I’ll never forget the drive down to Wiltshire – what should’ve been a straightforward jaunt from the M4 turned into a comedy of errors when the sat-nav decided to play silly buggers and sent us on a scenic detour through some impossibly narrow lanes. There we were, me white-knuckling the wheel of our overloaded estate car, kids in the back squabbling over the last Haribo, and the dog whining like he’d been personally betrayed by the universe. We missed the turning twice, ended up in a muddy farm track that had me convinced we’d be sleeping in a hedge, and to top it all, the heavens opened just as we spotted the village sign for Lacock. Soaked to the skin, we finally pulled up outside this gorgeous Grade-II listed gem, and honestly, that first glimpse made every fumble worth it.

Stepping through the front door felt like tumbling into a proper hug from an old friend – warm, welcoming, and full of character. It’s one of those places that sleeps a big group like ours (eighteen of us, plus the spaniel and a mate’s labrador), with that perfect mix of traditional charm and everything you need to not rough it. The atmosphere hit us straight away: cosy wooden floors underfoot, a couple of restored fireplaces begging for a log or two, and just this timeless vibe that screamed “relax, you’ve arrived.” After the road rage, it was pure bliss – we dumped the bags in the hallway and let out a collective sigh.

The kids bolted straight for the enclosed garden, tails wagging faster than the dogs’, while I finally exhaled and poked my head into the kitchen. Blimey, it’s a chef’s dream without being intimidating – top-notch appliances that meant I could whip up spag bol without feeling like I was in MasterChef. We ended up dining out there as the rain cleared, popping a few corks (well, more than a few) and watching the pooches chase each other silly in the safe space. Sundown turned the sky all pink over the hedges, and for a moment, I just sat there thinking, “How did we luck into this?”

First impressions? Spot on. Lacock itself is a dream – wandered down to the abbey the next morning (it’s practically on the doorstep), pottered around the honey-stoned streets that look like they’ve leaped from a period drama, and grabbed cream teas at the local café that were so good I nearly proposed to the scone. It’s right on the edge of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, so we did a gentle stroll along some footpaths, breathing in that fresh countryside air, spotting sheep and the odd fox. No need to venture far; everything you fancy is within a cheeky five-minute drive or less – the Foxley Brewery for a pint, or just ambling to the high street for pasties.

Looking back, that chaotic arrival was a right laugh, wasn’t it? Taught me that holidays aren’t about flawless plans – they’re about rolling with the mishaps and landing in a place that feels like home. If you’re after a proper family getaway in Wiltshire, hunt down a spot like this. We’re already plotting a return, dogs and all. Pure magic.