Never leave the site to enjoy the steam room and sauna. Hit the spa barn for holistic beauty treatments. Slip on the Hunter wellies provided for yomping across the Wiltshire countryside. Stay at base for croquet, archery and fishing, or saddle up with bike hire or horse-riding.
Sample the traditional and state-of-the-art spa facilities at Thermae Bath Spa, Britain’s only natural thermal spa. Keep the geothermal theme going at the Roman Baths, one of the natural wonders of Northern Europe. Head to Stonehenge or Avebury Stone Circle to figure out how they did it.
Go wild for the animals at Longleat and Bristol Zoo. Take a ghost walk around Bath. Explore the limestone caverns at Wookey Hole. Lose yourself in the tranquil beauty of the Grade 1 Italianate garden at Iford Manor or in the honey-stoned glory of the ancient villages that pepper the Cotswolds.
Grab a handful of history at Lacock Abbey, Abbey House Gardens or Salisbury Cathedral. Head to Bristol for top shopping at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, featuring Thomas Sabo, Jack Wills, Links of London, Lakeland, Joules, Bose and more. Or back the artisans and independents in sophisticated and stylish Bath.
Pub options are good in Edington, with cask ales and entertainment on hand at the Three Daggers, with no need to rattle the car keys. But city slickers might prefer Trowbridge, with clubs that include twin-level Boutique and Moomoo, or Albany Palace for food and drink.
Bath’s clubs include Zero Zero, Maxrod, Club Ice, or Moroccan-themed Po Na Na Souk. In Hilperton, The Lion and Fiddle pub is a consistent favourite, thanks to Gurkha ownership and quirky choice of English or Nepalese food. Anyone for momo or poleko kukhura?
Other country pubs abound. The Boat House at Bradford-on-Avon overlooks the marina, combining some of the best food and views in Wiltshire. The Mason’s Arms in Frome comes with a rustic feel, craft beers and fresh coffee. And The Fox in Tytherington promises a warm fire in winter, walled garden in summer… and no bar.
Catch a movie at the Trowbridge Odeon. Vulture some culture at The Arc Theatre in Trowbridge or The Wharf in Devizes. Go bowling at Center Parcs. Or stay at home and have a big night in, with a home pamper party, a murder-mystery event, dance lessons or a cookery class. Just say the word.
