2 weeks Ago
But as the work/life balance tips ever further out of my favour, the lure of creature comforts over tequila and cheesy chips has proven too much to resist. Which is why now the idea of a weekend away with friends, holed up somewhere cozy with a cocktail (or ten) for a few nights, carries so much appeal. Domestically there is no shortage of nice places to go.
But for a scenic spot packed with nature and charming urban spaces, you can’t go too far wrong with Somerset. READ MORE: I tried the Brighton Cocktail Tour and have a new favourite bar We stayed in a cottage just outside Frome: which, incidentally, I realised I had been pronouncing wrong my entire life – Frome like room, not Frome like Rome. On the lands surrounding Orchardleigh House, a stately “nouveau-riche” home built in the 1850s, was our little slice of tranquillity: Church Lodge .
Small but full of charm, you could imagine gardeners or labourers for the estate living here in days gone by. But now, it's been decked out with all the mod cons, including a hot tub - and has ample garden space. The directions to find it proved to be like a treasure hunt, complete with map, that took my little car through the estate's golf course and fields of sheep before arriving at my destination.
The bedroom (Image: NQ) I got there a good half hour before my friend, so I was able to get the beers chilling before a much-needed catch up in the garden while the sun was still shining. We obviously did the obligatory nose around our home for the weekend, and were impressed with the facilities - particularly said hot tub, which was practically begging us to get inside. On the first night we obliged, but not before indulging in some homemade margaritas and tacos made by my friend as a thank you for the trip away.
Our city-slicker fears of not being able to use the Aga, pointing and prodding at it like Neanderthals discovering fire for the first time, totally distracted us from the gas oven that was on the other side of the kitchen – but it turned out the microwave would do the job anyway. Frozen margaritas were enjoyed (Image: NQ) While she did bring the blender from home, other than that all the other kitchenware we needed was catered for, including - in a stroke of luck - some proper margarita glasses. Another caveman moment came when we attempted to light the fire in the living room; emphasis on attempt.
Despite the fire starting gear (imagine a hairdryer on steroids) and messages of advice from a competent friend, the best we could manage was a smouldering chunk of coal and some singed wood. The hot tub was much more successful, I’m happy to report. After a cozy first afternoon and evening enjoying our home for the weekend – particularly the very comfy bed – it was time to explore the estate.
The before and after of wild water lake swimming (Image: NQ) We’d been told you could go wild water swimming in one of the lakes. So feeling unusually adventurous for a Saturday morning, we drove down in our dressing gowns and cozzies. The lake itself was beautiful, glassy water disturbed by ripples from a moorhen gliding across the surface and surrounded by reeds and trees.
The jetty to jump off from had clearly been the haunt of some wildfowl, given the remains they had left behind - and I did my best not to sit in it as I slid off into the pond. I could only manage a few gasping strokes of the icy water before hauling myself back onto the decking like a big carp. The kitchen (Image: NQ) It definitely blew away the cobwebs – but I think I’ll stick to the sea in future as I wasn’t a fan of the mulchy reeds under my feet and what may be lurking down there.
Feeling euphoric but smelling, unsurprisingly, like a pond, I hopped straight into the shower when I got back for a much-needed scrub-down, ready for the next activity of the day – a spot of golf. As well as being a wedding venue (I felt like even more of a swamp monster when I saw our suited and booted neighbours, ready to head up to the main house) the estate also has a full 18-hole golf course complete with clubhouse. It was a world I had little experience of, being only exposed to a bit of pitch and putt in my youth, but I was willing to give it a try.
My attempt at golf (Image: NQ) Clearly sensing I was out of my depth, the woman handing out the clubs quipped: "See you in six hours." Much to her surprise, we were back in just under two. Not because the accidentally-consumed pond water gave us Tiger Woods-level golfing skills, but because we’d called it a day after six holes and an average score per hole of 20 when the par was four or five.
I won’t pretend to give you any expert insight – but we had fun and given how busy the course was with proper golfers, this speaks for itself. Having only raided some of the complimentary cereal and croissants at the house and wolfed down a questionable cheese sandwich at the club house, we were both pretty famished – so decided to venture into nearby Frome for a slap-up meal. Little Walcot (Image: NQ) Tucked away down a winding road in the town centre, Little Walcot is a warm, welcoming spot – open grills filling the air with the smell and sounds of sizzling meat.
I opted for the pork chop, served with an apple compote and draped in its own juices, soaked up with a portion of mash. It was one of the nicest plates of meat I’ve had in recent memory, and left me picking the bone like a vulture for any last traces. The delicious pork chop - in dim lighting (Image: NQ) Despite its carnivorous ideations, it also catered well for a veggie friend, who was impressed by her vivid green coil of ricotta, pea and wild garlic pasta.
It was back to Church Lodge for one final night of hot-tubbing before setting off, back to reality. But for a weekend away with pals, this was a great home from home..
