5 very special spots for a staycation in England
Holiday homes, hotels, caravan sites and campsites across England have reopened – and as demand soars – operators are reporting a surge in bookings.
Check the government websites for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales for the latest guidance before booking a staycation
Happily, two households in England are also now allowed to combine to ‘sleepover’ anywhere, so whether its a long-over-due family reunion, or a mini break with your best mates, now is the time to sync GoogleCals and book a staycation.
Never has a staycation felt more exciting. Because if there's one thing the last few months have taught us, its that you don't have to travel far to feel inspired, uplifted, and restored. Here's 5 very special spots for a staycation in England...
Hamilton Lodge, Westgate on Sea, Kent
Just yards from the sea, this stunning Victorian villa sleeps up to 15 and is in easy walking distance of retro-glam Margate. The Lodge is built over three floors, and design lovers will swoon over the beautifully restored original features. Westgate on Sea is a friendly seaside town with a wide sandy beach, local shops and cafes. Follow the Viking Trail, a coastal foot and cycle path, to reach secluded coves in one direction, and in the opposite the bright lights of hipsters’s enclave Margate. A special shout out to the welcome hamper of wine, cheese, crackers and chutney.
De Vere Water Park, Cotswolds
No, not a log-flume water park - this is a lush, sprawling nature reserve complete with Springwatch-levels of wildlife. There’s good reason the Beckhams chose to see out lockdown in the Cotswolds. Honey-coloured villages and gently rolling hills make this part of the country feel like a real sanctuary. De Vere offers stylish hotel rooms or - our preference - chic stone and glass apartments, which sleep up to six adults and sit perched on the edges of the reserve’s 152 lakes. They’re self catering, and there’s also an on-site restaurant that delivers as well as many local restaurants. De Vere is also donating 10% of each booking to NHS Charities Together.
Otter Tarn, Lake District
Set on a working farm, there are six lodges at Otter Tarn, all of which sleep six adults in three en-suite bedrooms. These idyllic woodland pads are equipped with every luxury - think monsoon showers, wood burning stoves, and private hot tubs. It’s an half an hour hike up to Lookout Point to take in the views of Langdale Pikes, with Belted Galloway cows roaming the fields and over 150 bird boxes - so pack your binoculars. Coniston’s restorative mountain walks are just 30 minutes away by car, and the cafes and pubs are reopening in foodie Mecca of Cartmel. Head straight for Cartmel Cheese Shop (cartmelcheeses.co.uk).
The Retreat, Burton Bradstock, Dorset
Combining the warmth of a Georgian family home with chic contemporary styling that’ll look great on the ‘gram, The Retreat - which sleeps 10 - is aptly named. If you can tear yourself away from the perfect book-reading nooks, there are miles of coastal walks on your doorstep to explore the natural wonders of The Jurassic Coast. Top tip: head for a walk early or late to miss the lunchtime hordes dawdling at Durdle Door, and make sure you have lunch at the iconic and eternally-reason-ably-priced seafood restaurant Hive Beach Cafe.
Manor Farmhouse, Deal, Kent
This special family Tudor farmhouse is set in a rural hamlet surrounded by rolling fields. Get ready for your shoulders to sink into a relaxed slump the moment you park up. It sleeps 12, with four-legged friends also welcome, and for extra cosy points there’s a wood burner and piano for sing-a-longs, plus BBQ and garden games for bright days. The nearby seaside town of Deal ticks all the boxes for a family trip - huge beach, ice cream parlours, historic castles, and heaps of cafes and pubs. Can we do live out the next lockdown here please?
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