Babington House has been shorthand for a stylish country escape since it first opened outside Frome 25 years ago, and it is still packing them in. There’s the eye-candy architecture of the mellow-stone Georgian manor set beside a shimmering lake, as well as the magnificent mid-century interior design that is still receiving the sincerest form of flattery — its look still being imitated by dozens of new hotels even now. Pretenders can’t quite match its joie de vivre though. Babington has an unbeatable sense of fun, led by bartenders always happy to push on until dawn, and a winning generosity, from the vast complimentary afternoon teas to rows of full-size amenities in the 33 bedrooms.
Overall score 9/10
Main photo: Babington House in Somerset
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Rooms and suites
Score 9/10
The 11 rooms in the main house have four-poster beds with freestanding baths at their feet (Madonna likes the one with a bath on the balcony) but the 22 scattered around the grounds — in the coach house, the stables and walled garden — are just as lovely. They all share a soft-focus mood board as evocatively hazy as a summer’s day, with sun-bleached blush and moss-coloured velvets for squidgy sofas, chintzy wallpapers and fringing on everything from cushions to curtains — so much that the designer probably had to be restrained from adding fringes to the statement chandeliers. Their crowning glories are their decadent bathrooms, most of which are spacious and light and come with an impressive range of lotions and potions as well as complimentary amenities from mouthwash to lip balm.
Food and drink
Score 8/10
Like the hotel ambience, the menu is laid-back but top quality. Skip lunch before you check in so you can take full advantage of the complimentary afternoon tea, when the Deli Bar table is indecently laden with all manner of temptation, some that give a brief nod towards healthy eating. Dress for dinner if you like, but you will be just as welcome in the airy Orangerie in casual clothes. Its farm-to-fork menu of British dishes with a Mediterranean spin hits the spot nicely and might include duck with creamy savoy cabbage, dates and pancetta or seafood linguine with saffron. Portions are generous, but save some space for the delicious desserts, such as very tart lemon tart. Finish the night with a swift one or two in the House Bar, where the turtle-green chesterfields and velvety lilac armchairs beckon for a well-shaken martini.
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What else is there?
Score 9/10
There are two very cool pools, both heated, one indoor, one overlooking dreamy woods. You can join exercise classes, use the gym or book a treatment in the cutesy country spa tucked within its walled garden. This place is trendy, so of course there is a padel court as well as four grass tennis courts and Sunday cricket matches throughout summer.
Where is it?
Score 9/10
The buzzy town of Frome, with its active arts scene and superior shopping, is a few minutes down the road. Bath is a 12-mile drive but you probably won’t get further than one of Babington’s steroid-sized sun loungers on the lawn.
Price room-only doubles from £360
Restaurant mains from £18
Family-friendly Y
Dog-friendly Y
Accessible Y
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