Twenty-four hours in Somerset, UK
Photographer Laurence Ellis drives out to the Somerset countryside with his girlfriend Aurora Manning (and their dog Daphne) for a weekend at Babington House
Laurence and Aurora stayed in a Walled Garden room Images by Laurence Ellis
‘We come across a beautiful lake and some of the friendliest ducks we’ve ever met. Daphne makes lots of new friends’
Above, clockwise from top left: outside the Main House; the view from our window; ducks on the lake; morning coffee; Daphne in the front seat
1pm: arrive at the House
We arrive at Babington House with our dog Daphne, very happy that Babs is Pomeranian friendly. It’s been a little drizzly, but Daphne doesn’t seem to mind – she’s excited at her ride in the luggage cart. We quickly warm up with a couple of well-deserved cocktails after our scenic drive down from London.2pm: ride around the grounds
The wonderful reception staff kindly look after our bags, so we can take a bike ride around the hotel grounds. We come across a beautiful lake and some of the friendliest ducks we’ve ever met. Daphne makes lots of new friends.3pm: check in
The room is ready. We walk out onto our patio that overlooks the enchanting Walled Garden. It even has an outdoor Jacuzzi. Seems like a great excuse to have a glass of Champagne, or two.5pm: relax in the room
After a long and much needed nap (in an outrageously comfortable bed), we get ready for the evening ahead. Although, I must say, we would have happily spent the night in – the room and gardens were so magical, it was a shame to leave.7pm: cocktail hour
We head to the bar before dinner and enjoy a couple of cocktails: some Picante de la Casas, extra spicy. It’s our favourite cocktail when we visit the Electric, so it’s lovely to have them at our new home away from home.‘The gardens look beautiful in the late evening; still a slight glow from the long summer’s day mixed with a little moonlight’
Reflections in the shower
Rosé with dinner
8pm: dinner with friends
We join our friends Darrell and Emma for dinner in the Orangery. We have the scallops and tempura zucchini to start, and share the T-bone steak for two with a bottle of red. The room is filled with plants and we wonder how they manage to water all of them, especially the ones in the ceiling.11pm: moonlit stroll
A late evening stroll back to our room. The gardens look beautiful with a slight glow from the long summer’s day mixed with a little moonlight. Time for bed and one last cocktail, ready-made in the minibar. We sit outside, taking in the night sky above the starlit flowers of the garden.9.30am: breakfast on the terrace
It’s very difficult to choose between breakfast in bed or breakfast outside on our terrace. Although, as the garden is so beautiful, we decide to make the most of it for our last morning. We have something very delicious and are joined by some of the butterflies from the garden.12pm: checkout time
It’s time to check out, but we don’t want to go. So, again, the lovely staff look after our bags while we make the most of a gloriously sunny day.‘We enjoy a very English picnic beside the pond with a Pimm’s and a wonderfully decadent picnic basket’