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.

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BACKGROUND

• Homewood Park, Hinton Charterhouse, Bath

• Lucknam Park Hotel, Colerne, Bath

• Dorian House, Bath

• The Queensberry, Bath

• Milsoms Hotel, Bath

Related Internet Links

• More Bath hotel reviews

“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

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