4 min readWhile city centre Bath has plenty to offer thanks to its blend of history, culture and wellbeing, it’s well worth venturing outside the city and into rural Wiltshire on your next incentive trip.
In this green and picturesque pocket of the South West, you can encounter the English countryside at its most charming in the form of Cotswolds villages, not to mention prehistoric marvel Stonehenge. Topped off with a historic dining experience and a stay at a luxurious spa hotel, this itinerary is certain to make the right kind of impression on delegates. Here’s a suggested itinerary for a one-day incentive trip to Bath and rural Wiltshire.
Morning: Experience Stonehenge at sunrise and enjoy a relaxing lunch
Start the day full of wonder among the ancient sarsens and bluestones of world-famous Stonehenge on Wiltshire's Salisbury Plain. An expert host will escort you during the early morning experience, sharing the mysteries attached to this enigmatic monument, as well as answering all your questions. It’s the best time of the day to enjoy the tranquillity that surrounds the sacred circle.
The peaceful Bowood estate is the perfect place to reflect on the morning’s magical encounter. This historic house and gardens is set within 100 acres of beautifully landscaped parkland, designed by the famous 18th-century landscape architect Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. Take in a panoramic view of the greenery while you lunch at the hotel’s two AA Rosette Shelburne Restaurant.
Image - Bowood House & Gardens
Afternoon: See a Harry Potter film set and visit a stunning Cotswold village
800 years of history lie inside the walls of the remarkable abbey at the heart of Lacock, a quintessential English village. Journey into its monastic past in the medieval rooms and cloister court, which you may recognise from appearances in the Harry Potter films.
Discover another side of Lacock Abbey’s history in the museum. It tells the story of early 19th century photography pioneer William Henry Fox Talbot, who invented the photographic negative while he was living in the house here.
There’s fierce competition for the title of England’s prettiest village – the Cotswolds alone is full of contenders – but it’s often bestowed on Castle Combe. Stroll along its utterly charming streets and you’ll soon see why. They’re lined with the honey-coloured cottages the area is renowned for, unchanged since the 1600s (no new houses have been built here since then).
Learn about the village’s history as a medieval centre of the wool trade and stop at the Grade II-listed bridge for a postcard-worthy photo opportunity.
Image - Lacock
Evening: Sample a Bath delicacy at Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House
Back in the city, dine at a Bath restaurant favourite. Situated in one of the city's oldest houses, Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House is where hungry visitors flock to try the Sally Lunn bun. These brioche-style treats are named after a French refugee who is said to have arrived in the city in 1680 and introduced them to the locals.
As well as the traditional buns, the evening menu gives you a chance to sample historic English dishes, including many in the ‘trencher’ tradition. The trencher is a type of bread used before the invention of plates.
Image - Sally Lunns Historic Eating House
Night: Rest and relax at the MacDonald Bath Spa Hotel
Once a family home, today this grand Georgian mansion house is a luxurious hotel with its own spa and beautiful landscaped gardens. MacDonald Bath Spa has spacious rooms with stunning views across the city and is the perfect place to hunker down and recharge after a day of sightseeing.
Image - Macdonald Bath Spa
Interested in bringing the countryside into your Bath incentive trip? We’re here to help tailor an itinerary you’ll love. Make an enquiry here.
