Four days after Kara’s last wedding guest left, I boarded a plane to the UK. I’d devoted most of my energy over the summer to two things—Inn renovation and the wedding—and this trip could not have come at a better time. Travel always invigorates me.

Steve was by my side, determined not to let me visit The Pig again without him. I first read about the “restaurant with rooms” in a travel magazine in 2011 and have been completely captivated during the three visits I’ve made since. It’s in the New Forest, my favorite area in all of England, and is the epitome of English cottage style in that incredibly comfortable, non-ostentatious way.

They’re known for their kitchen garden, which is the most exquisite I’ve ever seen. The energy is wonderful, the staff is precious and the grounds are absolutely gorgeous—some of the trees have to be 800 years old.

Steve snapped pictures like crazy. And every time he did, I’d say I’ve shown you my pictures of this before. To which he’d reply, “Yes, but now I’m seeing it for myself.” He was completely blown away and I could see his mind cataloging ideas to bring back to Serenbe.

After a few days of quaint English splendor, we traveled on to Bradford-Upon-Avon to see Woolley Grange, the B&B we stayed in during our first trans-Atlantic trip with the girls in 1993. Years ago, travel wasn’t nearly as child-friendly as it is now and Woolley Grange had a whole building dedicated to entertaining children plus child-friendly menus at the restaurant. Our girls played with the owners’ children, picked vegetables in their garden and felt at home.

At the time, we still lived in Atlanta and visited our Chattahoochee Hill Country property on the weekends. Woolley Grange’s owners left London’s rat race for the country with their family and their path served as one of the inspirations for the Inn and Serenbe. We moved to our property full-time a year after our stay.

It was interesting to revisit.  The food was delicious—head and shoulders above the ultra-chic but underwhelming 25-mile menu we had at The Pig. But 22 years later, the space was tired and needed refreshed. And once again, Woolley Grange inspired Steve and I—this time to be mindful of the need for a keen eye.

We said a fond farewell to Woolley Grange and I left for Scotland sans Steve, who headed home. Check back next week for more about the land of Peter Pan, the sculpture of Andy Goldsworthy and the Green of Scotland—yes it really is that green.