Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Hotel of the week The Langford Inn, Lower Langford, Somerset
WHERE & WHY: In the heart of north Somerset on the edge of the Mendips is the pretty, flower-filled village of Lower Langford. Folk who live here should be chuffed to have The Langford Inn, owned by The Butcombe Brewing Co, (HQ just down the road in Wrington), as their local.
It also offers seven boutique bedrooms. Recently refurbished, it’s the perfect rural spot for weekends away and stopovers, with family suites and dog-friendly options.
We stayed in the Blagdon Suite, set in a former stable building, with a super kingsized bed and shower room on the ground floor, plus a sofabed on a mezzanine level for our two kids.
Decorated in a country-chic style, with heavy drapes, a mish-mash of nature-inspired artworks and velvet furniture, the suite felt luxurious and cosy. Our visit was in the middle of summer and the fairy-lit pub garden was buzzing.
Inside, The Langford is a beautiful dining pub with painted woodpanelled walls, exposed brickwork and beams. An eclectic mix of mirrors, framed prints, leather and upholstered seating gave it a relaxed, not-over-styled feel.
ON THE MENU: This is one of Butcombe Brewing Co’s 22 pubs with rooms in the South West and South East, so you get its own hand-pulled beers, including Stateside and Goram IPAs. Grab pub snacks, like the cave-aged Cheddar doughnuts.
The food in the restaurant is outstanding. It makes my mouth water when I think of my hake with violet potatoes, cauliflower puree and saffron pickled courgette. The kids went for Langford burgers with smoked bacon, Monterey Jack and crispy onions. A dome of sticky date and chocolate pudding with butterscotch sauce was demolished. As were the s’mores of chocolate ganache, toasted marshmallow, gingerbread and caramel.
WHILE YOU’RE THERE: It’s 15 miles north to Bristol, with its art and music scene, Brunel’s SS Great Britain and We The Curious science centre.
Go for traditional seaside fun at WestonSuper-Mare, 10 miles west, and 20 miles south is Glastonbury with its famous Tor.
WAKE UP CALL: Signature doubles from £125pn, B&B. langfordinnsomerset.co.uk, 01934 446059.