Intro

We all love London with its unique atmosphere and vibrance, but sometimes there is nothing like a weekend escape to the British countryside, away from all the hustle and bustle. We were looking for a quintessentially British weekend, so we decided to partner with Bentley UK and the Four Seasons Hampshire to make this trip absolutely perfect.

Bentley Bentayga

When on a road trip, the vehicle you are driving makes all the difference in the world. Our car for the weekend was a beautiful blue Bentley Bentayga, an innovative luxury SUV with beautiful interiors handcrafted with the most exquisite materials. This car is incredibly easy to drive as it features more than ten driver assistance systems for urban driving and longer distance touring, which include an automatic braking system for the city, a pedestrian detection system, Night Vision (which recognises animals and people), a blind spot monitor, Exit Warning and Traffic Sign Recognition. Basically, it is a car that is almost impossible to crash!

Also, if you are a passenger during a long trip, you can relax by watching something on TV or Netflix on the back seats as the Bentayga features built-in TVs and has its own wifi. Pretty incredible, right?

Castle Combe

The first stop of our countryside escape was Castle Combe, a pretty town on the southern-most edge of the Cotswolds. It is around 2h 30m drive from London and it is really easy to reach.

Castle Combe has been voted as the most beautiful village in the United Kingdom, therefore it is a must stop while visiting the Cotswolds. This historical village was built around the 14th century and was once a weaving town at the heart of the Cotswolds wool trade. Today, many tourists travel from all around the UK to visit this pretty little town and have a feel of its magical atmosphere, which literally takes you back in time.

Wells

Our next stop was Wells, in Somerset, with its beautiful historic centre, its cathedral and its pretty alleys. The city is a medieval city located on the southern side of the Mendip Hills. The history of Wells goes right back to Roman times when there was a settlement, probably because of the springs that bubble up in this area. Wells gets its name from these springs which can today be found in the gardens of the Bishop’s Palace.

One of the best-hidden spots in Wells is Vicars’ close. This is claimed to be the oldest purely residential street with original buildings surviving intact in Europe. It features numerous Grade I listed buildings, including 27 residences (originally 44), built for Bishop Ralph of Shrewsbury, a chapel and library at the north end, and a hall at the south end, over an arched gate. It is connected at its southern end to the cathedral by way of a walkway over Chain Gate.

After a day spent exploring the countryside, it was time for us to head off to our hotel.

Four Seasons Hampshire

Rye

After an early breakfast and a walk to the horses stable (which, by the way, are so friendly and cute!) we headed off to our next destination.

Rye, in East Sussex, is a two-hour drive from Hampshire. The weather was pretty bad, so the driver assistance settings on our Bentley were pretty useful and really helped us with tricky roundabouts and with parking.

Rye is the sort of place you thought existed only in fairy tales. Its unhurried atmosphere and enchanting streets make you feel at home almost straight away, and its Cobbled streets and narrow passages reveal architectural treasures among beautifully preserved Medieval, Tudor and Georgian buildings.

Mermaid Street is one of the most beautiful sights you will see in the UK. It is peppered with ancient buildings, with unusual names such as ‘The House Opposite’ or ‘The House with the Seat’, and ideal for some perfect Insta-shots.

We decided to stay for lunch and had some fresh lobster in one of the many old British pubs, then headed back to London, back to our city life.

If you a craving for a weekend escape from London, we definitely suggest this itinerary. You will only need 2-3 days to visit these 3 historical locations and you could also fit in a nice relaxing stay at a spa hotel such as the Four Seasons Hampshire. All you will need is a car and a lot of enthusiasm, because these pretty little villages will blow your mind!