Best UK staycations: the Bazaar guide
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Loading... - Charlotte Reid
- 07 Mar 2022
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While far-flung holidays will always hold their appeal, there is something truly pleasing about getting in your car or jumping on a train on a Friday after work for a weekend break somewhere in the UK.
From stately Cotswold stays to penthouses in Cornwall, we round up the best British breaks.
1. Wilderness Reserve
The picturesque Wilderness Reserve is a collection of exclusive country cottages and luxury farmhouses available to rent, set within an 800-acre private estate in Suffolk. There are myriad advantages to this set up: the feeling of being alone in the middle of nowhere without actually being alone; the freedom of self-catering but with housekeeping and private chefs on tap; the solitude of a countryside retreat but with a range of activities on offer, including complimentary row boats and Pashley bicycles. The grounds are vast and beautiful (so much so, that they formed the backdrop of a Harper's Bazaar cover shoot with Keira Knightley), with winding roads, serene lakes and endless fields, and there's plenty of wildlife to spot, with rangers on hand to give you a tour of the 2000 bird nest boxes. The reserve also hosts Fire Feasts on demand - spectacular outdoor dinners set in a woodland clearing - which once a year is elevated to the Bonfire Fire Feast, in partnership with a Michelin-starred chef (for 2021 it was Tom Kerridge). Of course, this isn't your average gathering around a bonfire; think fine dining with linen table clothes and fresh flowers under a specially constructed canopy; with crackling meats, roasted vegetables and charred flatbreads; elegant cocktails and endless champagne; and a side of outdoor entertainment (anything from axe-throwing to fire dancers and live music).
With 14 luxury properties of varying size to choose from - with 100 bedrooms between them - Wilderness Reserve truly has something for everyone, whether a couple's getaway, a family holiday or an escape with friends.
2. Beaverbrook Town House, London
Beaverbrook Town House is the elegant new city sister of countryside favourite Beaverbrook, which has long been a hit with discerning customers looking for a luxury escape. A new addition to the capital, the townhouse – located just off Sloane Square – opened its doors in September 2021 and has quickly established itself as one of London’s chicest new destinations. Its desirability is boosted by its exclusivity; the boutique property only has 14 suites, each named after an iconic London theatre. The suites are so beautifully decorated and designed that you won’t want to leave them, but if you do, then you must treat yourself to a drink at the bar, Sir Frank’s - named after Beaverbrook’s creative director Sir Frank Lowe, curator of the hotel’s unique range of artwork, collectables and historic treasures (of which there are many). Booking a table at the restaurant, The Fuji Grill, which specialises in authentic Japanese cuisine, makes for a truly memorable dining experience; we recommend the popcorn shrimp, any of the excellent sushi selection, and the wagyu Sukiyaki which theatrically cooks in front of you at your table. For an utterly decadent treat, book in for the intimate Japanese Omakase dining experience – sampling a 20-course ‘chef’s selection’ menu of authentic dishes.
3. Cary Arms, South Devon
Cary Arms has rightly built a reputation as one of south Devon’s most picturesque and luxurious hotels. Perched at the bottom of a steep cliff, it sits at the foot of Babbacombe Downs overlooking the beach and surrounding bay which, on a sunny day, could easily be mistaken for a Croatian island or an undiscovered part of Greece. Shrubs and foliage grow from the cliffs, giving way to perfectly clear blue waters ideal for a swim. Book a room at the hotel itself, or if you’re looking for a more secluded option then choose one of its private cottages which come in varying sizes. We stayed at Foxes Walk, which sleeps nine, a three-floor property with ocean views, an expansive kitchen, a cosy living room and dining room with a woodburner for warming nights in, and a beautifully landscaped garden complete with sun loungers and a hot tub, again with ocean vistas. The thoughtful touches, from baskets full of snacks and a bottle of sloe gin to beach towels left in the conservatory and bath products from The White Company, will ensure you feel at home almost immediately. The pub offers delicious elevated takes on British classics, while the spa - nestled into the cliff face - boasts an indoor pool with floor-to-ceiling windows from which to look out to sea. Make sure you book a treatment (we can recommend the body massage) for guaranteed shoulder-dropping relaxation. For the boat experience of a lifetime, you can board the 1930s hand-built yacht 'Escape'. In the capable hands of captain Andy, you’ll set sail on a tour of the dramatic coastline of the English Riviera.
4. Storrs Hall, Lake District
Hotels don't get much better than Storrs Hall, an 18th-century mansion house set on the shores of Lake Windermere. Historic properties such as these can often veer into stuffiness, but Storrs Hall is elegant and opulent without any pretension. Either stay in the main hall, or opt for one of the spacious Lakeside Suites, modern yet beautifully designed accommodation each with private terraces and a hot tub shrouded by trees. Floor-to-ceiling windows heighten the feeling of being enveloped by nature - these are views you won't tire of (don't miss the sunsets). Inside the main house sits a high-end restaurant overlooking the lake, with a menu that focuses on seasonal ingredients, a refined drawing room, and its very own pub, an ideal spot for a few after-dinner drinks. The setting is nothing short of sensational - make sure you explore the expansive grounds and visit the National Trust-owned folly The Temple – an octagonal garden house with arched openings that juts out onto the lake. It would be wrong not to mention the high standard of the service at Storrs Hall - for all the grand architecture and decor, the staff are warm, welcoming and down-to-earth. If Bazaar did star ratings, this elegant hotel would easily receive five. Read More…
