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.
10BOUTIQUE OF THE BEST
10BOUTIQUE OF THE BEST STAYS 1 AULINN, ISLE OF SKYE Anyone who stays at this cute hideaway for couples must feel as if they’ve bagged front row seats for one of the best natural shows on earth. The views from the terrace, hot tub and all the windows are nothing short of spectacular – with the sea mere metres away, fringed by misty mountains. This area is rich in wildlife, too, with a RSPB otter hide nearby. The building is a simple croft turned sumptuous, with light-filled rooms, cosy textiles, a slick modern bathroom. There’s a wooden swing bench on the terrace where you can enjoy special moments – from morning coffee watching the day unfold, to wrapping up to stargaze as darkness falls. Outside are three acres of your own grounds to roam. Or get out and explore Skye’s amazing scenery. Take a dip in the sea or in the crystal clear Fairy Pools. Tramp around the crags and pinnacles of the Quiraing or up the Old Man of Storr. Hop on a boat to go spot sea eagles and whales. In between, dine out in some of Skye’s excellent restaurants – indeed people cross continents to dine at the legendary Three Chimneys. Bring the credit card! Prices from £1,352 for a long weekend or mid week break. ◆ boutique-retreats.co.uk 90 BritishTravelJournal.com
Some fabulous self-catering properties have opened around the UK during lockdown – all offering privacy, space and inspiring locations. Just what we all need! Words | Emma O'Reilly 3 CLIFFTOPS, DORSET The Isle of Portland is joined to the rest of Dorset by the shingle barrier of Chesil Beach. Most visitors bomb straight to Portland Bill, the famous lighthouse. There’s much more to see. Clifftops, a new venture at the Pennsylvania Castle Estate is a good base from which to explore it. Five sleek looking lodges, each sleeping four, are carved into the cliffs – made from the local Portland stone, then clad in copper, designed to weather and blend into their environment. Each provides sparkling views over the English Channel, best seen from the terrace. Thoughtful planting of indigenous flora attracts birds and butterflies. The rooms are sexy and simple, with blonde woods, neutral furnishings and big windows – it’s all about the view! It’s a mere totter down to tiny, secret Church Ope Cove for a swim. Or get out and see the rest of the island – from Portland Castle, built by King Henry VIII, and with an interesting war-time history to The Tour Quarry Sculpture Park, set in a disused quarry and used as a vast outdoor studio by artists. Chesil Beach is wild and windswept – good for long walks and wildlife spotting. Lodges priced from around £585 for a three-night stay. ◆ thepennestate.co.uk/the-estate/clifftops 2SANDYBURY BARN, SHROPSHIRE This big, modern rustic barn sleeps up to seven across its four bedrooms. Double height windows and open plan spaces mean plenty of room to spread out. Speaking of space, there are no less than 3000 acres literally on the doorstep. The barn is on the Dudmaston Estate. Bring your bike and cycle, or walk, through the parkland and woodland paths, past lakes and babbling brooks. Dudmaston House is a very pleasing rainy-day option. It’s been lived in by one family, inherited through birth and marriage, for 875 years and, for a stately home, it has a surprisingly homely feel. It would be easy to spend a break here and go nowhere else, but it would be a shame to miss out on the bucolic scenery of Shropshire – the beauty spots of Long Mynd and Wenlock Edge are both just a short drive away. Prices from £975 for a three night stay. ◆ nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays à BritishTravelJournal.com 91
