For actress Natalie Dormer, the English countryside became her home by happenstance. A Londoner for more than two decades, Dormer made waves in the English capital conquering the large and small screen with her captivating roles in Game of Thrones, The Hunger Games and Penny Dreadful: City of Angels.
However, once she and partner David Oakes (a fellow thespian) got pregnant in 2021, the duo decided it was time to head out to the countryside. What seemed like a daunting move was made easy – and comfortable – thanks to a plethora of local eateries, iconic music festivals and boundary-pushing galleries. And while she still makes waves in the city – Dormer recently debuted her latest film, Audrey's Children, to critical acclaim at the Philadelphia Film Festival – the countryside is where she thrives. Check out Dormer's newest release, The Wasp, available to stream on all major platforms (with some scenes filmed in Bath).
Below, Dormer details her move from the city to the country and shares her favourite spots, where she gets inspired and where she loves to explore. And make sure to check out additional insights from our Inspectors, chefs and celebrities on where to dine, stay and more in London.
We moved out to the West Country during the pandemic. I had been a Londoner for 20 years and adored it. But in 2021, I was pregnant for the first time and the ‘lockdown’ of it all made us crave space and greenery to raise children.
I’ve spent a lot of my life in the English countryside on snatched days and holidays, so I knew I was ready for the change. Also, so much of my job is getting on airplanes and immersing myself in other cities, that I was confident I would still get my ‘urban fix’ going forward. My only concern about living rurally was missing some cultural aspects of London… the galleries, the museums, the theatres… and, of course, fear of missing the highest quality restaurants.
I needn’t have worried. And with a little bit of research, I found Somerset has a great deal to offer in its culinary vibe, especially in its commitment to locally-sourced ingredients:
My nearest MICHELIN Guide restaurant here in Somerset is [One Star and Green Star] Osip: They are passionate about their farm-to-table ethos and the results are delicious. David and I last went for an anniversary meal and had the shorter set menu. The aesthetic, service and attention to detail are superb. Excitingly, they just opened a new premises this August and have bedrooms to stay over as well.
The Three Horseshoes is also very close and a favourite of ours for a weekend lunch. It has the relaxed, informal feel of a traditional English Country pub, in a building from the 17th century, but the outstanding quality and thought behind the food means that it’s performing on a whole other level. A dog-friendly bar and family-friendly restaurant, means you can be entertaining mates visiting from London and know they’ll be impressed by the twist on hearty country dishes. Or you can just go for a dog walk in the rain then sit up at the bar near the fire with a pint and their signature mince on toast.
When my three closest London girlfriends came to visit me last autumn, we went to Clockspire for dinner. A lovely meal was had by all and a shout out to the bar and the pre-dinner cocktails.
Hauser & Wirth is the contemporary and modern art gallery with many international locations that needs no introduction. We are so lucky to have one right on our doorstep. I love going to the new exhibitions and wondering around the stunning meadow-inspired, Piet Oudolf designed garden in the summer.
We shot The Wasp in the city of Bath. It is so unusual to be able to sleep in your own bed on a job. It was just a gift to work on a movie with a director I love so much and a wonderful co-star and then be able to get home to the family at night. The fun thing is when I pop into Bath now, there is a filming memory on so many corners as Naomie [Harris] and I did a fantastic 'walk and talk’ scene that covered a lot of the picturesque central streets.
The City of Bath has long been on the international tourist path due to its Roman Baths and the fact the much celebrated English author Jane Austen made it her home from 1801 to 1806 in an era when the city was a thriving spa resort, popular with fashionable society. Two of Austen’s novels – Persuasion and Northanger Abbey – are partially set in Bath. These days its UNESCO World Heritage Site ‘candy box picture’ streets are recognisable from Netflix’s Bridgerton shooting there, introducing the city to a whole new generation and international audience.
Culturally, there is the fascinating historic ruins of the ancient spa to visit but also you can go for treatments using the same springs the Romans did at Thermae Bath Spa. There is a rooftop pool offering 360-degree views of the city.
One of my favourite places is [Three MICHELIN Key] The Newt, an award-winning hotel and estate that is establishing quite an international reputation. As locals, we can pop in to the lovely gardens, walk the deer park and grounds, have an estate-produced ice cream or cyder, visit the replica roman villa, buy some things in the farm shop or just run around the vegetable gardens with the children looking at what’s growing.
Meanwhile, it’s a whole stunning experience staying as a hotel guest for a few nights, which I have also done. David and I loved propping up the cocktail bar, eating at the restaurant, the cyder mill tasting tour and exploring the greenhouses. And of course, indulging in the gorgeous spa.
I live only 25 minutes from the Glastonbury Festival site so I have the unique advantage of getting in my own shower on days attending the most famous music festival in the UK! If you have the opportunity it’s a real memory-maker...yes for the headline acts, but also the more obscure acts you find in the smaller tents or the comedians or say, the circus performance you catch when they are randomly top of their game.
The other music veteran experience is Cheese & Grain, in Frome. The old market hall is the leading music venue in Somerset and has seen artists such as Joni Mitchell, Robert Plant and Joan Armatrading play there over the years. The Foo Fighters and Paul McCartney played secret shows there in 2017 and 2022, respectively, as they were heading to 'Glasto' as the locals call it.
Address Book:
Cheese & Grain, Market Yd, Justice Ln, Frome BA11 1BE, United Kingdom
Clockspire, Gainsborough, Milborne Port, DT9 5BA, United Kingdom
Glastonbury Festival, Glastonbury BA6 8NB, United Kingdom
Hauser & Wirth Somerset, Durslade Farm, Dropping Ln, Bruton BA10 0NL, United Kingdom
Osip, 25 Kingsettle Hill, Hardway, Bruton, BA10 0LN, United Kingdom
Roth Bar & Grill, Durslade Farm, Dropping Lane, Bruton, BA10 0NL, United Kingdom
The Newt in Somerset, A359, Hadspen, Castle Cary, Bruton, United Kingdom
The Three Horseshoes, Batcombe, BA4 6HE, United Kingdom
Thermae Bath Spa, The Hetling Pump Room, Hot Bath St, Bath BA1 1SJ, United Kingdom
Hero image: Contour by Getty Images
