How to Escape to the Countryside, the Fashion Girl Way

Here at Who What Wear UK, we’re all about bringing you the latest and greatest shopping edits, trend reports and cult beauty straight from the front line. But we’re also about inspiration and exploration, with a love of women who are unafraid of playing with their style. That’s where our new travel-inspired series comes in.  Fernweh Diaries will see some of our industry’s most free-spirited, adventurous women travel the world and report back on what they find, where they stay and what they wear. Fernweh is a German word that means to have a craving for travel and adventure, something we relate to. 

Today, cool-girl influencer The India Edit escapes the city and heads to the quintessential English countryside of Somerset. Here, she shares the modern way to enjoy a staycation. 

I’ve always felt a strong pull to discovering new places. Adventure is so important to me as a way to find inspiration, and in my line of work where I’m constantly creating content, travel is undoubtedly the best way for me to connect with it. Some people are home birds, but a nomadic lifestyle has appealed to me since I can remember, which is one of the reasons I really relate to Chloé’s new Nomade Absolu fragrance. More intense than the original scent, it smells like it was made to be worn whilst exploring, taking you straight back to those hazy days when you catch a scent of it at home. But it also has a touch of luxury to it, something my friends and family would joke is an essential part of my nomadic lifestyle! 

For me, there’s no better feeling than the exhilaration of waking up somewhere new and the expectation of adventure that lies ahead, whether it’s just for a day or longer. At this time of year when the days are short and cold, there’s really no reason not to start planning your next trip. 

With a desire to travel the world, it’s hard to pin down exactly where to head to next. I find I’m really affected by my surroundings, so my accommodation and location choices are always very considered. I pore over magazines, Instagram and travel websites, and each time I see somewhere that inspires me, I’ll add it to an ongoing list which gives me a good place to start. That’s usually anything that gives good downtime to relax and recharge, somewhere visually inspiring with beautiful interiors and, of course, somewhere with amazing food to fuel the whole experience. 

Tropical climes call to me all year round, but the appeal of hopping on a train and being out in the fresh air of the lush British countryside within a few hours can’t be underestimated. Plus, there’s something really special about those crisp winter days with bright blue skies, only found in the UK, that can bring a surprising sense of freedom. 

Somerset has been high on my list of places to go for a while. It’s a classic, loved by celebrities over the years for its low-key luxury, quintessentially English setting and, of course, sense of escape from the responsibilities of real life. When my mum mentioned she wanted a weekend away recently, I knew it was the perfect place to indulge her as well as switch off from my fast-paced day-to-day lifestyle in London. 

The beauty of a trip to Somerset and a boutique hotel like Babington House is how easy it is to succumb to relaxation. There are plenty of hot spots nearby—The Newt, The Pig Near Bath and minimalist restaurant and bakery with bedrooms At the Chapel are all top of my list for another time—but the highlights can mostly be found in the little things. Walking through fields, a game of scrabble over tea and cake or dressing up for dinner, dousing myself in my Chloé Nomade scent and heading to the bar for cocktails. The spa is, without doubt, the main event, and I felt a true sense of restorative escape when soaking in a giant bathtub overlooking the gardens with the sun pouring in. If you’re aching to feel refreshed and a little more alive, this is the place. 

Now for the fun part. You’ve picked your hotel and booked your trip, so what to pack? I like to be as organised as possible and plan my looks, but that doesn’t stop me getting overexcited when I know I’m visiting a beautiful place. This trip, I went for comfy, cosy but chic separates to layer up like oversize knits, long skirts, dresses and jeans. I wanted to feel luxe, but I still needed to be able to indulge my inner nomad and explore in comfort. Of course, I also packed my Chloé Nomade Absolu, as I always find a spritz of perfume finishes off any outfit. 

Truly the perfect travel companion, Chloé’s new scent embodies all of the qualities I associate with the brand itself and which I always aspire to in my everyday, as well as in my trip planning. It’s feminine yet classic, sweet whilst being bold, modern and timeless. Plus, the minimalist yet pretty bottle has the bohemian-chic vibe that I try and incorporate into my travelling. I love being able to travel back to my favourite memories with a simple spray.