Sometimes you just need a bit of green! Now, I think we all know, that I love the whole “bright light, big city” phenomenon – but sometimes you just need a bit of green!

And green was exactly what this trip was all about! We were on our way far, far south west to get some fresh air, stay at beautiful hotels, enjoy amazing food – and meet a couple of ponies!

Destination Exeter! We were going to Somerset to stay at the beautiful Mount Somerset Hotel and Spa!

The trip took about 3 hours and we decided, that the best way to get there was by train and then rent a car, once we had arrived in Exeter

As you can see this was a very relaxing way of travelling!

I am not always a big fan of public transport, but sometimes a car is just not the best solution! We really enjoyed having some quality family times on the train without stressing about GPS and traffic jam! (Look how happy I am with Sleeping Beauty in my arms!

Welcome to The Mount Somerset Hotel and Spa! It took us about 45 mins to get here by car from Exeter

Our car was a Nissan Qashqai crossover rented at Enterprise. (Bonus-info: Enterprise offers to come and pick you up at Exeter station and take you to their office 10 mins away, where you can get everything settled)

The Mount Somerset Hotel and Spa is a stunning luxury 19 bedroom Regency country house hotel in Taunton set in four acres of beautiful grounds. This grand dame of a building sits high upon her mount, cradled in between the Quantock and Blackdown Hills giving the visitors some of the best views in Somerset. It was love at first sight!

This was exactly what I was hoping for! A lot of rest in idyllic settings! It was time to relax and enjoy being with my little family

Our luxurious bedroom was big and there was plenty of room for all of us. As you can see, Clara was more than happy to be here 

We had a lovely bathroom with a beautiful tub and a large shower! I love big bathrooms, so this was very important to me! (oh – and the robes were super soft!)

It didn’t take long to get settled! Clara and mummy were having the best time in the King size bed

  – and Daddy decided to join! Happy times indeed!

Bonus-info: If you choose to stay at one of the Garden De Luxe rooms you will have the pleasure of spending time in this baby… A private hot tub! Next time… !

Time for dinner…

As you can see, this hotel is a stunner!

With its high ceilings, sweeping spiral staircase, opulent decor and a feeling of gentle elegance and luxury, The Mount has all the characteristics of a quintessential English Regency mansion. As there was wedding going on in this weekend, everything was even prettier with beautiful flower decorations everywhere you went

As British as it gets! Comfortable sofas, a fireplace…

 – and a bar! 

It was time for an aperitif and a glass of wine (well, actually it was a bottle!)

Apparently Clara thought, that her milk needed a bit of cooling too!

We were also served the most delicious canapés: Chickpea crackers with baba ganoush, smoked eel, beetroot and horseradish tartlets and lamb croquettes with mint jelly and radish discs

The Somerset Dining Room has been awarded three rosettes by the AA for its culinary excellence

Bonus-info: Restaurants with the coveted three rosettes are deemed to be outstanding establishments that demand recognition well beyond their local area and just 10% of the AA’s restaurants achieve this level. We were definitely in for a treat!

This is a family-friendly hotel, so you need not to worry about bringing a chatty baby

Clara was placed in a high chair, and we had brought some of her favourite books. One thing that Frenchie and I had both noticed since we arrived was, that everyone here were very friendly! Nope, this was certainly not “the busy people of London” . I apologised in advance to our dining neighbours for Clara being “very energetic” – but everyone were so sweet and said, that it was no problem at all. They really made us feel welcome and Clara became the star of the evening!

More delicious canapés, before the main menu! Lighty curried Brixham crab: crab meat, curry and tumeric sauce, tumeric puffed rice, coriander cress and oil and diced turnip! Simply beautiful

– and my favourites: Crab and yuzy doughnuts

There were several wonderful choices at the A La Carte menu!

Please notice, that the menu changes often, which I like, as it shows, that you have a chef, that enjoys to be challenged and serves his guests something new, every time they visit! The selection was varied and the ingredients high quality. We had everything from pasta, fish, vegetarian to pork! Beautiful presented and very, very tasty

The cheese trolley with a selection of local English cheeses made my day! And I could choose whatever I wanted (and how much!)

Homemade chutney on the cheese trolley! So good!

The weather was amazing the following morning, and it was time to go and explore the hotel! As you can see, the gardens surrounding the hotel are as beautiful as can be. Clara and mummy really enjoyed the fresh air and all the green! 

Spring was in the air!

If only we had more time, I would have loved to spend a couple of hours at the luxurious Elan Spa 

Relax in the hydrotherapy bath…

– or how about taking a seat in the sauna or steam room and surround yourself by the comforting aromas…

Yes, there most certainly was an atmosphere of calm and serenity! I can only imagine, how lovely it is going to be, when it gets even warmer outside!

And then there was this… I stumbled upon this beautiful room, when I was out exploring Mount Somerset! You see… This place is very very popular, when it comes to weddings!

A wedding here is completely personal and can be tailored to your exact requirements. The team has a wealth of experience in organising country house weddings, from the intimate to the grand. This weekend it was a small wedding. So pretty, don’t you think?

Before leaving we enjoyed the most amazing breakfast with a great variety of delicious dishes (of course I ordered too much)

Eggs Benedict, Full English Breakfast and Pancakes… Let’s just say, that we didn’t leave hungry!

We spent one night at Mount Somerset Hotel and Spa, and then our  journey continued. We had such a lovely time here – the only thing I regret was not having seen more of the surroundings.

I have been told that Exmoor National Park, which I had a glimpse of in our car – and it was stunning!, – and Hestercombe Gardens should be worth a visit! You can read much more about, what to see in Somerset here

Mount Somerset Hotel and Spa is part of the award-winning Eden Hotel Collection. Each of the unique hotels offer guests a slice of luxury from historic architecture and peaceful surroundings to outstanding food and drink

We were invited as guests at Mount Somerset Hotel and Spa. All opinions are as always my own