crushed baby potatoes, salsa verde; fillet of beef, chips, béarnaise & peppercorn sauce; and spatchcock poussin, chimichurri and fries – sounds delicious but not too poncy. It’s on our list to visit but if you’ve already been, let us know what you think.

Celebrity neighbour

Calling all Cumberbitches! Apparently Benedict and wife Sophie Hunter have bought a pad – multi-million price tag, historic mansion, 355 acres (as you do) – in South Somerset. Pop around to borrow a cup of sugar?

History hounds

Opening on Mon 13 Feb, Avalon Archaeology, a brand new addition to the Avalon Marshes Visitor Centre in Westhay, near Glastonbury. A team of 110 volunteers, under the guidance of archaeologist Dr Richard Brunning, have built a full-sized Saxon longhall, the dining room of a Roman villa (with working hypocaust heating), a Viking trading ship and the oldest surviving archaeological excavation hut in the UK (with its own mini cinema). Worth a visit with or without the kids. Book a tour Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri.