THE STRAW BALE LODGE

LITTLE SOLSBURY HILL, BATH

Landscape view of a foggy or cloudy sky with silhouettes of trees in the foreground and layers of hills or mountains in the distance.

The Straw Bale Lodge

Welcome to the beautiful Straw Bale Lodge hidden on top of the iconic Little Solsbury Hill, with fabulous outlook and views, within minutes of the centre of Bath, and yet a world away from the “madding crowd". Approached via a track along the side of the hill, the cob fronted Straw Bale Lodge is discreet and yet accessible offering a romantic retreat for all seasons....from the green fuse of spring meadows and mid-summer picnics on the hill watching the larks rise, through autumn colours and ethereal valley mists, to a blazing wood burner and the cosiness of mid winter.

With reclaimed wood and a touch of the East, The Straw Bale Lodge offers a calming space, which, together with the convenience and comfort of modern day living, make for an ideal romantic escape.

Set within an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Solsbury Hill, made famous by Peter Gabriel's eponymous song, has much history as well as beauty. Once an Iron Age Fort, it is thought to have been one of the locations of King Arthur's battles. Walking straight out onto the hill, the flat top circuit walk gives panoramic views of Bath and the surrounding countryside as far as the White Horse at Westbury and the Marlborough Downs. A variety of walks lead off the hill from all corners down into the surrounding valleys and the village of Northend.

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  • A cozy outdoor patio area with two wooden deck chairs, a small round table with tea cups, a vase of sunflowers, and a small garden shed surrounded by lush green trees and plants.

    The Patio

  • A landscape with trees in the foreground, a layer of fog in the middle, and mountains in the background during sunrise or sunset.

    The Early Morning

  • A dirt road through a forest with sunlight filtering through the trees, creating beams of light.

    Up the Drive

  • A small wooden hot tub filled with dark water, surrounded by flowers and greenery, with a scenic view of rolling hills and a distant town in the background.

    The Hot Tub

  • Cozy living room corner with pellet stove burning, woven baskets, wooden furniture, and decorative accents.

    Cosy in Winter

  • A four-post bed with white canopy and beige bedding, with decorative pillows. There is a lamp on a table to the right, and a patterned rug on the floor. Curtains and wall decor frame the bed.

    The Bedroom

  • A cozy living room with a bed area separated by a canopy of sheer and patterned curtains. There's a pink armchair with a floral pillow, a peach-colored sofa with multiple decorative pillows, a wooden side table with lamps, a window with curtains and potted plants, and warm lighting creating a rustic, inviting atmosphere.

    Sitting Room

  • Cozy kitchen with a skylight, wooden countertops, and open shelving with dishes and decorative items, featuring a small washing machine beside the sink, potted plant, and various kitchen utensils and bottles on the counter.

    The Kitchen

Bathroom with towel rack, bathtub with flowers, small sink, mirror, wicker stool, and potted plant with ferns, under a skylight with sunlight.
Bathroom with a glass shower, a white pedestal sink, a large decorative mirror, a small table with a tissue box, and wicker stool, with vintage decor and a potted plant on top of the mirror frame.

The Bathroom

The Bathroom comes complete with beautiful walk-in limestone shower and a skylight above the tub for a soak under the stars.

A rustic outdoor tub filled with water, surrounded by lush greenery and flowers, overlooking a scenic landscape with fields, trees, and distant hills.

The Hot Tub

The Hot Tub which is heated by a wood-fired stove, is for your own private use and sits just outside the Straw Bale Lodge. With uninterrupted views over the valley, it is gravity filled with water from the ancient spring that was used by the Iron Age fort, on top of Solsbury Hill. Lazily take in the sunrise or make a toast under the night sky – whatever time of day, the hot tub provides a luxurious way to thoroughly relax.

ESSENTIALS

  • Check-in anytime from 4pm onwards
    Checkout by 11am

    To make the most of your stay and in particular the walks, please ensure you bring wellies and appropriate country clothing.
    In the event of snow and ice the climb up the hill can be tricky so please contact us before attempting it!

  • Luxury Double Bed
    Luxury Linen and Towels provided (with Goosedown duvet and pillows)
    Lightweight dressing gowns are provided

  • A selection of Teas, Nespresso coffee, including a jug of milk provided on arrival
    Smeg Gas Hob and Electric Oven
    Fridge with Freezer compartment
    Dishwasher
    Nespresso coffee machine- coffee supplied
    Toaster/Electric Kettle
    Chimenea Clay Oven/BBQ outside - view instructions
    A full range of quality kitchen utensils and implements supplied
    A beautiful selection of china and crockery provided

  • Mains connected bathroom
    Walk-in limestone tiled Shower
    Freestanding deep double-ended Bath
    Basin and WC
    Endless hot-water! (gas-fired combi boiler)
    Organic complimentary body wash is provided

  • Electric Lighting
    Plug Sockets
    Good Mobile Signal and WIFI available
    Hairdryer, Iron and small Ironing board provided
    For the romantic - tea lights are also provided

  • Central Heating
    Wood-Burner - Kindling and Logs provided
    Endless hot-water! (gas-fired combi boiler)

  • Smart TV
    Bluetooth speaker
    Games - Scrabble/Chess/Backgammon/Playing Cards
    A selection of Books

  • The fee for the hot tub, should you choose to use it, is £40. The hot tub is for your exclusive use, for the entirety of your stay; it is heated via a wood burning stove and we supply as much wood as you need. When you arrive, you will find it has been filled with fresh spring water and a fire laid, ready for you to light. Within the Straw Bale Lodge, you will find detailed instructions on how to light the hot tub, please read these very carefully - and be aware that it will take approximately 3 hours for the water to get up to a comfortable temperature.

  • The Straw Bale Lodge is peacefully nestled in the heart of the countryside, where you will feel very close to nature. You are likely to see a variety of birds from house sparrows and our resident doves to red kites. During the summer months, you will find cows quietly roaming Solsbury Hill and as the lodge is made of straw and shrouded by hazelnut trees, you are likely to hear nature on the roof sometimes too!

  • While the Straw Bale Lodge is far from the Madding Crowd. The local high street is just a 1 mile, (20 minute) walk down the hill (and worth noting, a steep 1 mile walk back up!).

    Basic shops are to be found on Batheaston High Street ( Spa PO chemist) as well as a wonderful organic café for breakfast brunch lunch Gather café.

    Towards Bath Larkhall is our chosen local shopping community with two lovely cafés an award-winning butcher and Bath‘s oldest delicatessen Goodies. Local pubs include the Rose and Crown in Larkhall and The Crown in Bathford. For a river/canal experience The George down by the canal (More details and additional suggestions provided in the Lodge)

  • Regular buses go into the centre of Bath and out to local villages from the high street and taxis are available to take you to and from the city centre. You will find numbers for Taxi firms in our information book.
    Bath also has a scooter scheme (get the app via www.voiscooters.com) which may interest you.

A cozy outdoor patio area in the late afternoon sunlight, with a small round table covered with a checkered tablecloth, a flower vase, and two metal chairs, surrounded by potted plants, a wooden railing, and lush greenery.
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A cozy corner with a rustic wooden table and two matching wooden chairs, a flower vase with pink and purple flowers, wooden wall paneling, and a wall-mounted wooden shelf with decorative pottery and a plate.
A tabletop with a floral vase, blue chairs, and a lantern hanging on a lattice background.

Eating Spaces

Enjoy sitting out and watching the view on the outside terrace or a cup of tea next to the fire.

An outdoor backyard patio at night with lit candles, potted plants, a small table with a floral vase and candles, a wooden fence, and a view of a lit cityscape in the distance.

Our Guests Say…

Never before have we been so keen not to leave the house! The Straw Bale Lodge has been an absolute delight…we can’t wait to come back.

Jess and Lewis

What can we say? From the moment we arrived, I didn’t stop smiling. What a beautiful lodge!! I have not felt so relaxed in a very long time and this is mostly due to this perfect little retreat and the stunning view we get to wake up to every morning….This has been one of our favourite mini breaks ever! We shall be back!

Cherry & Simon

The Lodge looked nice when we saw it on the website. However on arrival, it must be said, it did not do it justice.We struggled to leave as we were so relaxed, turning the ignition on the car was hard work! …a magical start to my wife’s birthday week.

Gavin and Sarah

The Straw Bale lodge was a delight! A charming mix of inspired querky style and mod cons..not to mention a view to die for. Full size luxury bath towels!! What a treat! We’ll tell everyone we know.

Jeff & Cindy

Thanks for letting us borrow this amazing space…we loved it!

Lucy & Ernesto

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