Is this England’s finest country house hotel?

I’ve been lucky enough to visit several luxury hotels in England over the last few years, from the majestic Tynley Hall and the (surprisingly handy for London-dwellers) Luton Hoo, to the Eastern-influenced delight that is the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park.

I think I may have just found my new favourite though. Situated a few miles out of the gorgeous spa town of Bath and sitting in hundreds of sweeping acres of landscaped grounds, Lucknam Park comes complete with a stable full of horses and a walking trail that takes in ancient woods and hidden follies – it’s the sort of place that needs a few days stay to enjoy all that it has to offer.

As we drove up the long gravel driveway to the converted Georgian house it really took my breath away. Little wonder this has been a place that lords and ladies have called home over the years. We stayed in the Orchid Suite which was simply stunning. I loved the romantic (and very comfy) four poster bed, plus little touches on arrival such as a fruit and sweet treats basket. The marble-clad bathroom had more delights – a roll top bath, walk in-shower and double basin with gorgeous Anne Semonin bath products.

And the spa… oh my… the spa. The facilities are amazing. I had a Carita Radiance facial in the treatment rooms  I felt totally relaxed and my skin, as you’d expect from the name of the treatment, was glowing. From there, I floated down on a cloud of bliss to the pool area, which has your regular steam room and sauna, but also more quirky rooms such as a Japanese Salt Room and an Amethyst Healing Room. I’m not sure the huge crystal in the ceiling of the latter did anything for me, but I certainly felt very relaxed.

Oh, and don’t leave without trying the swim in/out hot pool. There’s no feeling quite like being outdoors in a bath-hot pool looking out over rolling countryside.

Every meal we enjoyed was a ten out of ten. Even breakfast. Take a look at the world’s best eggs Florentine. I could eat this every day.

As for the Hywel Jones Michelin starred restaurant… wow! Such a taste sensation. I’m vegetarian and their tasting menu for veggies was a million miles away from the normal afterthought I’ve seen on so many other menus.

After dinner, we retired to the Library Bar for a little drink. My hubby was very impressed with the whisky collection and decided to have a Balvenie old fashioned cocktail which he loved. It was part-served in a copper tube, like a test tube, as apparently whisky tasters once used these at the Scottish distillery. Just the sort of geeky cocktail history he loves!

As I said, although you’re in striking distance of Bath and The Cotswolds, you’ll find it very hard to leave the comforting embrace of this place. A stroll in the grounds or borrowing one of the hotel’s many bikes (all well maintained) is all that’s required. Everything you need is right here. Put it on your must-do list.