An elegant stay at Tortworth Court

Situated just 18 miles from Bristol and set in the green heart of an arboretum, Tortworth Court is a truly magical place. With a history dating back to 1343, the grand main building offers a tranquil retreat from the hustle and bustle of busy city life. There are comfortable rooms, 30 acres of grounds to stroll in and a relaxing spa, all recently restored by De Vere to the tune of £5m.

As we arrived, we drove through the arboretum and down to the car park. Sculpted willow horses graze the manicured lawns that flank an ornate archway, leading through to the Grade-II* listed Tudor-style mansion itself. The lobby area was warm and welcoming, retaining elements of the original house and combining these seamlessly with modern furnishings.

This theme continued through to the recently-refurbished rooms in the main house, which combine old and new to create fairy-tale elegance. We pushed open a huge antique door to enter the Kipling Suite, where we’d spend the night. The room was bright and spacious with a beautiful view through the huge bay windows, overlooking the formal gardens. The bed was large and inviting, with a gallery wall above the leather bedhead. Soft Chesterfield sofas were arranged around a coffee table, and an old-fashioned record player and antique drinks cabinet combined to create an opulent atmosphere in which to relax. The bathroom was equally luxurious with a double sink, walk-in shower and standalone bath.

For those wishing to indulge in a bit of extra relaxation, Peel Spa is also situated in the hotel. The Spa has a fully equipped gym, sauna, steam room and swimming pool, along with six treatment rooms. We wandered down after settling into our room and had a swim, chatting on the poolside loungers once we were finished. The treatment rooms are compact but very comfortable and there are a wide range of treatments to choose from. I had the hot stone massage which was very relaxing (£70 for 55 minutes).

Before dinner, we decided to stretch our legs in the well-manicured grounds. It’s worth getting a map from reception as the arboretum is home to more than 300 species, and the map points out some of the most interesting trees and plants. Our stroll took us past the Orangery, a Grade-II* listed conservatory that has been renovated into a unique event space, through a willow archway and up to a carved wooden bench. It was the perfect spot to take in the splendour of the hotel and its grounds.

In the evening, dinner was served in the 1853 Restaurant – a beautiful room with many original features, including oak panelling and a grand fireplace. We took a table overlooking the grounds and perused the menu, which had a wide range of options. My main course of roasted pork belly (£15) was tasty and well-presented, and the atmosphere of the evening was relaxed and cosy with excellent service. After dinner, we wandered into the adjoining library bar for a cocktail, and also popped our heads into the Atrium Bistro Bar, which is perfect for those wanting a more relaxed dining experience, with a comfort food menu and a wide range of drinks and cocktails.

After a great night’s sleep in our enormous bed, we woke with the morning sun flooding through the huge windows of our room. A very enjoyable buffet breakfast was served in the restaurant – I had the continental breakfast with ham, cheese and rolls followed by fresh fruit and yoghurt, while my companion enjoyed the full English option. Both were delicious and washed down with copious amounts of tea and coffee, provided by the very attentive waiter. Sadly after breakfast, it was time to leave and we reluctantly packed our suitcases and drove back into Bristol, much refreshed by our time away.

Rooms at Tortworth Court start from £149 per night, and suites start from £249 per night, based on double occupancy. To find out more or to book your stay, visit www.phcompany.com/de-vere/tortworth-court