Lucknam Park is a luxury country house hotel near Bath, set within five hundred acres of unspoilt Wiltshire parkland. A place you can use as a base for exploring the surrounding countryside, or a place to hide away and be pampered for the weekend. Our recent visit was our first return in more than fifteen years and it reminded us why this hotel has such a strong reputation. Very little has changed, and that’s part of its charm.

A Weekend in the Wiltshire Countryside

Lucknam Park presents itself as a country house retreat near Bath, and the grounds play a central role in that. The formal gardens sit close to the house and, beyond them, the parkland opens into woodland and fields. On a dry day you can wander for hours. On our wet November weekend we stayed closer to the house but still enjoyed walking among the statues placed throughout the gardens. These are part of a partnership with a local gallery and can be purchased, something we had not seen at a country house hotel before.

The atmosphere across the estate is relaxed and discreet. Couples and families were enjoying the weekend, yet it never felt busy. The hotel is large enough for everyone to find their own space. Service supports this. Staff were calm, confident and attentive without a hint of formality. Both restaurants had teams who could share a light joke with each other and with us, which showed a confident and happy team; the bedrock of good service in our opinion.

Arrival at Lucknam Park

Arrival is through a set of tall wrought iron gates painted black, with the letters L and P picked out in gold. The long avenue is lined with mature trees, drawing your eye towards the country house at the top of the rise. It is a classic approach that frames your weekend ahead.

The driveway opens into a horseshoe where the team greet you, collect your bags and take you inside. Reception is simple and elegant, with a wooden desk, two sofas and a log fire that gives ticking in the grate. From here you move into two adjoining lounges. Both are lined with bookshelves and paintings, and both double as the bar. Drinks are served directly to your armchair, or sofa which makes it an easy place for a quiet pre dinner snifter or a nightcap.

The main restaurant, Hywel Jones, sits on the same floor, which we will explore this in a dedicated review.

Accommodation at Lucknam Park

Hotel accommodation is either in the main house, which is both comfortable and convenient or there are self catering cottages across the estate which offer all of the hotel benefits with a little more autonomy. Whilst prices vary, we chose a cottage stay for three nights, that was rougly the same cost as two nights in the main hotel.

Staying at The Coach House

Our base for the weekend was The Coach House, a three bedroom self catering cottage set within what appears to be the old stable block. The cottages sit close to the main house yet feel entirely private. There was no noise from neighbouring guests and no shared light spilling through.

The cottage was fully equipped for a proper self catering break. The kitchen had everything we needed, including a large fridge, freezer, dishwasher and washing machine. A small dining room with a neat wood burner made breakfasts and simple suppers feel cosy, while the snug living room offered deep sofas and armchairs that were perfect at the end of the day.

Upstairs, each bedroom had an ensuite bathroom, the other two had ensuite shower rooms.. The beds were comfortable, although a little on the small side. There were plenty of towels, fluffy robes and everything you needed after a walk through the grounds or a session in the spa.

A real bonus was the enclosed garden. It was large, with a football goal and outdoor seating. On a midsummer evening it would be ideal for a quiet drink as the sun goes down. For our wet November stay it became a view to enjoy from inside while we settled into the warmth of the cottage.

A misty morning view from the Coach House at Luckman Park

Breakfasts were easy, We skipped the £40 a head hotel breakfast, instead picking up supplies from the nearby village of Corsham and enjoyed a relaxed start before heading out. Evenings were flexible, whilst we could have eaten in, the thought of a crisp G&T and bottle of red wine were too much temptation. We dined twice at the Brasserie, with one ‘special’ night at the restaurant Hywel Jones.

The Coach House was well appointed throughout. Fresh milk was waiting in the fridge when we arrived. Wi Fi was fast and reliable, running at around 300MBPS so perfect for streaming. Each bedroom had a large television and the whole space felt generous enough for a family or a group of friends. Parking was close by and the free use of a Zappi electric vehicle charger was a bonus.

The Spa at Lucknam Park

The spa and the Brasserie sit together in a newer building only a few steps from the main house. The space is beautifully designed, with modern, clean lines and a calming contemporary feel. The treatment menu covers everything from signature massages to wellbeing and performance focused therapies, along with treatments for younger guests.

We visited on a wet Sunday afternoon and it was a highlight of the stay. The massages were excellent and we followed them with time in the pool and thermal rooms.

The pool sits beneath a glass roof that fills the room with soft natural light. Pale stone walls give the space a clean, minimal look, softened by a long row of small gas lit flames along the back wall. It is a gentle detail that brings a sense of warmth. The main pool is wide and clear, with steps that ease you in.

The indoor to outdoor plunge pool is a real treat. You slip into the warm water inside, press a button and float through to the outside. Sitting in the steaming water as dusk falls, with a light drizzle above and the scent of woodsmoke drifting across the estate, is a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Service and Atmosphere

Service was exemplary throughout. Paul looked after us on arrival and whenever we needed to get between the cottage and the main building. The restaurant teams were confident and personable, and the spa team were warm and attentive. Staff could share a light joke or a quiet smile, something that speaks to a confident and empowered team. It created an easy atmosphere that suits a weekend in the countryside.

“Our Stay at Lucknam Park was the pefest mix of countryside retreat with world class amenities and service. ”

— Wine, Travel & Song

Useful Information for Your Stay at Lucknam Park

Address: Lucknam Park, Chippenham SN14 8AZ

Wi Fi is complimentary and fast across the estate.
A buggy service is available to take guests between the cottages and the main house. The walk is short but on a wet weekend it was helpful to call reception and be collected.
There are two Zappi electric vehicle chargers near the cottages by the riding yard. These are free for guests.
The cottages have wooden floors throughout the ground level. They are warm, but if you get cold feet you may want to bring slippers.
Lucknam Park is now part of the Accor ALL loyalty programme. Members can book through the Accor app and earn reward points on their stay.
There is a second entrance to the estate by the stables. Some GPS systems direct you here by default. The gates open automatically, so do not worry if you arrive at this point. You will miss the main avenue, but it is helpful if you are heading out to Corsham or going straight to the stables.
Arrival by helicopter is an option, just email reception ahead of time for confirmation - and don’t fly over the horses!

A Weekend Worth Returning To

Lucknam Park remains one of the finest luxury country house hotels near Bath. The setting is beautiful, the service is warm and confident, and both the accommodation and the spa are first class. This is not a cheap hotel and it does not claim to be. What you receive in return is the quality, comfort and calm that define a proper country house weekend.

Fifteen years have passed since our last visit. Not much has changed, which is a positive thing. We look forward to returning again.

If you enjoy exploring country house hotels and peaceful retreats, you may also like our review of Amberley Castle on the South Downs, a historic stay wrapped in ancient walls and rolling countryside. For something closer to town, take a look at our review of the Gainsborough in Bath, a refined hotel with its own thermal waters and a calm atmosphere in the heart of the city.

A Long Weekend of Luxury at Lucknam Park Hotel