Wiltshire

Photo by flickr user keepwaddling1

This county has more than its fair share of tired old coaching inns and farmhouses down muddy lanes that call themselves hotels. And a good few village pubs now call themselves restaurants and may offer rooms too. Those in the orbit of Bath and Bradford-on-Avon are those you should be most suspicious of because they have a more-or-less guaranteed clientele. But among the well-meaning, under-invested, under-staffed failures that we would not recommend, are a handful of hotels and B&Bs where hard work at the very difficult hospitality business has paid off. They range from grand Lucknam Park to the modest Limes. Both those places have strong personalities and they look good. Some, like Lucknam Park (equestrian centre and spa) and Manor House at Castle Combe (super golf course) have outstanding facilities. But we would say beware; if you cannot find a room in one of our selection, stay in Bath or with friends. One further Wiltshire hotel we highly recommend, the Rectory in Crudwell, can be found in our Cotswolds list. The order by which the hotels are listed bears no reflection on our preference.

Written by George Pownall