Babington Townhouse Review — Where Soph Went

Babington House review - in a sentence:

The iconic Soho House country hotel provides a luxurious Somerset escape.

Design: 5/5

Arguably the OG hotel to implement a home-away-from-home concept and “shabby chic” design scheme, Babington House set the standard for countryside escapes in the UK.

Incredibly, the hotel has now been around for 25 years! - and in the time since, it’s hard overstate how influential the concept and interior architecture of Babington House has proven to be. As the design agency behind the interiors, Studio Ilse, describes it: “[Babington House] set a new global benchmark in rural hospitality that continues to this day”.

I bet I hardly need to describe the concept to be honest, as I’m sure you know what I mean! - but there’s a very relaxed and understated notion of luxury, here, in that schemes are definitely refined, but also informal.

Specifically, there are soft colours, lush fabrics and textures nestling alongside vintage / antique pieces, roll top standalone tubs, and roaring in-room log burners - all very familiar now, but (my research tells me) pioneering concepts back when Babington House was born.

At check-in, I was incredibly lucky to be upgraded to one of the best rooms in the house: the Playroom! (This is one of the reasons why I love Soho House properties - if they can upgrade you, they always will. Plus I’ve never had to wait until check-in time for my room.)

Infamous for its ‘mirrored pod’ bathroom, fireside tub, scene-stealing four poster and bucolic views of the grounds, the Playroom is seriously special. Not to mention pretty palatial - I’m sure I’ve lived in apartments that are smaller!

Babington Townhouse review — *Babington House review - The Playroom*

At the time of writing, my stay was over a year ago, and I can still remember sinking into the dreamy, positively huge four poster bed - all lobster-ed from a fireside bath - and having one of the best sleeps of my life. If you've ever stayed in a Soho House hotel you'll know that the beds and linen are amongst the best: squishy but supportive mattresses, silky sheets, more pillows than one normal person needs. Just the best.

All rooms come with the usual Soho House in-room goodies - a full toiletry / amenity kit, free home made cookies, Grind coffee pods, a fully stocked bar cart, and some of the fluffiest robes & slippers you’ll experience.

Food & drink: 4/5

Soho House properties are always reliably great when it comes to dining options, but I must admit we did find the execution to be even a cut above the rest of them, here. Having checked in on a Sunday, I wasted no time in tucking into the Sunday roast, which came with plentiful sides (the cauliflower cheese was an exceptional add on) and was ridiculously tasty. It’s spawned a love affair of mine with ordering the Sunday roast at their other properties!

Also worth a very honourable mention is the complimentary afternoon tea spread, available to residents daily. Readers, this is no “tea and cake” situation, this is a full dining table positively groaning with home made sweet treats (I confined myself to a feast of *just* one scone, one cookie, and one eclair…. Oopsie). Definitely a major selling point and, again, a massively copied concept elsewhere, nowadays.

Location: 3/5

Babington House is a stunning Grade II listed Georgian manor house, situated in 18 acres of idyllic Somerset countryside. This is a destination hotel, designed so you’ve no reason to leave. However, Midsomer Norton and Frome are probably the nearest places of note & worth visiting.

We drove, but it looks like Frome is the nearby station if you travel by train, and a short 10-15 min drive away. Trains from London to Frome take about 2 hours.

To-do: 4/5

Babington House has been comprehensively designed as a proper retreat, where you can indulge in total R&R.

The wellness amenities are pretty endless - think tennis courts, modern gym, heated indoor/outdoor infinity pool which overlooks the lake, and the original (and very beautiful) Cowshed spa. I highly encourage you to take a dip in the heated outdoor portion of the pool while you absorb the views, then take a pew on the simply iconic sunbeds donned with minty green striped towels.

There’s also plenty of cosy lounge areas as well if you’d like to curl up with a book, or a cocktail bar if a few picantes are more your vibe.

Reasons to book

Incredible indoor/outdoor infinity pool and spa facilities
Super cosy, relaxing, countryside retreat
Loads of complimentary goodies - afternoon tea, in-room cookies, amenity kit
As standard with Soho House properties - you’re encouraged to pack a day bag and continue to use facilities after check-out

Any negatives?

You need to be a Soho House member - “Friends” or otherwise - to book
Soho House properties aren’t known for being affordable - this is “treat” status, for sure!
Breakfast is fab (choose from a brunch style menu) but it isn’t included in the room rate, nor at any Soho House property

The final word:

There is seriously very little not to love about this iconic hotel - I would gladly return again and again.

Review: Babington House