We had a lovely week at Beeches and in the surrounding area. The weather was glorious as well considering the time of year. Perfect for what we wanted to achieve.

We particularly loved the peace and quiet and the rural setting of the cottage with the ponies, hens and Guinea fowl. I met one of your beautiful dogs – lovely coat – and we could hear an owl hooting this morning.

We were pleased with the upgrade to the cottage – more space for our reading and TV viewing, a very comfortable bed and lots of instant hot water – a big plus. Not always the case when we travel. We don’t cook when we go away so the kitchen facilities were not used at all. It was a very relaxing week.

We did walk to Bradford across the field – very straightforward- but only once and then just drove and parked at the top of the hill and walked into the town from there. We looked at your list of things to do and pretty much covered them all.

We travelled to Beeches via the Caen Flight of locks at Devizes. The main purpose of our visit was to walk from Bradford to Bath via the towpaths of the Kennet and Avon Canal. We did this over two days and used the D1 bus service to facilitate the experience as we are 70 plus and a bit mechanically challenged.

Buses are a great way to see the beauty of rural locations and manage walking tours. If you have older guests tell them about the D1 bus service into Bath. Bus Pass Britain!

We thought Bradford was glorious – so unspoilt – and found the churches, museum and centre extremely interesting. I read Bradford on Avon: A New History, from cover to cover and was gripped. We also spent a day at Lacock Abbey and village which was equally as unspoilt and historically and socially interesting.

We were a bit out of season so restaurants weren’t always open. We ate at The Angelfish at Brassknocker Basin at the Aqueduct; The Red Lion at Lacock; The George at Bathampton and at Il Fiume in Bradford. Great food at all of these locations. Il Fiume was particularly enjoyable as we had a view of the river and I watched a cormorant hunting for fish ( very successfully) and annoying the mallards and a kingfisher flew by as well. What more could you ask for.

A bit of an epic – but we had a really great break away. Thank you. Maggie & Charles | pigWig Cottage | September 2022