postcards from England | Lucknam Park

entrance to Lucknam Park (c) 2018 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

We've stayed at many beautiful hotels in the course of our travels, but this is the most impressive entrance in my experience. Guests at Lucknam Park arrive on a mile long avenue of Beech and Lime trees, finally approaching this 18th century country house with 42 bedrooms including 13 suites.

Lucknam Park is six miles outside Bath at the southwestern tip of the Cotswolds, and it's stunningly beautiful. Two hours from London, Lucknam Park offers an equestrian center, Cookery School, ESPA spa with indoor swimming pool, tennis courts, and exercise facilities. Collectors of Michelin stars will enjoy dining at Restaurant Hywel Jones, while an informal Brasserie is available for more casual dining.

Room choice does matter here, and I definitely recommend splurging on the Camelia Suite (or, at the very least, staying in the Main House). In the Grand Suite category, the Camellia Suite is located directly above the lobby with a commanding view down the middle of the row of trees (view pictured below). Grand Master Suites are located at the front corners of the house and can be arranged with a connecting room, perfect for families.

Virtuoso amenities include daily full English Breakfasts for two guests and one Champagne Afternoon Tea for two, an incredible value add for this most luxurious of resorts. Click here to book Lucknam Park on Virtuoso.com.

view from the Camellia Suite (c) 2018 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

copyright (c) 2018 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

postcards from England | Castle Combe

the village of Castle Combe (c) 2018 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

Another postcard from England, Castle Combe is a storybook village. On checking out of Lucknam Park, we stopped in this incredibly cute village at the southern edge of the Cotswolds. It has been named "the prettiest village in England," and if you're in the area, it's worth stopping by to enjoy the beauty.

Right in the center of Castle Combe is the old 13th-century St. Andrews Church. We dropped in to take a look ... very pretty! In front of the church, at the intersection where three small roads converge, is the 14th-century market cross. The film Doctor Doolittle was filmed in Castle Combe in 1966, and the village has been the filming location for other films as well as some episodes of Downton Abbey. If you're a guest at Lucknam Park, definitely drive through Castle Combe, but otherwise I wouldn't go far out of my way to visit. Very cute, but not much else...

copyright (c) 2018 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.