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.
New experiences CORNWALL
New experiences CORNWALL The Nare New to The Nare Hotel, Cornwall is a themed walking and art break overlooking Carne beach. Four days to draw inspiration from the stunning sea views and coastal scenery of the Roseland Peninsula, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. With plenty of sea air and hands-on creative tuition unlock your newfound artistic flair and take a personally hand-painted canvas home forever to remind you of your holiday. The hotel is also about to unveil four of the largest sea-view hotel suites in Britain, The Whittington Suites. ◆ narehotel.co.uk BUCKINGHAMSHIRE Nomadic Dining Escape to the Chiltern Hills and join Nomadic Dining for a woodland foraging feast inspired by the wild ingredients. Immerse yourself into the magical experience of living off the land, cooking on an open flame with menus curated by the fruits and finds of your forest forage. Enjoy lunch or dinner experiences, woodland cocktails, hand-picked herbal teas and toasted marshmallows. Priced from £99 per person. ◆ experiencenomadic.com/woodlandfeasts/ GLOUCESTERSHIRE Tudor Farmhouse In the Forest of Dean, take a foraging break with a fungi expert forager at Tudor Farmhouse and spend hours off the beaten track discovering delicious ingredients, whilst enjoying fresh air and beautiful countryside. Having returned to the Farmhouse with your basket full of edible delights you’ll be greeted by a comforting lunch using the best of seasonal and foraged produce. Prices from £195 per night. ◆ tudorfarmhousehotel.co.uk/foraging-trips 22 BritishTravelJournal.com
KENT Hangloose Bluewater If you are looking for a way to let off some adrenaline-fuelled steam then this brand new zipline could be just the ticket! England’s longest and fastest zipline, the biggest adventure centre in Europe, is landing at the much-loved Bluewater Shopping Centre. hangloosebluewater.com SOUTH DOWNS Hambledon Visitors will for the first time have the chance to enjoy some of the South Downs’ finest tipples at the Hambledon Vineyard’s new facilities. Located in 200 acres of lush countryside, the vineyard will welcome a brand-new tasting room and visitor centre, giving guests the chance to savour a range of delicious wines and discover behind-thescenes stories and techniques of one England’s finest wines. Hambledon comprises over 200 acres of vineyards planted with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier – the three grape varieties most commonly used in the production of Champagne. ◆ hambledonvineyard.co.uk Editor loves SOUTH COAST England’s Creative Coast Stretching from the East Sussex Downs through to the Thames Estuary 1400km of stunning coastline is becoming a cultural treasure hunt brimming with seaside tales inspiring creativity through adventure. This is the world’s first art Geotour alongside ‘Waterfronts’. Launching at Turner Contemporary this May until November. ◆ englandscreativecoast.org BritishTravelJournal.com 23
