Editor’s Choice

Living art, plantbased creations for Christmas and beyond

Living frames filled with succulents are among the growing gift choices available from Plantamamita, a fabulous family business with its roots in South America and its workspace in Worcester. The living frames, terrariums, kokedamas or moss balls, mounted plants and other botanical offerings from Plantamamita are all unique. They are handcrafted with care, flair and imagination with top quality plants, designed for easy maintenance and longlasting pleasure. Peruvian owner Liuva worked as an IT project manager until she became a mum, but then started expanding her passion for plants. Later, she and her English husband, Leigh, moved to Brazil and while Leigh took on a new teaching contract, Liuva took formal landscaping and gardening courses and started a creative business enterprise with them. Arriving in the UK in February 2020, Liuva started building her business foundations, launching Plantamamita with arrangements featuring her favourite succulents, kokedamas and other plant families in eye catching arrangements sold online and through markets and fairs. Leigh added his own wood and metalworking skills to produce original copper and upcycled lamps. Water propagation systems, macrame pot hangers and other variations are available.

In addition, Plantamamita rents out spaces on the walls to other small businesses run by people who handmake products in many different media. This ‘MakerSpace’ enables 20+ people including artists, jewellers, needleworkers, carpenters and felters to enjoy a sociable, supportive environment where they can sell their unique items. Additionally, Plantamamita has a coworking space for remote, mobile workers where they can rent a desk with power and unlimited tea and coffee for as little as a day or even a few hours at a time. Plantamamita also offers workshops and the use of their shop for Pop Up shops, orientated to support small, local businesses.

Plantamamita, Worcester T 07307 089386 E sales@plantamamita.com www.plantamamita.com Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Etsy @ Plantamamita

Hideaway with hot tubs in scenic North Wales

For a peaceful, dog-friendly holiday in the heart of idyllic North Wales countryside, Y Cuddfan Hideaway Pods are unbeatable. Set in the heart of the Clwydian mountain range, next to Offa’s Dyke walking trail, the two luxurious pods have private hot tubs, shared use of a glass fronted barrel sauna and even access to holistic therapies onsite. There are stunning views day and night from the private, enclosed gardens, being in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and boasting dark skies for spectacular stargazing. Y Cuddfan pods are for adults only. The Warren has two double bedrooms, while The Burrow has one double bedroom and two bunk beds in the large living area. Both are superbly designed to be spacious yet cosy all year round with effective heating, well-equipped kitchens, modern bathrooms and smart TVs in the bedrooms and living areas. The outdoor space is designed for relaxation and sociability, but hospitable eateries, shops and other amenities of Denbigh, Ruthin and St Asaph towns are only a few minutes’ drive away. The location is perfect for people who want to relax where they are and for those who enjoy being active and exploring. The numerous attractions and activities of Snowdonia National Park and beautiful coastal resorts such as Llandudno and Conwy are under an hour’s easy, scenic drive away. Y Cuddfan, Vale of Clwyd, T 07785 116774 or 07934 072823 E info@thehideawaypods.co.uk www.thehideawaypods.co.uk

Choices galore from Norfolk holiday lodges with pool and hot tubs

Guests can enjoy the benefits of a larger complex within a small and much more private setting at Poolside Lodges, Norfolk, including having their own private hot tubs and shared use of a games room and also, during the warmer months, an outdoor swimming pool. Perfectly placed for exploring the cultural city of Norwich or the tranquil waters of the Norfolk Broads, this secluded, family-run site is a great location for group or family holidays, short breaks or extended family celebrations for up to 10 people. Two of the Lodges, Poolside and Palm View, adjoin each other overlooking the pool and, when booked together, can have doors unlocked if wished, to link up and enable sharing. Poolside is the larger, with one double and one twin bedroom and a hot tub with massage jets. Palm View sleeps two people and is ideal for couples. The nearby Woodside Lodge sleeps four and all three lodges have ample patio space and generously equipped interiors. This is a great spot for either family or couples’ holidays. Norwich itself has much to offer visitors, sitting within The Broads National Park and holding a rich heritage of history and architecture including cobbled streets, woodland walks and pretty picnic areas alongside the River Wensum. It is a UNESCO City of Literature, also known as the City of Stories, hosts the UK’s Best Outdoor Market and boasts four independent theatres, three museums and a world class art museum, the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts.

Elsewhere, visitors can easily find great family attractions such as BeWILDerwood, an awarding-winning outdoor adventure park and Wroxham Barns, where children can meet farm animals. The location is only 20 miles or so from seaside towns such as Cromer and Sea Palling, plus Horsey Gap, where grey seals raise their pups through winter. Poolside Lodges, South Lodges, Salhouse Road, Rackheath, Norwich, Norfolk NR13 6LD T 01603 720000 E info@poolsidelodges.co.uk www.poolsidelodges.co.uk Facebook, Twitter & Instagram @ PoolsideLodges

Adventure base in the heart of Snowdonia

Climbers, adventurers and greenliving advocates could find arguably the best off-grid accommodation in North Wales at Crashpad Lodges, Yr Helfa, in the picturesque foothills of Mount Snowdon. Sleeping up to 16 people and rated 4 Star by Visit Wales, Crashpad Lodges has direct access to the mountains and lakes and is in demand for group adventure holidays, extended families and smaller parties. Even film crews have stayed to bask in its photogenic glories, which include plunge pools, streams and ancient monuments. Wildlife abounds alongside roaming ponies, sheep and cattle. The Crashpad complex can only be reached by 4 X 4 vehicles – lifts are provided - and it is powered by independent energy sources including a biomass generator, solar panels, a wind turbine and water pump. Amenities comprise three bedrooms with bunk beds, three bathrooms, a lounge, dining area and commercially equipped kitchen. Underfloor heating and a large log burning stove keep it cosy, Wi-Fi keeps it connected and the outlook is simply stunning. As owners Josh and Lynsey Fielden say: “The garden is Snowdonia National Park.” It has taken dedication, determination and nerve to transform Yr Helfa from what in 2014 was a run-down longhouse needing renovation. Josh, then 22, was an outdoor pursuits instructor and environmentalist, but he and Lynsey spotted the newspaper advert for the property while waiting in a doctor’s waiting room to find the cause of extreme pain in his back. They quickly identified Yr Helfa as their dream property, but shortly afterwards faced their nightmare, too. Josh’s pain was caused by a spinal tumour. Major surgery and lengthy rehabilitation followed, but they persevered throughout with devising a business plan to finance the property purchase and transform the premises. At their fourth attempt, they succeeded and secured funding. Josh says: “As soon as we opened, guests kept coming back. Now most of our business is repeat bookings. We are constantly learning and adapting to people’s needs. Running an off-grid building is like having a child, but it’s very enjoyable. We’re living the dream.” Yr Helfa, Crashpad Lodges, Llanberis, Caernarfon, Gwynedd, LL55 4UW T 07734 851809 for bookings or 07734 851809 for information E booking@crashpadlodges.com www.crashpadlodges.com

Couples can luxuriate in an enchanting getaway close to nature at the idyllic Hawthorn Hideaway, set in woodland and adjacent to the serene Chesterfield Canal, known as one of the most beautiful in Britain. Two superb studio lodges and a 57-feet narrowboat each have their own outdoor space with private hot tubs and the chance to book sauna slots and mellow out with professional spa treatments on-site. An indoor barbecue cabin is also available to book. The sauna and BBQ cabin are included in the price of your stay. This extra special location near Doncaster is countryside on the cusp of three counties – Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire – and within easy reach of amazing tourist attractions such as Sherwood Forest, Lincoln’s famous castle and cathedral and the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, with the only polar bears in England. Hemswell Antiques Centre near Gainsborough is the largest in Europe. Run by welcoming guests Ronnie and Josephine, Hawthorn Hideaway has featured on Channel 4’s Four in a Bed and has an exemplary record of 5 Star reviews from very satisfied customers. As well as providing a romantic backdrop for couples, it is ideal for small groups, including civilised hen parties. Booked altogether, the site can include older children. The accommodation is well spaced out on the two acre site and has many luxurious features. Swan Lodge boasts a superking-sized gold gilt scrollwork bed with an extra deep mattress and an outdoor rotating day bed which follows the sun. Owl Lodge has a king-sized mahogany bed and a sumptuous Chesterfield sofa. Both are extremely well appointed, with kitchens, dining areas and large walk-in showers complete with fluffy robes and towels. The boat, The Kingfisher, oozes romance and boat handling training is given so guests can take it cruising, perhaps to one of several pub/restaurants within a couple of hours’ reach. The site has its own duck pond and Josephine says: “It’s a very special place. The wildlife and sunsets here are lovely.” Brickyard Lane, Walkeringham, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN10 4LZ; T 07515 860481 E enquiries@hawthornhideaway.com

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