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.
“ There is a true
“ There is a true sense of this being a family-run estate - home-fromhome - you barely even need to say who you are, your luggage is lifted into your transfer buggy and you’re benevolently escorted to your cottage. ” to ceiling views out to Old Grimsby harbour. When we visited Tresco a few years before we had stayed on the opposite west side of the island, in Flora, one of the beautiful Flying Boat Cottages - both properties are equally as luxurious, highly deserving of their 5-star status, and within footsteps of white sandy beaches with breathtaking views. The Flying Boat Cottages have the advantage of being directly alongside many local conveniences, from the local stores, Island office and bike hire, however, the Sea Garden Cottages on the quieter side of the island, with the beautiful beach bays, sailing school and Ruin Beach Cafe was my idea of complete heaven - almost unimaginably beautiful. Whichever side of the island you choose (there are also rooms and apartments ideal for shorter stays) all guests to the island are entitled to entry to Tresco Island Spa (which includes one outdoor and two indoor swimming pools) and the Abbey Garden. There’s also good wifi available throughout the island - especially useful for ordering deliveries from the Tresco Stores & Deli (a new service launched in 2020). The stores are a shop, bakery and delicatessen all in one - stocking everything from breakfast essentials, light snacks to pizzas and frozen Cook meals. There’s plenty of option of cereals, fresh bread, croissants, pastries, fruit, vegetables, meat, fish - as well as a fabulous selection of beers, wine and tasty treats! My husband pre-ordered from home before we set off and our shopping was in our cottage on our arrival. For top-ups throughout your stay as long as you make the order before 2pm Monday - Saturday they'll even deliver to you on the same day. Be sure to add some of Zoë's locally-made chocolate chip brownie slices to your order - they are heavenly! 76 BritishTravelJournal.com
RUIN BEACH CAFÉ Once we had unpacked and settled in we strolled out of our back door and down our garden steps to arrive at the two AA Rosettes Ruin Beach Café. The café takes its name from the ruined smuggler’s cottage that forms part of its terrace, overlooking Raven’s Porth - but don’t be mistaken, it might be small but its Mediterranean-inspired menu far exceeds the selection of light meals and drinks you might imagine would be available from a beachside café. Serving lunch and dinner throughout the season, a visit here is one of the many highlights of Tresco. Famed for its pizzas, sharing boards, salads and chargrilled meat dishes, at the heart of the restaurant is the wood-fired oven, roasting fresh fish, chicken and vegetables - as well as producing delicious pizzas. The Ruin dinner menu features ‘catch of the day’ from local fishermen or, for another sea to fork delight, the seafood platter (to include Tresco gin cured sea trout and dressed Bryher crab) is an absolute must. If there’s any space for more, decadent desserts, including local Troytown Farm Ice Cream, become difficult to resist. DAY ONE We woke up to the sun rising over the Old Blockhouse lighting up the quay, and took a stroll by the water’s edge. For an endorphin boost like no other, we chose to take a dip in the ocean for a cold water swim. You will be likely to see at least one other islander doing the same, wild swimming is gaining in popularity across the UK, said to improve general health and wellbeing. It has been a treasured pastime for islanders and coastal lovers for generations, and I can see why so many add it into their daily routine, there’s really no better energiser for starting your day. You might find Tresco offers enough escapism purely from its idyllic landscape, but for even more natural healing you might choose (as I did with my Pictured left-right: Old Grimsby Harbour; Tresco Island Spa; Tresco Sea Garden Aerial view; Ruin Beach Café. daughter Daisy) to head to the new Flying Boat Yoga Studio with Gem Hansen, who lives on Bryher. Gem’s practice offers a balance of strength (sthira) and serenity (sukha) and uses visualisations and techniques inspired by Scilly’s scenery and natural surroundings. This includes visualising the breath as the ebb and flow of the tide, and honouring the mythic qualities of asana (poses) that were inspired by the islands and the environment, from the fearless lion to the reticent tortoise. For lunch we headed to The New Inn - Tresco’s authentic island pub. You can spend much of your holiday under the sense of having travelled to your very own private island, other than the odd encounter on a walk, meeting very few others during your stay - so it feels quite apparent that The New Inn has an important role to play. More than just a pub serving delicious food, this is the island's social heartbeat - a place for à BritishTravelJournal.com 77
