Nothing gladdens my heart like the sight of a tree-lined drive with a country
house hotel at the end of it, especially after a stressful week. And the one
at Lucknam Park - a mile-long three-deep avenue of lime and beech trees -
does not disappoint.
Turning up late on Friday night it was impossible not to feel as though we’d
been delivered on to the set of some BBC costume drama, albeit it in a cab
from nearby Bath rather than a liveried carriage.
Although Lucknam Park is grand, with its beautifully decorated Georgian public
rooms looking on to 500 acres of parkland – the words “well appointed”
spring to mind – it is the friendliness of the staff and the intimacy of the
surroundings that make it special. Fresh flowers fill every corner and
roaring log fires and boxes of Scrabble lend it that rosy-cheeked
kick-off-your-wellies-and-relax-with-a-pot-of-tea feel.
And the bedrooms are lovely – our Cornflower Suite at the front of the house
was decorated in light, delicate hues and the limestone bathroom with its
power shower, double sinks and separate shower certainly passed the posh
bathroom test. Two flatscreen TVs and Bose CD systems, one in our bedroom,
the other in the rather plush adjoining sitting room, were a welcome touch.
“This is how I would decorate if I had a big house and the money” pronounced
my sister, a textile designer with an eye for these things. “Those are the
most exquisite curtains I have ever seen.” I’d settle for the view behind
them: the aforementioned avenue of beech trees, striking in its rich autumn
coat of reds and brown. So lovely was the room, in fact, that we couldn’t
bear to drag ourselves away to join the other guests for breakfast the
following morning and plumped instead for breakfast in bed: scrambled egg
and smoked salmon and buttermilk pancakes with crispy bacon and maple syrup
and plenty of Earl Grey tea.
The food at dinner was equally delicious, thanks to Michelin-starred Hywel
Jones. Jones has been head chef at Lucknam since 2004, and was recently
awarded the ultimate industry accolade of Hotel Chef of the Year. Having
been recommended the Brecon venison with sloe gin and chocolate, we felt it
only right that we sampled it for ourselves. It was melt-in-the-mouth
delicious - as was the intriguing-sounding goat’s cheese ice-cream.
Thankfully the next morning we were able to walk it off with a stroll round
the grounds and equestrian centre, with its 30 ponies and horses. The
swimming pool and spa was closed for refurbishment during our trip but I’m
reliably informed that they will both be up and running in August, and if
the standards of the rest of the house are anything to go by they should be
really rather special.
WHAT OTHERS THINK There are 39 reviews on Tripadvisor.co.uk
and all but a tiny handful gave Lucknam Park a glowing 5 and couldn't praise
it highly enough. One reviewer found the service too obtrusive and "in
your face" - not an impression I share as we found the staff very warm
and helpful and eager to please. In fact, the only other negative comment I
could find was that the spa and pool complex were looking a little tired and
could do with updating - obviously something the owners have taken onboard
as they are in the midst of a refit.
BOTTOM LINE Standard Room rates cost from £255 per room per night room
only. Leisure break rates (inclusive of breakfast, a la carte dinner, VAT
and based on 2 sharing) are from £325. A minimum 2 night stay is required at
weekends. The Grand Master Suites (Coral and Tower) are the best rooms.
NEED TO KNOW Lucknam Park, Colerne, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14
8AZ, tel. 01225 742777; www.lucknampark.co.uk
ACCESS ALL AREAS Wheelchair ramps and a disabled room, designed by a
disabled person to make sure that every detail was covered.
BEST THING The setting – Blighty at its best.
WORST THING The slightly overexuberant waitress service at dinner (I
felt hurried to order from the pudding menu and bypassed when I hadn’t made
my choice in time).
ROOM 8 OUT OF 10
FOOD 8 OUT OF 10
SERVICE 8 OUT OF 10
VALUE 8 0UT OF 10
