Property Name: Bath Lodge Castle

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Bath Lodge Castle

An Introduction Live like Kings and Queens in a picture perfect castle only 8 miles from Bath. Constructed in 1806, it`s a perfect little medieval fortress, complete with towers, battlements and portcullis, set within wooded and landscaped gardens. Deep within the castle walls are sumptuous living and dining rooms, full of warmth and character and 9 luxurious bedrooms, 8 of which have en-suite bathrooms. Castles hold a magical place in our imaginations with popular tales of heroism and chivalry; they have been a symbol of power and wealth since medieval times. This unique architectural gem makes a romantic, welcoming and very pleasurable setting for a gathering of up to 18 people. There are many beautiful historic sites nearby and easy access from the A36. The newly refurbished Bath Lodge Castle has recently been awarded an AA 5 Star Rating for guest accommodation.

With the recent addition of the Pavilion just a short stroll from the house and overlooking the woodland walk and dell, guests can enjoy a variety of amenities including a sauna for total relaxation, an outdoor hot-tub, perfect for soaking away those workday worries, a rejuvenating bamboo shower and an outdoor bar, BBQ and decking area for entertaining and socialising with friends and family.



The Location The Castle is 8 miles south of Bath city centre. The nearest railway station is Bath Spa in Bath City Centre where there are frequent trains to and from London, Paddington, approx 1.5 hours away. Taxis are available from here (Abbey Taxis Tel. 01225 444444).

There are also frequent train services to Bristol, Cardiff and the South West. Norton St Philip is 3 miles away and is the nearest village with a farm shop, petrol station and pub. There are many historic attractions in the surrounding area, with easy access from the A36 adjacent to the property. Bath is a world heritage site and a lively city with plenty to explore. Longleat House and Safari Park is 10 miles away or Stourhead, an extensive National Trust Garden, 16 miles away.



The History Bath Lodge Castle was constructed in 1806 by Lt. Colonel John Houlton, successor to one of the largest estates in England and was the principal of six gate lodges on his estate. It was developed on the site of Farleigh House and was intended to be a miniature version of Farleigh Manor and Farleigh Castle. `Fernleah`, the land that the Estate lies on, was mentioned in a charter of King Elthered as far back as 987AD. The land was held by a succession of nobility with varying fortunes, many of whom fared badly and lost their heads! Now Grade 2 listed, it is a building of great charm and holds a fascinating history.

The Ground Floor Living areas There are two sumptuous lounges set between the castle walls. They are side-by side and one is great for entertainment whilst the other is perfect for coffee and a gossip. The first has tall stone mullioned windows, a large stone fireplace and 2 deep comfortable sofas. There is a vast flat screen TV over the fireplace with Sky, DVD, Nintendo, Wi and wide WiFi coverage. The other lounge is beside a huge glazed window, framed with heavy velvet drapes and has 2 comfortable sofas. Squirreled in the base of a tower is a den with a huge round padded raised seat and heaps of cushions under twinkling LED lights. The dining room is in a long sunny conservatory and has a long baronial table that will seat all 18 guests in fine style. It`s lovely for a grand occasion or even a simple supper. It is always memorable when everyone comes together over a meal and several glasses of good wine.

These rooms radiate from the base of the castle tower which has been nicely utilised as a bar with its own fridge. There is a cabinet full of glassware to help the evening flow.

The Cloakroom Through the Lounge, past the Boot room with flagstone floors, boot racks, umbrella racks and antique chairs and up a flight of steps, you`ll find a little circular cloakroom set into a tower. There is a Victorian style wc and small hand basin.

The Kitchen The Elegant French styled breakfast room has a large table to seat 8, and a handsome mirror and dresser. This room leads into an inviting black and red tiled kitchen, with a warm traditional red Aga with two hot plates and 2 ovens (one for roasting, the other for slow cooked stews) as well as an oil fired Range with a gas hob, a full size fan assisted oven and a smaller electric oven, a grill and a warming plate. There is a dishwasher, a microwave, a large fridge and separate freezer. There are plenty of pots, pans, utensils, and crockery to cater for everyone during their stay.

The Bedrooms Its great fun to have your own castle to explore and everyone will be delighted with their accommodation. There are 9 unique bedrooms in total, divided between the South wing and the North wing and ranging over different levels. Each one is beautifully decorated and furnished, some utilise the towers and others have balconies, all are an absolute treat with luxurious Egyptian cotton linen, fluffy bath towels and robes and chic toiletries by Penhaligon. All rooms are en-suite with spacious bathrooms, except the family room which shares a large bathroom with a double/twin room.

The South Wing King Harold`s Room (sleeps 2) A smart double room with the feel of a gentleman`s club, it overlooks mature trees in the castle grounds. It has a double bed, a small fitted wardrobe and chest of drawers with a step up to an en-suite with a large walk in shower, hand basin and WC.

Queen Isabella`s Room (sleeps 2)

Delicate pink toile wallpaper, quilted headboards and antique furniture give this pretty twin room chateau style. The twin beds zip and link to become a 6` bed. There is a large fitted wardrobe and pretty table and chair by a leaded window overlooking the grounds. There is a small lobby with an ornate storage chest. The spacious pink and cream tiled ensuite has a bath with shower handset (and a wall fitting only, for a standing shower). The hand basin is antique style in keeping with the rooms and there is a WC.

King Henry`s Suite (sleeps 4) On this wing are two delightful bedrooms with a private and secure lobby that link the rooms together making it ideal for a family. One room has a voyagers theme, with tall ships wallpaper, decorative chests and two ornate iron single day beds. Here also is a large TV with DVD. At the other end of the lobby is a bright and spacious room with an exotic botanic theme.

Twin beds in this room zip and link to become a 6` bed, and there is a small Chinese wardrobe, dressing table and stool. Two perpendicular windows let light flood in and overlook distant hills.

The rooms share a spacious tiled ensuite that has a double-ended bath, a large separate shower, a WC and an antique style hand basin (with storage under) in front of a long leaded window.

Queen Matilda`s Room (sleeps 2 - 4) A spacious room with a King size bed under the eaves and a deep fitted wardrobe on one side and plenty of space (to accommodate pull-out beds on the other). By a low leaded window is dressing table and seat. Opposite the en-suite is another fitted storage cupboard with deep shelves accommodating a family`s luggage.

The smart cream-tiled ensuite has a corner bath with shower over, a hand basin and WC.

The North Wing Queen Eleanor`s Room (sleeps 2) A large tapestry and oak beamed ceilings lead up past the top of a large glazed arch to a very spacious and elegant bedroom with a large private balcony. Two single beds here zip and link to become a 6` bed. There is lots of storage with a wardrobe, dressing table, chest of drawers and an easy chair. The large ensuite has a hand basin set into an antique mahogany washstand and there is a long bath with a pretty tiled border and also a WC. The tower that adjoins this room has been turned into a large walk-in shower. French doors open onto a large roof top balcony and there is a small table with two chairs to catch the morning sun.

King Richards Room (sleeps 2) This large and handsome suite has two levels. Enter the dressing area with a dressing table and a stone tower converted into walk-in wardrobe, then up a couple of steps to the boudoir with a romantic brass double bed, chest of drawers and an easy chair. A door from the lower level leads out onto a small balcony nestled between the towers and overlooking the grounds. A delightful ensuite has been fitted into another tower and has a slate tiled floor, an antique hand basin, a tiled walk-in shower and a WC.

King William`s Room (sleeps 2) With its own winding staircase leading up, this princely room has a stone mullioned window fitted with doors onto a large rooftop terrace with a tower at each corner and battlements overlooking the borders of Somerset and Wiltshire. It`s a handsome room in cream and gold stripes behind a double bed with a large antique wardrobe, and a dressing table. The ensuite built into the tower has a hand basin, WC and large tiled shower with a rainfall shower head.

Queen Anne`s Suite (Self Contained sleeps 2) Linked to the main Castle but with its own separate entrance, this elegant suite is . entered through a warm lobby with original stone mullioned windows. This has a large built in wardrobe and leads to the bedroom and private shower room. The French style cream bedroom is light and airy with windows on 3 sides overlooking the grounds. The two single 2`6`` beds that zip and link to become a king and there is a large chest of drawers. The fully tiled cream wet room has a shower, hand basin and WC.



The Grounds Bath Lodge Castle is set in 3.5 acres of pretty lawns and gardens with a little woodland of mature beech trees and a bubbling stream to explore. From June 2011 there will be new outdoor facilities for your enjoyment, including an outdoor hot tub for a decadent soak under blue or starry skies, a sauna for total relaxation, an outdoor bar and decking area for socialising with family and friends and pretty woodland walks for a gentle stroll. Please note that whilst the grounds and facilities are delightful for children, they should not be left unsupervised and are the sole responsibility of accompanying adults.



Pubs and Restaurants The George Inn, Norton St Philip BA2 7LH

Tel. 01373 834224 Mill at Rode, Rode. BA11 6AG. Tel 01373 831100 The Red Lion, Wolverton BA2 7QS

Tel. 01373830350 The Stag Inn, Hinton Charterhouse BA27SW Tel. 01225723456 The Hop Pole Inn, Limpley Stoke BA2 7FS Tel. 01225 723134 Fiorelli, 32 Gay St. Bath. Tel 01225 427919 (Italian) The Eastern Eye, 8a Quiet Street, Bath BA1 2JS Tel 01225 422323 (Indian)

Local Farm Shops and Supermarkets

White Row, Beckington. BA11 6TN Tel 01373 830798 Woody`s Farm Shop, Norton St. Philip. BA2 7NG Tel 01225 720006 Sainsburies Frome BA11 4DH Tel 01373 453554 Morrisons Warminster BA12 9 Tel 01985 846866 Waitrose, Bath BA1 5AL Tel 01225 442550

Places of Interest Only 8 miles away, Bath is a beautiful world heritage city with many historic places to visit, as well as fascinating museums, galleries, wonderful shops and a great selection of restaurants. Open-top city bus tours are a great introduction to all the sites. You could book a show at The Theatre Royal, Komedia comedy club, or a relaxing soak in hot mineral waters of the Thermae Spa.

There are hot air balloon flights available in Bath, bicycle hire to explore the Kennet and Avon Canal, and boat hire on the River Avon and even a compact 18 hole golf course. Call the Tourist Information Centre Tel. 0906 711 2000.

The beautiful surrounding countryside has many fascinating places to discover, from the great and ancient stone circle of Stonehenge to the glorious National Trust gardens of Stourhead and Magnificent Longleat House and Safari Park. There are pretty towns and villages to explore such as Bradford-upon Avon and Frome with delightful craft shops and cafes.

Not far from Bath Lodge Castle is the picturesque valley of the River Frome where the home of Farleigh Hungerford Castle is hidden. The impressive castle ruin has a tumultuous past and includes a 14th century chapel which houses the tombs of past generations of the Hungerford family with links to Bath Lodge Castle. See the English Heritage website for opening times and a calendar of events.



THE PAVILLION AND GROUNDS The Pavilion provides a sanctuary within the beautiful gardens of the Castle. The facilities within The Pavilion include an outdoor hot-tub, perfect for soaking away those workday worries; a sauna for total relaxation, a rejuvenating bambo shower and an outdoor bar, BBQ and decking area for entertaining and socialising with friends and family.

That`s not all. Besides this exciting new addition of The Pavilion, we have also worked hard to renovate the beautiful woodland at Bath Lodge Castle. This unique and magical area extends to just under four acres, and has been the subject of years of neglect, but we have transformed it into yet another amazing outdoor retreat for you to enjoy.

Intriguing paths and bridges will lead you through this magical wooded area where you can listen to the babbling brook, or sit by the fire pit, be amazed by the natural island of indigenous trees and feast your eyes on all the flora and fauna, whilst keeping a look out for some Red Kites, Buzzards, Owls and Sparrow Hawks.

And once you have finished this delightful woodland walk, you can make your way back to The Pavilion and enjoy a well deserved drink and bite to eat on the veranda whilst overlooking the tumbling stream.

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