Somerset, Cardiff, Bath, Warminster
Staycations are becoming increasingly popular and with so many quirky and unusual places to stay popping up across the country, there really is something for everyone right on your doorstep! You don’t need lots of time off work, just a weekend away can give you a flavour of the beautiful country that we live in, as well as a fun and unique experience.
This post focuses on a few of the best stays in South West England and Wales and I hope they give some inspiration for travel, no matter what type of person you are!
For the Adventurers: The Tree Tent, Pennard Hill Farm, Somerset
£115 per night, minimum 2 nights- Sept 2020
Pennard Hill Farm is a family run estate in Somerset and an idyllic place to escape the hustle of city life. They have three cottages, a safari tent and their newest addition is a fantastic tree tent. Tree Tents have pods suspended across the UK, but the location and facilities of this one should put it right at the top of your staycation bucket list. With all the land on the estate you won’t see anyone else during your stay, and this will make you feel like true explorers. The tent is a cosy bubble, suspended above a forest from four trees. You enter across a small rope bridge which connects you to the hillside. On land, you have your own outdoor living space with a pop out kitchen (with gas stove), a comfy outdoor seating area, fire pit, as well as a private toilet and outdoor shower. The tent itself is basic, but with a fold out bed, in-built storage and a heater, it can still feel very homely - just don’t forget your sleeping bags! Put on your walking boots and explore nature’s beauty as you hike around the rolling Mendip Hills. You can print OS maps of the area at https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk. If you’d rather explore the beautiful towns of Somerset, then Glastonbury, Wells and Frome are all within half an hour drive. You can do a round daytrip of these easily, starting in Glastonbury to climb the Tor, before visiting the cathedral in Wells and finally finishing the day in Frome to wander the pretty, independent shops. Back at the farm, jump into the indoor swimming pool inside one of the beautifully renovated barns before wandering back to the tent for the night. Sit outside and roast marshmallows on the open fire before retreating into your suspended bubble tent, where you will fall asleep under the stars through the transparent roof. This is glamping at its best.
For the Movie Buffs: The Cinema rooms at the Royal Hotel, Cardiff
From £60 per night, Oct 2020
A 75 inch television, PlayStation, surround sound and a range of movies and games…this is the ultimate stay for any movie geeks. The Royal Hotel in Cardiff has converted two of its rooms into the perfect private cinema space for you to escape into another world. It is located only a five minute walk from the Cardiff Castle and is opposite the main shopping and entertainment centre, St David’s Dewi Sant. The Castle has over 2000 years of history and it is fascinating to walk around its interior walls, which were once home to hundreds of refugees during World War II. In the room, Star Wars villains stand at the edge of a Game of Thrones themed bed and even the bathroom is designed around a certain infamous shark. Although there are no windows, it becomes the perfect place to watch a movie undistracted on the big screen, or play a game of FIFA in bed. The Royal Hotel covers all the details, they even provide a free minibar with popcorn and drinks to make sure that you don’t have to go out and miss a scene. The best part is that when you need a break from an epic movie marathon, you can step straight out into the buzzing heart of Cardiff centre. Head to Viva Brazil (https://www.vivabrazilrestaurants.com/cardiff/) for a dinner that any meat eater would love. Taste fourteen different South American meats (there are vegetarian and vegan menus available) alongside a salad bar and the best Caipirinhas in the city! After dinner, make sure to visit The Prince of Wales for a drink. Yes, it is a Wetherspoons pub, but the interior is something to leave you speechless as it was once an old theatre.
For the Romantic Couples: Haringtons, Bath
From £88 per night, Sept 2020
The beautiful city of Bath just oozes charm. The cobbled streets are a time machine, leading you through a town where the architecture ranges from impressive ancient Roman baths through to a modern day open shopping area. There is so much to see that you will certainly need a couple of days to take in the city. Harington’s is a playful, flirtatious boutique hotel only a five minute stroll from the Abbey. It has the personality of an eccentric Victorian gentleman with a modern twist. The hotel only has thirteen individually decorated rooms, each with their own bold decor and character. Parking is off site, but not far from the hotel and you can collect a pass from reception so you don’t have to worry about city parking. The staff are some of the most welcoming you will find, nothing is too difficult to ask for and the service feels personal.
For those wanting to spend time in the famous Bath Spa, make sure to get there early, as the queue can be very long to get in. It is worth the wait though for the multi-storey city spa with its natural warm water and impressive thermal rooms. Take a picnic up to the Royal Crescent for lunch, then wind your way back into the city along the river, crossing over the Argyle Street bridge to have a look at the small shops. If, after a morning of pampering, you are still not ready to get out of the famous Roman spa, make sure to book an afternoon session in the garden hot tub, the perfect place to relax after a busy day exploring the sights. Enjoy a pre-dinner drink while playing old board games in the honestly bar, but don’t get too carried away as you will want to go and explore the nightlife of Bath. The Green Park Brasserie (https://www.greenparkbrasserie.com) is a fun, sociable place for dinner with a relaxed feel and live music.
*Photos are kindly shared with permission from Hotel's website
For the Self Indulgers: Bishopstrow Hotel and Spa, Warminster
£119 per night, Nov 2020
This charming estate is the ultimate luxury for a short spa weekend. Twenty-seven acres of fields surround the main house, making it a peaceful spot to rest and recover. Everything about this hotel feels exclusive, even as you drive up to the house you will feel a wave of calmness take over. The rooms are luxurious, with his-and-her showers in the deluxe bathrooms and a view out into the typically English garden. It is worth making the most of what the hotel has to offer, so relax and stay put for this short break. Recline in the library style lounge sampling their afternoon tea in style, or go all the way and delve into the locally sourced menu in the 2 AA Rosette Mulberry restaurant. The spa boasts heated indoor and outdoor pools, the latter of which feels as though you could be in an Italian walled garden. The thermal suite and relaxation room will ease any everyday stresses while the experience showers will energise and reset you for a game of tennis on the indoor courts. This is English elegance at its best, and quite often can be found on voucher websites, such as Groupon, so keep an eye out!
*Main and middle photo are kindly shared with permission from the Hotel's website
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