Quirky Accommodation
Swinton Park in 20,000 acres in the Yorkshire Dales is a fabulous castle hotel with 31 bedrooms and suites. But for something different, how about going for accommodation in The Bivouac instead? It comprises six wooden shacks tucked away in the beautiful woodland, eight meadow yurts burrowed into the hillside and a bunk barn located next to Druid’s Temple, an intriguing 18th-century folly – ideal for families, friends or a romantic break. Rooms at Swinton Park cost from £185 with breakfast.
01765-680900, www.swintonpark.com Bivouac rates are from £20 per night in the bunk barn, £325 for three nights in the yurts and £470 in the shacks.
01765-535020, www.thebivouac.co.uk
Bookworms will love the Library Suite at Blakes, London. Its walls are lined with bookcases filled with antique books and a secret doorway located in the bookshelf leads to your wardrobe. All suites at this boutique hotel in South Kensington have different themes – there’s the Corfu Suite, the Cardinal Suite and the 007 Suite, too.
Ampersand Travel offers one night from £115 per person per night.
020-7289 6100, www.ampersandtravel.com
You’ll have heard of four-poster beds – but how about a four-poster bath? Langshott Manor, a 16th-century boutique hotel with 22 rooms in Surrey, is set in three acres of grounds with its own duck family, secret garden and ancient moat. The Mulberry restaurant offers delicious local produce. A onenight stay costs from £99 per room.
0800-163 9086, www.prideofbritainhotels.com
The Bivouac at Swinton Park
Poets House, a new 21-room boutique hotel opening in Ely on 22 April, has already been named as one of the world’s Top 20 Cool New Hotels for 2013 by The Times. One reason could be the magnifi cent copper baths in many rooms, in which you can soak while admiring the great views of the city’s Norman cathedral. Introductory offer from £135, room and breakfast.
01223-653111, www.thehousecollection.com
If you’d rather watch TV as you bathe, the wonderful refurbished Cannizaro House hotel in Wimbledon has the Sophia Johnstone Suite (Room 320), a double suite with large sleigh bed, balcony, silver wallpaper, purple couches, rainbow shower – and a huge TV on the wall in the bathroom, with a waterproof remote control. This room for special occasions costs from £1,000 a night; other rooms from £195.
020-8879 1464, www.mantiscollection.com
Chewton Glen, Hampshire, a fantastic country house hotel, now offers über luxurious Treehouse suites in the grounds. Built high among the trees of a secluded valley, each Treehouse has a private balcony, huge windows and decor in soft colours and natural materials. ‘Four nights for the price of three’ offer, from £525 per night.
01425-275341, www.chewtonglen.com
Finally, the Malmaison Hotel, Oxford – in a converted Victorian prison – offers a prison cell that comes with its stay in these days – spacious, with fl at-screen televisions and rainfall showers. There’s a cocktail bar and restaurant, too. Rooms start at £125.
0844-693 0659, www.malmaison.com
For more inspiration: www.visitengland.com
You can email Wendy Gomersall at wendy.gomersall@lady.co.uk
Cliveden, near Maidenhead, is celebrating the birthday of one of its most remarkable owners, Nancy Astor, with a garden party on 19 May, with music, cream teas, craft activities and special guests.
01628-605069, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden
Vineyard walk
Arblaster & Clarke’s English Vineyard Walk of the South Downs, from 4 to 6 October, offers tastings hosted by respected UK wine producers. The two-night trip costs from £550 per person, including pub accommodation and meals with wines. 01730-263111, www.winetours.co.uk
British cruise
Voyages of Discovery’s 10-day Heritage of the British Isles National Trust cruise departs from Portsmouth on 2 June. With visits to Durham Cathedral and Plas Newydd House and Gardens, it costs from £849 per person.
0843-221 8499, www.voyagesofdiscovery.com
01765-680900, www.swintonpark.com Bivouac rates are from £20 per night in the bunk barn, £325 for three nights in the yurts and £470 in the shacks.
01765-535020, www.thebivouac.co.uk
Bookworms will love the Library Suite at Blakes, London. Its walls are lined with bookcases filled with antique books and a secret doorway located in the bookshelf leads to your wardrobe. All suites at this boutique hotel in South Kensington have different themes – there’s the Corfu Suite, the Cardinal Suite and the 007 Suite, too.
Ampersand Travel offers one night from £115 per person per night.
020-7289 6100, www.ampersandtravel.com
You’ll have heard of four-poster beds – but how about a four-poster bath? Langshott Manor, a 16th-century boutique hotel with 22 rooms in Surrey, is set in three acres of grounds with its own duck family, secret garden and ancient moat. The Mulberry restaurant offers delicious local produce. A onenight stay costs from £99 per room.
0800-163 9086, www.prideofbritainhotels.com
The Bivouac at Swinton Park Poets House, a new 21-room boutique hotel opening in Ely on 22 April, has already been named as one of the world’s Top 20 Cool New Hotels for 2013 by The Times. One reason could be the magnifi cent copper baths in many rooms, in which you can soak while admiring the great views of the city’s Norman cathedral. Introductory offer from £135, room and breakfast.
01223-653111, www.thehousecollection.com
If you’d rather watch TV as you bathe, the wonderful refurbished Cannizaro House hotel in Wimbledon has the Sophia Johnstone Suite (Room 320), a double suite with large sleigh bed, balcony, silver wallpaper, purple couches, rainbow shower – and a huge TV on the wall in the bathroom, with a waterproof remote control. This room for special occasions costs from £1,000 a night; other rooms from £195.
020-8879 1464, www.mantiscollection.com
Chewton Glen, Hampshire, a fantastic country house hotel, now offers über luxurious Treehouse suites in the grounds. Built high among the trees of a secluded valley, each Treehouse has a private balcony, huge windows and decor in soft colours and natural materials. ‘Four nights for the price of three’ offer, from £525 per night.
01425-275341, www.chewtonglen.com
Finally, the Malmaison Hotel, Oxford – in a converted Victorian prison – offers a prison cell that comes with its stay in these days – spacious, with fl at-screen televisions and rainfall showers. There’s a cocktail bar and restaurant, too. Rooms start at £125.
0844-693 0659, www.malmaison.com
For more inspiration: www.visitengland.com
You can email Wendy Gomersall at wendy.gomersall@lady.co.uk
IN OTHER NEWS…
Nancy’s partyCliveden, near Maidenhead, is celebrating the birthday of one of its most remarkable owners, Nancy Astor, with a garden party on 19 May, with music, cream teas, craft activities and special guests.
01628-605069, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden
Vineyard walk
Arblaster & Clarke’s English Vineyard Walk of the South Downs, from 4 to 6 October, offers tastings hosted by respected UK wine producers. The two-night trip costs from £550 per person, including pub accommodation and meals with wines. 01730-263111, www.winetours.co.uk
British cruise
Voyages of Discovery’s 10-day Heritage of the British Isles National Trust cruise departs from Portsmouth on 2 June. With visits to Durham Cathedral and Plas Newydd House and Gardens, it costs from £849 per person.
0843-221 8499, www.voyagesofdiscovery.com