Caravan hire is being offered by dozens of rental companies across the United Kingdom. These companies are offering relatively new caravans ready at your disposal. However, they also come at a cost. Compared to hiring from other consumers, the prices are relatively high. This is the reason that camptoo.uk.co came into existence. This platform aims to bring consumers together to enable caravan hire.
Ready, set and go on your next holiday
The process of camptoo.uk.co is an easy one. Firstly, you decided where you want to go and how you want to plan your holiday. For example, do you want to start your hire near your own location or when you arrive? The advantage of caravan hire on your destination is fuel cost. With less weight, you will consume less fuel. On the other hand, using the caravan on your way enables you to stay the night somewhere or cook wherever you want. Thus, increasing the flexibility of your travels.
Why use a platform?
When renting from other consumers there usually is skepticism and a lack of trust. This is where camptoo.uk.co comes in and focus on mitigating these elements. By validating personal information and functioning as an escrow, transactions are completed after returning the caravan. In case of damage, the platform helps to solve the situation and insurance claims are handled accordingly. This allows the renters to have a hassle free source of income.
A few clicks away from your next holiday
Traveling by caravan hire also helps you to travel on your own at your own pace. Instead of staying at crowded hotels and being limited to the breakfast times, you have your own kitchen and equipment at your disposal. This provides you with all the flexibility you can wish for. Going to that local bakery or get some quick groceries from the breakfast? The choices are limitless!
When you use camptoo.co.uk you can select the caravan according to your own style. Do you want to hire an authentic older model or are you looking for a luxurious version? The platform allows you to set your own requirements and filter to what matters most. You can have contact with the renter in case of any questions about the caravan.
The UK is the perfect spot for the caravan
Not only do a lot of people in the United Kingdom have a caravan and rent it out, also the number of campings and places to stay are countless. Staying in a national park or within the heart of London, all is possible. Not only are there many locations, the opportunities in terms of pricing can also be tweaked to your own needs. Want to go low budget? This is easily possible when picking the right campings.
As the reality of social distancing truly takes hold, our thoughts inevitably turn to wanderlust and to times where we could choose splendid isolation over self-isolation.Jail Hill Inn is an absolute must for a rejuvenating trip with inspirational surroundings, and one of our top picks of where we’d most like to self-isolate in the USA.
The quaint and cosy Jail Hill Inn is an old county jail transformed into an inn in the gorgeous Illinois town of Galena – located just three hours’ drive from Chicago. This multi-award-winning inn was voted the number one bed and breakfast in the United States in 2019 by Tripadvisor and second-best in the world. Delve into your favourite book or learn about the fascinating civil war history in the small-town whilst cosied up by the grand fireplace. Or, if you prefer, indulge in a luxury in-suite massage.
The inn is tucked away from the Main Street to ensure ultimate relaxation for your stay, yet just near enough to walk there and enjoy Galena’s rich history and all-American historic charm. The four-story brick building is 135 years old and served as the county jail for nearly 100 years before innkeeper Matthew Carol lovingly transformed it into the premier bed and breakfast inn it is today.
Be sure to take in the impressive views across Galena before you head out to explore what it has to offer. Step into a bygone era along the banks of the Mississippi River. In this Midwestern town, trolley cars cruise down the six-block Main Street, along which 19th-century buildings house small galleries, antique stores and independent shops. Walk off lunch from local hotspot Fried Green Tomatoes along the Galena River Trail before moseying around historical sites such as the home of Civil War hero and former US President Ulysses S. Grant.
If you work up a thirst exploring these pretty streets and perusing local craft stores, Galena is also home to Blaum Bros Distilling Co. Formed by two brothers with a passion for high-quality spirits, this distillery has grown ever popular for its spirit tours. They source grains from local farmers to make small batches of rye, whiskey and vodka. Make sure to take one home with you, their branding is very pretty, and it makes for an excellent gift.
For many dogs and dog-owners, lockdown has brought on a new level of bonding. Countless pups all over the world have been going on 25 walks a day, derailing zoom meetings, and getting about 300% more belly rubs than usual.
While you may be enjoying all the quality time with man’s best friend, it’s equally important to dream of better days ahead. This is why we’ve rounded up some of the cosiest dog-friendly hideaways in the UK, so you and your four-legged friend can dream of #TeamCocopup approved places to roam free.
Ellenborough Park in The Cotswolds
Ellenborough Park is a stunning countryside retreat with 13 dog-friendly rooms and is one of the Cotswolds’ finest hotels. The hotel sits on a stunning 90 acres of beautiful British countryside, including the famous Cotswolds Way, which are perfect for long walks filled with wildflowers, hill forts, and stunning beech woodlands.
If you’re looking to add a bit more culture to your retreat, the hotel is located within close distance to Cheltenham and Bath, where there are plenty of dog-friendly local museums for your pups to explore too.
A stay at Ellenborough Park begin from £189 a night on a bed and breakfast basis. Dog-owners will be required to pay a £25 housekeeping charge. www.ellenboroughpark.com.
The Roseate Villa Bath
The Roseate Villa in Bath offers 21 unique and beautiful rooms and is located just a few minutes stroll away from Bath’s historical Abbey and Pulteney Bridge. This stylish boutique hotel also has its own doggy mascot, a border terrier called Muttley, who has plenty of recommendations for dog-friendly activities nearby.
Some of Muttley’s top tips include Henrietta park, or the Lennet and Avon cancel. To add to the hotel’s pet-friendly credentials, it also offers ‘woof’ boxes filled with treats from Lily’s Kitchen and a tennis ball to play with in Henrietta Park.
A stay at The Roseate Villa Bath begin from £169 per night on a bed and breakfast basis. www.roseatehotel.com.
Glenapp Castle, Scotland
Glenapp Castle is a handsome 17-bedroom castle hotel located in the Ayrshire Coast of Scotland. It also has 36 acres of majestic Scottish countryside, perfect for long walkies with your pooch. This luxury estate has two dog-friendly rooms on the ground floor with easy access to the gardens outside. Dogs can take a swim in the glen, participate in star-gazing activities, and go on plenty of hiking trails too.
Stays in one of Glenapp Castle’s Garden View Suites begins from £415. www.glenappcastle.com.
There are few regions in the world that can boast the astonishing cultural, culinary, natural, musical, and urban diversity of West Africa. While the travel hotspots of South Africa tend to get the most attention, West Africa is rising fast on travellers’ radars. The region represents the cornucopia of unforgettable experiences that Africa has to offer. From tropical rainforests, otherworldly deserts, volcanic outcrops, and sprawling, vibrant megacities, a West African itinerary leaves you truly spoiled for choice.
While this vast region is too rich to cover in this one piece, we thought it would be useful to provide those who are new to West Africa with a beginner’s itinerary that allows you to absorb the essence of the region. If you’re sitting at home and looking to plan your dream itinerary for when it’s time to travel again, here is why you should be making West Africa your next destination.
1. Start With a Sensory Overload in Nigeria
Where better place to start your West African odyssey than Nigeria, the continent’s fastest-growing country and premier cultural powerhouse. Begin your trip in the country’s sprawling, riotous commercial capital, Lagos, home to 21 million people and counting. While your first experience of the city may be challenging, your perseverance will be richly rewarded.
This city is one of the most liberal and energetic on the continent, which is reflected in the booming nightlife. As well as the classical streetside bar experience that can be had in every corner of the city, Lagos is one of the few places in Africa with a thriving casino scene, and a game at the roulette table is always a memorable experience.
Interestingly, Nigeria is one of the only places in Africa which also has also fully legalised online casino gaming, meaning that visitors can take advantage of the best online casinos on the continent. Once you’ve been thoroughly partied out by Lagos, make sure to book a couple of days in the serene colonial port town of Calabar for some R&R.
2. Nature and Tradition Meet in Cameroon
After the dizzying sensory overload of Nigeria, head to its southern neighbour, Cameroon, for a more relaxing change of pace. Here you will find rich tradition and jaw-dropping nature in equal abundance. Get the lowdown by starting your journey in Douala, the largest city, and home to some of the most noteworthy museums and historical institutions in the region.
The Musee de Douala, Douala Maritime Museum, and Doual’art can easily fill a whole afternoon, which you won’t regret. Once you’re sufficiently clued up on Cameroonian history, take a bus to volcanic Mt Cameroon, the tallest mountain in Western and Central Africa and home to a huge number of indigenous plant and animal species. When you’re not exploring the mountain and its surroundings, rejuvenate at the nearby Hotel Seme Beach Resort and Spa.
3. Eco-Friendly Beach-Hopping in São Tomé & Príncipe
After trekking through Cameroon, it’s time to hop aboard a tiny plane and jet off to the small island nation of São Tomé & Príncipe. Many travel writers have described this compact country as one of the closest incarnations of paradise on Earth they have seen, and it’s not hard to see why.
São Tomé & Príncipe has positioned itself as one of the world’s leading eco-tourism hotspots in recent years, offering unbeatable and sustainable experiences such as swimming with turtles on Praia Banana or mingling with crested mona monkeys at the breathtaking Parque Natural Obô de São Tomé.
All in all, São Tomé & Príncipe feels like a break from the rest of the world, a place that contains sights, sounds, smells, and tastes that few others have ever had the privilege of experiencing.
This itinerary is ideal for anyone wishing to get to grips with this beautiful corner of the world. If you have any tips for West Africa travel, let us know in the comments!
How to take a break and unwind if the relentless nature of an Asian road trip is getting you down.
Road trips are great fun and are a fantastic way to tick off sights and destinations, but it’s easy to get caught up in the fast-paced nature of road tripping or backpacking and forget to take a break. We believe it’s great to take time to recharge your batteries, even in the most hectic schedule, as a well-rested traveller has more headspace for appreciating where they are and the experiences they’re having.
#TeamCoco’s Beth visited OZO Phuket in Kata Beach, Phuket to find out how to get some rest and tick off the sights:
Get some R&R
Opened in June 2019 OZO Phuket aims to dispel a thought process that most travellers can relate to when looking for accommodation: ‘we’ll be out all day and just be sleeping there so it doesn’t matter if it’s not great’. Well, OZO Phuket disagree shining importance on getting great sleep in a comfortable environment and making guests look forward to returning to the hotel after a day of sightseeing.
My first impression, from the moment I stepped out of the taxi and into the open-plan lobby, was fantastic. I was greeted immediately by a team of welcoming and friendly staff who expertly unloaded my luggage and walked me to reception protecting me from the rain with umbrellas. In fact the service provided was incredible at every stage, from the easy check-in and concierge service to the restaurant and poolside staff to the impeccable standard of housekeeping and turndown service.
Check-in was seamless and completely paperless (just one of the many ways OZO Phuket is striving towards sustainability) and I was directed to my room. The hotel itself is bright and cheery – even among the gloomy skies of Thailand’s rainy season – and the bright blue parasols, striped beach towels and colourful cocktails are enough to entice anyone to chill out poolside.
The rooms are simple, but well-designed, providing all the necessary amenities without clutter. Little features like USB charging points and reading lights next to both sides of the bed are the details that make a hotel room easier to settle in to – nobody likes having to leave their device charging on the other side of the room.
OZO’s philosophy surrounds providing the best sleep experience so, of course, the piece de resistance of every room is the bed. The state of the art, high-quality DreamMaster king size beds are so comfortable and have two sets of comfy pillows of differing firmness meaning you can pick and choose depending on your preferences. Each bed is angled towards the window so early risers can make the most of the natural light, but the blackout blinds cater for those who, like myself, prefer darkness. As someone who suffers from insomnia I was dubious when hearing promises of “the best sleep you’ve ever had” but I can confirm I slept like a baby – but that could have been the jet lag.
The onsite restaurant EAT is open from breakfast until 8pm, providing hearty and authentic Asian food. The breakfast spread was delicious and offered all the usual favourites and some Thai specialities. EAT then offers an a la carte menu that remains the same for lunch and dinner and is a well-balanced mix of Western home comforts and tasty Thai dishes with many flexible choices for vegetarians. I tried the Green Thai Curry and it was undoubtedly the best green curry I’ve ever tasted. The sauce was so full of flavour and perfectly spiced that I ended up ordering it another three times– I really couldn’t get enough!
Get out & about
Just a short stroll away, taking a detour behind the hotel pool and through a private-use gate, is the sandy shores of Kata Beach. The beach has a few sunloungers available to hire, plenty of space to lay down a towel and is also known for great surfing opportunities – you can rent boards and hire tutors on the beachside. Bars and street vendors line the beach selling fruits, smoothies and snacks.
If you’re looking for the best views of the island then the aptly named Karon View Point isthe place to go. It’s just a 10-minute drive uphill from Kata Beach and offers uninterrupted views of the three west coast beaches of Kata Noi, Kata Yai and Karon (the locals call it Khao Saam Haad which translates to Three Beaches Hill).
About a 30-minute drive away Phuket Old Town is a lively little place known for its charming, brightly coloured buildings. The main attraction is Walking Street Market. Hosted every Sunday between 4pm and 10pm the market takes over Walking Street with authentic food stalls, artists selling their creations, clothing, accessories and live music. The Market offers a wide variety of authentic Thai street food, from Mee Hokkien (noodles with seafood, pork, greens and a broth) to Apong (a traditional crispy flatbread sweetened with sugar).
One of the most highly recommended landmarks of Phuket is the Big Buddha. This 45 metre tall statue is still under construction and you can buy marble tiles to contribute to the completion of the project. As well as being a tourist attraction, it’s also an active temple so make sure you dress suitably. I recommend going around 10am when it’s quieter and cooler.
OZO Phuket is the perfect base for a chilled mini break among a busy Asian road trip or for a stand-alone holiday that combines exploration and relaxation. It’s in a prime location, situated in the heart of Kata Beach on the West Coast of Phuket, with the beach on the doorstep and many of the island’s top attractions just a short drive away. This close proximity means you can explore on a leisurely timetable and save a few hours for relaxing by the pool every day. Find out more here.
Marrakech is an aesthetic dream but there is so much more to this magical city than meets the eye. Like with any passionate love affair, our first encounter with the red city undoubtedly impactful.
We spent an enriching few days exploring every corner of the city, from the mosaic walls of the Bahia Palace to the labyrinthine alleys of the souks; and then ventured out to explore the lesser-known landscapes of the Atlas Mountains to see a side of Morocco unknown to most travellers.
We stayed in two stunning hotels, Le Farnatchi and La Sultana Marrakech– each one offering a new kind of safe haven away from organised chaos of the city. Our girl Hannah Tan-Gillies gives you your daily dose of wanderlust with a visual diary of her luxurious #CocoCouples trips to Marrakech, because hey, we all need a little escapism these days.
I spent 72 hours exploring the lesser-known towns of Emilia Romagna and found heaps of history, buckets of Italian charm and so much good food!
In the North of Italy, sitting just above Tuscany, is Emilia Romagna – one of the most fruitful areas of the country. It is responsible for world-famous supercars such as Lamborghini and Maserati, opera singers like Pavarotti and more IGP and DOP products (foods that have to created in a specific geographical region adhering to local traditions) than any other region worldwide making it famous for tasty Italian food.
The region consists of some big cities, such as Bologna and Parma, but it’s also home to some hidden gems that make great destinations for an off-the-beaten-track road trip. The close proximity to Tuscany (around a 2 hour 30 minute drive to Pisa or Florence) means you could tag on some of the more obvious choices to your itinerary too! I’d suggest flying into Bologna to visit the towns mentioned in this guide, which could be visited in one day each, meaning they’re a great trio for a long weekend break!
A one-hour drive from Bologna Airport As the historical hub of Emilia Romagna, Ravenna is famous for its Byzantine mosaics. The town is dotted with ancient buildings housing expansive, but amazingly intricate, works of mosaic depicting Christian imagery. One of my personal favourites was the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, which from the outside looks unassuming, but inside you’ll find a breathtakingly detailed depiction of the night sky. Next door is the Basilica of San Vitale, an octagonal church with more impressive artistry inside. These two buildings are UNESCO monuments along with another six sites in Ravenna (a combination ticket to all eight sites can be purchased for €9.50
After marvelling at the years-old mosaics you can visit MAR, Ravenna’s Museo d’Arte, where you’ll find a large collection of contemporary mosaics. Professor Giuseppe Bovini, lecturer in Christian Archaeology at the University of Bologna, commissioned a number of artists to sketch a design and then recreate it in the art of miniature tiles. The result is an exhibition containing a combination of pictorial work and mosaics portraying everything from religious images to mystical unicorns to Italian food.
One of my absolute favourite things to do in Italy is to visit the town’s square; they’re something the Italians do so well and they always feel like the heart of the community. And this is no different in Ravenna! Piazza del Popolo is a beautiful square with typical Italian buildings and atmosphere. The Piazza buzzes with life and is the perfect place to pause and spend a slow morning drinking coffee and watching locals go about their daily business. Restaurants and cafes line the edges of the square so there’s plenty of choice.
As well as offering so much rich history Ravenna caters for those interested in the new and up-and-coming. The Docks on the Northern side of town are a bubbling area of development. The Darsena Popup and is a building, created from bright shipping containers, housing local eateries. The food-market style of this place feels on-trend but still Italian, with traditional dishes on offer. Try the strawberry and Parmesan starter – an unexpected pairing that works so well.
Cervia
A 30-minute drive from Ravenna Cervia is a small coastal town on the Adriatic Coast of Emilia Romagna. Here I focused on embracing the local style of life by spending some time on the beach, admiring nature, eating and making the most of the Italian tradition of aperetivo.
Cervia’s compact size makes it the ideal location to hire bikes and take in the town on two wheels. You can cycle past Canale di Cervia, the man made water way, visiting points of interest such as Piazza Garibaldi – the town square complete with cathedral and fountain – or simply appreciating the maze of pretty streets. To make the most of your bikes ride into Parco Natural to explore a beautiful park, which is home to lots of wildlife such as birds, cows and deer. The park is expansive and you could easily spend a few hours exploring either on foot or by bike. It’s also a great picnic spot! For even more adventure then cycle beneath a canopy of native pine trees in the forest of La Pineta.
As evening approaches Italians engage in the social ritual of aperitivo, which quickly became my favourite few hours of the day during my road trip! From around 6pm locals and tourists alike gather at bars to sip alcoholic beverages and sample salty snacks, all in the name of whetting the appetite for dinner. Drinking a Spritz while looking over the canal and out at the boats parked in the habour; I found Cervia a particularly special place to experience aperitivo. The view was lovely, but the atmosphere was even better. Young, trendy Italians flocked to the bars (presumably preparing for an evening in the neighbouring district of Milano Marittima known for its luxury shopping and busy nightlife) and there was just a general buzz along the canalside.
The beach, known as II Mare, is a long stretch of sand split into many bagni – different sections of beach that contain bars, restaurants, spas and small holiday resorts. I had the most delicious evening meal at Saretina 152, sitting outside with my feet in the sand and the waves gently crashing in the distance was a fantastic experience. The food was incredibly good with generous portions made from fresh ingredients.
Cervia is nicknamed the City of White Gold due to its ancient production of salt. This salt has a unique sweet taste due to the absence of bitter components that are eliminated in the natural drying process. In 1959 salt production turned industrial, leaving just one of the 144 original saltpans in operation. Every summer you can visit the original Camillone Saltpan to see the traditional method of salt production in action or simply visit the Salt Museum all year round to learn more and sample the famous seasoning.
Comacchio
A 40-minute drive from Ravenna or an hour drive from Cervia Having never heard of Comacchio I had no expectations upon arriving, but I was more then pleasantly surprised. It’s known as Little Venice and it’s easy to see why with its labyrinth of canals and bridges. It’s so easy to walk around, watching cute families of ducks float around the canals, and kill a few hours. The beautiful architecture and attractive symmetry of the bridges and steps is a great view to enjoy from one of the waterside restaurant and makes for some cool photo opportunities too.
Comacchio is famous for marinated eel and La Manifattura Dei Marinati is the old pickling factory keeping tradition alive in the town; in fact it’s still in use between October to December roasting eels to prepare them for pickling. As well as seeing the pickling production in autumn you can learn about the process all year round, taste the eels and buy the pickled products at La Manifattura Dei Marinati. You’ll also find Comacchio’s pickled eels in yellow vintage-style tins for sale in almost every shop in town.
Arrmchair travel is our new fave thing and we love getting lost in pictures and videos of all the amazing places we’re going to visit in the future. High up on our list is Marietas Islands, their hidden beach is a total dream. Here’s three reasons why it needs to be on you ‘soon to visit’ list…
There is only one way to get to there
The first step is to hop on a charter boat or book a tour out to Marietas Islands National Park, a 45-minute ride from Punta Mita, in the south of Riviera Nayarit. Once there, visitors are asked to jump off the boat and swim close to the entrance. The beach is hidden underground and is only accessible by swimming through a tunnel. Its transparent waters and coral reefs are ideal for diving and snorkelling.
Luxury within reach of only a few
Exclusivity is guaranteed. Access to the “hidden beach” is restricted to 117 people per day and a time slot of 20 minutes, which means visitors will need a prior reservation, especially during the UK winter months (Mexico’s summer).
Visitors won’t be “alone”
Marietas Islands are a wildlife sanctuary, home to many endangered bird species as well as rare coral reefs. The fauna that we can find in this paradise is made up of turtles, barber butterflies, humpback parrots or steel swallows, various species of fish, dolphins and humpback whales. Among these species, the peculiar blue-footed booby stands out, which we can only find in two parts of the planet: Marietas Islands and the Galapagos Islands.
GET TO GRIPS WITH THE LOCAL LINGO FOR A HOLIDAY TO PUERTO RICO
This year sees the 500th year anniversary of Old San Juan, the island’s capital. World Heritage listed Old San Juan as one of the oldest cities in the USA and encapsulates the rich cultural identity of Puerto Rico, interweaving Taino, African and Spanish traditions. This distinctive mix makes San Juan a vibrant city, passionate about music and dance and sensational food.
The city’s must-visit neighbourhoods include the charming Old Town with its pastel-coloured colonial Spanish buildings and blue cobblestone streets, cosmopolitan Condado which is home to fashionable boutiques and high-end restaurants; and cool Santurce, a hipster hangout with its speakeasy cocktail bars and street food markets. Puerto Rico is on everyone’s must visit list. To truly feel like a local and to make the most of your future trip, work on mastering the lingo from the comfort of your own home. Spanish is the most common language spoken on the beautiful island and Duolingo is a great way for beginners to learn from scratch or for intermediates to brush up on their skills. Not only is Duolingo useful when learning a new language, it’s fun and addictive. It takes a game-like approach to learning and offers apps for iOS, Windows Phone, and Android. What’s even better is that Duolingo is completely free for users. Alternatively, if you prefer a more dedicated approach in terms of learning a new language, consider taking private Spanish lessons with Preply.
MASTER THE FRENCH LANGUAGE FOR A WINTER TRIP TO QUÉBEC, CANADA
We can think of nothing better than self-isolating in a cosy, snowy cabin right about now. Hibernation is the order of the day. With so much time on our hands, it’s time start dreaming up a winter escape later in the year to beautiful Québec. With just a seven hour flight time from the UK, an Atlantic crossing has never been closer. From poutine in Montréal, wine and cider tasting in Québec’s southern regions, winter carnivals and snug cottages in snowy landscapes, there is so much to start planning. To get ahead of the game, the BBC are offering online courses to study French, the official language of the Canadian province. Voila!
2020 marks the 250 anniversary of Ludwig van Beethoven’s birth – and today, Vienna still sets the tone as the European capital of classical music. Although travel is halted at the moment, we can still sit back, wine in hand and listen to all the amazing music created by the world-famous composer on Spotify. The tunes are also the perfect background music for a calming work space, alongside a strong coffee.
Vienna is not a city in a hurry and will be waiting with open arms, just a short plane journey away for culture vultures. The city is the perfect spot to read books, go to the opera, eat endless plates of sacher torte and linger over a hot chocolate. A whole culture has evolved around the coffee houses to encourage a more relaxed way of life. For the price of a cup of coffee visitors can buy entrance to a club where they can spend the day reading newspapers (still hung on wooden rods), people watching, discussing noels or thinking. To get you’re Viennese coffee order perfected or to converse correctly over scrumptious strudel, it’s time to brush up on the German language, the most widely spoken tongue in Austria. Babbel offers an easy and fun way to learn German with some online language learning platforms focusing primarily on just speaking. Here at House of Coco, we are itching to get back to exploring the world. While we wait we are busy planning and prepping for our next adventure.
We might be confined to barracks for the foreseeable, but we know #TeamCoco won’t be the only ones already curating a list of where we’ll be escaping to once this is all over.
While far-flung destinations are always high on our lust list, the reality is that the tourism industry closer to home will also need a big hand to get back on its feet post-lockdown and given we will ALL be in need of some well-earned R&R after all the drama, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite UK wellness breaks to look forward to for some serious relaxation.
1. Lifehouse Spa
Lying less than 90 minutes from London means Essex’s Lifehouse Spa is a dream spot for a post-work escape; oh how we yearn for those heady days of knocking off early on a Friday night and rocking up at a hotel in time for dinner. Make the most of a weekend away with the Your Health, Your Way package (from £319 per person, available through www.SpaBreaks.com). Guests can choose from a targeted menu, access to fitness classes and with full use of the soothing spa facilities from 10am on day of arrival until 6pm on day of departure there’s no excuse not to make full use of the hydrotherapy pool, relaxation rooms, plunge pool, experience showers and sauna and steam rooms.
2. The Headland
Newquay previously have been synonymous with that post-GCSE party crowd, but it may well lure a new clientele with the opening of The Aqua Club, a new multi-million pound leisure complex at The Headland. With commanding views out to to sea, the Club boasts six pools, a sun terrace and a new restaurant, The Deck. Head outside for a sunset spa with its two pools enjoying views of the Atlantic and The Deck offering a place for guests to enjoy a bite to eat. The use of natural stone allows the building to blend into its environment as much as possible, while a living roof and additional plantings help to minimise the visual impact of the building as well as providing a natural habitat for the flora and fauna around the peninsula.
An overnight stay at The Headland costs from £150 per room. Contact Pride of Britain Hotels on 0800 089 3929.
Nothing beats a bracing coastal walk for blowing away the cobwebs and at County Durham’s Seaham Hall there’s no shortage of dramatic coastline to explore. The Georgian country house features 21 beautiful suites and a whopping 44,000 sq ft of spa. Accessed via a subterranean walkway, it includes indoor pool, outdoor hot tubs, Zen Garden complete with hydrotherapy pool, an Asian herbal sanarium, salt sauna… the list goes one. Drawing influence from Far Eastern healing and wellness rituals, some of its newest therapies include ishga touch therapy, combining the natural, healing properties of seaweed with an advanced, ancient ‘touch’ technique for those affected by anxiety, depression, phobias, exhaustion and stress; so undoubtedly something we could all do with post-lockdown. Last year it also introduced a range of alternative therapies that focus on the key tenets of rebalancing life, improving sleep quality, de-stressing and promoting relaxation, such as hypnotherapy and Mind Calm.
A stay costs from £195 (two sharing), for one night in a Junior Suite, full English breakfast and use of the spa facilities. Currently they are accepting bookings for departure after August 1st. Call Seaham Hall on 0191 516 1400.
If you’ve ever dreamt of swanning around a country estate pretending to be the Lord or Lady of the manor (and let’s be honest, who hasn’t), The Langley, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Buckinghamshire, might be a fair bet. Beautifully situated in the former manor home of the third Duke of Marlborough on 150 acres of formal gardens and parklands originally designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, the location is pretty spectacular. The mansion is steeped in history, but the world-class Sisley Spa is the brand’s largest in the UK and offers advanced and scientific treatments in a seriously luxurious spa setting.
Created by award-winning interior designers Dennis Irvine Studio, the spa combines striking design elements with world-class facilities including two thermal areas (one female-only) with vitality pools, saunas, steam rooms and hammam facilities, a VIP suite equipped with private vitality pool, juniper sauna, amethyst steam room and hammam, and a 16-metre indoor swimming pool. It’s the perfect countryside escape.
Nestled in the Dorset village of Evershot, the award-winning Grade II listed Summer Lodge Country House Hotel & Spa is surrounded by miles of glorious countryside that inspired Thomas Hardy, with many connections to the literary great. A quintessentially idyllic escape for the ultimate luxury staycation, it not only has a boutique spa but hosts a calendar of wellness activities throughout the year. Guests can book in to a Mindfulness Workshop (11th September or 4th December) giving an insight to mindfulness with Verity Woodgate, whose programme, Zenna (www.zenna.me), was created to help businesses develop healthy workplace environments. They also offer an overnight spa experience available year round, summer art lectures from renowned historian Jennie Spiers and hiking experiences taking in the Jurassic Coast.
Art lectures £30 each. Mindfulness Workshop days £75 per person. Spa offering from £364 per night, based on two people sharing a Classic Room.
The mental benefits of immersing yourself in countryside can’t be ignored and few locations in the UK are as magical at the New Forest, with its verdant greenery and wild ponies. The legendary Lime Wood is introducing new retreats for 2020 with renowned nutritionist Amelia Freer and fitness guru Matt Roberts. Amelia will be hosting her first three-day retreats, focusing on whole body wellbeing, deep relaxation and empowering health through knowledge. Designed to help participants to slow down, find sanctuary and balance, nourish the body and mind, and create a bespoke plan for long-term positive wellbeing, the programme includes talks, interactive workshops, yoga classes and cooking demonstrations. It’s a rare opportunity to personally connect with Amelia herself, while her day workshops including Eating for Health and Batch Cooking offer a more affordable insight.
Matt Roberts’ three-day retreats have been designed to support personal training and wellbeing goals, seeing guests head into the New Forest National Park with group hikes and runs as well as activities in the rooftop gym and studio. Both packages – the Body Reboot Retreat and the Body Rebalance Retreat – include two nights at Lime Wood, all meals, training sessions, two Bamford treatments and use of the Herb House Spa from £1890 per person.
Amelia Freer retreat from £1650 per person (single occupancy). Day workshops from £175. Dates TBC.
