Some places don’t just host you — they embrace you and envelop you with the kind of dreamy escapism you never even knew you needed.

A few weekends ago, my wife, toddler and 9 of our closest queer friends gathered at the spectacular Bloomfield House in Bath for a wholesome Pride Month celebration. From the moment we arrived, this elegant Georgian mansion — all sweeping staircases, velvet sofas and landscaped gardens — felt like the perfect space to mark the occasion. Luxurious yet welcoming, cinematic yet relaxed, Bloomfield was more than just a backdrop. It became the heart of our celebration.

Once home to the mayor of Bath and located just minutes from the city’s historic centre, this Grade II-listed house effortlessly combines Regency glamour with modern convenience. It’s as if someone gave Bridgerton a 21st-century glow up — but made it stylish, practical, and joyfully inclusive. With nine stunning bedrooms (seven en-suite), a private cinema, glorious manicured gardens and room for sixteen adults (plus a delightful bunk room for six children), Bloomfield is made for group escapes and milestone moments.

My wife and I were thrilled by how family-friendly the house was without ever compromising on sophistication. Xavier adored the grounds, spent hours rummaging in the living room toy box, and sat happily at the kitchen’s high chair during our long, laughter-filled meals. The house felt effortlessly inclusive — whether you were a toddler exploring every corner, or a couple curled up with a glass of wine or iced matcha in the drawing room.

We arrived on a Friday afternoon and were welcomed with a fabulous buffet dinner prepared by the friendly in-house private chef and housekeeper Jon. It was the ideal way to gather and kick off our weekend. On the table: tender roast beef, beetroot and horseradish Yorkshire puddings; roast chestnut mushrooms with smooth chicken liver parfait; cream cheese-filled cherry tomato and chive lollipops; a delicious broad bean and pea quiche; dainty sandwich triangles; a generous cheeseboard; and for dessert, warm homemade scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam alongside rich chocolate truffles. It was an abundant, celebratory spread — the kind that makes you want to linger at the table long after the last glass is poured.

Later that night, we headed into the private cinema — a true highlight of the house. Plush velvet sofas, a 4K 120″ screen, and surround sound made for the ultimate movie night. Fittingly, we screened The Ultimatum: Queer Love, snacks in hand, laughing and chatting like it was our own personal premiere. In a space that luxurious and intimate, it felt like a moment created just for us.

Our mornings started slowly — and abundantly — with a continental breakfast lovingly laid out for us each day. We’d come down weary-eyed to find an enticing spread of warm pastries, fresh berries, organic yogurts, rustic bread, cereals, and good strong coffee from the bean-to-cup machine that quickly became everyone’s favourite feature. It was the kind of breakfast you take your time over, lingering in pyjamas at the long dining table while Xavier giggled in the high chair and the sunlight poured through the tall sash windows.

We were also rather enamoured with the plentiful ice cubes in the freezer, which we made the most of in our refreshing tall iced lattes – created with the help of the exciting coffee machines.

The weekend’s pace was blissfully ours. On Saturday morning, I hosted a relaxing Yoga Nidra session in the garden — lying on the soft lawn, wrapped in blankets and sunshine, everyone was guided into deep, restorative rest. It was a grounding, healing pause in the heart of our celebratory retreat.

That afternoon, we fired up the outdoor BBQ ourselves, and created our own al fresco feast. The outdoor kitchen, with its slick Weber grill, drinks fridge and prep area, made it easy and truly joyful. We grilled organic chicken burgers, beef burgers, and colourful skewers of marinated vegetables, halloumi, and spiced kebabs. Some of us prepped salads in the well-equipped indoor kitchen, while others set the outdoor table and mixed spritzes. There was music, sunshine, laughter — a true Pride Month picnic, in the most elegant, al-fresco surroundings.

The kitchen inside Bloomfield was equally impressive. With two ovens, six burners, two dishwashers, and a fridge/freezer complete with (our beloved) ice dispenser and filtered water, it became the heart of our home for the weekend. One night we cooked a roast dinner together, bustling around in a joyful chaos of chopping boards, clinking glasses and Xavier weaving between our legs. With space for all of us around the vast dining table, it became a celebration of community, food, and chosen family.

Each of the bedrooms was a design delight — from jewel-toned headboards and antique dressers to whimsical wallpapers and sumptuous linens. The bathrooms were equally indulgent, with underfloor heating, powerful showers, gold and marble decor and deep freestanding tubs that practically demanded a cup of herbal tea and a good soak. Bloomfield truly is the kind of place where every room feels like the “best” room.

And then there was the Jacuzzi — tucked into the landscaped garden with its own changing area and garden room. As the sun hovered lower in the hazy summer sky, we slipped into the warm, bubbling water, music playing softly, the air tinged with the heady floral scent of nature. It was a ritual by the end of the weekend, and one that felt quietly magical.

What makes Bloomfield House so special isn’t just its unashamed decadence — though there’s plenty of that — but its soul. The housekeepers are discreetly onsite, always available if needed, but never intrusive. It’s a place where you can completely unwind, laugh loudly, rest deeply, and most importantly, be entirely yourself.

Our Pride Month retreat was everything we hoped for: joyful, reflective, deeply nourishing. Bloomfield gave us space to celebrate who we are — as individuals, couples, families, and friends — in a setting that felt both majestic and profoundly human.

If you’re looking for a place to mark something meaningful — a milestone, a reunion, or simply the joy of being together — Bloomfield House is ready to welcome you with open arms, wide lawns, and rooms filled with light, laughter and love.