Ah, the sweet smell of spring is finally here. Flowers are beginning to bloom, the sun has started to shine and there is hope on the horizon for a great British summer!
I’m sure you’ll agree that spending so many months at home has only made our adventurous, curious hearts grow fonder with a passion for travel and exploration.
I will appreciate my upcoming travel trips so much more, and it has only made my job as travel Editor, and the content in our latest issue, seem even more special than usual!
Lockdown might have put a stop to many things, but it certainly hasn’t stopped the travel industry preparing to ensure a super fun and warm welcome once it is safe for visitors to return. From new hotels and luxury spas, exciting holiday resorts full of adventure and off-grid activities, luxury boutique stays in acres of unspoilt countryside and coastline, brand new attractions to immersive one-of-a-kind experiences – it seems there has perhaps never been a better time to explore the British Isles!
With so much ‘British staycation’ wanderlust flying about we couldn’t resist compiling our Ultimate British Bucket List. Deep in the West Dorset countryside we Meet the Makers behind the world’s only vodka made from cows’ milk. We uncover 10 of the most wonderful places to visit in Yorkshire and discover that there’s much more than just Cheddar Cheese and ancient apple orchards to Somerset’s epicurean offering in The Rise of Food and Drink. In search of beautiful destinations where social distancing is made easy, you won’t find better than a remote Sea Garden Cottage on the white sandy shores of Tresco island, a luxury family stay in the heart of Suffolk’s rolling countryside at The Ickworth or a whisky tour around the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, Islay - the Lord of the Isles.
Wherever, and whenever, you next plan to take a holiday in the British Isles, we hope British Travel Journal continues to deliver as your indispensable travel magazine, and wish you a safe and seamless journey full of wonderful memories.
In the capital STRATFORD
In the capital STRATFORD The Gantry Launching a year later than originally planned, The Gantry will bring together, under one roof, a hotel, artisan food market, restaurants and cocktail bars, in what is London’s fastest developing creative and cultural community. Collaborating with local producers, artists, brands and independent London restaurateurs, The Gantry is a single urban resort offering a fully integrated eating, drinking, travel and social destination for East Londoners and international visitors alike. With a silhouette inspired by New York’s famous Flat Iron building, The Gantry’s design is influenced by industrial Victorian East London and Stratford’s historical role in the city’s train building industry. Situated on the 18th floor with floor to ceiling windows, The Gantry will also boast the highest rooftop bar in East London, offering a truly iconic sunset across the capital when the bar and outdoor terraces come alive with live music and DJs. Prices start from £173 per night. ◆ thegantrylondon.com MAYFAIR The Mayfair Townhouse Bridging the gap between West End’s ritzy and corporate hotels, the Townhouse redefines what it means to be a London hotel. Curious, engaging, witty – and dandy. Think: Oscar Wilde meets Alice in Wonderland. Launched by the people who brought you Cliveden House and Chewton Glen, The Mayfair Townhouse occupies the Grade-II listed Georgian buildings that line Half Moon Street – once the setting for Oscar Wilde’s most famous play, The Importance of Being Earnest. The aptly named Dandy Bar is the heart and soul of the Townhouse; a theatrical, dimly lit atmosphere that creates a place to see and be seen. Say hello to Head Concierge Dianna Beran, formerly from Belmond Cadogan Hotel, and one of the very few female concierges in the world to hold the title of Les Clefs d’Or! Book a mixology experience with Pierpaolo Monaco and enjoy a Mayfair Dandy – an avant-garde take on the classic Dandy cocktail once enjoyed by hedonists of the area. Room rates priced from £252 per night. ◆ themayfairtownhouse.com LEICESTER SQUARE The Londoner More ‘urban resort’ than ‘city hotel’ spanning across 16 storeys, The Londoner features a whopping 350 guest rooms, suites and tower penthouse with panoramic views! Yet there’s more to this sophisticated Leicester Square playground - an expansive ballroom, wellness centre, hair and nail salon, barber shop, a mix of eateries and roof top bar with firepits. Prices from £469 per person, per night. ◆ thelondoner.com 12 BritishTravelJournal.com
GREAT GIFT IDEAS BEST GIFT FOR MOTHER’S DAY? Mother’s Day is on Sunday 14th March Have you been missing your mum during lockdown? With Mother’s Day fast approaching, and the opportunity to take your mum out looking unlikely, why not give her something special to look forward to? Give her the gift of roomcard and she can start planning a weekend for when lockdown lifts – and if you’re lucky, she’ll take you too! roomcard is the digital gift card and wallet for the world’s 10,000 most inspirational hotels, covering the very best of Britain and beyond. roomcard allows you to add your own customised wrapping and personal greeting – whether you prefer a video, photo gallery, spoken or written message. Schedule the delivery of roomcard at precisely your chosen time… and then, right on cue, it will be delivered straight to your mum’s phone. Roomcard.com TM
