A month since my operation and unable to really move or travel too far from home the walls were beginning to close in; it was my Birthday and unknown to me my family had clubbed together to treat me and Mark to a night's stay in a castle down the road from where we live in Frome; it gave us the chance to enjoy somewhere special, Bath Lodge Castle immediately felt like a home from home, its somewhere we've always wanted to stay. We were warmly welcomed by proud owner Karen who showed us around the hotel, drawn in by a roaring fire situated in the sumptuously comfy living room; it was perfect for a relaxing night away, a warm-hearted retreat in the cold chill of winter.
The impressive Bath Lodge Castle is situated just outside the city of Bath and dates back to the 1800s and once acted as a gatehouse to the larger Farleigh House; the rich history of the estate itself dates back to 987AD.
Our beautiful bedroom was neatly tucked away at the top of the castle, perfectly finished with an en-suite master bathroom encompassed within one of the turrets.
The arched wooden bedroom doors stepped out onto the castle rooftop, surrounded by three more circular turrets you get a real sense of peaceful grandeur and tranquility overlooking the Wiltshire countryside.
All of the existing castle features are well preserved and perfectly framed. Everywhere you look there are period details hiding behind curtains, tapestries and doors, making you feel like you are stepping back in time. It is my idea of heaven.
As the early dark of night drew in we changed for dinner and made our way down to the cosiest living room I've ever seen, it was full of rich textures and colours, set perfectly against the open fire and glistening brass and gold surfaces; and of course a glass or two of red.
The fully stocked bar filled the downstairs level of one of the turrets, this feeds the guests in the living room and restaurant discretely as the two rooms naturally feed through from one space to the other, yet remain secluded and imitate, much like the rest of the castle.
My photos of the restaurant just didn't do justice to the way 'Le Chateau' is presented, so this is from their website, the food was equally as good, with a fully flourished Christmas Menu, we made our way through three festive courses, served by Karen.
Not forgetting the castle snug, another lower-level turret filled with velvet upholstered seating in a slightly more contemporary style.
Birthday Gal pose by the fire, feeling decisively full, one happy girl.
Back to our room and out onto the rooftop to see the castle by night, the subtle surrounding light bounces off the high stone walls. Bath Lodge Castle is a truly magical yet homely place, one we definitely intend to revisit.