Holidays

SOMEWHERE SPECIAL

The slightly weird and definitely wonderful Italianate village of Portmeirion was created by Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 to 1976, to show how a naturally beautiful site could be developed without spoiling it. The village and gardens are one of Wales’ premier visitor attractions, welcoming over 200,000 visitors every year.

Portmeirion is home to two hotels, a cluster of historic cottages, iconic archtecture, stylish shops, award-winning restaurants, casual cafes, an ice-cream parlour, exotic gardens, sandy beaches and a a spa. Thousands visit while in the area but more and more people are choosing to extend their trip and stay in the village itself – with good reason. A break here is like no other. Portmeirion Village on the North Wales coast has 13 individually styled self-catering cottages all available to book for a three-night weekend break (Friday-Sunday), four-night

mid-week break (Monday-Thursday) or a full seven nights (arriving on a Friday or a Monday). Kitchens are fully equipped with crockery, utensils, glasses and a microwave oven. All cottages have TV, phone and wifi. Towels and linen are included in the price, and beds are made up prior to arrival. Guests enjoy free entry into Portmeirion Village and Gardens and use of the heated outdoor pool. Complimentary transport from local train and bus stations is available, as are dedicated parking bays. How better to experience On the seafront somewhere truly out of this world! www.portmeirion.wales/visit

The Beatles loved Portmeirion – George Harrison spent his 50th birthday here

“People extend their trip to stay in the village itself” A fairy tale come to life…

“Steps away is access to the old

GWR”

Glamping wagons at Overwater Marina

Sitting beside one of their brand-new luxury railway glamping wagons, Janet and Angus Maughan are a long way from where they started out. Angus began working life as a dairy farmer, while Janet lectured at Manchester Metropolitan University. Together with Angus’s sister Maria and late father Richard they created the award-winning Overwater Marina, near Audlem – a 230-berth inland marina on the Shropshire Union Canal. Since opening in 2010, Overwater is now home to a range of boating services including Café at Bridge 80, a narrowboat workshop, and the community-run Audlem Lass ferry and Wheelyboat services.

In 2017, the team added a small touring park of fully serviced camping pitches, which proved hugely popular, and never ones to rest on their laurels, they have just completed their latest venture, Lakeview – a spacious seasonal touring site with four luxury glamping wagons. The wagons have been positioned to take in the lake view, while only steps away is access to the old Great Western Railway (GWR) line. Here nature has taken over, and it is easy to forget this was once a busy track moving people and freight. Angus remembers his father reminiscing about travelling home from school along the line as a boy, alighting at the station

in Audlem to be met by the family farm’s horse and cart. It is Overwater’s links to the old ‘Gingerbread’ line that inspired the theme for the new wagons. Bespoke-built by Cedar & Oak of Holmes Chapel, each features little touches to remind guests of the railway heritage. Each wagon has its to rest on their laurels, they own sleeping area and have just completed their full bathroom facilities latest venture, Lakeview – a with heating provided spacious seasonal touring by Everhot cast-iron site with four luxury glamping stoves. As glamping is, wagons. The wagons have of course, as much about been positioned to take the outside space, two in the lake view, while of the wagons have their only steps away is access own wood-fired hot to the old Great Western tubs, perfect for a dip Railway (GWR) line. Here as the sun sets. Guests nature has taken over, and it is easy can enjoy picnics along the to forget this was once a busy track atmospheric railway cutting, glimpse moving people and freight. Angus the canal boats on the Shropshire Union as they pass by on remembers his father reminiscing about the aqueduct, or relax by the fishing and wildlife lakes. travelling home from school along the Overwater Marina’s Glamping Wagons are open all year and line as a boy, alighting at the station can be booked at overwatermarina.co.uk or call 01270 812677.

Janet and Angus Maughan enjoying the evening peace A cosy wagon interior

Anyone for a dip?

LAKESIDE LEISURE

If you’re planning on hitching up the caravan and heading off to explore the Shropshire countryside, make sure Hawk Lake Caravan Park is on your list of stopping points. Nestled in a magical setting in Hawkstone Park, it’s a peaceful spot despite being conveniently close to the historic town of Shrewsbury.

The site is idyllically located on the banks of Hawk Lake, in the grounds of the Grade I listed Hawkestone Hall. The lake was carved out of the Shropshire countryside around 1776 to represent of The Serpentine in London, where the owner of the hall, Sir Rowland Hill, also had a residence. In the 1930s, the Ralphs purchased the park as a farm and after a period out of family ownership, Stewart and Irena Ralphs bought Hawk Lake back in 2011. Following substantial and careful restoration, the park provides a quiet retreat for fishing, relaxing and observing the wildlife, away from the hustle and bustle of modern life.

“It’s ideal Hawk Lake offers five touring pitches, each with electric habitat for kingfi shers, hook up and on hard standing, as well as 45 static caravan pitches, and sits right on the bank of the lake itself. One of the main highlights for herons and holidaymakers is being able water voles” to fish right on the doorstep. Keen anglers can make the most of it, as the owners offer both day and season fishing on Hawk Lake. The water is home to a good range of carp, roach, perch, bream, tench, rudd and pike, while the banks provide ideal habitat for a wealth of kingfishers, herons, woodpeckers and the shy water vole. For information and to book a pitch, please call 01630 685209.

Relax in the tranquillity of nature The perfect escape from daily routine

Look for the fl ash of the kingfi sher

Pod at the parc

If you want action and adventure on your next break, why not head to Adventure Parc Snowdonia, where thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies will be in their element. There are few places on the planet where you are assured perfect, consistent surf, but the parc is home to a world-first surf lagoon and the only guaranteed surf breaks in the UK.

And that’s not all! Check out the range of non-stop outdoor adventures, indoor activities and weatherproof options, as well as a sublime spa, newly opened, for those really wanting to get away from it all. For a truly relaxing break, it’s easy to design your own day from the experiences on your doorstep. Adventure Parc Snowdonia has over 10 different activities on offer, ranging from surf sessions and lessons right through to indoor high ropes and outdoor adventures, ensuring everyone can have a go at something truly unique. Leave the tent at home on your next trip as the parc’s simple wooden pods are the perfect alternative. You can

Everything you need for a chill weekend “Everyone take your pick from woodland pods or a lagooncan have side setting. Each holiday pod comes with heating, lighting, plug sockets and a decked seating area a go at out front. Guests use shared shower and toilet something truly facilities in a spick-and-span amenities block. Each pod sleeps four, with one double bed and two single beds (bedding is not supplied), unique” and is lockable and fully secure. The pods are just a short walk from the lagoon and main facilities, and breakfast is served from 8am in the Surfside Deli. Smoking is not permitted in any of the pods. The site has two accessible pods with ramped access, which sleep a maximum of three guests per pod. There are a limited number of dog-friendly pods which can accept up to two medium-sized dogs per pod, as long as they are not left unattended. To book, see www.adventureparcsnowdonia.com

New Moon for the new year

If you need something to look forward to over the winter months, why not plan ahead and book a relaxed break on board a Cheshire Cat Narrowboat. This small family-run firm is based at the award-winning Overwater Marina, Audlem, on the Shropshire Union Canal. It’s a stunning location, just below the Audlem Lock flight, and only three hours’ cruising time to the beautiful and ever popular Llangollen Canal.

In spite of early setbacks due to Covid lockdowns and restrictions, Mark and Linda Edwards enjoyed a busy hire season in 2021. Their new 60ft luxury four-to-six berth boat New Moon proved a bit hit. With a comfy lounge, two bedrooms and two showers, there’s plenty of space to relax and unwind. For the chefs, she boasts a large galley with full-size cooker, fridge, and real wood worktops. So successful has the boat been that the couple have commissioned another new boat for fitting out in the spring. And if you thought Mark and Linda would be spending winter with their feet up, think again. They’ve just completed five weeks of working in the historic Canal & River Trust dry dock in Ellesmere, painting and preening “the girls” ready to welcome guests next season. “Bookings are coming in fast, and we are also taking bookings for 2023, for those who like Perfectly equipped to plan well ahead.” www.cheshirecatnarrowboats.co.uk

Relax as the world drifts by

HOME-FROM-HOME FEEL

The team at Lyons Holiday Parks have been proudly making happy holiday memories for families for over 90 years, so it’s no surprise that they hit the mark when it comes to the perfect holiday in North Wales. Their site at Pendyffryn Hall Caravan Park & Country Club is an idyllic and serene holiday home and touring park sat between the Conwy Valley and the Edwardian village of Penmaenmawr.

Perfectly located within Snowdonia National Park, it offers plots where you can relax on the balcony and absorb panoramic views over the Menai Straits and Puffin Island. Visitors will discover a spectacular blend of natural beauty and a rich medieval heritage on the doorstep, and you are never far from the alluring sandy beaches of the North Wales coast.

and Puffin Island. At Pendyffryn Hall, Lyons always has a range of caravans and accommodation for sale to a spectacular blend suit every style and budget and residents enjoy of natural beauty a true community feeling with regular BBQs, and a rich medieval live entertainment in the club and special heritage on the events throughout the year. The park can offer doorstep, and you are never far a finance service and always welcomes visitors to view from the alluring sandy beaches the new and pre-owned properties available to buy. See of the North Wales coast. www.lyonsholidayparks.co.uk/park/pendyffryn-hall

“Relax on the Caravans to suit every style and budget balcony and absorb the view”

The hills on your doorstep

Low-impact building

Your own holiday home, to your own design

With the confusion and chaos currently surrounding our chances of holidaying abroad, you may have decided this is the time to invest in a little bit of luxury of your own and be considering a holiday home purchase. But if you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for, exactly where you want it – why not go a step further and have a unit built for you, to your own design, and then choose where to put it. One local company can help you do just that.

Utilising years of timber frame building expertise, Lowfield Leisure lodges and pods are built to last, with the highest quality finish. Lodges are built with a robust steel frame, meaning they can be easily relocated, reconfigured and repositioned, giving you flexibility as well as quality. With a range of holiday accommodation options available, from smaller two-berth pods to larger six-berth lodges, there’s plenty of choice, and Lowfield Leisure structures can also be transformed into non-accommodation specifications such as toilet blocks, offices or sales suites to suit your needs.

Having completed the first ‘passivhaus’ (net-zero ready) social housing scheme in Powys, a new-build primary school in Welshpool and a social housing development in Shropshire, the firm has secured more passivhaus projects for the future. And as parent company Lowfield Timber Frames has invested in its own Warmcel insulation system, roof insulation can now be installed during the manufacturing process, reducing the time working at height on site.

So make that holiday dream a reality. Find out more at www.lowfieldleisure.co.uk or call 01743 891922.

Think big…

Hit the road

If you’re still debating where to head on your next holiday, why not change tack and consider how to get there? Renting a motorhome will save on expensive hotel costs and give you the freedom to travel where you like, at your own pace. Perhaps you already have plans in place to attend an outdoor event or festival? Why not upgrade from a tent this season?

Touring Cars motorhome hire at ES Hartley offers a fivestar luxury rental service. All rentals include unlimited mileage, luxury bed linen and towel package, a fully equipped kitchen, and collection and drop-off seven days a week, all from just £110 per day. The attention to detail means you will walk into your rental motorhome fully prepared and ready for your trip – it’s just like stepping into a luxury hotel room. There are a range of layouts

There’s no limit on mileage and berths Where next? Wherever takes your fancy!

available within the fleet, including two, four and six-berth motorhomes with a choice of single, double and bunk beds. There are even some pet-friendly vehicles, so your four-legged friends can come with you! “It’s like stepping ES Hartley has an unlimited mileage policy, which means you don’t just have to stay in the UK. You are insured to visit any European into a country if you have specified your travel luxury hotel” arrangements when booking your hire. To discuss hiring a motorhome call the team on 0151 350 6871 or email manchester@ touringcars.eu Motorhome rental is also available in Malaga, Spain – contact us for more details.

COACH CLASS

For a truly relaxing break, let someone else do all the work on an organised coach tour from a local firm with decades of experience.

Owen’s Travelmaster, based in Oswestry, offers the very best coach and air tours, with the emphasis on comfort, well-planned itineraries and excellent service and cuisine. The schedule has something for

everyone: from extensive five-day trips such as the popular one to Cornwall to the Weston-super-Mare adventure that takes holidaymakers to explore the glorious South West, close to the lively cities of Bath and Wells. Shorter stays include themed tours such as the Country & Western trip to Caernarfon. Days out include shopping in Manchester city centre or The Trafford Centre, and the company also runs evening theatre trips to incredible shows across the country. With their reputation for care and attention to detail, the team at Owen’s can also create an itinery to suit the requirements of you or your A wealth of experience organisation or group. www.owenstravel.co.uk

“…known for their care and attention to detail” NATURE’S WAY

Looking to invest in a slice of holiday heaven? Check out this unique development of holiday cottages on the beautiful Llyn Peninsula. Phases 2 and 3 of the luxurious Natural Land site have recently been completed, offering 25 two, three and five-bedroom properties. Each cottage at the Nature’s Point development has been thoughtfully

designed and built to a high specification, and finished to a luxurious standard. This select location will offer the perfect holiday home or rental investment.

Natural Land negotiated the purchase of distressed assets from Yorkshire Bank, which were divided into three. Firstly, eight newly refurbished stone holiday cottages, farmhouse/ reception, 29 lodge pitches and services. Second, a 35-room disused hotel above Nefyn Bay, and third, Henbant Bach, a derelict farmhouse with 80 acres of land.

Developer Natural Land said: “It’s our mission to share and preserve the world’s most beautiful spaces and create real, enduring value. To that end, we select projects based on their potential. Our expertise affords us the rare opportunity to craft resort communities that preserve the character, beauty and traditions of the landscapes they call home.”

www.naturalland.co.uk

Spectacular views Quality fi nishing

and services. Second, a 35-room disused hotel above Nefyn Bay, and third, Henbant Bach, a derelict farmhouse with 80 acres of land. said: “It’s our mission to share and preserve the world’s most beautiful spaces and create real, enduring value. To that