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FEAST LIKE A KING: This bespoke dining table seats up to 20
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n its Georgian heyday Bath became the heart of fashionable society in England, with its Palladian inspired houses, thermal spa waters, and bustling Assembly Rooms. Now you can get a taste of what it was like to live like an 18th century socialite as local holiday lettings business The Bath Holiday Company has acquired an elegant, five floor property on Queen Square, full of period features and Georgian character, as well as modern appliances and luxury bathrooms. Queen Square, built in the early 18th century, was the first of a set of iconic developments in the city centre that John Wood the elder and younger set their minds to in Bath, and the west side of the square was designed by John Pinch the younger. With financial backing from Master of Ceremonies and socialite Beau Nash, the square soon became one of the most desirable addresses in the country. Fast forward three centuries and the majority of the buildings on Queen Square have been converted into businesses, education centres and a hotel. Few are still residential, and if they are then the buildings have most likely been turned into flats. However, The Bath Holiday Company’s new property could make an ideal location for visiting family members or friends planning a long weekend in the city. Or, if you’re looking for an impressive setting to host an event or celebration from, you could be the host with the most and hire it for you and your guests to enjoy . . . Behind the large white door, equipped with apt brass lion door knocker and smart camera doorbell, you walk into a house where the possibilities for socialising and relaxing over five floors are endless. We begin our tour in the basement, where we find the beautifully designed kitchen and diner, full with all the modern amenities large groups would need. Furnished with a large breakfast bar, guests can gather around and get stuck into cooking, plus you can
plug in your tablet to one of the multiple charging stations and scroll through recipes at your leisure. There’s a substantial wine fridge just to the side, perfect for someone to be on topping up duty. And the room is equipped with all the cooking necessities to whip up a small banquet – blenders, mixers, cast iron casserole dishes, and plenty of crockery, glasses and cutlery. Following on into the dining room – this is the heart of where elegant dining and socialising can take place. With a dining table that can seat 20, guests can wine and dine all evening in the comfort of this home. With so many mouths to feed around such a grand table, The Bath Holiday Company can organise private chefs to cater for large parties, so you can sit back and relax. There’s a separate utility room in the basement, where you can wash off muddy boots and dry coats after a long walk. Plus there’s a small private, walled garden, perfect for enjoying a cup of coffee in the cool morning air before breakfast. Heading back up to the entrance floor, there’s a large sitting room with plenty of comfortable sofas for guests to lounge and impressive high ceilings, with lots of natural light flooding the room. Many of the ornate furnishings have been brought over from the owners’ home in provincial France, bringing some country style to this Georgian property. The owners have purposely not installed a television in this room, making it an area where groups can gather and catch up after lost time without the noise of the TV in the background. The cabinets are full of books and board games to keep guests of all ages occupied when taking a break from exploring the city centre. And if you fancy staying in during the cold winter evenings, the family can gather in the cinema room and enjoy their favourite film – just don’t forget the popcorn. There’s also a snug which can be used as an office space or, if involved in the theatre, a quiet place to learn your lines.
On the first floor are two impressive master bedrooms with king sized beds, plenty of storage space, and extra seating – ideal for groups getting ready together, especially for bridal parties looking for the perfect backdrop for pre-wedding photos. The rooms are linked with a beautifully crafted modern bathroom. And despite being in the city centre and so close to a main road, even in the middle of the day there is very little noise from traffic outside. On the following two floors are four more substantial bedrooms, with two Jack and Jill bathrooms. The rooms include multiple double and single beds – overall the property can sleep 20. The bedrooms at the front of the building have beautiful views over Queen Square, the green and the obelisk, whereas the rooms at the back have incredible views over the rolling green hills surrounding Bath, making you remember just how close the city is to the countryside. With a property this size, children will love playing hide and seek in the rooms’ cubbyholes and behind the furniture, while groups of adults will enjoy the opportunity for spaces to socialise as well as having the privacy and comfort of the large bedrooms. And with Christmas not too far away, this could make a great spot to celebrate the festivities or to bring in the new year. The Bath Holiday Company can arrange a variety of services to make your stay even easier. As well as hiring private chefs, the team can provide locally sourced meals to pop in the oven, as well as organising cocktail classes, yoga sessions and beauty treatments in the comfort of the property. n There is a minimum two night stay required for this property, starting from £995 per night. To find out more, contact The Bath Holiday Company by calling: 01225 571234, email: hello@holidaylets.com or visit: holiday-lets.com. Follow on Twitter: @19QueenSquare and Instagram: thehouseonqueensquare.
THEBATHMAG.CO.UK
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OctOber 2017
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theBATHMagazine 117