In an ‘aristocratic’ new holiday home INSIDE an 18th century archway on a sprawling Wiltshire estate
Talk about raising the bar. While other roomed pubs add shepherd’s huts, wooden huts and perhaps a tree house to their offerings, the Beckford Arms has gone all aristocratic with accommodation in a beautiful stone archway.
The building in question is the Grade II listed gatehouse and arrival arch built by William Beckford on the vast Fonthill Estate in Wiltshire in 1755.
One half is still inhabited and until recently a farm worker lived in the other.
Now the landlords of the pub down the road have joined forces with Fonthill owner Lord Margadale to create a one-of-a-kind place to stay.
Spread over three floors connected by a spiral stone staircase, it can sleep four adults, although two will have their lights dimmed in large, bespoke bunk beds. Those in the master bedroom one floor down benefit from a spacious bed, freestanding bath and views of the estate’s lake.
Ahead: Jane Knight spends a night in the gatehouse and arrival arch built in 1755 by William Beckford on Wiltshire’s sprawling Fonthill Estate. It is part of the nearby Beckford Arms inn
Jane describes the bow accommodation as a ‘unique place to stay’. Above is the kitchen
The bedrooms are beautifully designed, as is the ground floor with red and white floors in the kitchen, an antique dresser and an oval window. A cozy sitting room has a granny-chic vibe with its wood burning stove, parquet floor and grandfather clock, all complemented by modern technology – a TV hidden in a cupboard and music courtesy of a bluetooth speaker.
Farrow & Ball’s latest colors counterbalance the chic fabrics and modern art, and antiques and trinkets are everywhere.
Charlie Luxton, one of the three owners and former operational director of the exclusive private club Soho House, confesses: ‘I have a bit of an antiquing problem.’
Thoughtful touches are everywhere: the lobby is stocked with a picnic basket and rain boots, there’s a bulging closet of games for a night out, and water carafes on the bedside tables. The walk-in pantry is generously stocked, while the fridge is stocked with quality farm produce for a breakfast that sets us up for a rousing walk around the estate the next day.
But first to the pub for dinner. Although it is only a 20 minute walk and a strong flashlight is provided, it is along a fairly busy road, so we jump in the car. Three minutes later, we’re seated in the cosiest of local residents, with flagstones and fire, wooden bar, and plush chairs in alcoves by the window. The atmosphere is exactly what a country pub should be.
‘The bedrooms are beautifully designed,’ says Jane of the lodge, which sleeps four
The cozy sitting room has a grandma-chic vibe with its wood-burning stove, parquet floor and grandfather clock, all complemented by modern technology, reveals Jane
Jane dines in the Beckford Arms pub, with flagstones and fire, a wooden bar and plush seats in window alcoves
The dinner menu is short, but offers something for everyone: tasty pan-fried hake and celeriac puree for my son, comforting macaroni cheese for his girlfriend, and delicious spiced falafel and baba ghanoush for me.
Freshly baked bread, delicious mushroom soup and fruit crumble with custard complete the picture.
There are eight simple yet stylish upstairs rooms and anyone would be lucky enough to stay there.
However, we hit the jackpot and instead returned to drink port and play games before going to bed in our vaulted accommodation.