Issue 61

Destina, making travellers’ dreams come true

Planning a holiday is all part of the fun when you make your arrangements with Destina Travel. With a friendly, expert team of seasoned globetrotters, Destina can take your dream travel scenarios and make them happen, anywhere in the world. Arrangements are made safely, securely and with nothing left to chance, so you can concentrate on having a great time and making memories.

Destina Travel has been arranging exceptional holidays for more than 50 years, serving up exciting options for people of every taste and temperament. The company can arrange anything from short European shopping trips and traditional beach holidays to multiple long-haul destinations, all at competitive prices.

Whether your preference is for carefree cruises, wild adventures or touring the world’s best known landmarks, Destina Travel can make it happen the best way possible. Do you have a bucket list? Bespoke itineraries are a speciality and all bookings are ATOL protected for complete peace of mind.

Customers have been returning to the company’s Hagley office again and again, thanks to the relaxed, enjoyable and unashamedly ‘old school’ people-focussed service, with ticket wallets and luggage labels provided. Instead of having to fight a precarious DIY route through computer menus and internet overload, a dedicated Destina representative looks after it all for them. And, Destina has a consistent 5 Star rating from its customer reviews.

Manager Sam Tyers says: “We pride ourselves on giving a big level of service. We advise on visas, COVID restrictions, vaccinations, driving licences and passport changes following from Brexit. We fill in all the paperwork and make sure our customers have everything they need, all free of charge. And we only recommend trusted partners which offer equitable refund policies in case of cancellation.

“We can tailor-make trips all round the world and book anything they want, even down to restaurant reservations while they are away.”

Stourbridge

EDITOR

Jodie Collinson sales@countylifestyleandleisure.com 01455 698686

ACCOUNTS

Laura Smith accounts@countylifestyleandleisure.com 07450 83941

JOURNALIST Shirley Elsby shirley.elsby@ntlworld.com 01455 446360

SALES

Sally Hassel sally@countylifestyleandleisure.com 01455 698570

DESIGN design@countylifestyleandleisure.com

Suite 10, The Lawns Business Centre

The Lawns, Hinckley, Leicestershire, LE10 1DY www.countylifestyleandleisure.com Company Number: 10125538 VAT Number: 239853468

CONTENTS

Editor’s Choice

Home & Garden

Discover Northern Ireland

Scotland

Discover Isle of Man

Unique Retreats

Discover Cornwall

Discover Devon

Health, Care & Wellbeing

Family, Events Activities & Travel

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ELEGANTLY CRAFTED CULINARY MOMENTS

Wigwam® Holidays Glenlivet offers the perfect blend of action-packed adventures, outdoor living and quality accommodation, within the natural surroundings and mountain backdrop of Scotland’s stunning Cairngorm National Park. People can relax on-site surrounded by woodland and wildlife, or embrace unbeatable opportunities for outdoor pursuits and tourism.

Set beside the Highlands’ highest village, Tomintoul, the Glenlivet site is just 10 minutes’ drive from The Lecht ski centre and within an hour of another, Cairngorm Mountain. Glenlivet Trail Centre offers mountain biking for all abilities, as

do mountains themselves, providing walking, climbing and even scrambling experiences ranging from gentle to jaw-dropping.

The Glenlivet name is synonymous with the world famous single malt which has been distilled since 1824.

It is one of seven working distilleries on the acclaimed Speyside Whisky Trail, along with one historic distillery and the Speyside Cooperage.

Over the last 30 years, Wigwam® Holidays has grown to a franchise business with sites all over the UK, building on a reputation for high quality craftsmanship and great locations which enable glampers to get close to nature without

compromising on comfort.

The Glenlivet site has been developed by the man who effectively invented glamping, Charles Gulland. As a designer/ builder in the late 1980s, he responded to a challenge to create sustainable accommodation design from forest thinnings for a Dorset college. Subsequently, the Countryside Commission asked him to design low cost, sustainable accommodation for the West Highland Way. The result, back in 2007, was the first Wigwam® pod. Then, as now, there is an emphasis on quality and sustainability. Each Wigwam® pod sleeps four or

five people, while lodges sleep six to eight. They have en-suite facilities including shower and toilet, a fully equipped kitchenette, a living area with TV and outdoor seating with a barbecue/firepit.

Charles says: “Our mission is the same as ever, to deliver great holidays in the great outdoors.”

Wigwam® Holidays Glenlivet, Old Military Road, Ballindalloch, Tomintoul, Cairngorm National Park AB37 9EX; T 01838 300361 or 07817 483126, E glenlivet@ wigwamholidays.com www.wigwamholidays.com/ glenlivet

If you’re a walker, or love the outdoors, then a visit to The Walking Hub in Kington should be on your bucket list. A true hidden gem in a quiet traditional border town, located on Offa’s Dyke National Trail, surrounded by hills and glorious countryside ready to be explored. A warm welcome awaits your stay at The Walking Hub B&B. Owner Ali Allen will greet you with homemade treats and mugs of tea and you’ll feel instantly at home in the friendly atmosphere of her charming 17th century home. It’s comfortable and cosy with original historic features, simple furnishings and understated décor. Beds have linen sheets or organic cotton and gentle ecofriendly products are used to keep the Hub beautifully clean. Breakfast is always healthy veggie fare with organic produce, local and inseason where possible. Homemade granola and overnight oats are a speciality and guaranteed to get you through a tough day in the hills. Directly below on the High Street is The Walking Hub Shop. Ali has created a one-of-a-kind speciality shop for walkers stuffed full of wonderful gear personally selected for performance, comfort and longevity. You’ll find unique brands

and products, such as minimalist (or bare foot) shoes and Nordic poles reflecting her passion for lightweight gear, comfortable footwear and the health benefits of using poles.

Ali’s passion for walking, love of the environment and health is contagious and will infuse your visit at the Hub. Living with chronic life-long arthritis and being a Nurse has given Ali a unique perspective on life and The Hub is a perfect way to share her personal experiences and knowledge with others. Her message to “carry on walking” is a simple one.

The Walking Hub also offers experiences, bespoke packages

along The Mortimer Trial and special Nordic walking weekends (as seen in the Guardian), technique classes and 1:1 instruction. Picnic lunches, lifts and baggage transfer are available too. Everyone welcome, including groups, individuals and dogs. The Walking Hub, 26 High Street, Kington, Herefordshire HR5 3AX; T 07756 172160 E thewalkinghub@gmail.com www.thewalkinghub.com

Peaceful and tranquillity in Dartmoor hideaway

Elvan Farm Shepherd’s Hut puts guests at the very heart of Dartmoor, in prime position to enjoy its wild walking country, free-roaming livestock and, after a little exertion, breathtaking views from the top of its famous tors. They’re also well placed to enjoy many communities which add their own contributions to the charm, history and tourist attractions of the area.

Dartmoor is famous for its wild ponies, sheep and cattle and the owners of Elvan Farm play a direct part in the tradition, running four commons for grazing. Steve Alford is the sixth generation to take on the farm’s herd of ponies. He and his partner, Hayley, also keep a herd of pedigree Greyface Dartmoor Sheep as well as commercial flocks. Guests can relax and enjoy the comings and goings of the farm and the restful peace of the surroundings from their comfortable quarters, which include a luxurious, king-sized bed, en-suite facilities, a log burning stove plus a garden area with barbecue. The sunset over beautiful Cawsand Beacon is a nightly treat, as is the morning birdsong.

Great glamping with private hot tub in northern idyll

Stunning views, luxurious accommodation and fabulous Jacuzzi hot tubs are just some of the attractions that have wowed the first guests of Derecroft Glamping near Lanchester, County Durham. With an idyllic hillside location on a small family farm 10 miles from the chic city of Durham – where the castle, cathedral and River Wear form a UNESCO World Heritage Site – the site launched just this year offers a cosy base for both chilling out and exploring. It is only 30 minutes’ drive from outstanding attractions such as Hadrian’s Wall, and the famous Beamish Living Museum of the North. Derecroft’s glamping pods have been designed and hand-crafted to exceptional standards by the site owners, Lee and Jane Spraggon with Jane’s adult son, Ben, a professional horse riding events competitor. Available for adults and families with children aged seven upwards, they each sleep four in a double bed and double sofabed. They are snugly insulated and centrally heated for use all year round and have stylish

It’s a great spot for a relaxing getaway. Hayley says: “There is walking, cycling, riding and, 10 minutes’ walk away, a popular spot for wild swimming. Nearby villages have got lovely shops, quaint tearooms and traditional country pubs.”

Elvan Farm, Throwleigh, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 2QE

T 07791734865

E elvanfarmshepherdshuts@outlook.com www.elvanfarmshepherdhuts.co.uk

Comfy Scottish base for biking, history and wildlife

Set in the heart of Dumfries and Galloway in the beautiful Nithsdale, Liftingstane Cottages offer a supremely comfortable base for a holiday in the Southwest of Scotland. Consisting of the traditional farmhouse and two cottages formed from the original steading, Liftingstane farmhouse sleeps eight in four bedrooms, Liftingstane Cottage sleeps five and Dairy Cottage sleeps four. All are exceptionally well appointed and have everything needed for a comfortable holiday including high quality mattresses, well equipped kitchens, Wi-Fi, log burning stoves for cosy evenings and underfloor heating. Dogs are made very welcome. All three have gardens with patios, plenty of space for parking and secure storage for bikes and other items.

Located about twenty minutes north of Dumfries and only a short drive to Thornhill, all needs can be catered for, be they shopping or eating out. The area is noted for its sporting activities including the world renowned Seven Stanes graded mountain biking trails nearby. Two premier game rivers in southern Scotland are close by and are accessible for day ticket fishing for salmon and sea trout.

Riverside Aymestrey, gastro-pub with winning ways

living areas, fully equipped kitchens and en-suite shower rooms.

Outdoors, each has its own patio, pergola, dining furniture, barbecue and pizza ovens, plus a wood burning stove and a fabulous, private hot tub. Generous welcome packs are included.

The views are extensive and beautiful and an extensive wildlife pond brings daily interest. As well as overlooking grazing sheep, guests may well see Ben busy training horses that are bred on site.

Derecroft Glamping, Lanchester, County Durham DH8 7TG

T 07548 151360

E derecroftglamping@gmail.com www.derecroftglamping.co.uk

High quality and great standards come together in a dream combination at The Riverside, Aymestrey, where guests can eat, drink and stay in style. Winner of the 2022 Pub Chef of the Year, Best Sustainable Pub and West Midlands Pub of the Year awards, The Riverside offers the best of hospitality and tastiest cuisine in the cosy, oakbeamed surroundings of a 16th century inn near Ludlow, in the heart of rural Herefordshire.

Guests can be sure of a warm welcome and relaxed atmosphere at this idyllic setting in the Lugg Valley, whether they are enjoying a light lunch as part of a family day out, a romantic dinner or perhaps a milestone celebration. It also offers the perfect setting for a short break with bed and breakfast, with nine beautifully appointed guest rooms a million thoughts away from the giddy world of work.

Run by Chef patron Andy Link and George Parkes, The Riverside

History abounds. Drumlanrig Castle is ten minutes’ drive away and Burns fans can visit his homes in Dumfries and at Ellisland Farm. Nature lovers are spoilt for choice with wildlife and there is bird watching aplenty in the fields and forests or along the Solway coast.

Liftingstane Cottages, Liftingstane Closeburn, Thornhill, Dumfries & Galloway DG3 5JQ; T 07976 015397, E liftingstane@hotmail.com www.liftingstanecottages.co.uk

embraces modern values of sustainability in every aspect of the management and is hoping to achieve a net zero carbon footprint this year. It uses local, artisan and organic food sources throughout, with many of the ingredients coming from its own gardens, smallholding and heritage orchard. Everything is freshly prepared on-site, from stoneground spelt bread to homemade ice cream.

The venue supports the expanding Slow Food Ark of Taste movement, which protects heritage foods.

The Riverside Inn, Aymestrey, Herefordshire HR6 9ST;

T 01568 708440

E enquiries@riversideaymestrey.co.uk www.riversideaymestrey.co.uk

Explore Yorkshire from luxurious wildlife haven

Nature lovers will be in bliss at Wigwam® Holidays Ball Hall Farm, a peaceful, award-winning glampsite set in six acres of woodland near York. All the site’s 12 cabins overlook a three acre lake teeming with wildlife, with regular visitors including swans, ducks, geese, deer, red kites, hares and barn owls.

friendly kitchen units and picnic tables.

The cabins are warm and well insulated for all seasons. Two or more can be booked together to cater for groups and mixed generations. They all have kitchenettes with cooking facilities, en-suite showers and toilets, comfy living areas with TV and outdoor space with firepits and barbecues. Everything needed is to hand, from the Memory Foam mattresses to cutlery and crockery. Guests are welcome to bring their dogs along to enjoy the on-site woodland walks.

The sustainably-run site has nine deluxe Wigwam® cabins for families of four and three wheelchairaccessible cabins for five, all fully equipped and stylish, enabling guests to relax in total comfort. The latter have gentle ramp access, wetroom showers, high toilets, wide doorways, grab rails and wheelchair-

The area is brimming with top quality tourist spots. The active often head for nearby Allerthorpe Lakeland Park, which caters for varied watersports. York alone has crowd-pleasers for every taste, including the Minster, The Shambles medieval shopping area, the racecourse, National Railway

Museum, Jorvik Viking Museum and York’s Chocolate Story.

On the doorstep, they can enjoy Yorkshire Air Museum, the pleasant market town of Pocklington and Pocklington Canal, or go beyond to the wide open spaces of the Yorkshire Wolds. Burnby Hall – which is fully

accessible - thrills plant lovers with attractions including eight amazing and very different gardens. York Maze – a maize maze - is the biggest in Britain, open during summer months.

In just over an hour’s drive, guests can be at fabulous east coast seaside resorts such as Scarborough, Filey and Whitby, or in the North York Moors National Park.

Wigwam® Holidays Ball Hall Farm, near York.

T 07766 295131

E ballhallfarm@wigwamholidays.com www.wigwamholidays.com/ ball-hall-farm

Glampers staying with Incline View Holidays enjoy luxury shepherd’s huts on the edge of the North York Moors National Park, with a stunning outlook over the Cleveland Hills. If you enjoy unspoiled countryside with great views and exhilarating walks for all seasons this farm-based site is the place to find them. And, when you return to your snug accommodation after an active day out, you can relax in a private hot tub positioned for unbeatable views of stars in the park’s designated Dark Skies, completely unsullied by light pollution.

The ‘incline’ of the glampsite name refers to nearby Ingleby Incline,

the steep route of a Victorian cable railway which was used to transport local ironstone. Also begging to be climbed is Roseberry Topping, ‘Yorkshire’s Matterhorn,’ on the 109 mile Cleveland Way walking trail between Helmsley and Saltburn by the Sea.

The site’s three huts, Lapwing, Hare and Barn Owl, cater for two adults each and sit in a meadowfronted wildlife haven populated by traditional and rare breed sheep and cattle. Barn owls and hares are seen all year, as are deer and woodpeckers, while lapwings are seasonal visitors. Each hut has a

comfy double bed with a Himalayan duvet, a fitted kitchen, en-suite shower and toilet, log burning stove, electric heating and outdoor seating. Hosts Louise and Mark are finalists in the 2022 Yorkshire Post Rural Award for Farm Diversification and encourage their guests to eat out in welcoming local villages, the nearest being Ingleby Greenhow, within walking distance. Day trips often take guests to ‘Heartbeat country,’ Goathland, or the coast, perhaps Whitby.

Louise says: “People love how quiet and secluded it is, like our own little piece of magic. People who came last year loved being in the hot tub, looking at the stars when there was snow all around.”

Incline View Holidays, New Sheepfold Farm, Ingleby Greenhow, North Yorkshire TS9 6RQ; T 07841 488461, E info@inclineviewholidays.co.uk www.inclineviewholidays.co.uk

Fun, friendly and inclusive, near Blackpool

Family breaks with Autism Friendly Holidays come with top quality play equipment and stress-busting sensory features to ensure that everyone feels relaxed, happy and has a great time, including anyone in the party with autism. So successful has been this family-run venture in Fleetwood, near Blackpool, that it recently won first place in the ‘Making a Difference’ category of the 2022 National Disability and Autism Awards and an award for ‘Most Autism Inclusive Holiday camp’ with Haven’s Cala Gran holiday park.

Autism Friendly Holidays started 10 years ago when owners Alan and Jennifer Berry decided to design their own caravan accommodation for themselves and their autistic son, Lucas. Now they have six enchanting and well-equipped caravans to let on Haven’s Cala Gran holiday park, all providing a soothing, safe environment and all personally consumer-tested by Lucas, now 16.

The Disney and Dr Seuss caravans sleep eight in four bedrooms and have sensory play dens with bubble walls and fibre optic waterfalls, remote controlled LED lights, sensory toys, PlayStations and safe space beds. Rainbow and Spongebob are similar but for 10 people in four bedrooms. Rainbow and Dr

Seuss are wheelchair-accessible.

New this year is the Harry Potterthemed caravan, sleeping eight, while the Mario and Gaming caravans have PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch systems as well as sensory and soft play equipment.

Some caravans take dogs, all are warm and cosy and guests can buy passes giving them full use of the Haven holiday facilities including the swimming pools, bars, arcades and entertainment.

Alan says: “When we first had Lucas, there was nothing for children with autism. Going on holiday was a nightmare. That’s why we started this. We soon found there was great demand and that’s how we’ve grown.

“Many people just stay in their caravan because they love it so much, but we’re only 20 minutes from Blackpool, where there’s tons for everyone to do. The public transport is brilliant and some attractions, like Madame Tussaud’s, have autismfriendly hours.”

Autism Friendly Holidays, Haven Cala Gran, Fleetwood FY7 8JY; T 07702 565259, E alan@autismfriendlycaravan.co.uk www.autismfriendlycaravan.co.uk

If you seek the peace of unspoiled Welsh countryside, close to the famous long distance walking route of Offa’s Dyke and with stunning valley views, you’ll be thrilled by the holiday accommodation of Acre Luxury Lodges. Each of four properties for let on two family farms near the Powys/Herefordshire border has its own private hot tub and everything needed to make it cosy, warm and welcoming for all seasons.

Two properties are lodges which sleep six people, Red Kite named after the birds which now soar above the surrounding Radnor Valley and Offa’s Dyke, named after

that famous walkway which once protected the 8th century AngloSaxon King Offa from marauding raiders. Both lodges hold hillside positions which make the most of those expansive verdant views. They have games rooms as well as well-equipped kitchens, bedrooms, living areas and balconies.

The others are two delightful cottages, Upper Close sleeping eight and the newly renovated Middle Hanter, sleeping four. Upper Close was built by the Hamer farming family still working the land at the parent property, Rough Close, raising sheep, cattle and crops.

Hosts Richard and Annabel ensure guests receive a great welcome and any support, advice and help ‘to do’ suggestions as wanted, ably assisted by their adult children and friendly pets. They have been looking after holiday guests since 2016 and often find them returning. Many visitors gravitate to the ‘book town’ of Hay on Wye, the historic city of Hereford or foodie towns such as Ludlow and Abergavenny. Seeing the dramatic Water-Break-Its-Neck waterfall is a ‘must’ for many, along with family-friendly Kington Owl Centre and the Hergest Croft Gardens, which are truly spectacular in autumn.

Annabel says: “It really is idyllic here and there is lots of wildlife, including the kites and wandering deer. There are lots of lovely walks and our excellent local pub, The Harp Inn, is in walking distance.”

Acre Luxury Lodges, Rowbatch Farmhouse, Stanner, Kington, Herefordshire; T 07788 548414, E acreluxurylodges@gmail.com www.acreluxurylodges.co.uk

Please use code CLL22 when enquiring.

Barrels of fun with furniture

Customers of Meadow Planters are adding character to their homes and gardens thanks to a handmade range of furniture and planters made from authentic Scottish whisky barrels. They enjoy not only the practical assets of these highly appealing, handmade items but also a built-in talking point whenever visitors call.

The range of products includes one-off seats, coffee tables, drinks cabinets, bar stools, shelving, personalised hangers, plaques and even dog beds. The planters, made from half barrels, are great for showing off everything from masses of summer bedding to elegant trees and shrubs. The variations are endless and have great appeal for people who like something a little different and quirky around them.

One line rapidly gaining popularity is water barrels designed for ice or cold water therapy for health, as popularised on TV by ‘The Iceman’ Wim Hof. These barrels come in a premium package with steps, lid and interior bench seat, plus water outlet valve.

All the items are made with premium grade whisky barrels from the Scottish

distilleries which, with care, should last for 10 to 15 years. They are made of 25mm thick oak and have high quality steel bands which are fastened with screws to prevent slippage if the wood shrinks through temperature changes.

Meadow Planters supplies the items free of charge to customers within 35 miles of the company base in Stratford upon Avon. Nationwide delivery can be arranged for an extra charge.

Business owner Gary Jordan launched the venture with his partner, Becky, in 2020 after being affected by the COVID pandemic and seeking out a new challenge. The whisky barrel range soon proved to be a winner.

Gary says: “We offer a premium service to our customers. It’s all about quality, not quantity. I carry out most of the deliveries myself and take it into the home or garden, remove any packaging and set it in place.”

An online shop is shortly being added to the company website, www.meadowplanters.co.uk

Meadow Planters, Stratford upon Avon T 07780 439761 E gary@meadowplanters.co.uk www.meadowplanters.co.uk

Grace Gradon Interiors is the new destination for soft furnishings and interior decoration located at 19, Old Square in Warwick.

Grace Gradon began as the trading name for Cygnet Interiors, a well respected and established business launched in 2005 and located at our shop on Castle Street, Buckingham.

A family move to Warwickshire in 2020 provided an opportunity to expand the business; our Grace Gradon Interiors shop in Warwick is the happy result.

We take real pride in helping

exactly what they are looking for and understand

choosing a

the

or the ideal item

homeware, these are all

important decisions and where we are able to advise and assist.

With a broad range of services and products including fabrics, wallpapers, paint, homeware, interior decoration, bespoke curtains and blinds, upholstery and reupholstery, passementerie, rugs and more, all of us here at Grace Gradon look forward to helping you style your home.

French, Casamance, Colefax

Fowler, Designers Guild,

Canovas,

Nina Campbell,

NORTHERN IRELAND

Tourists in Northern Ireland most frequently head for the ruggedly beautiful Antrim coast, but the inland regions, too, are packed with stunning natural landscapes, beguiling history and fascinating places of interest. Our accommodation providers in this section place visitors in brilliant vantage points to discover the charms of both County Antrim and County Fermanagh.

County Fermanagh is Northern Ireland’s Lake District. Its largest town, Enniskillen, sits on the natural island dividing Lough Erne, a sparkling 3,000 square miles of freshwater which attracts anglers, boaters, canoeists, picnickers and ‘wild swimmers’ from around the world. Twice yearly, cows from the National Trust’s Crom estate

take a dip and swim 100 metres across to their fresh pastures.

While painfully associated with ‘The Troubles,’ Enniskillen this year topped a poll of the friendliest towns in the UK. Enniskillen Castle reopened with new galleries and museums after a £3.5 million refurbishment in 2016 and great for learning about Fermanagh’s rich history and heritage.

Portballintrae is an idyllic seaside village on the 130 miles scenic Causeway Coastal road touring route from Belfast to Derry/Londonderry, including the famous Giant’s Causeway and Bushmills’s celebrated whiskey distillery. Several Game of Thrones film locations are en route or nearby.

My home is designed to spoil guests! Relax and enjoy all the bells and whistles incorporated for your stay!

Property professionally cleaned!

All towels and linen are supplied and laundered professionally!

The house is very well proportioned with 2 bedrooms and one bathroom downstairs, along with 50% of the total area

open planned to the rear and opening onto a huge entertaining enclosed decked area with outside lighting, Bluetooth music, stove and hot tub!

Double decker bus conversion coming soon with the option to increase capacity from 12 to 18.

Upstairs consists of 2 king size bedrooms, both have seating areas and widescreen wall

mounted Televisions.

All bedrooms have hard wired internet access!

The house, I hope, sits on a knife edge of personal and homely without it feeling odd.

Living area boasts a wood burning stove, a television with full sky TV and a DVD projector system with a selection of movies!

The house itself is rural but only 2 miles from amenities!

2 minutes drive from Irvinestown and Ballinamallard and 10 minutes drive from Enniskillen.

There is plenty of parking space for vehicles and indeed turning area for boats, trailers.

Guests have full access to house, outside area, hot tub and garden.

Dunrunnin

Group accommodation perfect for family groups, reunions, hens and stags

This newly refurbished home located in the picturesque village of Portballintrae can accommodate 12 guests. It is ideally suited for gatherings of family and friends or equally attractive to golfing groups who wish to play the world renowned local courses or for any other type of group looking for a base to set off and enjoy the delights of the North Coast.

The house has five deluxe bedrooms, two with large ensuite bathrooms and two additional bathrooms. The kitchen is well equipped with a comfy dining area. There is also a separate dining room and two living rooms.

This provides plenty of space for a large group to spread out and relax.

There is a large fully enclosed south facing back garden and patio with plenty of seating and original Giant’s Causeway stones.

There is plenty of parking space including a free 7kw EV car charger that is provided for the convenience of guests.

We are a pet friendly property.

Portballintrae is an idyllic village just outside Bushmills and 4 miles east of Portrush. It is close to both the Giants Causeway, Dunluce Castle and the world famous Bushmills distillery all within walking distance. This quaint fishing village, on the edge of a horseshoe bay, is lined with a modern hotel and private properties and drops down the cliffedge to its peaceful, working harbour and small beach.

For the keen golfers the 9 hole Bushfoot Golf Club, offering stunning coastal views is a few minutes walk from the house, The famous Royal Portrush golf club is 10 minutes drive away.

To find out more, or to book direct please visit

NORTHERN IRELAND

Northern Ireland’s many and varied charms take several different directions this month as we invite readers to discover the spectacular sights and experiences of the Antrim coast, County Tyrone and the Mountains of Mourne.

Visitors to Rectory Lodge Trout Fishery may be content to spend their entire break fishing, but further afield in Tyrone they may well enjoy the spectacular Sperrin Mountains and Davagh Forest, famous for its

Rectory Lodge Cottage & Fishery

Family breaks, or group fishing packages, we can accommodate to your individual needs, we are pet friendly and wheelchair friendly.

are the only fishery in Northern Ireland to rear our own rainbow trout fish on site from hatching to stocking. Set in the heart of the countryside and still only a 5 minute drive to the nearest town.)

Fivemiletown mountain bike trails. Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, is a hands-on living history venue explaining events, conditions and lifestyles surrounding 300 years of emigration from Ireland to America.

Newell’s Cross gives majestic views of the Mourne Mountains and Carlingford Lough with its myths, legends and a scenic ferry route between Dublin and Belfast, the latter being home to world class tourism through the Titanic Experience. It is

also the starting of the Causeway Coastal Route to Derry/Londonderry, named for the extraordinary assemblage of hexagonal basalt rock columns stretching into the sea.

The route is also easily accessed from Portree, with Taylor Holiday Lets. Adventurous walkers will relish the nearby challenge of The Gobbins, a cliff-face path passing bridges, caves and tunnels along steep cliffs teeming with wildlife.

Every corner of Scotland seems to be filled with exciting things to see, do and experience. Our northern advertisers are all determined to show their territory at its best whatever the season, the weather or the preferences of their guests.

Hideaway Under the Stars is so magical guests may want to stay put, but if they venture out into Moray and wider Speyside they’ll be in serious whisky country, the home of Glenfiddich, Glenlivet and other famous distilleries.

Machair House is a great base for exploring Iona, the wildlife-rich island with white sandy beaches where St Columba founded one of the most important monasteries

in Britain, and 74 Carryglen in Crieff, Perthshire, puts within reach amazing places such as Scone Palace, the crowning place of Scottish kings, the famous Gleneagles golf complex and Caithness glass.

Sweet Donside Cabins and Sweetheart Cottage, Aberdeenshire, are in the Cairngorms National Park, home to The Lecht Ski Centre.. Nearby attractions include Deeside Activity Park and the Jacobite Poldullie Bridge used in filming Mary Queen of Scots, with Saoirse Ronan in the title role. Other royal connections include, Balmoral Castle, beloved holiday home of our late Queen. The grounds are open free of charge through to December.

Isle of Iona

Machair House

A traditional 3 bedroom self-catering croft house on Iona. Set on a 30+ acres working croft on the beautiful island of Iona, Machair is a unique opportunity to take advantage of the peace, tranquility and beauty on offer. The house is well suited for relaxing family holidays or a romantic getaway, whatever your needs! The house is warm, welcoming & freshly decorated and sleeps up to 7 people. Pets are welcome. Minimum 7 night stay.

find out more, or to book, call or email

Sweet Donside Cabins and Sweetheart Cottage are situated in Strathdon, in a remote area of the beautiful Cairngorms National Park. We’re next to the village of Bellabeg, so you’ll be surrounded by romantic beauty and knee-deep in history throughout your holiday. Plus, our central location means there are lots of visitor attractions

all less than an hour away by car. So there’s plenty to see and do when you come and stay. You can go on whisky trails galore, visit Pictish stones, see an abundance of wildlife and choose from a fantastic selection of outdoor sports (including skiing).

Our magical cabins are full of warmth and delight, they have all been hand-made – built with

Carryglen

of

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place

when

is

relax.

love and happiness. That ethos has been carried through to Sweetheart Cottage as well. Each holiday property has its own private hot tub. We’re totally geared towards you having the ultimate relaxing break. So you can relax, sit back and marvel at the stars in the night sky.

Sweetheart Cottage and The Wee Beehive are both dog-friendly.

in the

those who are looking to get

located in

8 and is

MAN

Wherever you go on the 220 square miles of the Isle of Man, you will never be far from scenic beauty for uplifting walks and cycle rides, great places to eat and wonderfully pleasant harbour towns and fishing villages. You’ll be within seven miles of the sea, surf and fantastic beaches and never more than about 90 minutes’ drive from anywhere to anywhere else.

On top of that, the public transport is fantastic, fully integrated between

trams, trains, ferries and flights, including the Snaefell Mountain Railway and even, from March to the end of October, horse drawn trams along the promenade in Douglas, the island capital.

Great places to visit include Port St Mary, where Glenchass Farmhouse provides amazing vistas and sealife sometimes including sharks, porpoises and Minke whales, and Glen Helen Glamping, close to the

12 foot high, four tiered landmark Tynwald Hill, a registered ‘Thing’ site of Viking origin as a place where legal and political decisions were made, still honoured by today’s Manx Parliament, the oldest continual one in the world.

Another is the wildly beautiful Colby Glen, close to Ballavere Bed & Breakfast. The River Colby runs through it, creating wonderful waterfalls.

Glen Chass Farmhouse is a beautifully appointed 3 bedroom house that sleeps up to 6 people in a magnificent setting high above Port St Mary.

This lovingly refurbished Manx farmhouse is located in a peaceful location in the far south western tip of the Isle of Man. You can see some of the best land and sea views in Britain from your windows and have one of the best walks in the world, The Raad Ny Foillan (Way of the Gull) on your doorstep.

The living room has a wood burning stove and a library that is enjoyed by everyone. The front garden has a table and chair and a bench so that you can sit outside and enjoy the garden and the fantastic country views.

Just one delightful double bedroom is available for our discerning guests at Ballavere Cottage. Combine a spacious and comfortable lounge & dining area with a traditional, stylish bathroom, and you have a wonderful suite of private rooms (over two floors) all to yourself.

We include a substantial buffet style breakfast for you each morning and a cooked breakfast menu of local produce is available at a small extra cost.

A complimentary shuttle service is available to transport you to and from the air or sea ports.

Your host David also offers photography tours of our glorious Island.

To find out more, or to book

visit www.islandescapes.im

www.ballavere.im telephone: 0044 7624 309209 email: info@ballavere.im

FEATURED Discover ISLE OF MAN

Abundant wildlife and fabulous scenes of nature – both off-shore and inland, help to make the Isle of Man one of the most fascinating places in the British Isles, a self-governing gem in the Irish Sea. On top of its natural gifts, it has forged its own place in the hearts of locals and visitors alike, with a wealth of traditions all of its own, ranging from the TT races so dear to bikers’ hearts to Vikingstyle boat races and Celtic music.

Those natural gifts include hen harriers, puffins, dolphins, and many more elusive creatures and alongside that, some of the best stargazing spots in the country, with some 26 designated Dark Skies sites unsullied by light pollution. On occasion, the Northern Lights can be seen from its shores. It’s even held to be great for spotting fairies! Castletown has a trail of some 70 fairy doors for people to spot.

Kionslieu Farm Cottages enable people to enjoy the best of the local countryside and wildlife from its very central location on the island, with skylarks, lapwings and curlews among the regular callers. Likewise, Wyllin Cottage, Glen Wyllin, is located near Cooildarry Nature Reserve. Both locations offer stunningly beautiful walks for all seasons.

We’d love to welcome you to stay in one of our 5 country cottages, beautifully equipped and with large comfortable beds – your perfect farm retreat.

Set in the heart of the Isle of Man, surrounded by fabulous walks, cycle tracks and wonderful dark skies, yet just a short walk to the village pub and shop and a short drive to attractions.

www.iomfarmholidays.com barkercrew@manx.net or phone: 01624 801349

Wyllin Cot is a delightful and very quirky 18th century fisherman’s cottage, nestled in the hamlet of Glen Wyllin and is steeped in history.

A very special feature of Wyllin Cot is the garden that comes with it. Take a walk down a private grassy path opposite the cottage, to a peaceful and enclosed garden of considerable size. Also available for your use is the summer house, where you can sit back, relax and enjoy the peace and quiet.

It is situated in a conservation area where there are immediate walks on your door step. You can take a lovely wooded riverside walk in Coooildarry Nature Reserve which is owned by the Manx Wildlife Trust or down to the beach and along the coast.

To find out more, or to book please visit www.islandescapes.im

Top Unique Retreats

IN THE UK

Explorers can never tire of England or Wales, so rich are the landscapes and legacies which populate their shores. The contrasts and unique offerings which appear within just a few miles are a constant source of pleasure and interest for anyone who is awake to them, as so many have learned with pleasant surprise through staycationing when foreign travel was so restricted during the COVID 19 pandemic.

The Cotswolds, for example, is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which exudes charm and quality through every honey-coloured shop and cottage. Heath Farm Holiday Cottages in Chipping Norton give the perfect base for exploring the wider area, from catching your own trout in Bibury to visiting Britain’s largest Roman amphitheatre in Cirencester. Little England Retreats is likewise ideally placed for guests to explore Somerset’s numerous attractions, from the New Age shops of Glastonbury to the showcaves of Cheddar Gorge and Wookey Hole.

Beacon Park Boats provide floating luxury for cruising Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, with Brecon itself a market town with its own cathedral, as well as being a magnet for walkers. In North Wales, Cae Lal glampers are nearly in Snowdonia National Park with its world class adventure sports and castles.

Five award-winning luxury selfcatering holiday cottages, each sleeping 2 - 4 adults, two with private gardens and hot tubs, lovingly converted from old stone farm buildings set in 70 acres of meadow and woodland. Total capacity 14. An exquisite and tranquil base for exploring the Oxfordshire Cotswolds. These very individual stone cottages offer guests the ultimate in comfort, quality and cleanliness and a chance to enjoy the high standards of craftsmanship which is the hallmark of this idyllic retreat.

We work closely with local businesses that provide fresh produce for guests. Local therapists can also provide well-being services such as yoga lessons and massages on site. There’s a host of activities and facilities on the farm as well as many local attractions nearby.

To find out more, or to book: www.heathfarm.com 01608 683270

Little England Retreats is located in Othery, a rural village on the Somerset Levels. This is the perfect space to rest, recuperate and recharge your batteries. It’s also a great place to use as a base if you want to explore the many and varied places of interest nearby. We offer a selection of accommodation to suit all requirements including a 15th century cottage, two shepherds huts and a peaceful yurt.

To find out more, or to book please visit www.littleenglandretreats.co.uk Call or email 07598 277026 emma@littleenglandretreats.co.uk

Brecon

• All our boats graded at a luxury 5* rating with the British Marine Federation

• All our prices are fully inclusive, including diesel, parking and Wi-Fi where available

• All boats are pet friendly and they travel free of charge

• We pride ourselves on exceptional cleaning standards, echoed by regular customer feedback

• We provide towels, toiletries, linen and also cleaning products, there are coffee pods for your onboard Nespresso machine, as well as tea bags and sugars

• All boats have bow thrusters to help you manoeuvre and moor up

• For those chilly evenings all boats have central heating, and many boats have wood burning stoves, which we provide our home-made briquettes

Gwynedd, North Wales

• We give you some goodies for when you arrive, we will leave this as a surprise

• You will be supplied with a free DVD on boat handling in addition to a one to one detailed handover on arrival, and be assured we will not leave you until you feel confident in handling the boat.

Beacon Park Boats is our family business, offering 5-star boating holidays on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal in the beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park in South Wales

Top Unique Retreats

IN THE UK

Technology may seem to many people today to be moving fast and furiously, but nothing is really new. Our ancestors were swept along by a pace of change no less breathtaking in the Victorian era when the Industrial Revolution was at its peak. Ironbridge, Shropshire, is where it all started, the age of mechanisation and mass production, with the 1709 opening of Abraham Darby’s first blast furnace making commercial quantities of a new-fangled manufacturing material, iron.

Ironbridge Valley Townhouse stands in a prime position for marvelling at the world’s first iron bridge, made with nearly 400 tons of the stuff in 1779. It spans the powerful River Severn in the beautiful valley which became lined with factories creating new and amazing products. Today, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ironbridge Gorge presents 10 different museums detailing the life and times of the movers, shakers, working people, inventions and technologies which shaped our brave new world, five miles from Telford.

Lincolnshire is likewise a fascinating county, with some highly popular seaside destinations with long, lovely beaches, including those of Skegness, Mablethorpe and Sutton on Sea. From The Tithe Barn, why not explore the Lincolnshire Wolds and Lincoln city?

Lincolnshire

Tythe lodge

The perfect holiday home for families and friends seeking an adventure in Lincolnshire, Tythe Lodge can be found resting in a wonderful position for exploring the many wonders of the coast and countryside of Lincolnshire and beyond. Sitting within Howell near Heckington where you can find all the amenities you could need for a self-catered stay, surrounded by luscious fields and footpaths.

Step inside and marvel at

the beauty of this property, combining rustic charm with a contemporary interior

Sit before the roaring woodburning stove in the sitting area with two plush sofas to relax on, or sit at the dining table together flicking through the story of how the cottage has been renovated carefully handcrafted by the owners, adding to the special touches of the property. Seek comfort in one of two inviting bedrooms

to end your evening, taking your pick from the master kingsize with its very own en-suite shower room and a second king-size with zip/link functions, doubling up into a twin on request as well as offering a truckle bed beneath to offer a flexible sleeping arrangement, whilst being served by the impressive family bathroom with a P-shaped bath where you can indulge in a relaxing soak as well as a shower over so you can

choose how best to prepare for your day.

Outside the wonder continues, where you can find your very own hot tub perfect for stargazing at any time of the year, as well as a seating area and fire pit where you can toast marshmallows for a memorable evening with your loved ones.

The perfect holiday home for families and friends seeking an adventure in Lincolnshire.

Shropshire

Ironbridge View Townhouse is a beautifully appointed 5 star gold holiday home.

The house is situated in the most excellent location in Ironbridge. Stunning views of the 1st Iron Bridge in the world! can be enjoyed from the cosy sofa in the living room. Relaxing evenings in with a fabulous

illuminated view of the Iron Bridge and surrounding area.

Sitting in a small courtyard, the townhouse is surrounded by quaint tearooms, family run restaurants, pubs, antiques, books, toys, boutiques and souvenir shops and wonderful walks. Most of the 10 Ironbridge Gorge museums are within walking distance.

To find out more, or to book, please visit

The townhouse couldn’t be more comfortable or stylishly furnished and decorated, featuring a living room, fully equipped kitchen, bathroom with bath and large corner walk in shower, and large bedroom which sleeps three, including a sumptuous king size bed & one single with pocket sprung mattresses,

www.ironbridgeviewtownhouse.co.uk

guaranteeing a wonderful night’s sleep.

If it’s a romantic retreat you’re after or just a chance to spend a night or two in bliss, then you have found the perfect place. Ironbridge is wonderful anytime of the year, your only problem will be finding enough time to fit everything in - the perfect excuse to return!

stay@ironbridgeviewtownhouse.co.uk

Photo Credit: The Skycam

North York Moors

Top Unique Retreats

IN THE UK

Exploring is always fun, but while self-catering options are generally widening for people and their pets they don’t usually include horses as well. Pony Glamping is different! Idyllically placed in the North York Moors National Park, it provides both boutique accommodation guests and paddockland. Bring your own horse and enjoy hacks on the beach, through woodland and around the lanes and trails of the moors to enjoy fun for all concerned.

Woodchests farm-based glampsite sits close to the Essex/Suffolk border, near to two river valleys and the town of Colchester. Now a town, it was the former capital of Roman Britain until Boudica, Queen of the Iceni, exacted a bloody revenge upon the invaders who had savaged her and her people. Colchester Zoo is ranked 11th in the world, with attractions including an African Plain populated with rhinos, zebras and giraffes and an orangutan forest.

Just one county down, Tumbles Barn and The Hut are both near to another place with fantastic local history to be explored, the city of Canterbury, Kent, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home of Britain’s first and very grand cathedral and ‘Cradle of English Christianity.’ The seaside resorts of Southend on Sea in Essex and Herne Bay, Kent, are enduringly popular.

Boutique glamping in modern Yurts with your pony/horse grazing outside. Each Yurt sleeps four people with a total of three Yurts available. Book one or book all three together for the ultimate private glamping party.

A novel experience with your family and pets in the luscious North York Moors National Park - perfect for horse lovers!

Pony Glamping www.thetackroomruston.co.uk/pony-glamping @ponyglamping

Pebmarsh, Essex

Woodchests is part of a family run farming business and is located at Hunts Hall just outside the village of Pebmarsh in North Essex, close to the Suffolk border between the Colne and Stour Valleys.

The wooden framed Safari tents have been placed in a quiet spot next to a mature woodland between the farm and the 19 acre fishing lake. The two acre site is being transformed by planting the site with native trees and hedgerows to allow it to become a harmonious addition to the woodland ensuring that guests are surrounded by the countryside you expect from a rural get away.

Canterbury, Kent

Tumbles End Barn

Attractive detached property with own private hot tub, enjoying a beautiful rural location near the Brecon Beacons village of Govilon, just a short drive from the popular towns of Abergavenny and Crickhowell.

This detached property, accessed down a narrow country lane, offers peace and tranquillity and adjoins 40 acres of its own land, with beautiful walks, climbs and even caves and a waterfall to explore. The tranquil Monmouthshire and

Brecon Canal is less than a mile from the property. The village centre of Govilon is just a short walk away and is right in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park. The village also lies on the edge of the Blaenavon World Heritage site,

home to several historic attractions including the Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenavon Heritage Railway and Blaenavon Iron Works. There are many miles of walks, cycle routes and towpaths within easy reach, and opportunities to try climbing,

To find out more, or to book please visit:

abseiling, canoeing, and caving are all on your doorstep. For a more restful day trip, nearby Abergavenny is a must, which has built an excellent culinary reputation and a visit to the award-winning high street in Crickhowell is highly recommended.

www.holidaycottages.co.uk/cottage/59730-tumbles-end-barn

Canterbury, Kent

Location

The Hut @ Bride Farm

Accommodation

Set in over 3 acres of tranquil pasture and woodland, this really is the ultimate get away. 10 minutes from the medieval town of Sandwich and Royal St Georges golf course, 25 minutes from all the sites of historical Canterbury, 25 minutes from the Port of Dover and just over an hour from London.

The hut is laid out over one large room with a central indoor fire pit. One large double bed and two sofa beds sleep up to 5 adults or 6 if the kids are small. The fully equipped bathroom and outdoor kitchen are just next door on the same decking as the hut.

Amenities

We aim at a self contained break from the world. A fire pit, a wood fired hot tub, gas BBQ, kettle, toaster, microwave oven, fridge and coffee machine give you all that you need to enjoy your break with us. Your enjoyment is our aim - We are looking for you to walk away with that wow factor!

find out more, or to book your stay visit www.bridefarm.co.uk

The Cornish accommodation providers in this section are ideally placed for walkers to enjoy fabulous southern stretches of the South West Coast Path, taking in some of Britain’s prettiest and most dramatic clifftop scenes. The route affords multiple chances to go beachcombing and rockpooling, enjoy traditional seaside treats from fish & chips to posh nosh, try your hand at crabbing with the kids, search out elusive wildlife or relax in charming harbour villages.

Porthleven, the UK’s most southerly port, has a well-developed foodie scene, which can be well enjoyed from Penty Myghal, as can a lively surfing scene and wellestablished arts offering evident in the chic

local shops. It is also the starting point for the National Trust’s Penrose Walk through the woodlands to the historic market town of Helston, where attractions include Flambards Theme Park.

To the east is Edens Horizon in St Austell, ideally placed for visiting several very different and beautiful gardens. One is the famous and futuristic Eden Project with self-contained biomes, one supporting rainforest and one Mediterranean plantlife. Another is the Lost Gardens of Heligan, ‘lost’ when staff went to fight World War One and restored to magnificence after being rediscovered in 1990.

Porthleven

Your perfect holiday hideaway in the heart of Porthleven

Penty Myghal has been extended and fully refurbished to offer the perfect base for a family holiday or a comfortable get away for up to 4 adults. It mixes the tradition of deep windowsills, beams and a wood burning stove with the modern comforts of new bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, superfast WiFi, a smart

TV with Netflix and a Bluetooth speaker plus benefits from an enclosed patio garden & parking.

We welcome dogs and can provide extras such as wood for the fire, local produce hampers and sweet treats.

We also have a high chair and bed rail for our younger guests.

Penty Myghal is tucked away in the heart of Porthleven in a quiet location, just 100m from the harbour head and the South West Coast Path and within a ten minute stroll of everything Porthleven has to offer. Porthleven is the most southerly port in the United Kingdom and boasts a wonderful selection of pubs, restaurants, independent shops

and galleries all wrapped around the picturesque working harbour. Due to Cornwall's mild climate and Porthleven's aspect it is a year round destination - during the summer it is a wonderful place to enjoy all the best that a Cornish seaside town has to offer, whilst in the winter - walks on deserted beaches followed by cosy fires and storm watching is the order of the day.

Clotted Cream. The smell of salty air. Beach walks. Coastal paths. Pint of ale. Cosy fires. Skimming pebbles. The sound of waves on the sand. The call of the seagulls. Bobbing boats in the harbour. Chips in paper. Edens Horizon is the perfect destination for a beach holiday in Cornwall and ideal accommodation near the world-famous Eden Project, the Lost Gardens of Heligan, and

the World Heritage site Charlestown (a must for Poldark fans!).

Edens Horizon is located in St Austell, Cornwall, United Kingdom. You can book the whole house which sleeps 12 plus 2 under 2 years (baby equipment provided) for 7 nights minimum stay in high season with shorter breaks possible in low season. Or rent just the cottage annexe which sleeps

2-4 in mid to low season because the house can be split. There is a floorplan on the website for clarity. In all there are six bedrooms, two adjacent well-equipped kitchens, laundry facilities, a huge living room with a log burner, large screen smart TV, sky Q and Wifi, a dining room with seating for 12 around the large table, a smaller second living room with TV, two family bathrooms,

an en suite shower room and a downstairs toilet. Next to the downstairs cloakroom is one of the twin bedded rooms, useful for those less able to manage the stairs.

Whatever your choice, we offer a relaxing break away from it all, and concierge services at your fingertips. Edens Horizon is perfect for reunions, celebrations and family holidays.

Bodmin Moor is rife with ghost stories and legends, including one that King Arthur’s magical sword Excalibur lies hidden in Dozmary Pool and that the panther-like Beast of Bodmin Moor hunts the territory, savaging livestock to satiate its hunger.

Bronze Age monuments are scattered all over, and famous edifices include Bodmin Jail, now offering an award-winning immersive experience of Cornwall’s dark history in which visitors undertake a Dark Walk in the footsteps of the condemned. Bodmin’s Jamaica Inn served coaches travelling between Launceston and Bodmin, but also became a smugglers’ hangout. A young Daphne du Maurier discovered its sinister history while there

recovering from being lost in one of the moorland mists. It inspired her to write her novel, Jamaica Inn.

Trengale holiday cottages and the selfcatering lodges of Combe Mill Family Farm Holidays both stand on the edge of Bodmin’s rugged landscape, dotted with relics from both ancient times and the workings of Cornwall’s mining heritage.

Harbour to Horizon self catering properties in Mevagissey and Charlestown place you firmly in Poldark Country, especially in Charlestown, where tall ships are often berthed for filming and where the Shipwreck and Heritage Centre showcases some 8,000 fascinating finds from the deep.

Charlestown/Mevagissey

For that special break in Cornwall look no further. Harbour to Horizon self catering properties, with boutique style interiors, are perfectly placed to make the most of their unique harbour settings in Charlestown and Mevagissey. Whether your ideal holiday retreat is contemporary, charming or elegant, memory making comes as standard, whatever the weather!

Marine Point is a contemporary apartment perched high on the cliffs overlooking Mevagissey, and within a short walk of the distinctive twin harbour and fishing community. With its panoramic views from Gribben Head to Chapel Point, it is the ideal spot to relax and watch the fishing boats come and go from the harbour. Situated on the SW coastal path and at the gateway to the Roseland, it beckons those just waiting to discover wide open beaches and sheltered bays.

Seafarers is a charming HM Coastguard cottage perched above Mevagissey’s picturesque harbour. Whilst retaining historic character, it is upgraded throughout, complementing the fabulous, redesigned, outdoor space.

is the perfect base from which to explore the labyrinth of medieval streets, with their cafes, shops, and galleries along with the world renowned Eden Project and Lost Gardens of Heligan.

Tall Ships is an elegant Georgian style property in Charlestown, within a stone’s throw of its Grade ll listed harbour, often home to a few square rigger ships. The setting is special, as the village is an amazingly pristine, unspoiled example of a late Georgian working port. It is easy to see why it is a key location for film and television productions such as Poldark. Why not be transported to a bygone era whilst experiencing the breath taking views over St Austell Bay?

+44 (0)77 7083 4268 ahoy@harbour2horizon.co.uk

Bodmin

Welcome to Coombe Mill. We are a family-run farm holiday hamlet in North Cornwall, just off beautiful Bodmin Moor. Our secluded 30-acre farmstay specialises in self-catering family holidays. You can enjoy a safe farm experience with our regular tractor rides, with a hands-on and supervised opportunity to feed the animals.

Explore the tranquillity of our estate, with its meadows, lakes, river, woodlands and gardens and watch the kids discover the various play areas. There’s plenty to fill your day here with us on the farm or use Coombe Mill as the perfect setting to explore Cornwall.

St Neot

Cottages

Perfect for a getaway, for couples, families and friends (of the two and four-legged variety!)

We have four cottages set in 6 acres of gardens, woodland and paddocks. A magical place in a great location to explore both Cornish coastlines and Cornwall’s top attractions!

Run by Gemma and Andrew, we are all about creating an inviting and relaxing space. The perfect place to unwind and switch off. Making amazing memories with family and friends. This is our home and

we welcome you to enjoy it as much as we do! Everyone is welcome here at Lower Trengale Farm!

There is plenty to do on site, from our indoor games room with pool and table tennis tables to our outdoor play area complete with ship climbing frame and a sundeck to enjoy the lovely Cornish weather. Explore the grounds and take a picnic or a glass of something yummy! Don’t forget to enjoy our lovely firepit and complete your days with a fabulous sunset and some stargazing!

01579641106

Chocolate box pretty and full of charm, Devon has not just something for everyone, but lots for everyone, be they vigorous lovers of the great outdoors or older people looking for restful surroundings and a break majoring on ease and indulgence. Devon has a long and successful history of catering for holidaymakers. As a county, it knows how to please, all the way from its dramatic, fun-packed coast to its inland rushing rivers and woodlands.

Quaint seaside villages abound and eating out by the pretty harbours of places such as Appledore – home of Catboat Cottage –is one of the great joys of a Devon holiday.

Surely every break in these parts should include the traditional treats of a cream tea, a glass of cider and fish & chips by the quayside, but there are numerous less obvious gastronomic treats to be savoured thanks to the thriving output of local food producers. You’ll also find no shortage of cheerful contemporary art and crafts.

Wildlife thrives here, no more so than in the peace and quiet of the green campsite of South Hoggs Hideaway, Holsworthy or among the luxurious treehouses and shepherds’ huts of Dittisham Hideaway near Dartmouth. If you want unwind close to nature, look no further!

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An Enchanting Collection Of Treehouses, Shepherds Huts & An Original American Airstream

South Hoggs Hideaway is in Devon, 15 minutes from Bude in Cornwall where there is an abundance of things to do. The quiet site is both eco and dog friendly and is nestled in a dip of about 10 acres at the end of a smallholding which is surrounded by lush green fields and trees.

Campers can rest assured of privacy and space as there are only 5 camping pitches, 2 campervan pitches and a luxury bell tent with a woodburner. The facilities are spotless and are all constructed on site by the owners, Mark and Michaela using recycled materials. The site also has a gorgeous lake and wooded area where you are immersed in a tranquil world of wildlife where you can often spot deer, king fishers, herons, ducks, geese, and dragonflies.

Nestled in this stunning location are four luxury cedar-clad treehouses, idyllic shepherds huts, and an iconic 1950s American Airstream; all imbued with your favourite comforts and touches of luxury. Each Hideaway is akin to staying in your very own exclusive mini resort, fully equipped and comfortably furnished; with wood-fired hot tubs to unwind in and your very own private deck from which you will enjoy the peaceful natural surroundings.

Dittisham Hideaway welcomes you to what promises to be a unique, enchanting, memorable stay in our charming woodland oasis. Is there really a better place for your next perfect escape?

To find out more: www.dittishamhideaway.co.uk +44 1803 925034

Whether you want to chill out, work out, learn, explore or just have fun,

can fulfil your dreams!

to coast, the county has the most amazing array of beautiful landscapes, charming towns and villages and a mindboggling range of attractions and activities to meet the ambitions of even your most demanding teenagers!

The North Devon coast offers some of the best surfing scenes in the country, with Atlantic swells hitting brilliant beaches such as those of Croyde Bay, Saunton Sands and Woolacombe, among others. These are all easy to reach from a base such as Dream by the Water in Appledore, which is

among the quaintest fishing villages to be found with its cobbled streets and pastel painted houses.

Visitors can enjoy gourmet experiences, art galleries and maritime history, get acquainted with the famous South West Coast Path and Tarka Trail and enjoy mega family attractions such as the Milky Way Adventure Park and North Devon Wakepark and Aquapark.

Coast & Country has luxury holiday parks in choice spots in both North and South Devon, the latter close to the historic city seaport of Plymouth with its naval dockyard and heritage centre and lively shops and nightlife.

Exmoor National Park

Everybody is craving more time for outdoor adventures, any excuse to unwind with family and seek solace together in nature.

Where more perfect to retreat to than the heart of Exmoor? Lynmouth Holiday Retreat nuzzles into the the dramatic North Devon coastline, blending effortlessly into it’s surroundings overlooking the

blue of Lynmouth bay and it’s luscious valley below, while absorbing the gentle buzz of it’s neighbouring Victorian harbour town.

With its own foxglove meadow, firecracker-laden hedgerows and Country Inn next door, this Caravan & Camping retreat offers an idyllic base whether you’re camping, glamping, pitching up your motorhome

or checking into luxury accommodation benefiting from breath taking bay views, relax into the evening watching the clearest night skies in Britain from the comfort of your own bubbling hot tub. The surrounding area celebrates some of the best walking routes in Britain with its pretty rivers, enchanting history and varied landscapes.

Lynton houses the infamous steam powered cliff railway and nearby the equally impressive Valley of Rocks, both not to be missed.

The retreat is perfect for those looking to reconnect with the great outdoors, slowing down the pace and getting back to making memories without modern life’s many distractions.

Are you dreaming of a romantic break? Are you yearning for the soothing sounds of the sea?

Are you needing somewhere to relax and regenerate? Or maybe after all the stresses and worries of the last few pandemic years, you just want to have fun with friends?

Alone, as a couple, or in a small group, Dream by the Water offers you the perfect place to make memories

Our North Devon property is in the charming village of Appledore, steeped in maritime history, and nestled at the mouth of the River Torridge. Our luxury cottage is a beautifully renovated old fisherman’s terrace on a street famed for its uniquely pastel-coloured houses.

This is your ‘home from home’ offering a stylish space of comfort, charm and luxury and with glorious sea views across the estuary and sandy beaches nearby. This truly is a special place to be whether you just want to wind down and relax or explore and have some fun.

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Caring hotel for great holidays with age no barrier

Frail elderly people can enjoy holidays with everything they need to explore and enjoy themselves away from home, thanks to the unique surroundings and services of Merton House Hotel. Based in the pleasant market town of Ross on Wye, Herefordshire, the comfortable, 22-bedroom Georgian hotel has an impressive range of equipment and welltrained, friendly staff to warmly look after its disabled guests and their travelling companions.

Merton House is non-profit making, charitably owned and operated by Birmingham Rotary Club. It exists to provide relaxing, home-from-

home breaks for older and disabled people who might otherwise struggle to get away, providing all the necessary facilities and support, including local agency carers as needed.

The premises are wheelchairaccessible and the ground floor rooms come with en-suite shower wet rooms. Grab rails and disability aids can be supplemented with specialist hoists and other equipment and door-to-door transport can be provided to and from the hotel. There are beautiful gardens to be enjoyed, overlooked by the main guest lounge.

Merton House is within walking distance of Ross on Wye town centre, one of the UK’s best loved market towns, which stands in the Wye Valley, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Apart from the River Wye itself, which is used for everything from rowing to wild swimming, it has many places to eat and drink, galleries, cycle trails. The many independent shops include a Vintage Trail.

The hotel also runs excursions to popular tourist spots using its specially adapted minibuses.

Manager Kelly Sharland says: “There are many beautiful places

around here. We have run trips to many places including The Malverns, Hereford, Abergavenny, Symonds Yat, Barry Island and Weston Super Mare.

“In addition, we run evening entertainment here on the premises four nights a week.

“We aim to provide a friendly, happy stay for each and all of our guests.”

Merton House Holiday Hotel, Edde Cross St, Ross-on-Wye HR9 7BZ; T 01989 563252

E merton.house@clara.co.uk www.merton-house.co.uk

Take care of your mental health at Peaceful Moments Therapy

As life causes change, LauraWellnessCentre has also been inspired to grow, hence they changed their name to Peaceful Moments Therapy. New name, new logo, same mission to help YOU achieve your WELLBEING.

Laura Baluta, the founder of Peaceful Moments Therapy is a highly experienced Psychologist & Psychotherapist with more than 14 years’ experience in the mental health field & runs a successful private practice in the Midlands. She has extensive experience working with eating disorders, addiction, body dysmorphia, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, childhood trauma and low self-esteem.

Laura is passionate about delivering safe & effective therapy which improves psychological health & builds resilience. She is committed to helping people develop & enhance their natural skills & abilities to make meaningful changes in their lives. Part of this process is to help people to reflect on what has happened to them & how these experiences might be continuing to affect them & their nervous system.

As a Master of Integrative Psychotherapy, she is trained in multiple kinds of counselling, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic and Humanistic Therapies. These she blends uniquely to suit each individual client and their needs.

Contact Details:

6, Sansome Lodge, Worcester, WR1 1LH

Cocoon yourself from the world outside & submerge into your very own personal sanctuary to help restore, refocus & indulge.

Blissful Virtual Retreats are tailored to your needs & include a blend of Pilates & Yoga classes, (which can be either live Zoom classes or recordings, depending on your needs); an opulent pamper box, including products from the pioneering skincare brand, Upcirclebeauty.com & menu suggestions for you to enjoy from the serenity of your own home, without the additional costs of travel or accommodation.

For more information, or to book a package tailored to your own individual needs, please contact via the form on our website: www.pilateswithclarepalmer.com, or call Clare on 07941707789

St John’s , with counselling for all needs and all pockets

People struggling with mental health issues can access face-to-face help and support without waiting lists from Bromsgrove-based St John’s Counselling, a multi-pronged co-operative with qualified and experienced specialists in diverse fields from phobias to bereavement issues. Unusually, the practice offers appointments during late evenings and weekends as well as weekdays. It also provides a low-cost service through approved trainees who are gaining the practical experience they need to qualify.

The counsellors in this registered community interest

Company come from varied backgrounds and use a range of respected therapies to help people through deep and difficult issues, such as relationships, depression and anxiety, trauma, chronic illness, childhood abuse, sexual identity and addictions. Clients can choose their own, ensuring it is someone with whom they feel comfortable to work.

The well-established and highly respected practice was started by the late Debbie Reed, who entrusted it jointly to current managers Dave Latham and Judith Harris in 2020, after learning she was unlikely to survive breast cancer.

Dave said: “Debbie had very good community links with GPs, schools and we are very keen to keep and expand those. We want to make our service available to everyone who needs it, when they need it.”

A Unique Dining Experience in

own home. Allow me to take

so you can enjoy an evening with family, friends and delicious food.

After discovering my love for cooking, working in the French Alps, and being inspired by the Chalet Host lifestyle, I wanted to create a service where you can experience luxury and delicious food with zero hassle!

My menu has several canapes, starters, mains and

so you are able to choose your own four-course meal for the perfect dinner party.

To find out more or to book

HannahCooks

in touch today! No. 07432877736 Email. hannahecooks@gmail.com

Tweedies

It is with a very heavy heart that I write this month.

After almost 18 years I have made the decision to close down Tweedies over the next year – it will take that long I think to use up all my stock of tweeds, yarns and cotton fabrics. My decision is partly based on the economic downturn in this country and the increasing difficulty of even covering my costs of stand/stall space at craft fairs. So I am now selling from home. Creating each Tweedie has been a real labour of love. I have never been in it for huge profit – just something which has given me a great deal of pleasure over the years. The top quality of my award winning creatures will not be compromised in any way due to closing down.

Tweedies are 100% British and always make people

patricia@tweedies.biz

07917 264237

smile. Happy bears with cheeky expressions. Be careful though, their personalities are as big and bold as their ears and there’s often trouble in my workshop cupboards especially when they get excited.

As a result of my decision Tweedies will now be sold at greatly reduced prices (postage and packing is extra).

Bearies now £30 each (were £45); Paperweight Mice/small Teddies now £10 each (were £20); Huggies/ Poshies/Patchwork bears now £20 each (were £35); Tinsel Snowmen stay at £7 each and owls/hedgehogs stay at £5 each.

All details of availability can be found on our website www.tweedies.biz. If the creature you require is out of stock do please ask

because I can always make it up for you. You can also mix and match tweeds and yarns too. Girl Huggies/ Poshies and Patchwork bears now come with cotton hats AND knitted hats and scarves so they can be dressed according to the weather! Each bear and mouse has a design name but I can change that too if you wish to personalise your chosen creature.

If you are within striking distance of the Leominster/ Ludlow area you are welcome to come and pick up your creatures to save postage – just ring/text or email to arrange a suitable time. Remember – you can now purchase top quality creatures at half price, all from your armchair!

Snowmen

Hedgehogs

RoseGeorgina

Chrissie

Angela

LITTLE OAK VINEYARD

Little Oak Vineyard is a small family run vineyard in the heart of the Cotswolds located in Chipping Campden. We run vineyard tours and wine tastings all year round and these can be booked directly from our website www.littleoakvineyard.com

You can complete your experience by adding on our locally sourced delicious lunch platters. Gemma & Steve look forward to welcoming you to Little Oak Vineyard.

LITTLE OAK VINEYARD LTD, PAXFORD ROAD, CHIPPING CAMPDEN. GL55 6LA