Prepare yourself for dreamy interiors and your bank account for the hit it’s about to take. Why? You’re probably going to be booking your next UK weekend getaway in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…
Actually, let’s face it. You’re going to be booking multiple weekends away for the next year. Or two.
Bethnal & Bec
Bethnal & Bec is where city chic has met country comfort in this stylish home from home for grown-ups, which is nestled in the lovely village of Cottered in rural Hertfordshire. A short jaunt from London, Cambridge, the A1, M11 and M25, Bethnal & Bec is perfect for city livers who are wanting to swap the hustle and bustle for something slower.
Owners Vicky Stothard and Chris Saynor have invested heart and soul in creating a pair of pastoral hideaways, one called Bethnal and the other Bec, with everything guests need to relax, restore and reconnect. From a hot tub soak under the stars to a blissful sleep in sumptuous linens and all-you-can-watch Netflix in pyjamas to boundless peace and quiet, the newly-built hideaways offer the perfect location and facilities for you to get some fresh air, comfort and seclusion.
Each suite has a fully stocked pantry (winning), freezer and drinks cabinet. Store-cupboard staples are included, and guests simply settle-up at the end of their stay for whatever else they have enjoyed. This basically means you don’t have to leave the comfort of the hot tub and Netflix for the mundane shop run, because they’ve done it for you… if having all the essentials in one place is at the top of your checklist, then this is the perfect UK weekend getaway for you.
But, of course, if you consider yourself the explorer and want to get out for a bit, then there is a great selection of local food providers, pubs and restaurants within a short distance. Further afield, the surrounding Lee Valley area is home to more than forty nature reserves, historic houses and landscape gardens. There are also opportunities abound for hiking, cycling, horse riding, shooting and fishing.
To find out more please visit: www.bethnalandbec.com
Tudor Farmhouse
If you’ve ever wanted to stay in a boutique hotel far away from the city, then the Tudor Farmhouse in Gloucestershire’s Forest of Dean is going to be your next UK weekend getaway. Hands down. Situated around the hotel’s 14 acres of grassland, this is truly a hideaway like no other and perfect for both the relaxing or active getaway.
If you’re like us and do everything within your power to do as little as possible on a weekend away, then you will want to stay in one of the hotel’s 20 rooms and relax those tired muscles with a bath (roll top), shower (monsoon) or in-room massage before enjoying gourmet meals by head chef Rob Cox, who recently won the South West Chef of the Year title. Let’s not forget the botanic cocktails you can sip on in the courtyard garden. You will be able to sit back and relax in your room, which boasts a Nespresso coffee machine, widescreen TV, plush Bramley bathroom products and stylish farmhouse décor. Your overnight stay will then turn into a long lazy breakfast the next morning, with options from fresh fruit salads and flavoured croissants to oak-smoked salmon, poached eggs, grilled brace kipper and the classic full English. Perfect.
When you’ve taken your very own UK weekend getaway, is there any other place to drink prosecco than in the bath?
Or in front of this fireplace…
Seriously, Tudor Farmhouse is the stuff of tartan dreams.
And the dreamy interiors don’t stop there, either. Just LOOK.
Wanting something a bit more active? Not to worry, Tudor Farmhouse has something for you explorers, too! Borrow wellies from the hotel – or bring your own – and roam the 14 acres of grassland, hunt for daffodils and bluebells (exploring the Sculpture Trail and Puzzlewood) in the forest or visit Symonds Yat to cycle or kayak along the River Wye.
If you’d like to stay at this hotel or find out more information, then this is the website you need: www.tudorfarmhousehotel.co.uk
The Waterfront
Set in 380 acres of rural countryside midway between Cambridge and Milton Keynes, which, by the way, is 30 acres bigger than Hyde Park, the Waterfront Hotel is a great escape for the individual who wants somewhere that has more than just a room. Just some of the facilities and services the hotel boasts are an 18 hole golf course, luxury spa and calendar of events. We haven’t even mentioned the AA Rosette restaurant and bar – and there’s much more than what we’ve listed on offer, too.
Just look at the artistry on their food.
Oh yes, we can see ourselves sleeping here.
But what we like most about this hotel? The fact that it’s not all about what they have, it’s about how they serve it. They’re completely customer-centric, which we’re all about at KASHKA, too.
If you’d like to make this hotel your next UK weekend getaway, check them out on their website: www.thewaterfronthotel.co.uk
Eastdon House
South Devon’s multi-award winning holiday park, Cofton Holidays, has unveiled five newly re-furbished holiday apartments for 2018 within Eastdon House.
The holiday apartments within Eastdon House, a Georgian building built in the late eighteenth century, are spacious and feature light and airy living and dining areas and include stylish dining tables and chairs, comfy sofas, elegant coffee tables and 55” TVs. Each apartment boasts impressive views of the rolling countryside in Devon, Exe Estuary and Dawlish Warren, and are decorated in modern grey tones. The apartments boast plush carpets throughout the living room, glittering chandeliers and stylish kitchen areas with integrated appliances, an abundance of storage space and wood effect flooring.
This hallway is how we would like our hallways at home to look; spacious, stylish and contemporary. Sadly, some of us barely have a hallway, so we’ll just have to make Eastdon House our next UK weekend getaway so we can appreciate it.
This is the bedroom from one of the apartments, Bluewater. If landscapes are your thing, how could you possibly pass up the chance to wake up to a view like that?
… and with two single beds in the next room, and a spacious living area in the apartment, Bluewater within Easton house makes for the perfect UK weekend getaway for families.
We love kitchens at KASHKA, so we’re not going to stop now.
Eastdon House is set away from the main park yet close enough to enjoy its facilities and entertainment. The woodland walk to the park is ideal for sunny days. Alternatively, guests can hop in the car to arrive at Cofton’s main site within just a few minutes.
Guests can look forward to a host of on-site facilities including a heated indoor pool with a splash pad area and hydrotherapy loungers, a gym, restaurant, pub, steam room, sauna, fitness studio, soft play area, playground, sports wall, outdoor pools and much more. Guests also have access to five coarse fishing lakes, miles of cycle paths and nature trails that take visitors through woodland to the golden sands of Dawlish Warren beach and nature reserve.
Gotta love a good pool.
Free kids’ clubs also take place each day throughout the school holidays, from Easter through to the
October half term.
If you’re interested in Easton House or the Cofton Holiday Park, visit www.coftonholidays.co.uk
Tamburlaine
You know a hotel is good when it’s on Secret Escapes, right?
The Tamburlaine is the perfect UK weekend getaway for the chic and classy woman who prefers exploring a city, and is looking for more than just somewhere to stay. It’s somewhere to make your home for the weekend – or longer – if you choose to prolong your stay. The interiors of the shared areas, designed by Bryan O’Sullivan Studio, are any budding interior designer’s dream and will look great on your Instagram feeds, which is a bonus… for some, anyway.
You see what we mean?
Set in the heart of Cambridge, Tamburlaine is a minute’s walk from the railway station and a stone’s throw away from Cambridge University’s 40 acre Botanic Garden. A leisurely stroll will also land you in the middle of the historic city centre where you can do a spot of shopping, sightseeing or even book yourself tickets to a show at the Corn Exchange or theatre. Once you’re done for the day you can then return to the hotel, which comprises of 155 guest bedrooms and suites, to put your feet up.
Our feet are already up on this bed… in our dreams, anyway.
Aaaand we’re in marble heaven.
Who wouldn’t want to come back to this after exploring Cambridge on their UK weekend getaway?
Tamburlaine believes that if luxury isn’t comfortable, it isn’t luxury. This is why the hotel offers spacious, elegant and generously sized bedrooms with handmade beds, crisp Egyptian cotton linens and exclusive toiletries. They have fused bespoke furniture, china and handpicked retro pieces to add character and personality to each room.
Want to stay at this hotel?
Prices for bedrooms start from £203 and suites from £313. You can find out more on their website: www.thetamburlaine.co.uk
Lake District Country Hotel
Have you ever just sat in front of your computer with no idea where to start? That’s pretty much how we feel about Lake District Country Hotel, because OH. MY. ACTUAL. GOSH. There’s not one, not two, but three 4* hotels in this collection, which are all situated in the heart of the Lake District. They are all ST-U-N-NING and would be a UK weekend getaway like no other. Just look at all the choice.
Set in acres of landscaped gardens and secluded woodlands with stunning views of Lake Windermere and the surrounding Lakeland Fells, the Lake District Country Hotel offers the best in scenery, delicious food and attentive and personable service. Each hotel has its own character and unique features that makes it that little bit special.
We can’t even choose which one of these three hotels is our favourite, because we love them all.
Is it possible to sleep in all three at once?
Asking for a friend.
Merewood Country Hotel
Merewood is set in its own secluded, twenty-acre estate of beautiful landscaped gardens, woodland and meadow. It also has stunning views overlooking Lake Windermere. AND they serve afternoon tea in possibly the most beautiful way we’ve ever seen. Are you sold on this UK weekend getaway yet? We are.
If you’re not quite sold yet, that’s fine. Let’s see if your potential bedroom changes anything.
This hotel has a total of 20 bedrooms, all unique in character and designed with luxury and relaxation in mind. Naturally, all rooms have comfy beds and crisp linen to guarantee a perfect night’s sleep.
Now, they say that dining at Merewood is an experience not to be missed. Judging by the afternoon tea alone, we can’t disagree, but just look at the food.
Is it just us who have rumbling stomachs right now?
Want to stay here? You know what to do: www.merewoodhotel.co.uk
Briery Wood Country Hotel
WARNING: another Instagram worthy hotel for your UK weekend getaway (like all of these hotels aren’t Instagram worthy).
The exteriors of this hotel remind us of an American postcard that features a quaint house in a snowy Sleepy Hollow. Dreamy.
Briery Wood is an award winning hotel that you need to see. In 2018 alone it has been named the 15th best bargain hotel in UK by TripAdvisors ‘Travellers Choice’, and is in the running for Cumbria Tourism’s ‘small hotel of the year’ award. It’s not hard to see why.
Who else can see themselves tucked away in the gazebo reading a book?
Or maybe you can see yourself relaxing in one of their 23 bedrooms?
We can literally see ourselves relaxing everywhere.
The dining room at Briery Wood has picturesque views over the landscaped gardens. The menu changes with the seasons and is inspired by the abundance of fresh, local produce sourced wherever possible in the Lake District – from tender Herdwick lamb and spicy Cumberland sausage to freshly caught trout and Morecambe Bay potted shrimps, local asparagus and Cumbrian cheeses and chutneys.
Briery has been awarded an AA Rosette for Culinary Excellence.
Can you tell?
Want to make Briery Wood your next UK weekend getaway? Take a look at their website: www.brierywood.co.uk
Cragwood Country Hotel
Last, but definitely no means least, we have Cragwood Country Hotel. This hotel is nestled on the eastern shores of Lake Windermere, with a private jetty and lakeshore access and is set in its own secluded, twenty-acre estate of award winning Edwardian gardens and woodland.
When we say by no means least, we’re not only referencing those views, but the interiors (again). We’re not even sorry.
Cragwood is an award winning hotel. In 2018, they were named 3rd best value hotel in the UK and 20th in Europe by Trip Advisors ‘Travellers Choice’ and, in 2017, we were awarded ‘Small Hotel of the Year’ by Cumbria Tourism. If you ever needed an excuse to book your own UK weekend getaway, these awards would be a good start.
On your UK weekend getaway to Cragwood, you will be staying in one of the hotels’ 23 bedrooms and can look forward to a ‘real’ taste of the Lake District. From their own ‘home-grown’ rare breed lamb, Highland beef and herbs, to the very best local produce – they strive to celebrate only the best that Cumbria has to offer. In recognition of the amazing food at Cragwood, they have been awarded One AA Rosette for Culinary Excellence.
The hotel also offers a bar snack menu during the day and serves afternoon tea alfresco on their beautiful terrace that overlooks Lake Windermere or, when the weather is less kind, in one of their cosy lounges. And to top that off? They have an extensive drinks menu with over 40+ Gins and whiskeys.
I guess that answers where we’ll be. www.cragwoodhotel.co.uk
