Mead Cottage

Best picnics

Simply follow the stream that runs through the village, either through the hotel grounds or the water meadows, and you’re bound to find the ideal spot.

Best walks

A few yards up the hill from the White Hart in Market Cross, take the path on the right hand side of the road. This beautiful circular walk takes you through Parsonage Wood and down to the Bybrook stream before leading you back to the village. A riverside walk along the Bybrook is also an excellent option.

Shopping

Supermarket: Chippenham is a 15-minute drive away and has a Sainsbury’s on Bath Road (Monday to Friday: 7am–11pm; Saturday: 7am–10pm; Sunday: 10am–4pm) and Morrisons on West Cepen Way (Monday to Wednesday: 8am–9pm; Thursday and Friday: 8am–10pm; Saturday: 8am–8pm; Sunday: 10am–4pm). For basic essentials there’s a village shop in nearby Yatten Keynell. Off-licence: There's a Majestic Wine on New Road in Chippenham (+44 (0)1249 709 390); open until 8pm on weekdays, 7pm on Saturdays and 5pm on Sundays. Deli: The Farm Shop in Allington stocks a fantastic range of local and organic foods (www.allingtonfarmshop.co.uk). There’s another farm shop at Lakeside Gardens in Grittleton; the sausages are fantastic (+44 (0)1249 783 072). The Bakery in Lacock is open 10am–5pm daily and is worth a visit (+44 (0)1249 730 457).

Activities

The Manor House Hotel has an excellent 18-hole golf course designed by Peter Alliss. Mention Mead Cottage when booking at the Golf Shop (+44 (0)1249 782 982) for a hotel rate. Bowood Golf Club is on the other side of Chippenham (www.bowood.org). This is an equestrian area and the Badminton Horse Trials in May are a major event (www.badminton-horse.co.uk). If you fancy seeing the Cotswolds on horseback, try Lacock Riding Centre (+44 (0)1249 730 0400). Hover above the countryside with Bailey Balloons (+44 (0)1275 375 300) or Bristol Balloons (+44 (0)117 963 7858). For a dose of adrenaline, head to the nearby Castle Combe racing circuit for motor racing, go-karting, skidpan training and 4x4 off-roading (www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk). Sooth your jangled nerves at the Thermae Bath Spa, less than 15 miles away (www.thermaebathspa.com).

Restaurants

Bybrook Restaurant

+44 (0)1249 782 206

This fine dining restaurant at the Manor House Hotel sources many ingredients from its own orchard and kitchen garden; the setting is idyllic. Mead Cottage guests get a complimentary glass of champagne with a midweek dinner.
Manor House Hotel, Castle Combe, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN14 7HR

The Castle Inn

+44 (0)1249 783 030

This beautiful Cotswolds inn in Castle Combe is a great place for a pint. Oliver’s restaurant is named after Cromwell who took refuge here during the Civil War – he chose well.
The Castle Inn, Castle Combe, Wiltshire SN14 7HN

Beaujolais

+44 (0)1225 423 417

Of all the restaurants in Bath, this is a real favourite; it’s just as good for breakfast as it is for an evening meal. The menu is varied and includes British and Italian dishes as well as French classics; the seafood is particularly good.
Beaujolais, 5 Chapel Row, Bath BA1 1HN

Bars

The White Hart

+44 (0)1249 782 295

One of the two pubs in the centre of Castle Combe, the White Hart is the more informal of the two; it’s popular with the locals for an ale or two.
The White Hart, Castle Combe, Wiltshire SN14 7HS

Cat and Custard Pot

+44 (0)1666 880 249

This village pub has been in the same family for five generations. It’s got a cosy snug and a menu of good pub food; it’s ideal in the winter months.
The Cat and Custard Pot, Shipton Moyne, Tetbury, Gloucestershire GL8 8PN

The Neeld Arms Inn

+44 (0)1249 782 470

This beautiful pub in the charming and historic village of Grittleton has an excellent selection of real ales.
The Neeld Arms, Grittleton, Wiltshire SN14 6AP

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