DR Foster went to Gloucester, according to the nursery rhyme.

“He stepped in a puddle, right up to his middle, and never went there again.”

Well, following in the footsteps of King Edward I - to whom this rhyme was thought to refer - my husband and I also visited the city recently. But unlike the grumpy doctor, we had a fantastic time and can’t wait to go there again…

The story goes that the king arrived during a storm and, mistaking a deep ditch for a shallow puddle, became trapped with his horse.

We also arrived during awful weather – windy and bitterly cold. But the warmth of the welcome more than made up for it.

We were staying at Mercure Bowen Hall Hotel, just three miles outside the city, which lies close to our Welsh border, between the Cotswolds to the east and Forest of Dean to the southwest.

The hotel is a beautiful Georgian country house hotel that boasts 12 acres of sweeping parkland.

Recent refurbishment has brought this hotel back to its former glory, with a clever blend of traditional and contemporary design.

Locally inspired artworks, bespoke crystal chandeliers and soft pastel shades create a calm atmosphere with a touch of elegance.

There are 72 rooms. Ours was a spacious bolt-hole in blues, with lovely views of the lake and woodland.

The bed was huge and super-comfy. I had one of the best night’s sleep I’d had in ages.

While you are in the area, a must is a visit to Gloucester Docks, a restored Victorian port area featuring docks, museums, boat hire, shops, food and much more.

At the former dock estate, you can wander around a remarkably complete example of a Victorian port. Where ships once discharged their cargoes, there is now an ever-changing miscellany of visiting narrow boats, smart motor cruisers and the occasional yacht or tall ship.

We stumbled across a micro brewery, with shop and tasting room in Fox’s Kiln, and there are food outlets, museums and model boat displays.

The Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum has a collection of medals, uniforms, weapons and military archives relating to the renowned Gloucestershire Regiment.

Housed in two timber-framed buildings - a Tudor merchant’s house and a 17th century town house - the Gloucester Life Museum has fantastic costumes and a Victorian classroom; while the Museum of Gloucester focuses on the city’s early history, and even features a medieval street and part of an original Roman wall.

Beatrix Potter’s House of the Tailor of Gloucester in College Street is well worth a visit. Beatrix created one of her most loved characters in the city. This charming shop and museum, housed the same building that inspired the very story and is used in the illustrations, is open to the public every day.

To the south of the main docks area is the Gloucester Quays designer outlet centre, with its mix of high street and designer labels.

In the city centre, you will find King’s Walk and Eastgate shopping centres. On Fridays, there is a popular farmers’ market on The Cross (where the ’Gate Streets’ meet). The Cathedral Quarter (Westgate Street, College Street and the picturesque College Court) is where you will find independent boutiques.

Gloucester has several antique shops and flea markets; and Blackfriars Priory also hosts a quarterly Vintage Fair within its medieval confines.

After a day’s sightseeing and shopping, followed by a hot shower, we made our way to the hotel bar for some liquid refreshment.

Their signature winter G&Ts, with ginger, lime and star anise were amazing.

Dearman’s restaurant did not disappoint. I plumped for a pie made with local ale and my other half had lamb shank. Both were delicious and they were happy to swap sides to ones we preferred.

Breakfast the following morning was just as tasty, and our window table gave us the beautiful views of the grounds.

Nothing was too much trouble for the staff at the hotel, from reception, to the bar and the efficient waiters in the restaurant.

My only complaint about our stay – that it was only for one night and not for longer!

It’s all in the detail: To book a room at Bowden Hall go to www.mercure.com/gb/hotel-8322-mercure-gloucester-bowden-hall-hotel/; telephone 0844 8159077; or email [email protected]