In marked contrast, a short walk away are 16 identical, sexily minimal, sleek eco-cabins (another 32 are en route), which are arranged in clusters of four so they can be easily interconnected for families and groups. <\/p>\n
![\"Modern](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/\/621d190a-96bc-45c3-a30f-c93c72586f9e.jpg\")
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Mad Swans eco cabins can be configured to accommodate families and larger groups<\/p>\n
Mine has an uncluttered black-clad interior, with a pop of postbox red for chairs and crisp white bed linen, a palette that enhances its zen-like simplicity. There\u2019s just about enough storage space and nice touches such as lifestyle hardbacks, backgammon, jigsaws, complimentary homemade biscuits and a minibar that can be customised for indulgence or wellbeing. It feels thoughtfully curated. <\/p>\n
\u2022 What to do in Bath<\/a><\/p>\n My only criticism is that the wow-factor picture window \u2014 overlooking what by spring will be wildflower hillocks and fruiting trees \u2014 compromises privacy. I feel compelled to draw the sheers so that passers-by aren\u2019t treated to an impromptu Susan d\u2019Arcy floor show. Full marks for refusing to stick a TV on the wall though. Instead there\u2019s a projector and a drop-down screen, which feels more fun.<\/p>\n Have an elevated pub classic at the Potting Shed<\/p>\n ADAM LYNK<\/p>\n The rain sets in hard so I can\u2019t play golf, or try out the other activities, which include padel, pickleball and a putt patch. Instead I happily idle until dinner. Ollie Dabbous, who held Michelin stars at his Dabbous and Hide restaurants in London, has created the recipes with the executive chef Steve Rooney, who previously headed Beaverbrook\u2019s kitchen. Dining is exceptionally good value. Choose between fabulously thin-crusted, indecently cheesy pizzas from \u00a312 at the laid-back Hangout and elevated pub classics at the Potting Shed, where my crispy Cornish squid with chipotle aioli is a steal at \u00a39, as is my tasty fish pie (\u00a319). <\/p>\n \u2022 100 Best Places to Stay in the UK<\/a><\/p>\n The 12-hole golf course<\/p>\n I wake the next day and for the first time in my life I\u2019m curious about golf. It\u2019s all Cadbury\u2019s fault. He\u2019s in charge of enthusiasm at Longshot, and it\u2019s clearly contagious. \u201cWe\u2019re trying to make Mad Swans a place for people who hate golf,\u201d he tells me. So he and Vigors commissioned Tom Mackenzie and Martin Ebert, who are responsible for 41 of the UK\u2019s top golf courses including Turnberry, to design a 12-hole golf course. It\u2019s the first one built in the UK in 100 years. <\/p>\n Here\u2019s the hard sell: 12 holes suit the 21st-century lifestyle better, because a round is quicker, taking about two hours, which means women and youngsters find it more appealing. \u201cNick Faldo and Tiger Woods are evangelical about 12 holes,\u201d Cadbury continues. \u201cIt\u2019s the future of golf. It\u2019s also the heritage of golf. The first Open championship was played over 12 holes.\u201d <\/p>\n The 12-hole golf course<\/p>\n ANDY HISEMAN<\/p>\n Just as importantly Mad Swans is loosening those clubhouse corsets so there\u2019s no snobby dress code, the buggies have chiller boxes for beers and it\u2019s OK to listen to music as you play. Cadbury wants the mood to be relaxed, sociable and as much about being in nature \u2014 and there that means the soft-focus folds of the Mendips. When you add all that up, it does sound like, whisper it, fun.<\/p>\n![\"Risotto](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/\/daf229a3-8b7f-4cc8-a03b-510e0dd0179a.jpg\")
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