Tucked away in eight acres of pretty parkland near Melksham, Beechfield House is the sort of place that makes you relax as soon as you pull into the drive. Built in the late 1800s for a gentleman farmer, the Italianate house is stately, without an ounce of stuffiness. Think relaxed country house living, with playful interiors, excellent food and a quietly luxurious atmosphere.

Each of the 24 bedrooms (all named after trees in the grounds) has its own look, with super king beds, plus TEMPLESPA toiletries and fluffy robes for your post-dinner unwind. Make like lord or lady of the manor in one of the four-posters in the main house, or choose a Coach House room if you fancy being a slipper-sprint from the pool. Family and dog-friendly options are available too, including a two-bed apartment.

Outside, you’ll find picture-perfect gardens, where deer graze placidly at night. But the 40ft heated outdoor pool is the star of the show. Enclosed by a pretty walled garden and romantic flower borders, it has a distinctly Mediterranean feel in summer. Come in the early morning for quiet lengths, or stretch out on a lounger with a book and a cocktail and pretend you’re in Tuscany.

The garden and greenhouse supply much of the restaurant’s seasonal menu, and kudos goes to the kitchen for an impressive 2 AA Rosettes and an AA Breakfast Award. The hotel’s head chef has mastered the art of fresh, unfussy dishes that make the most of what’s growing just steps away. There’s also a cocktail bar, perfect for a pre-dinner Negroni or two.

 

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