NOW Lockdown Two has come to an end at last, it’s great to be able to get out again for a little treat. With travel restrictions still an issue, why not sample the delights of accommodation in Wiltshire, where after all we’ve got everything you could want to make a superb weekend break right on our doorsteps.

Having checked out places for yourself, you can then recommend them with confidence to friends or family who are coming to visit in the future, whether for a short break or perhaps to attend a family celebration.

With lots of us being as little more careful with our cash in these uncertain times, boutique style B&Bs, often attached to gastropubs or restaurants, are the in thing. One such is the Three Daggers at Edington, just along the foothills of Salisbury Plain from Westbury, which was originally simply the village pub.

The business now sits at the heart of the village, with the pub, which is still a proper venue for locals; the excellent restaurant; B&B rooms in both the main building and an annexe down the road; a farm shop; a micro-brewery and a spa which can be used by day visitors as well as residents.

It was almost dark when we arrived, and as we parked we looked out over the excellent view spread ahead of us. This is a great place if you like walking, with Salisbury Plain behind you and a wide network of public footpaths leading to and from the village.

It’s also good for cycling - as is all of Wiltshire, not many hills here - and close enough to lovely places like Longleat, the Kennet and Avon Canal, Bowood and Salisbury to make a base for a day out.

We were shown into the B&B section of the building, which has its own private entrance with a security-operated door, and up to the Coulston room. Bijou this may be, compact it certainly isn’t, and we were initially a little awed by the vast lofty timbered ceiling beams which seemed to float about our heads, and the size of some of the furniture. The TV was one of the largest I’ve seen in a bedroom, while the bed and armoire made us feel a tadge Lilliputian.

Everything reeked of comfort, from the sheepskin rug into which bare feet simply disappeared, and as for the bathroom - I kid you not, if I could have thought of a way to dismantle it and stuff it in the boot I would have done.

I love a proper bath, and this was so large you could teach a baby to swim in it. Separate shower of course, all the other usual facilities, Neals Yard toiletries, lovely and warm...what more could you want?

I found out when, armed with a cup of excellent coffee and complimentary cookies from the residents lounge next door, I settled back with a book for a luxurious soak before dinner. No handy stool (or even moveable bath cabinet) to put the coffee, bikkies and book on!!! And it’s quite a stretch to the floor........still, sometimes you just have to put up with life’s little inconveniences, I said to myself.

After that it was time for drinks and dinner, where the food proved to be just as delicious as we’d been promised. As many ingredients as possible and locally produced, and you can buy many of them in the farm shop to take a treat home at the end of your stay.

We had a very comfortable night, and then enjoyed a deluxe breakfast in the conservatory dining room. Choose from the buffet selection, or go for full English (with some of the best bacon I’ve eaten for ages).

Whether you stay one night or several, we felt this was a great place for a break. It would also make a lovely place to stay after a special occasion - the visitors book included glowing recommendations from several couples who'd enjoyed their first night of married life here.

ALISON PHILLLIPS

The Three Daggers

47 Westbury Road

Edington

Westbury

BA13 4PG

01380 830940

www.threedaggers.co.uk

How to get to Edington

Take the A350 to Westbury. From Westbury take the B3098 to Edington. The Three Daggers has car parking for guests to one side of the pub.

There are plenty of direct trains to Westbury. The Three Daggers is a 10-minute taxi ride from the station.

Room rates and facilities

Rooms range from a mid-week price of £100-£140 a night and from £140 at weekends on a B&B basis. A cold breakfast and tea and coffee-making facilities are provided in the guest lounge and kitchen

Cots free of charge. Z-beds £20 a night. Dogs £10 a night each.

Free Wifi

Flatscreen TV

iPod docking station

Toiletries by Neal’s Yard

Hairdryer

We were invited along to review this venue and accepted only on the condition that the review we wrote was objective and the personal opinion of the reviewer