Wee Grange

We were so glad to discover Bathampton, and The Wee Grange made a great base for seeing Bath. The canal path walk to the city centre takes about 35-45 minutes depending on your pace, with plenty to look at along the way, including what seemed to be an animal sanctuary with pigs, porcupines and goats. We also appreciated the homemade marmalade left as a welcome gift. The cottage was immaculately kept, and we had a wonderful stay. The cottage was a lucky find while I was searching for somewhere to stay in Bath, a city I hadn't visited in years. Its outside photos caught my eye, with plants growing over the walls and a lovely little courtyard at the back. Inside, the downstairs kitchen-dining space felt homely and had everything needed for a comfortable meal, although we didn't use it. The light, airy lounge upstairs had a firm but supportive sofa and a comfy armchair, but we were out all day and didn't use that either. We did use the bedroom, and the bed gave us four nights of perfect sleep. The bathroom was clean and bright, but you do need to close the blind so the house opposite can't see you. The setting in Bathampton was ideal. There was quite a bit of traffic noise in the daytime while we were out sightseeing. It eased off at night, then picked up after 6:30 am, though we had all the windows open. Three pub-restaurants are an easy walk away. The nearest, The George, sits by the canal in a beautiful spot, but its outdoor areas were shabby and seemed neglected. The food was okay, but I found it dull and lacking adventure as a former catering and banqueting manager. The interior was lovely, and it was a shame the food didn't match the atmosphere and decor. Bathampton Mill is a little farther, across the canal, railway and motorway. We ate there twice, and its food was exceptional, with a setting and service that outdid the other pubs. Lastly, The Old Mill: don't go there unless you just want photos of the waterwheel and toll Bridge. I'll leave it at that.

A quaint place to stay outside the city, handy for visiting both.

The hosts were wonderful, and I'm really glad we chose this beautiful, cosy cottage. It's excellently equipped, in a lovely village setting, almost right on the towpath of the Kennet and Avon canal. Just fantastic.

The village is fab and the cottage is beautiful, spotlessly clean and equipped with everything. There's a hair dryer, a bath and a shower, a well-equipped kitchen and a private courtyard of our own. Perfect, xx