Europe • England • Somerset • Hotel Review
Babington House: Somerset Country Charm, Soho House Spirit
Georgian rooms, seasonal British cooking, and long afternoons in the spa or gardens define this countryside retreat.
By Luke Abrahams
Why it works
She’s beauty. She’s grace. She’s an advert for your quintessential Miss England retreat. Yes, Babington House is everything you want your classic country house hotel to look like, and more. Fashionable and wildly hospitable, the OG Soho House rural Somerset-based outpost is the undisputed queen of hip city folk escapes. Between all the timbers and cushty couches, the heels of media girlies and their finance hubbys (and bros) reign supreme. Vibe wise, it comes off a wee bit like a glitterati cult. Constant lashings of millennial “OMGs” and trust fund chats are jarring, but for miserable cynics like me, simply just form part of the entertainment. Thankfully, the house and grounds are big enough to escape most of them. Precisely 18 acres of manicured gardens and long open fields make for a peaceful escape from the troubles of the world. Catch up with friends, get lost on a walk or waltz on down to the artsy Mells Village for cutesy cottage porn vibes…says the hostess at the front anyway.
Country House Character
What makes it all worthwhile, however, is Babington’s style and character. Butter-coloured hues, earthy tones, tables topped with British wildflowers, and house rooms decorated in all shades of modern granny paraphernalia (rickety chairs, game boards, and the literature of yesteryear) give it a sense of storied place. The bar, easily the beating heart of the hotel, is where to be found come Afternoon Tea hours and nightfall for cocktail-fuelled debauchery. The whole thing is quite the spectacle, with grooved tables, dried florals, and crystal-draped chandeliers for an extra dose of bling.
Rooms for Retreating
The rooms are equally as charming. All in the main house come with huge beds – some four poster – stately minibars filled with local spirits and cut glassware, and gigantic TVs. Bathrooms have gorgeous roll-top tubs and fluted doors that conceal tiled walk-in rain showers complete with smart Lefroy Brooks fittings and Cowshed toiletries. Other shacks spill out into the Coach House and Walled Garden. Modern and fresh, some are split-level and come with ample space. The two-bedroom Cabin has a more rustic, Soho Farmhouse-esque feel with blackened timber walls, open fires, and decking set above the pretty estate lake. It’s, as we say in Britain, all very lovely.
At the Orangery
When it comes to grub, this is the mother of all Soho Houses in the UK. The Orangery features considered menus that are all farm-to-table and seasonal in principle. Somerset staples are a constant fixture with melt-in-your-mouth slow-cooked meats, roasts, and garden veggies. The grill is also worth a pounce, especially if the chicken is on the menu. The well-versed wine list is epic and worth pairing if you want to go all out. Breakfast also served here or in bed, offers up a selection of classics, from fry-ups to veggie plates and plant-based goodies. Healthy bowls and eggs as you like em’ also appear as soon as the sun rises.
The Art of Switching Off
Once the need for relaxation takes hold, hit the spa. Even if you don’t end up having a treatment lapping it up by the pool proves to hit the “R” spot. Leave feeling reset, refreshed, and somewhat mindful of all the life choices you now regret. Elsewhere, long walks beckon, or if you head up to your room, an afternoon spent reading in the tub.
Summed up, it’s a great spot to find a bit of respite from the horrors of daily life. While it can be accused of being too sceney, the entertainment program makes up for it, as does the food and stellar moments of blessed quiet time in the tub.
Soho House hotels are now open to members only. A "Friends" membership is available, in addition to nightly rates. Check out the Soho House website for more details.
Fast Facts
Location: Babington, Somerset
Rating: Four-star
The vibe: Georgian style modern day glitterati minus Jane Austen pomp lit.
Food + Drink: Classic farm-to-table British with seasonal menus inspired by the Somerset landscapes.
Amenities: Bar, restaurant, afternoon tea, boating lake, spa
Our Favourite Thing About the Hotel: The service. Out of all the Soho Houses in the UK, it’s among one of the best and most thoughtful to members and their guests.
What’s Nearby? Nothing, aside from a few villages and the sleepy town of Babington. That’s very much part of the appeal. Getting lost in it all.
Any personal neighbourhood recs? It’s all about switching off here. Turn off your phone and just be.
Rooms: 33
Pricing (at original publication): From about 460 USD per night, including breakfast.
Closest Airport: Bristol, and for international flights, London Heathrow
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