Pool, gardens and grounds
You’ve 36 acres to explore but you’ll be drawn to the glass structure in the garden. That’ll be the contemporary, RIBA award-winning garden room. With its city-break art-gallery feel, this is the place to down cocktails from the bar, stream some TV, wander out to the croquet lawn, and watch the ever-changing tableau of the arboretum garden.
But don’t rush back indoors. No point ignoring the heated outdoor pool, offering 10.5 metres of summertime bliss and a stunning suntrap patio when you’re done. Towel off and head to the steam room in the poolhouse, bash the table-tennis ball around, eat your barbecued steaks around the terrace table. Oh, and say hi to the wallabies.
Living spaces
There’s a quirky luxury on offer here. Big snuggly sofas, a homely Aga flooding warmth throughout, logs to load onto the fire, and brandy to be sipped in the billiard room. Tuck in to log-lit cocktails in the garden room, then stream TV or dance the night away on the wooden floor under the old-style mirror ball.
The main house offers a contrast to the contemporary, although there’s nothing vintage about the BT Wi-Fi, the Bluetooth speakers or the iPod dock. Load another log onto the open fires and pop some Prosecco or Nespresso, while the kids raid the toys and books.
Beyond the great glass cocktail bar, you’ve two sitting rooms to choose from amid a palette of original Georgian features, contemporary art and minimalist furnishings. Kick back and be as sociable or serenely solitary as the mood takes you. Bring a book, bring your dog, bring your world-weary souls and be instantly revived.
Cooking and dining
You’ve got all the pro tools you need to create culinary magic. Stock up on fresh fare from the Saturday Farmers’ Market and wine from Raffles and get the electric fan oven and four-oven Aga with two gas hobs going. Or don’t. Call in the experts from Birch Catering or William’s Food Hall and put your feet up with a Prosecco.
Make it a great night in with a takeaway from Bengal Balti, Fat Toni’s or the Nailsworth Chop Suey House. Or wander out to three great local pubs: try Cajun-roasted courgette at The Old Fleece, pheasant terrine at The Bell Inn Selsley, or pan-fried lamb’s liver and bacon at The Royal Oak Inn.
For something special, sack off the Aga and head out to The Amalfi Nailsworth for traditional Italian hand-tossed pizzas, fresh pasta and risotto. Try Efe’s Turkish Grill for kleftiko and baklava. Or the tasting menu at Wilder, proud holder of three AA rosettes. Or try more multi-awarded menus at The Olive Tree.
Eat Italian at Sorrento and La Campagna, European and British menus at Birch, seafood treats at William’s Food Hall, a ploughman’s at The Butcher’s Arms, steak pie in front of the log fire at The Frocester George, or just afternoon tea and cake at the Ruskin Mill with its terrace and lake views.
Bedrooms
Woodchester House sleeps 14 in seven double bedrooms, three of which split into six singles. Each one is a perfect exercise in carefully crafted, comfortable luxury. Relaxed, contemporary décor and original features complement the contemporary art and minimalist furnishings.
All bedrooms offer superking beds, apart from bedrooms three and seven, which are doubles, and bedroom three has a cot. The bedrooms share three luxury bathrooms.
What people say
Sharks, chicks and flicks
See sharks and rays at Bristol Aquarium, Roman finds at the Corinium Museum, or just the latest blockbuster at Vue Cinema. Find calves, chicks and kids at the Cotswold Farm Park, play three immaculate golf courses at Minchinhampton, get pampered at Painswick Richmond Spa, or strap up your boots for an assault on Selsley Common.
