THE LOWDOWN

A Regency mansion right out of Bridgerton turned Grade II listed country house hotel, Bailbrook House sits in 20 acres of manicured lawns and woodlands on the north bank of the river Avon, just 10 mins drive from the centre of Bath. Super easily accessible, with loads of free parking (unusual for a Bath hotel), Bailbrook House is one of the Hand Picked Hotels, a collection of 21 luxury country house hotels and coastal retreats around the UK and Channel Islands.

THE VIBE

The Bridgerton set would feel right at home; in fact Queen Charlotte was a visitor, along with assorted aristos, bishops and other VIPs, back in the day. Dating back to the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the main Mansion House was lived in by a succession of wealthy peeps including philanthropist Lady Isabella King – hence the soaring ceilings, cornices and ceiling roses, chandeliers and tall sash windows hung with silk drapes in the hotel’s 13 suites, feature bedrooms and public spaces. The foyer is quite spectacular.

Arrange a secret liaison on the corkscrew staircase.

Have a tête-à-tete in the Princess Elizabeth, Queen Charlotte or Duke of Clarence lounges.

Enjoy a lunch or a sun downer out on a terrace strung with fairy lights.

Take in the view.

The hotel’s more modern addition, Bailbrook Court – formerly a Post Office training college – was built in the 1970s.

QUAFF & SCOFF

Choose from two restaurants, both open to non-residents as well as hotel guests. For steak, burgers, fish and chips, salads and pizza, head to The Conservatory, a light-filled guess what between the Mansion House and Bailbrook Court overlooking lawns and woodland.

If it’s 2 AA rosette fine dining you’re after, you’ll want a table in Cloisters, an atmospheric restaurant in the Mansion House, with vaulted Bath stone ceilings and arched windows overlooking the terrace and gardens. Head chef Michael Ball serves up a modern British menu created with seasonal, local ingredients, some foraged from the grounds.

That’s an ancient wisteria you can see through the window.

First up, a cheeky G& T with local Cotswold Gin, followed by an amuse-bouche of foamy roasted cauliflower espuma and a little puff pastry mushroom parcel. Taste buds well and truly tickled!

Nice to see a menu that gives pretty equal prominence to meat, fish and veggies, with a good choice for all. Starters included Castlemead chicken beignet, wild garlic velouté and cured chalk stream trout. My richly flavoured, super tender – and hard to photograph – glazed short rib of beef was accompanied by tasty parmesan polenta topped with Wye Vally asparagus and deliciously umami-y black garlic.

Mains included roasted West Country lamb rump, poached halibut and mushroom agnolotti (similar to ravioli) in mushroom broth. My pan fried stone bass came with Exmoor mussels, nutty, buttery ratte potato, leeks sitting in a mussel cream, with a garden green salad, Dijon and bee pollen dressing (no, I’ve never had that before either) on the side. Delicious.

From a choice of four desserts and a Somerset cheeseboard, here’s the tonka bean parfait made with Wye Valley rhubarb, rhubarb sorbet, pieces of ginger sponge. Yummy.

To accompany, a glass of fresh and fruity Villa Saletta Toscana Rosé from the Hand Picked Hotel’s own Tuscan vineyard.

All the staff were warm, friendly and helpful but we must give a special mention to Bogdan.

PILLOW TALK

The 13 suites and grander ‘feature’ rooms named after historical figures associated with Bath (yes, of course there’s a Jane Austen room) – think four posters, free standing baths, double rain showers – are in the Mansion House, with a further 75 standard rooms in the 1970s addition.

We stayed in the Lady Isabella King Suite, with soaring ceilings, tall sash windows, original fireplace, writing desk, flat screen TV, armchairs, table and chairs, ginger bickies, coffee machine – and a whopping wooden sleigh bed made up with crisp white bedlinen which was calling out to be bounced up and down on (hotel: we resisted). No wardrobe in the bedroom; there’s a separate dressing area with wall-to-wall cupboards within the bathroom.

And what a bathroom it was! Vast, with a glass box, double rain shower that was almost big enough for the whole family, double sinks, Noble Isle toiletries, waffle robes, fluffy towels and a porcelain slipper bath perfectly positioned for dreamily cloud-gazing – or not missing your favourite show on the Tilevision TV – from the bubbles.

Arriving back at the room after dinner to find the curtains drawn, the bed made ready for the night, a bottle of water and glass waiting on the bedside table; a turn down service is always a treat.

After an excellent night’s sleep in that giant bed, it was time for breakfast, which you can have served in your room with the morning newspapers or in the Lansdown room. The self-service buffet not only offered croissants, pain au chocolate, sourdough breads, fresh fruit, cheeses and charcuterie, yogurts, cereals and granola but also all the components needed to pile a plate high with a full or veggie English.

There’s a cooked-to-order menu too, with stuff like eggs Benedict, smashed avos and French cinnamon brioche toast. Here’s my plate of perfectly scrambled eggs and smoked mackerel topped with watercress.

OUT & ABOUT

You’re a 10-minute drive or bus ride – and a 30-min walk – into the centre of Bath where the city’s myriad delights await your arrival. See our Insider Guide to Bath for the cool places to go. Back at the hotel, play tennis, work our in the fitness suite or take a stroll up Little Solsbury Hill (made famous by the Peter Gabriel song), for 360° views across Bath and the Avon Valley. The hotel can sort you out with a picnic.

CHILD-FRIENDLY

Kids of all ages are welcome. Children’s menu (minute steak, burgers, build your own pasta).

DOG-FRIENDLY

Their dog-friendly rooms offer easy access to outside space, dog bed and cushion, bowl, snacks and a personal letter from the hotel manager for those dogs who can read.

ACCESSIBILITY

I’d say pretty hot on accessibility with an accessible entrance with automatic door, hearing loop in reception, lifts to all floors, accessible dining, public areas and loos, two accessible bedrooms with walk in showers, and more.

MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: A great base for visiting Bath on a city break, with the city’s buzzy shops, cafés, restaurants and cultural attractions on the doorstep and a peaceful retreat to escape to at the end of the day. Perfect if you’re dropping off or collecting your little darling from university. Book Cloisters for a special dinner or Sunday lunch, afternoon tea in one of their lounges or private dining.

Not for: It’s a country not an urban vibe so probably not for those seeking an edgier stay (though who comes to Bath for an edgy time?)

The damage: Not bad. Cloisters’ seasonal menu: starters £9–12; mains £18–31; dessert £8–10. Wine from £7/glass, £38/bottle. 7-course Chef’s Experience, £75. Standard double rooms from £170/night B&B. Feature rooms and suites from £395/night B&B. Kids: under 3s stay and eat for free; 4–11s free B&B, 12–17s £20–£25 B&B when sharing parents’ room.

Bailbrook House, Eveleigh Avenue, London Road West, Bath, Somerset BA1 7JD. 01225 855100.

Muddy stays: Bailbrook House Hotel, Bath

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