Yahoo Finance The best UK retreats to look forward to from 12 April
The Prime Minister has unveiled his long-awaited roadmap, and after months of doom and gloom, depressing headlines and a winter that not even the Games of Thrones cast could hack, spring and summer travels are finally alive with promise once again.
Though international travel is off the cards until 17 May, self-contained staycations are back on from 12 April. The demand for UK breaks has increased so much websites have reported a 600 per cent increase in bookings since the government announced the goods news.
From country house grand dames to cabins in the woods, treehouses in leafy Hampshire and a lighthouse on the sea, here’s some of the most luxurious UK spots to check into later this year.
In Berkshire, the legendary Cliveden House gives self-catering a chic upgrade in the form of the rather grand three-bedroom Spring Cottage. The regal digs began life as the Countess of Orkney’s summerhouse in 1813, and sits on the banks of the River Thames. Since then, it has hosted Royals from Queen Victoria to the Duchess of Sussex, who hid away in the hotel’s most private digs the night before her wedding to Prince Harry back in 2018. Surrounded by a quintessentially English country garden (sprays of wildflowers included), relax by the fireplace, cook up feasts in the country-style kitchen or simply watch the world go by perched up on your very own riverside porch.
Out in the Cotswolds, Lucknam Park is set to reopen its self-catering cottages. A joyous addition to the main house’s beautiful 43 suites and bedrooms, there are three separate quarters nestled away in the ground’s gardens to choose from: Keeper’s, Squire’s and the latest addition, Thatcher’s. All come armed with their own unique design of marble bathrooms, exposed wooden beams, cabinets and shelves stocked with all sorts of curiosities, along with access to their own private spaces of green. The spa and equestrian centre, along with outdoor dining at the Brasserie, are also set to resume.
Speaking on the soft-reopening, Silmiya Hendricks, Lucknam’s Commercial Director said: “Lucknam Park is uniquely positioned thanks to the beautiful estate surrounding us. This means that we can offer an array of outdoor activities suited for couples and families alike. I don’t think demand has ever been so high for a country escape and we can showcase the English countryside at its best. The cottages really do make for the perfect country retreat and truly feel like a home away from home.”
Not far from Lucknam, the Rectory Hotel in neighbouring Crudwell offers its three-bedroom cottage for those yearning for an escape. The cosy space sleeps up to six and has a private garden, a snug sitting-room (with a wood-burning stove of course) and a fully functioning kitchen. Upstairs, a grand master bedroom awaits with a super-king-size bed, plus second and third bedrooms. As it’s the Cotswolds, expect goose-down bedding, crisp cotton sheets, afternoons spent sipping copious amounts of tea, free-standing bathtubs and fine-smelling Bramley products. The Rectory is also bottling its famous Negronis and Last Word cocktails, ready and waiting for you in the fridge. The perfect remedy to all our lockdown woes, if you ask us.
Another country escape to get excited about comes courtesy of the Gloucestershire grand dame Temple Guiting Manor. Fourteen acres of lovely, landscaped grounds will be your home for a night or two, relaxing in headline-worthy cottages steeped in English history. What’s on offer? A luxuriously converted five-bedroom barn, a newly launched three-bedroom Granary and the self-contained Cow Byre and the Grade I-listed Peacock Shed. If it all takes your fancy, book the entire estate on an exclusive buy-out basis, which includes use of the astro-turf tennis court, outdoor heated pool, hot tub and cinema. In-house chefs and a maids team are also available on request.
In leafy Hampshire, the country house hotel Chewton Glen’s 14 treehouses are ready and waiting for guests in search of a sky-high luxe experience. Towering above a secluded valley of the New Forest, each self-contained Treehouse is suspended 35 feet above ground and features floor-to-ceiling windows, outdoor terraces offering panoramic views, wood-burners and some even come armed with outdoor Jacuzzis. Marble bathrooms with free-standing baths are also part of the deal. Picnic hampers, hotel treats, homemade jams and honey are brought to your door for the duration of your palatial stay.
Down in Devon, a new addition to the scene Glebe House has a spacious, self-contained annexe set in 15 acres of beautiful countryside to rent out. Named the Old Kitchen, stay in the oldest part of the house and unwind in its super-king bed, huge sofa and tub. Inspired by the trend of agriturismo, tennis courts, a swimming pool and decadent Italian fare are just some of the things to look forward to. Outside your cosy apartment, long walks out in the sprawling hills and picnics on the beach are a must for those wanting to sweep away those cerebral cobwebs.
Londoners looking to flock to nearby Kent should look to the Saltbox, a glass structure on the 3,300-acre Elmley Nature reserve. Perfect for stargazing and watching the sunrise from the comfort of your own bed, the large shepherds hut offers plenty to keep you stress-free, from cosy Romney Marsh blankets to hot-water bottles. The best part? An outdoor shower that offers breathtaking panoramas teeming with birds and British wildlife.
Further afield, Bovey Castle’s 22 self-catering lodges deliver much-needed seclusion. Well-equipped and practical, each dwelling sleeps up to six adults and two children, who can unwind in plush living-rooms, cook up feasts in grandiose open kitchens or just take in the estate’s sprawling views from on the balcony. When you are ready to explore, 450 miles of walking paths, numerous hiking trails, bike tracks, canoeing and horse-rides will keep you entertained for hours on end.
Those desperate for a slice of the English rivieria should speed down to the Chapel House Suites in Penzance, Cornwall. Located in a lovely courtyard-garden facing the Georgian abode, the light and airy residences afford stellar views overlooking the glimmer of Mount’s Bay – the spot to revel in the delights of a proper Cornwellian sundowner. Dramatic panoramas aside, each suite comes furnished with deep sofas, fireplaces and waterfall showers, and has its own private entrance so you are separate from the main house. Guests checking in from 12 April will find their kitchens stocked with a Welcome Larder, including a fruit bowl, butter, milk, eggs, clotted cream (obviously), Harvey Brothers bacon and sausages, local cheeses, cake, a bottle of Polgoon in the fridge, Baker Tom bread, Cornish honey and all the other basics, too.
Go out a little further and you’ll stumble upon the Welcome Beyond property Botelet Farm, near Liskeard, Cornwall. Rent two charming cottages – Manor Cottage and Cowslip Cottage – both set within 300 acres of verdant grounds. The mission is to give a glimpse into life on a Cornish farm, evolving over generations. The delightful spot is all about a healthy lifestyle and being good to the environment. In a drive for sustainability, the owners have installed two wind turbines and solar panels, and the cottages are supplied with logs that have been harvested from the farm for the wood-burners. Even the estate’s water is eco-friendly, sourced from a borehole not too far away from your hut.
Those wanting a northern escape to the borders of Cheshire and Shropshire should head to Combermere Abbey. In the grounds of a stunning 12th-century estate, the Tudor manor house is home to 10 self-catering countryside cottages, as well as two B&B suites hidden away in the lavish North Wing. It’s upmarket, but not stuffy, with a feeling that’s luxe and refreshingly contemporary despite its period credentials. Cottages are the epitome of snug and are furnished with plush fabrics, antique furnishings and inherited pieces sourced from local auction houses. All are dog-friendly (pooches will get their own welcome pack on arrival with copious amounts of treats), too. Outside, there are lovely, well-signposted walks around the grounds, and a glorious walled garden, complete with an all-weather tennis court, croquet lawn, fragrant rose beds and the world’s only maze made out of fruit-trees.
In Bath, the country house hotel Homewood has announced it is opening two self-catering garden lodges – Waterlily and Manuka – in April. Private gardens are of course a given, along with arty interiors, spacious bathrooms and huge boudoirs with cloud-like beds. Breakfast hampers are yours when you want them and all pooches in the party get their own dog beds and a Woof Box with food and treats on arrival. Pamper yourself in the garden spa before dinner, which is made with Mediterranean-inspired ingredients and is served on the outdoor terrace. There’s also plenty of walking trails to enjoy in this part of the world – sadly, Mr Darcy does not feature.
If you’ve ever wanted to stay in your own lighthouse, Norfolk is where its at. Hidden away far from the crowds on Winterton-on-Sea, the Winterton Lighthouse has been expertly restored into a magical three-bedroom holiday home with the vision of the award-winning architect Sally Mackereth of Studio Mackereth. Skylight views from the main tower are a major bonus of staying here, as is the picture-perfect garden. Bibliophiles will find hours of joy in the Library Bedroom and gastronomes will delight in serving mega feasts on the Ercol dining table. It even featured in Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe.
Elsewhere in Norfolk, there’s the stunning Settle, home to three beautifully restored railway carriages and a cluster of luxury canvas tents. The latest addition is a spacious cabin surrounded by lush forest and overlooking a waterlily-flecked lake. Standouts include an egg-shaped bath, reclaimed wood and a Baertazzoni cooker, while the wildlife sings nature’s song outside. Plus, a lovely little breakfast basket is delivered to your door every morning, with the best sourdough you’ve ever tasted.
In Yorkshire, Middleton Lodge offers the best of Georgian-country-estate splendour. A grand tree-lined driveway leads into the 200-acre grounds, which is divided among five properties: the Main House, a Georgian Palladian mansion built in 1708, the Coach House and Restaurant, Old Farm, Fig House, and the self-catering star of the show, the Old Farmhouse. Sleeping up to 12 people, expect antiques and quality furnishings, artfully combining contemporary and traditional styles. Vaulted beamed ceilings and huge windows give it an extra homely kind of feel and cosy hammocks and tubs with views are the ideal spot to laze in come reading hour.
Up in Scotland, there’s a clear need for going grand. Wide-open spaces and Scandi-themed interiors are what Highland Lodge specialises in. Perks include mammoth dining-rooms, kitchens ready for Italian cookouts and a produce-packed hamper on arrival. Aside from all the glamour, adventure awaits, from mountain-biking to whitewater rafting and whisky flights in Dewar’s Secret Bar.
The family-run rural estate of Newhall Mains on Scotland’s Black Isle peninsula launches this month as a collection of five chic cottages and four sumptuous double suites. Each property has been painstakingly restored by local craftsmen using traditional materials of stone, lime render, lead and slate, with bespoke furniture and furnishings. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook either the lavender courtyard or endless verdant fields, and all guests receive a welcome breakfast hamper bursting with local produce. Come supper, take advantage of the Meals at the Mains scheme – a partnership with a local chef who delivers a three-course restaurant-quality feast to your door.
