Journeying through the winding Wiltshire countryside, it wasn’t long before we reached the sleepy village of Winsley, where a wonderful weekend of relaxation awaited us at Burghope. We couldn’t wait to get out of the car as we pulled up into the drive of our Bathstone abode, covered with leafy vines.
Walking along the short, cobbled path, we felt an immediate wave of calm overcome us as we opened the front door. We were met with soft Bathstone walls and floors, with tasteful interiors and a Parisian charm that made for the perfect romantic retreat. We stepped through the stunning archway to find a delightful hamper, which had kindly been left by the owners of Burghope, filled with delicious local treats.
We set about exploring our charming retreat for the weekend, complete with a cosy wood burner in the pretty sitting room. Heading up the stairs of this lovingly restored home, the original features continued to the first floor, with a sweet wood burning stove set within a stunning hand carved fireplace and exposed Bathstone walls.
Heading back downstairs, we then explored the two lovely patio areas. The front terrace featured a new water feature, a beautiful slate curation carefully crafted by the owners to enhance the calming space. Listening to the slow trickle of water from the water feature was truly magical. The piece de resistance was the bubbling hot tub at the back of the retreat, set under a gorgeous oak gazebo, with twinkling fairy lights to set dream-like scenes post-sundown.
Once we’d settled in, we decided to venture to Bradford-on-Avon, just a 10-minute drive from Burghope. We ambled through the historical town, gazing in awe at the buildings, many of which dated back to the 17th century. We then took a short walk up to the canal, viewing the narrowboats dotted along the water.
With dusk setting in, we made the short journey back to our retreat before visiting the local village pub, The Seven Stars Inn for our evening meal. With exposed beams and a flickering wood burner, it was the perfect setting to while away an autumn evening, discussing our plans for the weekend over a bottle of wine and tasty, home cooked food. My partner chose a hearty burger with all the trimmings, whilst I enjoyed a flavoursome chicken curry with fresh papadums and mango chutney – delicious!
After dinner, we couldn’t wait to get back to our dreamy dwelling, with our sights firmly set on jumping in the hot tub. We sat beneath moonlit skies, blissfully sipping wine whilst listening to the occasional pop and bang of a firework in the distance ahead of the weekend’s bonfire night celebrations. To conclude the evening, we savoured heavenly hot chocolates in front of the fire, before retreating to our sumptuous king-sized bed for the most restful of slumbers…
We arose the next morning, excited for our fun-filled Saturday. We made our way downstairs to prepare freshly brewed coffee from the Nespresso machine, accompanied by breakfast carefully crafted with ingredients from our welcome hamper.
After getting ready for the day, we giddily made our way to the city of Bath, just a short 15-minute drive from Burghope. First item on the agenda – the Thermae Bath Spa! Wandering through the streets along the way, we were in awe at the gorgeous characterful architecture, full of history and stunning eighteenth-century designs. The spa stood proudly in the city centre, with the rising steam of the roof top pool ever so slightly visible from the entrance – we couldn’t wait for our morning of tranquillity at this heavenly space. We made our way through the three floors, enjoying the naturally warm waters of the pools, filled with over 42 minerals, leaving our skin silky and smooth. The contrast between the cool autumn air and temperate waters of the open-air rooftop pool was sensational. We concluded our spa session by visiting the Wellness Suite, featuring state of the art multi-sensory experience rooms, including an infrared sauna, two aroma steam rooms and an energizing ice room, which was so exhilarating!
Feeling totally relaxed, we stepped out of the serene spa into the bustling cobbled streets of Bath, amidst a lively atmosphere. We whiled away the late afternoon, exploring the pretty streets and boutique shops. Dusk soon descended and the streetlights began to flicker, with excitement brewing for the evening’s bonfire night celebrations. We found a quiet spot to enjoy the evening spectacle, with an array of colours lighting the city skies.
After the magnificent firework display, we enjoyed cocktails in the city. We were spoilt for choice, with a wonderful variety of bars and restaurants to choose from. After careful consideration, we decided to dine at Bosco Pizzeria, choosing mouth-watering woodfired pizzas, accompanied by delectable Italian wine.
To end the night, we retreated to Burghope for a long soak in the bubble-filled slipper bath. We pressed play on our holiday soundtrack, which softly filled the room from the SONOS speakers. Wrapping up in our fluffy dressing gowns, we lit the cute bedroom log burner with a strike of a match, keeping our toes toasty and warm as we settled down for the night.
Sunday morning was soon upon us and after a jam-packed Saturday we savoured a blissfully long lie-in made even more divine with the cloud-like bedding, catching up on the morning news with freshly brewed coffee in bed. We made the short walk to the Hartley Farm Shop for breakfast at the newly refurbished kitchen. Our dishes were delightful, with fresh ingredients and generous portions. With plates cleared, we headed next door to explore the farm shop, filled with lovely local delights.
After a wholesome morning, we reluctantly packed our bags ready for the journey home. Saying farewell to our darling abode, we reminisced on our romantic weekend escapades, wishing our visit could have been everlasting. Burghope is the perfect retreat for two, a getaway from it all, or a wonderful base to start newlywed life, with bubbles of the champagne and hot tub variety. You’re perfectly located for exploring the magical city of Bath, with bustling bars and wonderful restaurants, or just a few miles from historic Bradford-on-Avon, with independent shops and a pretty canal to enjoy an enchanting getaway like no other.
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