The British family holiday has had a serious glow-up.
Gone are the days when a countryside escape meant little more than a cottage and a pub lunch. Today’s travellers want thoughtful design, memorable dining, experiences for every generation, wellness woven into the itinerary and, increasingly, somewhere that welcomes the dog as warmly as the rest of the family.
Bainland Lodges & Retreats, tucked away in the charming village of Woodhall Spa, is quietly leading that evolution. Set across 45 acres of lakes, woodland and open countryside, this family-run retreat is reimagining what the British family holiday can look like. Here, luxury lodges sit alongside outdoor adventures, a brand-new spa, lakeside hot tubs and genuinely dog-friendly touches, creating a destination that feels equally suited to the best British family holiday, a romantic escape or a weekend with friends.
Lakeside luxury at The Cove
For my stay, I checked into Curlew, one of Bainland’s newest four-bedroom lodges in The Cove collection, and quickly discovered why so many guests consider Bainland home to some of the best luxury lodges in the UK.
The Cove is Bainland’s newest collection of luxury lodges, and from the moment you arrive it’s clear these aren’t your average countryside cabins.
Curlew sits directly on the edge of a beautifully landscaped lake, its striking architectural roofline reflected in the water below. Inspired by the tranquillity of the Lincolnshire coastline, the lodge blends contemporary design with a warm, welcoming atmosphere that immediately makes you want to settle in and stay awhile, maybe even forever.
Inside, the space has been designed around togetherness. The open-plan living area feels effortlessly stylish, with calming coastal tones, bespoke furnishings and a Morso log burner creating the perfect setting for cosy evenings in.
The kitchen deserves a special mention. Complete with Le Creuset cookware, double ovens, an induction hob and an all-important wine fridge, it’s the sort of setup that inspires long lunches, family feasts and leisurely evenings gathered around the dining table.
The four king-size en suite bedrooms continue the feeling of understated luxury, but my favourite touch was the oversized Velux windows above the beds. By night, they become your own private skylight for stargazing beneath Lincolnshire’s famously expansive skies.
Outside, the lodge really comes into its own.
A generous private terrace overlooks the lake, complete with loungers, an outdoor dining area, fire pit, outdoor shower and a large hot tub.
It’s this combination of thoughtful design, space and spectacular surroundings that places The Cove firmly among the best luxury lodges for families and groups seeking a countryside escape. From the lakeside hot tub to the beautifully designed interiors, Curlew delivers everything you’d expect from one of the best luxury lodges in Britain.
Five stars for dog-friendliness
Travelling with TeamCocopup Charlie meant Bainland’s dog-friendly credentials were put through a rigorous four-legged review process. The verdict? An immediate paws up.
From the welcome pack waiting on arrival to the enclosed garden surrounding our lodge, this is one of those places where dogs are treated as valued guests rather than an afterthought. Charlie was living his best life from check-in to check-out – and honestly, that’s often the best measure of a truly dog-friendly stay.
There are thoughtful touches everywhere. A dedicated dog wash station near reception makes light work of muddy paws after countryside adventures, while The Nest restaurant welcomes canine companions with open arms and even offers a dedicated dog menu.
The retreat’s agility course was another highlight, featuring tunnels, jumps, seesaws and an A-frame for energetic pups to enjoy. Better still, it’s completely free for guests to use, reinforcing Bainland’s reputation as one of the destinations offering the best dog-friendly holiday experiences in the UK.
Beyond the retreat itself, the surrounding area is a dream for dogs. Woodland walks begin moments from your lodge, while Lincolnshire’s vast woodlands offer endless opportunities for long strolls.
If Charlie’s constantly wagging tail was anything to go by, Bainland delivers the best dog-friendly holiday credentials of any countryside retreat we’ve visited recently.
The Spa
Launching this summer, The Spa at Bainland adds yet another reason to visit.
Designed as a tranquil sanctuary within the retreat, the spa combines treatment rooms for massages and facials with indoor wellness facilities, outdoor hot tubs and stylish relaxation areas. By stroke of luck, we got the chance to preview the spa on opening day. We tried the incredibly relaxing Elemis Deep Tissue massage and the classic Swedish massage. Warm, intuitive and highly skilled, she quickly eased away the knots and tension that had built up over weeks of busy schedules, leaving us feeling noticeably lighter, calmer and completely reset.
Whether you’ve spent the morning exploring the grounds, trying your hand at archery or simply unwinding in your lodge, the spa offers another opportunity to slow the pace and embrace everything that makes Bainland feel like a cut above the rest.
Family-friendly fun
One of Bainland’s greatest strengths is its ability to appeal to everyone.
Families can spend time meeting the resident donkeys and goats at the on-site animal farm, while adventure-seekers can try everything from archery and Segways to tennis, badminton and climbing sessions.
There’s a sense that every type of traveller has been considered. Children have space to explore. Teenagers have activities to keep them occupied. Adults have the spa, hot tubs and restaurant. Dogs have endless countryside adventures.
It’s this ability to cater for every age group that makes Bainland a contender for the best family holiday in the British countryside.
Yet despite the impressive list of activities, Bainland never feels busy or overwhelming. There’s no pressure to fill every moment.
In fact, some of the best moments during my stay were the simplest: watching the lake from the terrace, soaking in the hot tub as the sun set, and enjoying the quiet that comes from being surrounded by nature.
The Nest
At the heart of the retreat sits The Nest, Bainland’s relaxed restaurant and bar.
Open throughout the day, the menu caters to everyone from families to couples enjoying a weekend away. Dry-aged steaks sit alongside seasonal dishes, while younger guests are well catered for with a dedicated Fledglings menu.
The cocktail list makes it just as tempting for evening drinks as it is for dinner, while the welcoming atmosphere ensures everyone – including dogs – feels at home.
Like the rest of Bainland, it strikes that difficult balance between stylish and relaxed.
The heart of Bainland
Beneath the luxury touches, Bainland’s greatest asset is arguably its heart.
Family-run for two generations, the retreat feels deeply rooted in Lincolnshire, with a local team delivering the kind of warm, genuine hospitality that can’t be manufactured.
There’s no unnecessary formality here; instead, the emphasis is on creating space for guests to reconnect with the people they’re travelling with. It’s luxury without pretension, where everything is designed to help you slow down, stay longer around the dining table and make the most of that increasingly rare commodity: uninterrupted time together.
That focus on togetherness is what elevates Bainland from a beautiful place to stay into one of the strongest contenders for the best British staycation experience available today.
In a world of ever-busier schedules and constantly competing demands, Bainland understands that sometimes the greatest luxury isn’t what you do on holiday, but having the freedom to do as much – or as little – as you like.
The Verdict
Bainland Lodges & Retreats feels like the future of the best British staycation.
Combining beautifully designed accommodation, thoughtful hospitality, outdoor adventure, wellness experiences and some of the strongest dog-friendly credentials I’ve encountered, it successfully delivers the best British staycation for families, couples, friendship groups and four-legged travellers alike.
With its lakeside setting, exceptional facilities and genuinely warm hospitality, it’s easy to see why many guests consider Bainland home to some of the best luxury lodges in the UK. For those seeking the best family holiday, the best dog-friendly holiday or simply the best British staycation, this Lincolnshire retreat proves you don’t need to leave the country to find something special.
And from the lakeside serenity of Curlew to evenings spent soaking beneath Lincolnshire’s star-filled skies, it’s the sort of place you’ll find yourself planning a return visit to before you’ve even packed the car to go home.
For more information on Bainland Lodge Retreats visit: Bainland.co.uk. One-bedroom lodges start from: £449 for 4 nights; Family lodges start from: £799 for 4 nights and Group stays start from: £1499 for 4 nights.
Want more inspiration for your next dog-friendly holiday? Check out TeamCocopup’s other stories here.
Photos courtesy of Anthony Cullen
