Destination

• Leisure Activities in Somerset and Bath

  There is so much to see and to do whilst staying at Charlton House. Bath with all its festivals is within easy reach as is the historic cathedral city of Wells as is Glastonbury. If you have the family with you, Cheddar Caves and Wookey Hole are close by and the Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovilton is well worth a visit. The Royal Bath and West Showground, host to some superb events throughout the year, including the National Amateur Gardening Show, is only a short hop down the A37.
  
  Perhaps one of the most famous attractions near Charlton house is Longleat Safari Park and Longleat House. There can be few places in the country that can be such fun and so interesting as Longleat.
  
  There are several glorious National Trust houses and gardens nearby. The famous gardens at Stourhead as well as the restored gardens at Hestercombe House, designed by Gertrude Jekyll, near Taunton, are a must visit if you enjoy magnificent gardens.

• A Luxury Hotel near Bath

  Bath is a World Heritage site and rightly so. The Romans called it Aqua Sulis, Aqua meaning water and Sulis from their god Sulis Minerva. However, it's a city without a Cathedral, having instead a beautiful Abbey that should be part of any visit. We're very fortunate in being one of the finest luxury hotels near Bath in Somerset.
  
  Bath is one of the most beautiful cities in Britain with some of the most famous architectural masterpieces in the world. The Royal Crescent was built between 1767 and 1775 by John Wood the Younger and overlooks much of the city. It is simply breathtaking. The Circus, similar Masterpiece by John Wood the Elder. Was inspired by the standing stones of Stanton Drew, a few miles north of Charlton house and by Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem as some suggest? You must also visit Pulteney Bridge which ranks alongside Florence's Ponte Vecchio as one of the most beautiful bridges in the world.
  
  The Romans, of course, were here first and left us their magnificent temple and the famous Roman Baths. The naturally hot water still rises up into the baths and to walk through the ruins where Romans once walked is a magical experience. The contrast from Roman times to the present day is most marked with a visit to the new Thermae Bath Spa with its sensational rooftop pool.
  
  Bath is an excellent shopping centre and its narrow passages are as. Bath is, of course, a shoppers' paradise with a glorious variety of shops, many in narrow passages that are as fascinating as its grand Georgian Architecture. During December, the Christmas Market is not to be missed. Jane Austen once lived here and Bath is also famous for all the festivals, literary, music, art and food, that take place throughout the year (see our Events Calendar). The city is also home to an excellent reclamation yard (Walcot Reclamation), and is one of the best antique centres in England.
  
  However, one of the greatest pleasures to be experienced in Bath is simply to wander when you can marvel at the majestic architecture, gaze into the shop windows, wonder at the city's history in evidence all around as well as in the museums, savour some of fabulous restaurants and just enjoy yourselves.
  
  Charlton House is one of the best known luxury hotels near Bath and makes an ideal base from which to visit the city.

• Things to Do in Somerset

  Charlton House is conveniently located within a short drive of Bath and is in the heart of rural Somerset. There is so much to do depending on what appeals to you. There is adventure aplenty at Cheddar Caves where you could sign on for a real caving experience or a rock climbing course. We have an excellent country walk and jogging trail that starts from the house and takes you through some beautiful Somerset countryside. We have our own outdoor Astroturf tennis court and can arrange for you to play golf at a variety of challenging courses nearby. There's also horse riding for beginners and experienced riders alike and clay pigeon shooting. We have archery on site and.
  
  There are wonderful concerts at nearby Wells Cathedral and Glastonbury Abbey throughout the year. Similarly, there are some superb events at the leading showground in the west country, the Royal Bath and West. These include the Royal Bath and West Show, the National Amateur Gardening Show, Truckfest and many more.