insideKENT Magazine Issue 78 - September 2018 | Page 97

restored and housing not only a trumpet and music notes in its basket, but the main wash basin and hordes of locally produced bath products – fabulous! As well as offering a comfortable home from home, Widbrook boasts cosy lounges with open fires and board games, brilliant farmhouse-style breakfasts and British farmhouse classic-with-a-gastro-twist cuisine, beautifully presented, utilising herbs and produce from the gardens, courtesy of head chef Sandor Szucs and his team. And if that was not enough, it has its very own gin bar! Hallelujah, the family-short-break gods had answered our prayers with a collection of over 120 craft and award-winning gins, and no less than 14 tonics. What a way to end the day. Aside from offering a comfortable abode, The Widbrook Grange is also the perfect base for exploring the county. Up bright and early, in a way that those with two small people can only appreciate, but thankfully sated after a huge and hearty breakfast of fresh farm eggs, local bacon, cereals and hot butter-smothered toast, we hit the road. Just 45 minutes later we found ourselves at one of the most historically significant and awe-inspiring sites in the UK: Stonehenge. Having visited Avebury before I have to say I was slightly worried about meandering around a historic site with such young children, but I couldn’t have been more impressed! Not just by the sunshine providing the perfect backdrop to the prehistoric stones towering in all their glory, but also to the modern and cleverly designed visitors centre, ample toilets, baby-change areas, café and gift shop, but also by the free shuttle bus transfers perfect for resting little legs enroute to and from the stones. The family audio tour was another great touch, which kept my inquisitive young daughter (and us!) entertained and educated for nearly an hour! Stones seen, ice creams eaten, and it was back on the road, but only for the 20-manageable- minute journey to the medieval city of Salisbury, with its stunning cathedral, home to the Magna Carta, peaceful waterway walks and historic houses – perfect for whiling away an afternoon. We returned via the local town of Bradford on Avon where we wandered alongside the river and stopped for an early dinner at one of the many local restaurants before that countryside air worked its magic as nightfell. Rising with the sun does have some advantages (yes I’m trying to convince myself!) as we were able to pop over for a quick dip in the quiet indoor heated pool before venturing just 30 minutes away to the wonder that is Longleat. Two pairs of little eyes grew wide as we drove up the winding approach to the impressively beautiful Longleat House and grounds. And so began a wonderful day of animals, play and history, and it was simply brilliant! From the self-drive safari with its helpful play- as-you-drive information CD, taking in giraffes, zebras, wolves, lions, tigers and our own cheeky monkeys (giggling at the notorious rhesus macaques riding on the other cars, pulling off windscreen wipers and generally making mischief); to the penguin walk-through, animal feeding, talking parrots, play areas and miniature train; to the absolute wonder of the main Longleat house, with its artworks and stunning furnishings; to the magnificent grounds with giant statues – both the little ones and our own inner child had the most fabulous day; that would have made the journey to Wiltshire worth it on its own! Full of wonderful memories, fabulous experiences and some much needed quality time together, the (somewhat reluctant) journey home suddenly seemed much more manageable. “Are we there yet?, I’m hungry!, Mmmmmmuuuuuuuuum, the baby smells…. bad!” Oh well…it was good whilst it lasted! Widbrook Grange Hotel Bradford on Avon Wiltshire BA15 1UH 01225 864 750 [email protected] www.widbrookgrange.co.uk widbrookgrange widbrookgrange widbrook.grange Stonehenge www.english-heritage.org.uk/ visit/places/stonehenge/ Longleat www.longleat.co.uk/ 97