It was Ben's Birthday last week and I'd booked to take him to Babington House, somewhere I've always wanted to visit. It's part of the Soho House group, which we're now members of, but I think there are times that non members can book in for a night throughout the year too {I nearly did once before but it was then fully hired for a wedding on the date we wanted to go!}. We're huge lovers of the Soho House brand, and having spent a lot of time at Farmhouse, we were so curious and excited to see what Babington would be like {which was the group's first Country outpost} and a slightly more grown up version of Farmhouse? My husband's Birthday fell over the Bank Holiday weekend this year so I booked it a few days earlier to make it cheaper, but also we're big fans of extending celebrations for as long as possible! Why have a Birthday when you can have a whole week, right?!

Babington is set in the heart of Somerset, just outside of Frome, an area we hadn't ever been to before. I asked out on Instagram for recommendations around Somerset and had a flood of suggestions {you can see them all here if you're looking to visit the area} which I had good intentions of working into our trip. But in the end, we fell so in love with Babington that we actually didn't end up seeing too much of the area. I guess one night is just that bit too short for lots of exploring if you want to spend time in the hotel so we'll save them all for next time. 

I'm not sure if you know the Soho House group, but their aim is to make member's feel at home at whichever House they're visiting. We certainly feel like that, everything is as you'd expect and love yet slightly different at each house. In particular with Babington we really loved the old mansion it was centred around.

The grounds were spectacular and we took lots of inspiration from the planting for our new border in our garden. We grabbed some bikes to go for an explore.

My dress is online here.

Ben matched the bikes in that pistachio green <3 

It has an outdoor pool, which although the weather was grey and cloudy, was still warm enough to use. And also there's nothing better than sinking into a padded lounger with some good reading material. I'd saved up Sunday's papers and Ben had a book a friend had given him at dinner the night before.

We ordered lunch pool side, sharing a big box of salad and a pizza which was delicious.

Then we wandered around the impressive walled garden, sneaking a fig from the laden tree and comparing planting notes compared to our allotment.

We'd mainly lazed around, and knowing that Babington have a complimentary afternoon tea, we felt like we needed some exercise so went for a proper bike ride. The hotel told us that if we rode down the long drive and turned left at the end, we'd reach a cycle path. 

How impressive is that chapel set in the grounds? Weddings look truly magical here!

We cycled past miles of corn fields and then down into Mells, a sweet little Somerset village. We then pushed our bikes back up the big hill {they didn't have any gears!} and back to Babington again.

Making some friends along the way. Baaaa

3pm. Tea time! Everyday Babington serve cake to members and residents {hint hint Farmhouse!}, so we took a plate full of scones, cookies and a particularly good chocolate olive oil cake to our room now that it was time to check in. Talk about indulgent.

I'd booked a walled garden room which felt like a mini house! With two levels and an outdoor courtyard and bath opening up onto the walled garden, it felt like such a treat. 

Soho Home effortlessly mix flock vintage wallpaper with exposed brick and make the comfiest beds EVER.

Cosy living room, we almost wished it was cooler to light a fire!

In room cocktail station. 

One of my favourite things to do is take a bath in the middle of the day if we're away somewhere. Especially when it's a Cowshed bath.

Dinner date. We booked into the restaurant in the orangery for dinner.

Which was amazing.

This was slow cooked ox cheek pappardelle. 

Then we shared the salmon & pea main along with the seabass. I'm alway so happy when Ben wants to share with me as I can almost never decide on just one main.

We shared puddings too. Half cherry pannacotta and half the chocolate & honey parfait.

There was a feast of a choice for breakfast the next morning but we decided to keep it simple, and healthy, with their berry pistachio porridge and a green juice.

Before going for a walk around the local area. We used the map from reception and donned some Soho wellies {not my finest fashion moment}.

Reluctantly we checked out but not before booking a return stay around Christmas! We boringly had a busy week ahead so decided to get home but we did stop on our way back in Bruton, the Hauser Wirth Gallery & then Frome quickly. 

Bruton was the coolest place, full of Australian level cool trendy shops, The Chapel where we picked up lunch & some sourdough to take home from the bakery and the Fmly store which was sadly closed on Tuesday during our visit.

It seemed kind of strange that a small town in the middle of Somerset could have so many buzzy shops in the middle of nowhere. But we loved it.

I wish I was more cultured to appreciate the contemporary art at the Hauser Wirth gallery more but I sure appreciated the planting in the gardens! 

A quick stop in Frome, which really wasn't long enough, the shops there are amazingly cool. We picked up some eucalyptus I needed for a shoot from the gorgeous Bramble & Wild florist who I follow on Instagram and then had a quick browse around the other shops, picking up a couple of succulent posters to frame in our new spare room.

And then it was time to rejoin the M25 and head home already. Full refreshed after a short, but super sweet little getaway. 

We'll be back soon Babington! {and hopefully with more time to explore Somerset next time too, Wells and Castle Combe are on my list}

Have you been? 

R <3 xx