Over the pandemic, Alexandra were very lucky to be based in Somerset, where we grew up. It has always been our favourite corner of the UK but the area has recently seen a massive surge of interest and popularity due to a few exciting new hotel and restaurant openings and a press pile-one, labelling the county as ‘the next Notting Hill’ (we’ll leave you to decide whether that’s a good or bad thing!).
According to Rightmove, Bruton was the second most searched for rural location to move too in the UK in 2020 with a 128% increase in searches compared to 2019. With the spotlight currently on this part of the world and as so many people are planning to explore more of the UK this year, whether that may be a day trip, long weekend or a full-on staycation, we thought we’d share a few of our favourite local places you can expect to find us in..
FOR SOME ART & CULTURE
When it comes to art, I often think the setting is as important as the artwork itself. That is why we love to regularly visit these galleries as the often contemporary artwork on display in a countryside setting really makes each exhibition pop.
Hauser & Wirth - The Somerset outpost for international art gallery Hauser & Wirth. It’s within walkable distance of Bruton and free to visit. The exhibitions from contemporary artists are displayed in beautifully restored farm buildings. In all honesty, we feel for a good chunk of the year the Piet Oudolf-designed garden is not at its best but the Roth Bar & Grill never disappoints with its delicious cocktails and simple menu of grilled meats served with fresh vegetables and salads. They’ve just opened a farm shop stocked high with local produce. We recommend looking out for the the DJ Lates and outdoor fire-pit roasts. There’s always a great atmosphere and you never know who you might prop up the bar with!
Messums Gallery - Swing by the small town of Tisbury and visit the incredible barn gallery space Messums have created. The renovated barns create an atmospheric backdrop to the array of talks, performances and events they host alongside the acclaimed artists they have on display. There is also an outdoor tented restaurant head up by Ana Ortiz’s that’s open for brunch, Friday lates and Sunday lunch.
Roche Court - Located near Salisbury in Wiltshire. The estate is set over 60 acres, with works from some of the very best sculptors in the world from Richard Long, to Gavin Turk and Barbara Hepworth. It is an extraordinary outdoor sculpture experience and free to visit, just ring ahead.
KITCHEN GARDEN RESTAURANTS..
For those who want to practically see the spot in the garden where their heritage carrots on their plate were grown in. These restaurants focus on celebrating the best of Somerset, using local suppliers and producers only when they can’t grow it themselves..
The Pythouse Kitchen Garden - We get lost every-time we drive here as it’s tucked away in a Sat-Nav signal-free valley but it’s worth it. We love strolling round this walled garden, picking the wild flowers and seeing what’s in season before enjoying a laid-back lunch in the converted greenhouse. The relaxed mix-matched interiors sit alongside medieval-looking outdoor grills for roasting meats over the fire. We always struggle with what to choose on the menu as it is all so good. It recently achieved the heady and well-deserved accolade of a 10/10 review from Giles Coren so I’m sure it’s going to be a lot harder to book a table in the future!
The Newt in Somerset - A new destination in itself and a lifeline for us over lockdown as the gardens and grounds remained open to locals and the woodlands walks offered a much needed change of scene. It’s expensive for day-trippers as you pay a £48pp entry fee for the year, which allows you to go back for repeat visits as many times as you want. The gardens are spectacular and a new state-of-the-art gardening museum and Roman Villa (to open at some point) gives you that extra bang for your buck. The contemporary glass-fronted Garden Cafe overlooks an apple parabola and we love that they put veggie dishes front and centre on the menu. The rose wine from the Newt’s sister hotel, Babylonstoren in South Africa, is also perfect to sip on the outdoor terrace over lunch with friends.
THE BEST GARDENS..
Avoid the National Trust crowds and cream-tea brigade and visit these two beautiful privately-owned gardens instead..
The Ilford Manor Estate - The Cartwright-Hignett family are doing the most incredible job restoring these romantic Grade I listed gardens, designed by Harold Peto, garden-designer of choice to aristocracy in the Edwardian times. The newly-restored cloisters is a window into the Italian Renaissance style in the British Countryside. You may recognise it was recently used as a film location for ‘The Secret Garden’, starring Colin Firth and Julie Walters. A cafe will be opening up this year and they will also be hosting a mini music festival so we will be keeping an eye on this one this summer.
Forde Abbey - This 12th century medieval monastery (it remains a lived-in family home) is also where you can find the famous Mortlake tapestries, woven from the internationally famous Raphael cartoons, now housed in The V&A. The gardens reflect the 900 years of history the house and gardens have lived through - they are both wonderfully formal and informal. We recommend following their Instagram page for daily garden inspiration.
BEST PUBS..
The best pubs often need a good walk to enjoy before you reach your final destination and order a well-deserved cider so here are a few of our regulars..
The Bath Arms Inn - a newly-renovated pub in Horningsham on the border of The Longleat Estate that’s packed with picturesque walks through woodland and up to Heaven’s Gate.
The Bull Inn - near Bruton and owned by Hauser & Wirth. There are some great walks around the Stourhead Estate, leading up to King Alfred’s Tower, which you can climb (205 steps!) for a view for miles.
The Queen’s Arms - The sunny garden terrace has been long-term favourite. The hilly walks round the village of Corton Denham means it’s always a popular choice. The new owners have taken the opportunity to completely refurbish and open in June so we can’t wait to see the new and improved look!
Honourable mentions - The Stag’s Head Inn in Yarlington for the best Sunday Roast and The Red Lion in Babcary for the cosy atmosphere.
Also looking forward to checking out these new openings - The Fox Inn in Corscombe by Mark Hix and an ex Design Director of Soho House has renovated an opened The Bradley Hare on the Duke of Somerset’s estate in Maiden Bradley.
BEST RESTAURANTS..
Als and I prefer relaxed, informal dining so when we want to celebrate a special occasion we book..
The Clockspire in Milborne Port for its chic bar and At The Chapel in Bruton for its fresh sourdough pizzas. A former school and a former chapel, both these buildings have been brought back to life with simple, stylish and pared back modern interiors that perfectly compliment the architecture.
FOR INTERIORS & ANTIQUES
Over the weekend, we like to rummage around for vintage finds and interior pieces. There are many small antique and charity shops to explore in the local villages where you may strike gold.
The Frome Independent Market is the best destination street market in the area. The residents reclaim Frome’s high street on the first Sunday of every month to showcase the best independent craftspeople, designers, makers, food producers and vintage traders in the South West. Sherborne has also recently started their own independent market.
We also like to drop into the antique shops in Sherborne, including D’Urberville for a coffee and to check out their collection of antique finds with a French twist and Fusion mineral paints.
This is just a small selection of our favourite places in Somerset / Dorset. If you are planning to visit, please let us know if you have any questions or want some recommendations, we’d be happy to help point you in the right direction!