Bailbrook House Hotel - The perfect base to explore Bath and its surroundings

With its beautiful Georgian architecture and one of the world's best-preserved Roman bathhouses, Bath makes for a spectacular city break within the UK. The World Heritage Site is an absolute charmer, offering marvellous architecture, a rich history, a number of interesting museums & galleries and a vibrant atmosphere. A couple of weeks back we decided to head off to Bath for a short break and the Bailbrook House Hotel, a beautiful country house hotel was where we stayed.

This was our first visit to Bailbrook House Hotel and indeed our first stay at any hotel owned by Hand Picked Hotels (there are twenty in total with three located in the Channel Islands) and it was fabulous from the very start. The Grade II listed hotel is set in 20 acres of grounds and is just a short drive (10-15 minutes) from the centre of Bath.

The reception staff were friendly and the check-in was quick. The concierge showed us to our room which was located in the historic Mansion House (the adjacent Bailbrook Court offers contemporary accommodation) and afforded peaceful views of the woods.

The William Pitt Deluxe Room

No two rooms are the same at Bailbrook House; each one is individually furnished, lending them all a unique look. We stayed in the William Pitt room which is a deluxe room with a super king bed and beautiful views of the woodland. The room was spacious, clean and well-appointed. All the amenities one would expect from a quality hotel were present - complimentary wi-fi, air conditioning, tea and coffee making facilities, and a selection of indulgent treats. The room was quiet at night as well which meant we had a good nights sleep.

The bathroom was a great size and perfectly kitted out. In addition to luxurious bathrobes & towels and lovely toiletry, the bathroom also had a flat screen remote control television at the foot of the bath - perfect if you want to watch your favourite show while in the bath!

Cloisters – The 2 AA Rosette Fine Dining Restaurant

We ate at the Cloisters restaurant which is located in the basement of the building and boasts of stunning architectural features. The vaulted ceilings added depth and drama to the restaurant. We were seated at a location which offered beautiful views of the lawn and the grand wisteria.

Dinner was delightful. The maitre d' made a note of our dietary requirements and indicated that dishes could be changed or adapted to meet our dietary needs. Food was lovely - beautifully presented with great flavours to tantalise the taste buds. And the best part was the fantastic service in a non-rushed atmosphere - just what was needed to make it a perfect dining experience.

Summer fruit - Melon, ginger and honey syrup, lemon sherbet

Stuffed beef tomato, olives, breadcrumb, buffalo mozzarella, baba ganush

Vegetarian risotto

Gâteau opéra with Vanilla ice cream

Breakfast was lovely too. There was a good spread of cereals, cheese, pastries, fresh and dried fruits, fruit juices and yoghurt. The hot, cooked-to-order breakfast was filling and perfectly seasoned - a lovely start to the day!

Exploring Bath

The hotel is conveniently located a short drive from Bath but there are a number of other ways to reach the city centre if you do not fancy driving. You have buses into Bath running frequently and it is very easy to get a taxi as well. Talk to the reception team and they can order one for you. Alternatively, if you have the time and prefer to walk, then the canal route to Bath (from Bathampton) is lovely. It takes around an hour or so.

Bath has lots to see - some of the finest Georgian architecture, iconic buildings, lovely gardens and many museums. The main attractions in Bath are Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, the historic Royal Crescent, Victoria Art Gallery ( a lovely collection of art), Jane Austen Centre, Pulteney Bridge (you get great views of the bridge from Parade Gardens), Royal Victoria Park and the Holbourne Museum. There are many other fascinating sites in the city. You can explore the city on foot like we did or go for the sightseeing tour on a hop on hop off bus. Personally, I feel exploring on foot is the best way to experience Bath as it is a small city and most of the popular attractions are within a short walk of each other.

Staying at Bailbrook House

What I liked the most about Bailbrook House was its location - under 15 minutes (by car) from the centre of Bath yet it felt the world away from the hustle and bustle of the busy city life. It is definitely a place where one can relax and enjoy. Bailbrook House is a smart four-star hotel, with beautifully styled feature bedrooms, lounges and conservatory bar and well-maintained grounds. It offers a great fine dining experience too. Sadly ours was a very short break and we had to head back home, but Bailbrook House would make an excellent place for a long holiday.

The guide price for the William Pitt room is £146.73 per night.

Bailbrook House currently has a two-night country house break offer from £124.50 per person for two nights. The package includes overnight accommodation in a classic room, a three course set meal with a welcome glass of Prosecco on the first night, and a full traditional breakfast on both mornings.  Also included is a ‘Live the City’ self-guided tour pack which offers guests a bespoke step-by-step guide to historic Bath.

To make a booking, contact Bailbrook House Hotel using the details below.

Bailbrook House Hotel | Eveleigh Avenue, London Road West, Bath, Somerset, BA1 7JD
Telephone | 0845 072 7515
Good to know

Sat nav postcode | BA1 7DA
Check in 3 pm | Check out 11 am
Complimentary onsite car park

Our stay at Bailbrook House Hotel was provided by Hand Picked Hotels in exchange for this article. All words and opinions are, as always, our own.