We sent Country and Townhouse Retail editor @rosalynwikeley to the Lygon Arms in Cotswolds for an over night stay complete with all the travel essentials needed to make the perfect weekend escape.
A Spring Weekend Away
Weaving my plush Globetrotter suitcase through Paddington’s Easter turmoil, I make the train by the skin of my teeth (not the most relaxing start to the weekend).
Those well-acquainted with the London tumble dryer will be just as familiar with the ‘night-before’ or ‘morning-of’ speed-packing.This is where Floris miniature travel collection come into their own. Keep them in a beauty bag ready for the Friday bolt for the country.
My own wardrobe sweep was loosely steered by visions of light spring dresses and cashmere jumpers. Add to this a pair of jeans, a chic swimsuit for the spa and your running kit (if you’re feeling ambitious), and you have your weekend armour without the unnecessary extras.
I’m heading to the Lygon Arms in the Cotswolds, a hotel steeped in history which counts Oliver Cromwell and King Charles I among their guests. Here, the roaring fires and old flagstones do not lend themselves well to stilettos, nor shiny wellington boots. Spot the Londoner.
Dressing for a country hotel is an art. The cosy-chic convention is a precarious balancing act of not overdoing it with aggressive colours or accessories, yet keeping things sharp enough to be worthy of the dining room after eight. I am by no means advocating a Chipping Norton aesthetic or packing a small dog, more that you digest the sartorial climate in advance.
Black low-heeled boots strike a perfect balance as they are as acceptable at the breakfast table as they are at supper and compliment both a pair of jeans and a floaty dress. A cashmere jumper or poncho is an ideal canvas for statement jewellery in the evening, should your country getaway demand it. And if things are looking a little swankier than anticipated, that floaty dress was worth the last patch of air in your suitcase.
As for beauty, I have a tendency to pack for a Cannes debut, when all one really needs is a basic make up bag, lipstick, toiletries, hairbrush and I would always recommend bringing your own hairdryer (curiously, the swankiest hotels often horde the limpest hairdryers). The Lygon Arms seems to have mastered this, along with walk in rain showers and extra-long baths. I always pack a mini Floris bath essence (I’ve used these and their soaps since I was a child). This hotel has Floris coming out of its ears, with their shampoo/body wash/moisturiser minis on tap. Excellent news. No country weekend is complete without a soak in the tub, a crumpled newspaper and some quality timeout from the world and its problems. Consider the complimentary Tattinger the garnish.
A quick spritz of FLORIS’ new Chypress fragrance and I bounce out of the door in a silk Alice + Olivia dress and those trusty black boots by Laurence Dacade. The Lygon Arms’ Great Hall harks back to a decadent yesteryear, enveloped by a huge vaulted ceiling that overlooks candlelit scenes below. A quintessentially British menu comes with a few eccentric edges; we opt for bubble and squeak and tuck into some heavy red wine. This grand-yet-toasty atmosphere gives way to a bright airy room for breakfast with spring light spilling in through Tudor windows.
After a brisk stroll along the quaint stretch known as ‘Broadway’ and some indulgent cake and coffee by the fire, it’s time to hop on the train back to London. The perfect spring weekend, although, Daniel Clever’s convertible is a preferable choice of carriage.