“

Uplifted, light on my feet, re-energised and cared for, were the words that immediately came to me as I drove home afterwards.

dancing aid the body, you don’t have to be a gym bunny or a yoga pretzel to reap the benefits.

Lastly the state of our bowels often called the second brain affects everything including our emotions. We may eat a healthy diet but have compromised digestion. At an Ayurvedic consultation we will always look to find the optimum eating and digestion plan. Consideration is given to the time of year, the environment and the seasons of life, to find the right foods and herbs for each individual. At Sense Your Health, we help you make sense of your health from a holistic viewpoint and adapt programmes that respect you as the unique individual you are, so you can feel your best.

Contact me for details on The Overcoming Anxiety and Overwhelm Wellness Programme plus the half day workshop where you will learn practical methods for everyday life. Call 07726 307097 email info@satisfythehunger.com Clinics at Neal’s Yard Leamington Spa and soon to open Shipston Therapy Centre Shipston on Stour.

Dance is beneficial on so many levels, boosting good health through improved flexibility, blood flow, breathing, strength and, above all, mood. Invisible Threads is the dance class provider which makes dancebased exercise accessible and fun for all, from nursery school pupils to care home residents and from primary school children to sedentary office workers.

Invisible Threads principal Hannah Warren has created a talented team of teachers who, like her, are highly qualified, energetic, enthusiastic and love sharing their passion for dance. Having previously taught dance for a variety of companies, Hannah found that her joy for dance lay in bringing dance to people who wouldn’t usually go to a traditional dance school.

“I felt I wanted to create something that was more about giving people a positive experience and benefiting their mental health,” said Hannah. “And, rather than them coming to our classes, we take our classes to them.”

Based in the Midlands and South West, Invisible Threads are running classes all over Warwickshire, West Midlands, Staffordshire, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire and Bristol encouraging people to get happily physical to music wherever they are. Hannah and her team work with nurseries, schools, charities, residential homes and offices.

At Schools, they provide dance clubs and workshops which engage students in theme-based, upbeat, creative classes. At nurseries, they provide Tots Move & Groove, a fabulously fun dance and adventure class tailored to specific age groups.

In Birmingham, Invisible Threads work in partnership with University Hospitals Birmingham Charities (UHB) to deliver “Strictly Not Rehab” a movement to music class for heart rehabilitation patients. They bring line dance classes with an incredible

60s, 70s and 80s soundtrack to care and residential homes. They even run sessions in offices where staff are largely deskbound all day to bring a physical wellbeing vibe into the workplace.

Participants report feeling happy and invigorated … and looking forward to their next class.

Schools, nurseries, businesses, care and residential homes and any other organisations which feel their user groups could benefit from Invisible Threads are urged to speak to Hannah to see how she can help. Sessions are available in block bookings or one-offs and all staff are qualified dance teachers and DBS checked.

Invisible Threads Dance, T 07597 959937, E hannah@invisible-threads.co.uk www.invisible-threads.co.uk

Facebook @ Invisible Threads Dance Instagram invisiblethreadsdance

Amazing drone filming and imaginative photography come together through the Propelled Pictures Media to give customers a unique and highly professional service to promote their products, sell their services and capture their life-changing moments. Whatever the purpose of their project, Propelled Pictures can deliver outstanding results.

The business is the brainchild of Worcesterbased Elliott Mann, a lifelong film fan who studied TV production at university before being lured into the specialism of aerial filming and photography. He has since has honed his skills to enhance services for TV, commercial purposes and the special occasions of private individuals.

Since graduating, Elliott had the chance to work on the sets of top shows such as DIY SOS, Top Gear, Call the Midwife, Changing Rooms and Gardeners’ World.

Greatly attracted to camera work and constantly developing his professional capabilities, he became captivated by the possibilities offered by drone photography to strengthen images by showing subjects from every angle.

Since forming his company more than 18 months ago, Elliott has used aerial cinematography on diverse projects, including drone ‘fly throughs’ enabling people to take visual tours of many different settings with a bird’s eye view, from vehicles in a showroom to fun attractions in a waterpark.

Elliott (27) is a Civil Aviation Authority certified drone operator with a Certificate of Competency and full public liability insurance. Much of his work takes place in and around Worcestershire, but he is very happy to travel further afield to work drone project of all kinds.

“Using drone footage is very dynamic way to promote business and capture those special moments,” he says. “I really enjoy the challenge of offering a unique, bespoke service to each client and I absolutely love doing weddings! It’s such an honour and so rewarding to be able to give people everlasting memories of their special day.

“I relish working with every client, fulfilling whatever their particular project, event or business requires and applying the same amount of passion, dedication and enthusiasm every time.”

Propelled Pictures Media, Worcester, T 07544 907113

E elliottmann@propelledpicturesmedia.co.uk www.propelledpicturesmedia.co.uk

Facebook @ Propelled Pictures Media

Instagram @ propelled_pictures_media

Couples can give their romance a vintage lift with a twist of luxury by experiencing Esme’s Escape, a unique shepherd’s hut in beautiful South Somerset inspired by a true life 1940s romance.

If you become one of them you’ll be glamping in a hand-crafted, multiaward-winning facility modelled on one lived in by one of the Second World War’s army of Land Girls, Esme, surrounded by tiles, china, kitchen utensils and other period artefacts. You’ll also have the best of modern comforts including a flushing toilet, electric shower, induction hob and wood-fired hot tub. Lots of guests love the delicious, locally sourced ingredients provided for a full English breakfast to start their holiday. And, you’ll be within a few minutes’ stroll of a friendly village foodie pub listed in the Michelin Guide.

Esme was a 19-year-old Liverpudlian bookbinder before she answered calls for women to join the Land Army in 1943 and was posted to tiny Haselbury Plucknett. At around the same time, one Fred Brister arrived there with his father and brother to take over the village dairy. The pair met and fell in love, marrying in 1951, settling in the village and in the late 1960s, building the family home where they raised two children. Fred became legendary for his wines and cheeses, while Esme presided over a splendid orchard, vegetable patch and greenhouse which now form the setting for Esme’s Escape, along with the work benches and tools they used. Modern day owners Simon and Karen Mitchell moved to Haselbury Plucknett in 1998 and, having themselves met and fallen in love through agriculture, were deeply touched by Esme and Fred’s story. When they thought of building a holiday let in the orchard, a shepherd’s hut seemed highly appropriate. They ordered one in kit form, then beavered on it together getting it ready to provide an exquisitely comfortable experience for their guests, but with a distinct flavour of the ‘40s.

Karen says: “It’s a wonderful spot. The village is lovely and we’re only half an hour from the Jurassic Coast and West Bay harbour town in Dorset, aka Broadchurch. Walkers love our proximity to The Liberty Trail and The Parrett Trail.”

Esme’s Escape, Church Lane, Haselbury Plucknett, Crewkerne, Somerset TA18 7RE; T 07968 505337, E karen@esmes-escape.co.uk www.esmes-escape.co.uk

Railway enthusiasts just know they’re on the right lines when they book their Cornish self-catering breaks with Railholiday. They’ll be staying in beautifully converted railway carriages bursting with history and heritage yet comfy, cosy and wellequipped with their own showers, toilets and galley kitchens.

This multi-award-winning accommodation is full of character and run entirely on renewable energy and sustainable principles. There is even a discount for guests arriving by rail.

The family business started in 1992 when David and Lizzy Stroud bought a derelict railway station in the pretty village of St Germans, about four miles from the south coast, which they converted into their own home. Digging in the garden, they found a siding and decided to install a vintage carriage – the Old Luggage Van - as sleeping accommodation for visitors. This proved hugely successful and was soon let to the public, complete with double bedroom, lounge/diner and enclosed garden with barbecue.

Later they found a site next to the station in Hayle, about 20 minutes’ walk from the beautiful St Ives Bay beaches, where they converted a 1957 corridor coach into accommodation for up to 10 people in a process filmed by the Discovery Channel. To add flexibility the property is divided into two selfcontained units, but only let to one party at a time. This makes it perfect for extended families, but also offers couples the option to rent only one end but still have the sole occupancy of half an acre of wildlife gardens.

Now, Railholiday has five carriages to let, all lovingly restored to excellent standards by engineer David and his helpers. Alongside The Old Luggage Van at St Germans – a friendly community with its own pub, cafes, shops and quay - are the opulently outfitted Mevy with its first class sleeping compartment, mahogany panelling and rolltop bath, the popular Travelling Post Office which found TV fame and Millpool, which is wheelchair accessible with a wetroom shower.

The carriages in St Germans sleep from two to six people and sit in beautiful gardens planted to maximise wildlife friendliness, with table tennis, a games room and 10 acres of private woodland to explore.

Lizzy says: “Some people come because of rail interests, some because they are into wildlife and others because it’s such a great location.”

Railholiday’s accolades include Winner of Winners in the Cornwall Tourism Awards, the iTravel Staycation award and Visit England’s Gold Award for Sustainability.

Railholiday Ltd, Haparanda Station, St Germans, Saltash, Cornwall PL12 5LU; E office@railholiday.co.uk

T 01503 230 783

Lizzy 07776 261 192 www.railholiday.co.uk

Spectacular Scotland can be relished at its wild and beautiful best all year round from Cairngorms Glamping, an award-winning, family-friendly glamping and camping site with its own animal petting zone on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park. Sitting in the scenic glen of Glencarvie, this corner of rural Aberdeenshire offers 360 degree views, night skies with zero light pollution and more than occasional sightings of the aurora borealis. It is an amazing place to relax, unwind, explore and enjoy all things Scottish, from unbeatable walking country to the iconic whisky distilleries round about.

Run by Taylor family Pamela and Robert, the site has four glamping pods for up to four people each. Two include exclusive use of hot tubs perfectly positioned for the most amazing views and all have en-suite showers and toilets, cooking facilities, electric heating and couches which fold out into comfy double beds.

The campsite has five hard-standing caravan/motorhome pitches, all with electric hook-up and water tap.

Visitors young and older love the resident pets which help them to feel extra especially welcome, pygmy goats, alpacas, sheep, a miniature pony and a lovable donkey. Children adore the climbing frame and the ample space for games, picnics and other simple joys. The River Don flows nearby, known for brown trout. The hill itself has archaeological reminders of people who lived on it in the past, plus a natural pond which attracts a great variety of wildlife.

Cairngorms Glamping is brilliantly placed for enjoying some of

Scotland’s most iconic locations, including the Granite City of Aberdeen, the royal haunts in and around Balmoral and the outdoor activities centre of Aviemore, the ski slopes famous for winter sports, mountain climbing and biking.

Pamela says: “We are also quite close to the North Coast 500 road route, which is a great pull for people with campervans.”

Cairngorms Glamping Strathdon Aberdeenshire AB36 8YT; T 07894 079874

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

Two beautiful character cottages offer idyllic self-catering accommodation with their own private hot tubs at Penowern Snowdonia, just minutes away from the coast of Cardigan Bay. Here, the mountains meet the sea at the flawless Blue Flag beach of Tywyn, where dolphins come to play from April to October, while the locality is also rich with rivers, lakes, waterfalls and amazing Dark Skies which show off star spangles to perfection. Famously beautiful Dolgoch Falls are 10 minutes’ trip by car and wheelchair accessible.

Penowern Snowdonia is nestled in the Welsh village of Bryncrug within

Snowdonia National Park, in an exceptionally peaceful spot at the end of a farm track. On it stand The Coach House, with its own pictureperfect walled garden, sleeping eight. Its smaller cousin The Old Bakery, sleeps up to four.

One or two dogs are welcome at either cottage, but need to be on leads around the working farm. Both properties have secure gardens and the properties are delightfully furnished and fully equipped to high modern standards designed to please one and all, with everything from smart TV and dishwashers to board games and log burning stoves.

The Coach House has three bedrooms – one with a king-sized bed - and two bathrooms, plus a double sofabed in the open plan living room. The kitchen is new. The Old Bakery has one bedroom with a king-sized bed and separate bathroom, plus a small double bed in the conservatory. The kitchen and bathroom are both new. Bi-fold doors overlook private garden space. Secure parking is available for both properties and there is a dog-friendly pub which serves food within walking distance. Towels, robes, toiletries and kitchen basics are provided.

Owners Alexa and David say: “It’s a tranquil area just five minutes’ from Tywyn Beach, which has a petrified forest! We have incredible sunrises, dark starry skies and lovely walks from the door. There’s a links golf course 15 minutes away and Talyllyn steam train nearby. Tywyn has many local amenities, including shops, restaurants, an independent cinema, crazy golf and bowling, Snowdonia is full of beautiful, magical and interesting places.”

Penowern Snowdonia, Bryncrug LL36 9NU; Facebook @ Penowernsnowdonia airbnb.com @ thecoachhousesnowdonia and theoldbakerysnowdonia

Glen Clova Hotel offers chic and luxurious accommodation for all in a stunning corner of the Cairngorms National Park, a green paradise just 90 minutes’ drive from Edinburgh. Standing at the foot of a glen carpeted with alpine flowers and with paths leading to a crashing waterfall, winding river and restful reservoir, it offers amazing views, restful surroundings, abundant wildlife and availability of the finest, freshest Scottish food available anywhere.

Glen Clova itself is one of the five Angus Glens in Scotland, renowned for its wooded and mountainous scenery, tranquillity and seasonal splendour. This is countryside of rich pickings for people who want to go walking, spot wildlife, bag Munros - mountains over 3,000 feet tall – or play golf. It is loved by cyclists –at least by the kind who relish a challenge – and Glen Clova hotel even has its own well-stocked fishing loch as well as 6 miles of river fishing. The main hotel building has been catering for guests since the 1850s and now has 18 stylish guest bedrooms catering for anyone from individual adventurers to larger families and friendship groups. Choices include superior rooms and even a romantic four poster room for those extra special get-aways, all with multi-channel TV. Many of their rooms are dog friendly.

Here, there is friendly bar and also a restaurant serving expertly cooked and locally reared Scottish fare such as venison, game & fish.

Nearby are luxury lodges catering from couples to larger families, all with their own private hot tubs to provide relaxation under the stars at the end of an exciting day.

There are also three exquisite houses to rent, the smallest for four and the largest for 10, also with hot tubs.

Glen Clova, set in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is a popular venue for weddings, licensed for ceremonies and catering for up to 120 guests.

Manager Mhairi Preston with Assistant Manager Fiona Findlay, pride themselves on offering great hospitality and a high standard of accommodation for all in this proudly independent hotel.

Fiona says: “The owners’ family bought it in 1922. They are the fifth generation and get a high proportion of repeat customers.”

Glen Cova Hotel & Lodges, Glen Clova, Nr Kirriemuir, Angus, Scotland DD8 4QS

T 01575 550350, E hotel@clova.com www.clova.com

Fosfelle Country House occupies such an enchanting spot on the borderlands of Devon and Cornwall that TV and film crews frequent the area alongside holidaymakers. The pretty village of Hartland, 10 minutes’ walk away. has featured in varied screenings and the property itself in programmes about fishing and property acquisition. To guests, Fosfelle offers an array of premium eco-friendly accommodation in their barn conversion, two glamping vehicles and an idyllic campsite where alpacas and miniature donkeys wander at will.

The location, is in a designated area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is handy for people who enjoy holiday areas such as Bude, Bideford and Clovelly, while Hartland itself offers a great choice of places to enjoy a drink or meal, with Hartland Quay

2.5 miles from the village.

The barn conversion – houses 2 apartments and a cottage, the ground floor apartment sleeps 3 the upper one 4 persons, the third larger 2 storey cottage sleeps up to six people - all dog friendly and with a hot tub which can be booked for private use.

Glamping guests have the choice of uniquely converted vehicles. One is Bertram’s Hotel, a double decker bus for up to five, Agatha Christie themed. The other is Joseph, Multi-

Colour Dream Coach, a converted single decker which sleeps two in romantic style.

The caravan and camping site has five pitches with hard standing, water, electricity and picnic tables, plus use of shower and toilet in quirky Hobbit Huts.

All the accommodation is quality, child and dog friendly with outdoor seating, great views including dark skies at night, and a proliferation of wildlife from deer to otters in addition to the guest-friendly resident menagerie which includes alpaca’s, pygmy goats, mini donkeys, poultry and an Exmoor pony.

Fosfelle is a partner in the North

Devon Biosphere, recognised for sustainable habitats supporting many plants and animals. The owners, Mike and Carla Wakefield and Carla’s parents John and Iris Warnes, use renewable energy throughout and work hard to increase diversity. Effort is focussed on their two ponds, available to guests for coarse fishing, as seen in the BBC2 series Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing.

Fosfelle Country House, Hartland, Bideford, Devon, EX39 6EF; T 01237 441273, E info@fosfelle.co.uk www.fosfelle.co.uk Facebook & Instagram @ Fosfelle Country House

Caerlaverock Cottages are a portfolio of high quality holiday homes on the Caerlaverock Estate in the beautiful Dumfries and Galloway region of south west Scotland, on the stunning coast of the Solway Firth, where adventure activities are plentiful. There are fascinating places of interest, including the market town of Dumfries itself with its pleasant shops, restaurants, amenities and links to poet Robert Burns and Peter Pan creator J M Barrie. There is also the richly diverse nature lovers’ paradise centred on Caerlaverock Wildlife & Wetlands Trust.

The two Caerlaverock properties are family owned and provide relaxing, tranquil surroundings with every home comfort within an hour’s drive of Carlisle and Cumbria’s Lake District. Locally, guests are able to participate in golf, sailing, mountain biking, bird watching, castle spotting, foodie experiences and visits to the Book Town of Wigtown and the Artists’ Town of Kirkcudbright. Children’s attractions include Mabie Farm Park and Dino Park.

Chartered surveyor Jamie Cowan, who owns the cottages with his wife, Laura, grew up on the estate with his brother. Their father worked as a gamekeeper and their mother managed a holiday property there, involving the whole family in its running and providing a useful grounding in how to do an exceptional job.

The brothers inherited the family cottage and renovated it as their first holiday let. Eventually Jamie’s brother decided to live in it and Jamie and Laura bought another one to renovate, and from that built up to a collection of seven. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, up to £50,000 worth of bookings were instantly wiped out, but with expert and understanding help from their mortgage lender, Cumberland Building Society, they were able to win through and take advantage of the trend toward staycations. Since then, the couple have built up a steady flow of repeat business from highly satisfied customers and have receded to two properties to concentrate their efforts better on a quality experience for guests. Their properties include Bankswood, with stunning views towards Caerlaverock WWT and the Solway Firth, and Gullsway, sleeping up to nine people in five bedrooms on the Nith Estuary, which periodically generates the spectacle of a tidal bore.

Caerlaverock Cottages, Dumfries & Galloway, T 07711 583320

E jamiecowan2000@yahoo.co.uk www.caerlaverockcottages.co.uk

Facebook and Instagram @ Caerlaverockcottages

Panoramic views of stunning natural beauty await people who book their holidays in the delightful Craven View Shepherds Huts, superbly placed for exploring both Lancashire and Yorkshire. Set high up looking towards the Dales including Ingleborough and Penyghent and the white limestone landmark of Malham Cove, the huts offer cosy and comfortable accommodation perfect for a genuine get-away-from-it-all break for people and their pets.

The spot is above the market town of Barnoldswick and within walking distance of its unique shops, pubs and cafes. Within half an hour’s drive are the popular Yorkshire town of Skipton, ‘Gateway to the Dales’ with a lively range of events and amenities and Settle, one end of the famously beautiful Settle to Carlisle heritage railway journey.

The huts sit about halfway up Weets Hill and on a clear day, Blackpool Tower can be seen from the top. There are many beautiful walks to be enjoyed straight from the door. Many visitors walk or cycle along the nearby Leeds Liverpool Canal. Gisburn Forest provides superb mountain biking trails.

There are two similar shepherd’s huts, The Journeyman and The Herdsman, each with a super-comfy king-sized bed, living area with seating, kitchenette and TV and a bathroom with a walk-in rainfall shower and flushing toilet, plus an outdoor patio or terrace. Water comes from a natural spring and underfloor heating keeps the huts cosy even in winter.

Run by Airbnb ‘superhost’ Alison and her partner, John, the spot is on farmland grazed by their belted Galloway cattle and sheep and guests are welcome to watch and learn about the seasonal tasks of the enterprise, from lambing to hay baling. They can also buy steaks and other meat from the farm to barbecue on-site.

Alison says: “We encourage people to get involved, especially when the lambs are being born, but there’s always something going on and we also get plenty of wildlife, sometimes even the odd deer.”

Craven View Shepherds Huts, Lancashire T 07984 667620, E cravenviewshepherdshuts@gmail.com

Find us on Facebook, Airbnb or Sykes Holiday Cottages @ Craven View Shepherds Huts

“The Journeyman” or “The Herdsman”

People who enjoy touring and exploring will love the diverse opportunities around. Established in 1973, Brook Lodge Farm Camping & Caravan Park is an eco-friendly site close to the maritime city of Bristol, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bath, the tiny city of Wells and the charms of Glastonbury, magical to many in more ways than one.

The family-run park overlooks the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and includes a 15 acre nature conservation area bordering Blagdon Lake. Both the site and reserve have a stunning array of wildlife including rare birds, owls, bats and even otters. Brook Lodge Farm has won many awards, including Green Tourism Gold and a 4 Star rating from Visit England. Located in the unique hamlet of Cowslip Green, it has 29 pitches for touring caravans, tents and motorhomes, all with electric hookup and seven with hard standing. Even the largest motorhomes can turn in straight from the A38. Bell tents are available to hire for glamping and there are modern showers, toilets, laundry and baby changing facilities. Fire pits are available to rent.

On-site amenities include a shop, an adventure playground and a separate paddock with its own function room and amenities for stand-alone special events such as weddings and festivals. Just outside is a bus stop giving access to numerous attractions including Bristol’s Wild Place Project–with animals including bears, wolves, wolverines and lynxes – The Wave inland surfing lake and Brunel’s famous steamship SS Great Britain. Also within reach are Somerset’s Cheddar Gorge and Wookey Hole show caves, Bath’s Roman baths and the magnificent cathedral of Wells, England’s smallest city. Glastonbury Tor is a must for those of a mystical nature, while anglers love Blagdon Lake and there are innumerable lovely walks, cycle rides and pleasant places to eat and drink in the vicinity.

Owner Debbie House, whose parents started the business more than 40 years ago, says: “It’s a fantastic area and here at Brook Lodge Farm Camping & Caravan Park we are constantly finding ways to improve the environment and the wildlife it supports.”

Brook Lodge Farm Camping & Caravan Park, Bristol, BS40 5RB T 01934 862311 www.brooklodgefarm.com