Part of the members club Soho House, Babington House is an idyllic country escape, nestled a short drive away from the quaint village of Frome in Somerset. It’s the perfect place to go for a weekend of relaxation – think slow days filled with good food and fresh country air. I visited last spring and instantly fell in love with it. So, if you’re planning a trip and want to know more about this magical place, I’ll tell you everything you need to know. This blog post covers how to get there, the different room types (and which I’d recommend), and all the activities available during your stay. Plus, I answer all of the questions you probably have (like, “can I take pictures?”), because I had them too!
What is the closest station to Babington House?
The closest station to Babington House is Frome, which is about a 13-minute drive away. Trains from London Paddington to Frome take around 2 hours. Or, you can get a direct train to Westbury which takes 1 hour 15 minutes followed by a 30-minute taxi to Babington House.
Can you go to Babington House as a non member?
To visit Babington House for the day or stay the night, you need to either be a member or be visiting with one. You won’t be able to access Babington House without having a membership. Existing members can bring up to 3 guests with them.
How does the membership work at Babington House?
To visit any Soho House or stay in their hotels, you need to either be a member or be visiting with one. A membership gives you access to most of the houses around the world, the hotels, and facilities. To be approved for a membership you need to have two referrals from people who are already members, and you’ll be asked to write a short bio about yourself and why you want to join. The price you pay depends on your age – they offer an under 27s rate starting at £91 a month.
Last year they also launched Soho Friends. For £100 a year you can stay at any of the houses, but you can’t visit if you aren’t spending the night. If you live in London (where a lot of the houses are) and are planning on using the gym, a full membership might be worth it for you.
If you’re interested in learning more about the membership process and what’s involved, I’ve written a guide that includes everything you need to know.
How long is the waiting list for Soho House?
There isn’t a set rule around how long it’ll take for you to hear whether you’ve been accepted, although I’ve heard rumours of meetings to discuss applications taking place quarterly. I was accepted within a few weeks of applying.
How does it compare to Soho Farmhouse?
Babington House and Soho Farmhouse aren’t too dissimilar, which makes sense considering they’re both part of Soho House. They both have swimming pools, immaculate grounds, great food and beautiful interiors. I’d say the main difference is that Soho Farmhouse has more of a party atmosphere, and Babington House is much calmer. Farmhouse recently added the Mill Room, their take on a country pub, and on the weekend it basically turns into a club.
Both locations have a similar number of restaurants, but there’s more variety at Soho Farmhouse. The rooms at both hotels are both beautifully designed, but I found that we got slightly more room for our money at Babington House. Overall, they’re very similar hotels and I’d imagine your choice would mostly come down to location, considering they’re a 2-hour drive from each other.
Which room should I choose?
There’s 10 different room types at Babington House, from the cosy attic rooms perfect for 2, to The Lodge that sleeps 6 and has two bathrooms, both with freestanding tubs. Which room you choose will depend on the size of your group and your budget.
We checked into the attic room, as we booked last-minute and there wasn’t much choice. I was a bit apprehensive that the room would be tiny but to say I was pleasantly surprised would be an understatement. Some of the attic rooms are split level, whilst others consist of just room. If you can, request the split level one as it makes a big difference. Downstairs was a huge living area with views over the grounds, as well as a beautiful bathroom complete with huge shower and a separate bath tub. Upstairs was a generous bedroom with (in true Soho House style), one of the comfiest beds I’ve ever slept in.
What’s the food and drink like at Babington House?
The restaurants are one of my favourite things about Soho House, and Babington House is no exception. I’d recommend booking in advance if there’s a particular time you want to eat, or a restaurant you really want to go to, as it does get busy. But don’t stress too much about this, you’ll always be able to find something to eat. You can either book restaurants on the Soho House app, or with member services. You’ll receive an email from them a few weeks before your stay asking if you want to make any reservations.
Bar
Inside the house, the bar is a great place to grab a drink or a bite to eat.
Bar Terrace
We ate here during our visit, and it’s the perfect spot to eat if the sun is shining.
The Orangery
The Orangery is the main restaurant at Babington House, a beautiful room overlooking the grounds. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner here, and I’d recommend booking in advance.
Deli Bar
Open for breakfast every day, complimentary afternoon tea is also served daily here.
Is breakfast included at Babington House?
No, you’ll need to pay for breakfast separately.
What activities are there at Babington House?
The activities on offer at Babington House are endless and are what make it a stand-out place to stay. You can book all of the activities with member services. You’ll receive an email from them a few weeks before your stay asking if you want to make any reservations.
The swimming pool and gym
Exactly the same as Soho Farmhouse, Babington House features an indoor-outdoor pool, that’s heated year-round, as well as a gym and classes. You don’t need to book to use the pool, just turn up when you fancy a dip! Everything is provided for you, there’s changing rooms, towels, and even straighteners.
They also run daily classes, including HIIT, tennis, yoga, pilates and boxing. In the gym, there’s treadmills, cross trainers, treadmills and rowing machines. If you’re looking for a more focused workout, you can book a session with a personal trainer.
The Cowshed spa
Babington House is home to the original Cowshed spa. Choose from treatments such as a CBD massage, facials and Cryotherapy. Or if you just need your nails doing, you can book in for that too. Everything can be booked on your app.
Explore by bike
There’s bikes dotted around Babington House for you to use during your visit, and it’s the perfect way to explore.
Play a game of padel, tennis or cricket
Babington House has partnered with Padel Social Club and has free courts available for guests. There’s also 4 tennis courts, a cricket pitch and a croquet lawn.
How much does it cost?
I paid £285 for one night in the Attic Room. It’s up to you how much you spend on activities and food and drink.
At the time I had a Soho Friends membership, if you have a Soho House membership, the room rate is cheaper. But you’re paying more for the membership, so it’s swings and roundabouts really.
When’s the best time to go to get a cheaper room?
As with any hotel stay, if you go mid-week or during the winter, you’ll get a cheaper rate. Babington House often has last-minute rates if they have availability, so keep an eye out for those.
Is it suitable for children?
Definitely! I don’t have kids so I can’t speak from experience, but the facilities are set up so well for little ones. The Teeny House and Loft are open Monday-Friday 9am-6pm, where you can drop your children off to play.
Can I go for the day?
This depends on which membership you (or your friend) has. If you have a Soho House membership, you can visit for the day, but you’ll probably want to book the restaurants and activities ahead of time. If you have a Soho Friends membership, you can only visit if you’re spending the night.
How many people can I bring with me?
If you have a membership, you can bring 3 people with you. If you’re travelling with someone who also has a membership, you can bring 6, and so on…
Can I take pictures?
As you can tell by this blog post, I took pictures when I was there. That being said, you do have to be respectful of the fact that Soho House is a place that people go to relax and not be disturbed, and they pay for that privilege. Usually when I’m away I’d take pictures on my camera, but for this trip I just used my phone (except when I was in the room). Be mindful of who’s around you if you do want to take pictures and be discreet. And if you do see someone famous, definitely don’t take pictures of them (or anyone else for that matter).
Things to do near Babington House
Somerset is one of my favourite parts of the UK. It’s full of brilliant restaurants – you’re seriously spoilt for choice if you’re a foodie, and lots of things to do that won’t cost you a penny.
If you fancy staying for a few more nights, it’s also home to some of my favourite hotels.
What to read next
- Soho Farmhouse Booking: Everything You Need to Know
- Soho House Membership Cost 2022 (Is It Worth It?)
- The Best Romantic Hotels in Somerset
- The Best Free Things to Do in Somerset
- The Best Restaurants in Somerset
Hopefully you found this guide to Babington House useful. Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to know in the comments.