I was there for dinner as a solo diner and ordered venison, which I think was the second most…read moreexpensive main on the menu.  "Cornbury Estate venison haunch, swede mash, kale, salt-baked celeriac, red wine and blackberries 699 kcal " Is 'Cornbury Estate' supposed to mean something to venison aficionados? I am always suspicious when the menu has to use grandiose descriptions to impress when no one is actually going to know what it means. The few times I have ordered venison in the past, I was asked how I wanted it - which for venison everyone knows is either rare or medium rare. I was not asked, so assumed at least it was going to come pink in the middle. What I was served was a kind of medallion but a token nod to a Wellington - encased in a soggy, slightly raw, unappetizing pastry. (This is not described on the menu). The meat was overcooked and not even slightly pink in the middle, and the whole dish was rather a sad offering - especially considering the £26.90 price. Trying to impress with an artistic presentation, but definitely style over substance. The dish was served lukewarm and the service was slow and not particularly friendly. I complained politely but firmly about the venison and ordered Mac Cheese (which I thought a safe option) and this came within five minutes so must have been ready to go. It was again pretty awful, one solid mass (not soft and creamy at all) and not very hot. The Mac Cheese could more or less be picked up in one lump. The photo shows the venison and as can be seen, even if it had been worth eating, for the price, it wasn't exactly a hearty portion. At 699 calories, most people would probably need a side dish as the portion size is pretty meagre. One of the worst meals I have ever had in a supposedly high-end restaurant. After complaining about both dishes, the outcome was that the duty manager was called to the table and after a brief discussion, where I gave my opinion of the food in a quiet and measured way (no shouting, swearing or offensive personal comments) and was told to leave the premises. I was shocked at this action - surely an over- reaction? Isn't one of the roles of a manager to resolve conflicts to reach an amicable outcome? Unfortunately, it was very early (about 6:30 pm) and there was only one couple at a table far from mine, so no other diners could witness this action - I am sure the manager would have tried to resolve the situation in another way if there had been other diners nearby as it would not have been good for business.

Interesting place.. We had family business in the area and were recommended to stay here. Overall…read morewe really liked it but it had some highs and a couple of lows... People - Fantastic, really loved the helpfulness and authenticity of all the staff here Location - Right in the thick of the action in a nice little market town with plenty of shops and things to see.. Food - From the full English incl. black pudding to the liver and onion and MASSIVE fish n chips portions, the food really hit and excelled the mark. I suspect this place prides and aims at gastro pub status as their benchmark. Room - We were in #12 an attic room, for the first night we felt it was quaint and nice but by the 2nd night it was wearing on us a bit being small, dark, very limited airflow and with extremely low ceilings so wasn't easy to traverse.. We also had an issue with the bathroom having no vanity area, no towel rail and the radiator in the bedroom made such a racket I thought we were above the kitchen exhausts. As an alternative view, my uncle and aunt stayed in one of the other rooms and loved it which was also cheaper than #12 for some strange reason. So overall, really pleased we picked this establishment, we would use it again and highly recommend it BUT perhaps we would suggest avoiding #12 :-)

This is an absolutely stunning place to host a wedding…read more I was lucky enough to be the plus one for my sister who was a bridesmaid in a wedding hosted here. Since her room was the getting ready room, it was huge. There was a beautiful soaking tub with a TV in the bathroom. The shower comes from above and from the sides. There are no elevators or AC, since it is an old building, but they do have fans. They even have dyson hair dryers! That was a wonderful touch. The grounds are gorgeous. I kept hearing that Castle Combe is the most picturesque village in the county (no idea how big the county is). The buildings were very pretty to look at. The bride's family rented out the entire manor. Breakfast was amazing. They do eggs very well and it was nice to know no matter where I sat it was with people from the wedding. The drinks were also superb. The canapes were some of the best bites I had my entire time in the UK and the pate that came with dinner was to-die-for. The wedding itself was outside on the lawn, dinner was in the restaurant and the reception was upstairs. I did not expect that awesome upstairs space. There was a room off to the side that had late night snacks, an outside balcony that was huge to walk out into and then, of course, a bar on top of a room for dancing. This is definitely a picturesque place to spend a vacation. Everyone was super nice and I really enjoyed my stay.

The Manor House is absolutely stunning and the grounds are amazing with a perfectly manicured lawn,…read morelife size chess/checkers, life size Jenga, & cricket. The rooms are a bit pricey and the menu was a little "posh" for my taste but the Castle Inn down the road has a more relaxed menu. I booked a Smart Room that was in the cottages but upon arrival found that what I received wasn't close to the pictures online. The kind girl at the desk explained that the rooms are all different but mine was much smaller than what was advertised and she kindly moved us. The breakfast was phenomenal. They really do their best to cater to their guests and the manor is absolutely beautiful.

I had THE most wonderful stay at Guyers House…read more We got a deal through LivingSocial and paid £30 to upgrade to a superior room (sadly I don't think they offer the upgrade option anymore, as I tried again this year!). The room was a little old fashioned but absolutely beautiful, and very comfortable. The bed was the biggest I've ever slept in. My favourite part of the room was the view into the beautifully kept gardens. We stayed in the middle of November and so it was too cold to go for long walks, but a mosey around the gardens between rain showers was absolutely lovely. We ate in the restaurant one night & had a great meal. I had swordfish with capers & Paul went for the beef fillet - all very well cooked & worth the money. The only problem with the meal was our drinks bill at the end - Paul ordered a glass of wine from the menu which cost £8 and when checking out and paying we were charged £16. He'd been given the wrong one but by that time it was too late not to pay it - ouch! The area is quite quiet but that was exactly what were we looking for. We ventured into Corsham centre on one of the afternoons, it's got a few shops and restaurants and plenty of small town charm. The perfect place for a cosy get away.

I give the hotel grounds and restaurant 5 stars. The rooms were 1 star. The gardens were beautiful…read moreand lovely to stroll after dinner. The staff was amazing, attentive, and polite. The food was amazing, although staying for a week on a business trip I would have enjoyed a little more variety. The room's cleanliness and decor was another matter. The rooms are neither country quaint or shabby chic. They are dirty and outdated. I was appalled by the dust built up into every corner of my room and the old, dirty carpet.

Very nice service and great breakfast. Lovely people. Would highly recommend this placeread more

We spent two lovely nights at Lorne House while visiting Bath and the surrounding area and would…read moredefinitely recommend it. A solid 4.5 stars from me and my husband. I did a lot of B&B and hotel research before booking this place and I can tell you that places fill up FAST in the summertime, so if you are looking to stay in the area, book early. We booked their last room for a Thursday-Saturday stay and we are very pleased. We stayed in a double room on the bottom floor which they called room 5. There are 4 rooms shown on their website, and we stayed in the 5th, unshown room. Our room was similar to the ones in the photos with a comfortable queen sized bed, coffee/tea equipment, wet room for a bathroom, etc... We arrived a little early but called ahead to alert them. We were met by the 20-something son who was nice but a little out of his element. He showed us to our room in the basement and we settled in. The room has a small window to the outside, but we didn't need it open at night even though it was very warm outside. Being in the basement, our room stayed cool. The bathroom was nice and very modern. The shower had options to come from a handheld or rain shower in the ceiling. The shower is part of the larger bathroom and there is no clear distinction. I would have liked a slight step down into the shower because the first time I turned it on, I expected it to get the bedroom carpet wet, it didn't. The sink is quite tiny and the toilet was fine. The bathroom was really pretty but not as functional as I would have liked. A slightly larger sink would have been nice. Honestly, this was my only issue the whole time. The room also had a TV which was nice to watch in the evening after a long day of walking around. The house is super cute. There is a garden out beck and a 2nd floor deck that is a great spot for breakfast or hanging out in the evening. The B&B is the childhood home of the Rev. W J Awdry, author of Thomas the Tank Engine. There is a historic building marker on the outside. The staff was great. The owner was nice and quickly had suggestions and advice for anything need had questions about. In the room they provided a box with flyers on all the close by attractions. The owner and staff (Jackie) gave us advice on where to park in Bath (Cricket Club lot is best!), and how to take a bus if we wanted to not deal with a car. We chose to drive into Bath each time which was easy. Parking: This was one of the few B&B's I found with free onsite parking. They have a few spots on their property and on the weekend, you can park (for free) next door in the doctor's surgery. We never had a problem with parking and the B&B was full the whole time we were there. Breakfast: Delicious! Jackie makes a full English breakfast to order. We had eggs, bacon, sausage, mushrooms, tomatoes, toast, cereal, yogurt, fresh fruit, etc... I tried homemade lemon curd and WOW, it was amazing. I had never had lemon curd before and it was amazing! The breakfast was very hearty and delicious. WiFi: There is free high speed WiFi available and it worked great. Being from the USA, I wanted access to my smartphone and the WiFi was perfect. If you are looking for a place to stay in the area, don't stay IN Bath, stay outside in one of the many small towns. We paid an average of £90 a night which was half of some of the hotels and B&B's in Bath. It took us no time to drive the 4 miles into Bath when we wanted to go there. We also had free parking and no traffic for when we wanted to go to Avebury, Lacock, and other small villages around. Don't spend a ton of time like I did looking at B&B's and trying to find convenience, cost, WiFi, parking, etc... I did the work for you and found Lorne House. Stay here.

I use to work for Virgin Mobile and frequently they would send me down to this hotel for week…read morevisits as they have another office based here. Although the hotel is set out of the way it is ideal for people looking for a quite break from city life. When I was here the vast majority of people visiting very probably 50 plus. The roomer is very big and very comfortable and I would definitely stay here again. The selling point for me is the breakfast. You are offered a full buffet and there is so much food you just can't possibly full up. They offer a wide rang of main course to so there is plenty of choices, make sure you dress smart though as you have to in order to dine in the restaurant

What an incredible destination to stay and dine; everything was truly world-class. From the moment…read morewe checked in until our departure, the experience was flawless. Our room (No. 5) was perfect--though an extra fan would have been a nice touch, that is a minor detail in an otherwise superb stay. The service throughout was exceptional. Nigel ensured breakfast was a highlight, while Zake, Olive, and Evie provided incredible service during our dinners; the menu was both diverse and perfectly executed. A special mention must go to Julian--his service was beyond compare. Watching him handle difficult neighboring guests with such poise and patience was a masterclass in the 'Marco Pierre White' philosophy of doing simple things perfectly. We also thoroughly enjoyed a drink (or two) with Luciano, whose local recommendations were spot on. Between the stunning grounds and the curated art throughout the building, the atmosphere was unmatched. The location is perfect. Very close to Bath and Bristol as well as Wales and Lacock (for the Harry Potter Fans). We will certainly be back and will be recommending this gem to everyone we know.

My partner and I took good friends to the Rudloe Arms Marco Pierre White's hotel and restaurant…read morehaving had a wonderful experience there six months ago. We made separate bookings with different names and credit card details but asked to be sat together for dinner and breakfast. I was delighted to see the lovely waiter Julian (I thought he was the Maître d') from our recent visit in reception to check us in with a warm welcome. Luciano (he said he was called Guy) however, was aloof and not welcoming at all. At a later stage I asked him if it was possible to look at one of the bedrooms in the main house (we were staying in the lovely 'annexe') either to pay for an upgrade or to book for a future visit. Luciano said that was not possible as all rooms were occupied. Lie number one. Another member of staff said the hotel was not full and with further investigation, we could book a room there and then online. One of our party went into the restaurant before the rest of us. When the three of us tried to join her at the table, Luciano said she was not there and we had to wait. When we pointed out she was sat down he appeared reluctant to let us in. He did not welcome us with 'Good evening' or similar salutation, he didn't tell us what was unavailable or ask about any allergies. He tried to rush us to choose our menu and due to it's limited choice, we were struggling what to choose. We ordered our starter and asked for time to choose our main course. Luciano told us we needed to hurry up as the table was needed at 8.30.........another lie as there was always a spare table and by 8.30pm most people had been served. No one came to our table until 40 minutes later when we asked if we could order our main course. At this point Luciano aggressively told us he had cancelled our earlier starter orders. He spent his time trying to up sell the main/steak with £10 supplement and as the 3 mains were not accompanied with a side dish, he was too bent on trying to get us to pay an extra £5 for each of the small side dishes. With wine starting at £46 and cocktails at £15 we felt we'd spent enough for poor service. I commented on Luciano's poor manner, after which he reinforced his aggression and arrogance. I asked for our table to be served by Julian which Luciano took objection to and refused to engage in that request. In fact he went a stage further in his rudeness by saying Julian was his junior and not in a position to make decisions. I found this to be utterly unprofessional especially as Julian proved more than capable of running the restaurant at our previous visit. We had to suffer the downright rude attitude of Luciano who just about slammed the bottle of wine down on the table. He did not pour any wine or ask us to try it. The four of us had bought a Wowcher voucher for our stay which stated it included a welcome cocktail. When asked for, we were told it was not included. Another lie. I had arranged with Julian for our bar bills to be split between the two rooms which he arranged and did for us. However, when it came to settling the bill at the end of the meal Luciano refused to divide the bill and said it could not be done. He deliberately made things difficult for us and we said we would go to one of the lounges for a last drink and sort the bill out. Luciano shouted out "You are a typical Wowcher guest who won't pay their bill". How rude and wrong was he. At no point did anyone suggest we wouldn't pay. We saw Marco in the lounge next to ours and wanted to talk to him about the appalling service but he denied he was Marco!!!! How pitiful is that. We were told we could not have another drink until we paid the bill. We had had enough of Luciano at this point and said we were going to bed and would sort out the bill in the morning. It was not until we complained at breakfast about Luciano were we told that he is Marco's son. This explains his arrogant and entitled attitude. After a wonderful breakfast served by Julian this morning, we went to reception to check out. When I said we needed to settle the bill Luciano told me there was no need as everything had been put on my credit card last night! He lied again about not having the bill split ( after all we were separate bookings) and told us that in the 5 months of working there we were the rudest customers he's met. And he commented on the fact that we hadn't given him a tip. The biggest tip I can give Luciano is to leave the industry he clearly is unsuited to. All I can say is he hasn't met a really rude guest as we were far from rude. We spoke home truths as opposed to his lies. Interestingly, other guests in the dining room overheard our complaints and told us they also found Luciano very arrogant and rude. What is so disheartening is having got home I have read so many reviews many of which are of a similar vein complaining about Luciano presenting as entitled, rude, arrogant and telling lies.

The Tasburgh House Hotel is an extraordinary and professional small hotel that feels like a…read morebed-and-breakfast. We stayed here for three nights while exploring the area. The location of the hotel is excellent; it's about a mile outside of Bath's center and offers amazing views of the surrounding hilly region, and the walk to town is a beautiful stroll along the Kennet and Avon Canal (unless it's chilly and raining hard in which case the cab ride is short!). We took an $8 cab ride from the train station when we arrived in Bath. It is the superb service at this hotel that makes this five-star rating such an easy choice. Sue, Grant, and the other members of the staff were amazing. In particular, Sue went out of her way on several occasions to make our experience extraordinary. We first arrived at the hotel from London after a long day, and her graciousness and hospitality at that late hour made us feel completely at home right away. After learning our preferences, she made reservations for us at two wonderful restaurants; in general, her knowledge of the surrounding attractions, restaurants, and shops seemed almost encyclopedic. She is very, very good at what she does. Our room was relatively small and meticulously furnished. Details were attended to, and the view of the attached gardens was peaceful and beautiful. The hot water pressure wasn't great, but I'll live. I can't recommend this place more highly.

What an absolutely delightful way to enjoy Bath and the beautiful countryside surrounding it! My…read morewife is a wizard at choosing perfect accommodations when we travel, so for our first trip to England, she scoured the internet for the perfect place for our two-day getaway to Bath. She could not have chosen a better spot! First, the place is perfectly located about a mile outside the center of town, so we could enjoy the brilliant views of the hills surrounding Bath from our window, yet still have easy access to town. We parked our car in the driveway (a major bonus in this densely populated area) and left it there during our entire stay. The location is quiet and secluded, but we didn't feel isolated or distant from town. We had easy access to everything we wanted to see and do in Bath within a 15-20 minute walk. Also, Tasburgh House is midway between Bath and Bathampton, so the two quaint pubs in the latter (the George and Bathampton Inn) were easily accessible, either from the road in front or from the tow path along the canal running in back of the House. Second, the place is gorgeous. The grounds are meticulously manicured in true English fashion, and the building has exactly the old-world charm that we Americans were looking for. Our room was comfortable, if a bit small for our US tastes, but the absolutely spectacular view and prime location made up for any small criticisms that we might have. And the breakfast! I'm a huge breakfast fan, and the simple "continental" breakfast was unique and delicious. I expected danishes and jam, but we got this scrumptious Bath granola, fresh fruit, local cheeses and meats, natural yogurt with mango purée, and coffee in a French press. Yum! When you think "quaint English inn," Tasburgh House is probably the picture you have in your head. Sue and her staff were so friendly and helpful, too. What a joy. Our time there was fantastic, and I would not hesitate to stay there again if ever we return to Bath. Highly recommended.