Review: Bradley Hare in Wiltshire is a country pub with a trendy twist from Soho House alumni

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In the soft light of the cozy bar area of ​​a Wiltshire inn, women with elaborately curled hair in long satin dresses chat with peasants in vests with dogs curled at their feet. It’s prom night at the Duke of Somerset estate, and nearby Bradley Hare is the perfect starting point for guests: a traditional country pub with a subtly hip twist, its design details carefully curated by former Soho students House.

Position

The pub is the heart of Maiden Bradley, a village in the Area of ​​Outstanding Natural Beauty of Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs, close to the Somerset border.

The village takes its name from a 12th century female leper colony and is located in what used to be a clearing in the former Selwood forest: “brad” means broad and “ley” means clearing.

Bradley Hare is located on the Bradley Park Estate, just yards from the Duke’s stately home and close to many notable landmarks and miles of pristine countryside, including Great Bradley Wood and Little Bradley Wood.

Environment

With 18th and 19th century furnishings, log fires and historic features, this is an old English country pub at its heart. Tasteful modern touches create a deeply elegant ambiance that exudes contemporary freshness.

In the main house, a quintessential pub bar leads to The Snug lounge area, where guests can relax with a creative cocktail, and an adjacent dining room for breakfast and dinner filled with eclectic artwork.

A chic garden with an Asado wood-burning grill awaits outside for the milder weather.

The rooms

Seven beautiful bedrooms in the main house overlook the pub gardens, village and courtyard, while we stayed in one of the five larger rooms in the nearby coach house.

The deceptively simple space features a super king size bed, Siberian goose down duvet, rustic fabrics, and handpicked furniture. Organic Evolve products are found next to a freestanding bathtub in the bedroom and in the gorgeous cream tiled bathroom with monsoon shower.

Food and beverages

An extensive wine list and local beers complement a seasonal menu of classic pub fare with a twist, sourced from Wiltshire and Somerset producers and a community assignment while adhering to a zero waste philosophy.

We started with superlative goat curd and purple broccoli with garlic and capers, plus sardines on parsley salad with bone marrow butter, dried with fresh sourdough.

Mains were a delicate baked sea bream with salt and spicy green sauce, and a succulent Barnsley chop with kale and anchovies, plus chunky chips.

What to do

This corner of Wiltshire is full of world-class cultural sites and some of the most beautiful countryside in England. Stonehenge is a short drive away, as is King Alfred’s Tower, a madness with hundreds of stairs leading to spectacular views of rolling hills and woodlands. You’re also within walking distance of the charming town of Frome, with its farmer’s market and festival, the elegant Bruton and pioneering Hauser & Wirth art gallery, and the quaint city of Bath.

Internal Council: Daisy Barton, Deputy General Manager

“Bradley Hare is within walking distance of The Potting Shed, a private and secluded boutique beauty studio located within Bradley Park. Covered in beautiful wisteria, the Potting Shed is a hidden gem – our guests can experience vegan and organic beauty treatments and holistic therapies. Situated in picturesque walled gardens, it is perfect for those seeking some peace and quiet and to be surrounded by nature. “

You will like it…

Spend a day at the magical National Trust Stourhead property, less than 10 minutes’ drive from Bradley Hare. Dubbed a “living work of art” when built in the 1840s, this Palladian home with Regency library and Chippendale furniture is set in 1,072 hectares (2,650 acres) of gardens graced by temples, pantheons, caves and a vast sparkling lake at its center.

It has been used as a setting for successful productions including those of 2005 pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightley and the 2021 miniseries The search for lovewith Lily James.

Reserve

The Bradley Hare, Church Street, Maiden Bradley, BA12 7HW, [email protected]01985 801018. Double from £ 130 including breakfast.

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