Editor Hannah Faulder enjoys fine dining and classic luxury at Ston Easton Park, near Bath

Editor Hannah Faulder enjoys fine dining and classic luxury at Ston Easton Park, near Bath: Image 1

Ston Easton Park is a quintessentially English country house retreat, perfectly striking the balance between old-world opulence and homely comfort. As my husband, Cal, and I drove through the huge iron gates and up the meandering driveway, the graceful Palladian mansion appeared in front of us from behind a leafy canopy as though secluded from the rest of the world – totally capturing my hopelessly romantic imagination. Nestled in 36 acres of private parkland, Ston Easton is situated within easy reach of Bath and Bristol, with other tourist hotspots such as Wells and Frome nearby. The interior is brimming with antique furniture, fine art and beautiful original features, all housed behind its impressive façade. The hotel prides itself on being a home from home, so we felt quite relaxed about pottering around the house and exploring. Pop your head around a doorway, and you'll find another nook to relax in, such as the Library. With its wall-to-wall mahogany bookshelves, it's the ideal cosy spot in which to have a pot of tea and a read by the fire. Head downstairs, and you'll step back in time as you explore the kitchen and old servants' quarters, now a vast wine cellar.

We stayed in one of the state rooms; the high ceilings, opulent four-poster bed and spacious seating area were overwhelming, but we soon got over that and fully relaxed into our impressive setting. I loved that there was something to look at in every corner, be it a huge fireplace, antique chest or sumptuous fabrics. We gazed out of the huge windows across the neatly cut lawn and at the lush Somerset countryside beyond. We were treated to watching a hot-air balloon take off outside our window, a trip organised for some of our fellow guests to celebrate their wedding anniversary. It was hard to drag ourselves away from our opulent surroundings, but I couldn't wait to try the food I'd heard so much about, and there's something rather fabulous about dressing up and sweeping down a grand staircase for dinner!

We were so excited about trying the seven-course taster menu, especially after learning how passionate the hotel's head chef is about developing dishes that use fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Almost 60 per cent of the restaurant's fresh produce is grown on-site in the Victorian kitchen gardens. After a glass of wine in the Saloon, we were shown to The Sorrel restaurant. An exquisite oak-panelled space with tables covered in crisp white linen and soft lighting, this is fine dining at its best. We were treated to dish after dish of the most delicious flavours while food and beverage manager Alexandru paired wines to enhance each course. As a vegetarian, I'm used to having meals that seem like an afterthought, but here, the meat-free options were created with the same care and attention as the meat dishes. The highlights included the light and fluffy goats' cheese mousse set against a rich, earthy texture of beetroot and the gnocchi with seasonal vegetables, which was bursting with flavour. After six courses, I didn't think I'd be able to manage the decadent-sounding raspberry and chocolate marquise. However, Cal and I managed to polish it off with ease – hey, we were on holiday!

The next morning, we decided to head out for a walk to work off some of the previous evening's indulgence. We grabbed a map from reception, and with the help of friendly tour guide Oscar, the hotel's resident cocker spaniel, we set out to explore the estate. Designed by landscape architect Humphry Repton, the gardens feature forgotten paths, grottos and an ancient stone bridge over the cascading River Norr. We soon found ourselves in the kitchen garden and excitedly pointed out all the ingredients we'd eaten in the restaurant the night before. It was also lovely to see where the flowers were grown that now fill vases and displays inside the hotel.

Unbelievably, our tummies soon started rumbling, so it was time to sample Ston Easton's famous afternoon tea. This wonderful British ritual took place in the restaurant, and we enjoyed a whole leisurely afternoon of scoffing our way through light sandwiches, pretty little cakes and huge scones filled with cream and jam. We left Ston Easton with heavy hearts and full tummies, totally revived and refreshed from our break and feeling like we'd been utterly spoiled.

During our stay, I couldn't help but think what an incredible place this would be to tie the knot in. The grand Saloon, historic Library and quirky yellow Dining Room are all romantic spots to say “I do,” and the grounds are full of picture-perfect spots. For me, a huge part of weddings is the food, and at Ston Easton, it's first-class.

To book your stay, head to stoneaston.co.uk or call Aerolene on 01761 241 631

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