Travel from Esseborne Manor to Hunstrete House Hotel, Nr. Bath -- Visit Stonehenge and Stourhead Gardens

Pack bags and head west! Your itinerary takes you to the rolling green hills of Wiltshire and Avon, known for their vast, chalk downs, the beloved Roman city of Bath, medieval villages captured in time and elegant estates with some of the world's most magnificent gardens.

World-famous Stonehenge is your first stop of the day, and one where it is best to try to beat the crowds. Stonehenge was built in different stages beginning almost 5,000 years ago, long before words were written on paper to explain the reasons for things. Was it for religious purposes? Was it for astronomical charting? Some of the mysteries around Stonehenge will never be answered. Allow about 45 minutes here.

Directions from Esseborne to Stonehenge: From Esseborne, head south on the A343 through Andover, then right, on the A303 toward Amesbury. Continue past Amesbury and Stonehenge is not far. March-May 9:30-6pm, June-August 9:30-7pm, September-mid October 9:30-6pm and end October-mid March 9:30-4pm daily except Dec 24-26 and Jan. 1st. Tel: (0)1980 624715.

From Stonehenge continue west to the village of Stourton, home of one of the most spectacular gardens in all of Europe, Stourhead Gardens. Before starting your tour of Stourhead Gardens you may wish to grab lunch either in Stourton or in the village of Burton just 6 miles west of Stourton where an ancient packhorse bridge still stands.

Even if you do not have green thumbs this is a worthwhile stop. Seldom will you see such incredible beauty in a landscape. Stourhead was created in the mid 18th century by a wealthy banker named Henry Hoare. The property graces 2600 harmonious acres in the soft, mellow countryside of Wiltshire. Have your camera ready as you meander through woodlands, by lakes and grottos, past temples, bridges and miniature hills all forming a dreamy landscape. Open 7am-7pm or till dusk except holidays.

Directions from Stonehenge to Stourhead: Continue on the A303 west toward Wincanton. Exit at the B3092 north toward Maiden Bradley and Frome and watch for the signs to Stourhead and Stourton, 3 miles north-west of Mere. Tel: (0)1747 841152.

After an enjoyable afternoon and a "cuppa" tea in the tearoom, you are off to Hunstrete House Hotel, the epitome of a country house hotel. Head north on the B3092 to the A361 west toward Shepton Mallet. At Shepton Mallet turn north on the A37 then take the A368 heading toward Bath. After l.6 miles, take a left where signposted "Hunstrete". The hotel is 100 yards down, on your left.

Accommodation

Hunstrete House Hotel Pensford, Nr. Bath BS39 4NS www.hunstretehouse.co.uk email: info@hunstretehouse.co.uk Int'l Tel: +44 1761 490490 U.K. Tel: (0)1761 490490

As you drive through the avenue of trees and parkland that precede Hunstrete House Hotel you immediately feel the peace, quiet and elegant charm of this magical place. Watch for fawns and foals in the spring, playing in the soft, green pasture while handsome horses and herds of resident deer graze contentedly during lazy afternoons. Hunstrete sits on 92 acres of parkland, pasture and woodland with a meandering stream flowing effortlessly through the trees and grassland as it has for a millennium. Hunstrete House Hotel was, over 1,000 years ago, a property of Glastonbury Abbey and was noted in William the Conqueror's Domesday book. But within 200 years the house became a private property. The Popham family reigned supreme at Hunstrete from the early 1600's until the 20th century.

When one thinks of a country house estate, the words, "elegant, comfortable, relaxing, charming, unpretentious and welcoming" come to mind. Hunstrete is all of the above. Rooms are large, fires burn brightly on cool nights, acres of fragrant gardens span the lawn, a heated swimming pool for exercise or relaxation awaits, the tennis courts are never crowded and large, over-stuffed rooms welcome the weary traveler with a cup of tea or a glass of wine and a place to rest with a good book. Hunstrete is also noted for fine dining with top quality, fresh seafood, vegetables, fruit and meats used for the innovative meals that are receiving much critical acclaim. What better place to spend a few idyllic days seeing some of the most historic sites in Britain?