TICKETY-BOO - Wiltshire

Many years ago, Tickety-Boo was the stable block on a busy farm on the border of Somerset and Wiltshire, but now, after an incredible remodelling, it’s a luxury large group holiday house that sleeps 14 guests in 7 ensuite bedrooms and has its own indoor pool with a built-in swim spa and hot tub, a sauna, games room, movie room/snug and ample outdoor space. It’s a remarkable place to stay for big happy holidays, celebrations with friends and family, and for sophisticated hen weekends.

Tickety-Boo is set on a private estate that’s home to alpacas, goats, special breed pigs and chickens; there are walks through open fields and views over the countryside, so you can quite easily spend your entire holiday right here. If you want to go out exploring the local area or take a few day trips, you’ll find plenty to see and do within a short drive. Take a picnic and climb to the top of Cley Hill or go for a pootle and spot the Wiltshire White Horses carved in the hillsides. Great for family days out is the Longleat estate, just a few miles away; drive through the safari park and see the likes of lions, tigers, elephants and zebras roaming free. Find your way out of one of the world’s biggest hedge mazes, take a ride on the railway, a boat trip, or a tour of the Elizabethan mansion house.

Bath is only about 30 minutes’ drive; go and see the sights – the famous Roman Baths, the Royal Crescent, Pulteney Bridge and the beautiful Bath Abbey, browse the shops, museums and galleries and pop to Sally Lunn’s for a traditional Bath Bun. Bristol is good too, with its different quarters, like elegant Clifton Village, Christmas Steps, and Cabot Circus. Down at the harbourside you can climb on board SS Great Britain and get close up to marine life at Bristol Aquarium. Just outside the city is The Wild Place where you can see animals from all over the world.

If you like all things vintage you should head into Frome for a stroll up over St Catherine’s Hill with its eclectic array of shops and eateries. Go when the Frome Independent market is on and get caught up in the buzz; independent traders set up their stalls all over town, there’s live music and entertainment, and a great choice of street food. At Bradford on Avon you can hire kayaks and paddle along the Kennet & Avon Canal; otherwise board the Barbara McLellan Trip Boat and sit back for a leisurely ride, or take a stroll along the tow path to the Avoncliff Aqueduct.

If you like historic houses and glorious gardens, Stourhead is stunning, especially when the autumn colours are reflected in the lakes, but Bowood House is lovely too. Lacock Abbey will appeal to Harry Potter fans who will recognise some of the scenes; Hauser & Wirth on the edge of Bruton will excite art lovers and foodies with its exhibitions and Roth Bar & Grill. And that’s another thing – country pubs; there are several close by. Just down the road is The Three Horseshoes at Chapmanslade, within a few miles are the creeper-clad Bath Arms and The Talbot inn at Mells, where, you never know, you just might spot a famous face or two.

Wherever you go, whatever you do, even if you don’t go anywhere at all and spend every minute of your holiday tucked away at Tickety-Boo, you’ll go home with so many amazing memories. Your Big Happy is waiting -book today!

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This property is part of The Wiltshire Estate