It has felt like a long time to be deprived of the richness and fulfilment travel brings - exploring new places, spending a night at your favourite hotel, unwinding in a spa, or enjoying an afternoon tea in a beautiful garden. While we might have forgotten how good this all feels, our desire to travel has not been lost. This issue is all about health, wellness and meaningful travel – ‘slow travel’ (as it has recently been dubbed). So, if you’re looking for an unforgettable trip, to be enjoyed at your own pace, then we hope you will find plenty of inspiration within our summer features. Our top ten life-affirming Health Breaks, are guaranteed to reboot the body and mind, while our Best Tall Ship and Sailing Adventures, offer the ultimate active escapism. The brand-new collection curated National Trust experiences, are not to be missed, and our Top Eco-Attractions, showcase the very best of our natural world. Wishing you safe and magical, extraordinary summer of staycations!
8 KING STREET TOWNHOUSE,
8 KING STREET TOWNHOUSE, MANCHESTER In the summer months, city-centre hotels with outdoor pools are a real treat. What better way to shake off the sticky urban heat than with a refreshing open-air dip, sky high? The sleek, slate-grey infinity spa pool at King Street Townhouse may be small, but it is perfectly formed. Located on the hotel's seventh floor, the pool has a glass roof but is completely open to the elements on one side, offering incredible views across the city’s skyline, dotted with pointy spires, and of the iconic clock tower of Manchester Town Hall. Sightseeing from a swimming pool? Why ever not? eclectichotels.co.uk 9 BURGH ISLAND HOTEL, SOUTH DEVON Positioned on its own private island, it seems only fitting that the completely unique Burgh Island Hotel would offer a suitably extraordinary outdoor swimming experience. The hotel’s Mermaid Pool is a breath-taking natural seawater bathing pool, reminiscent of a mythical lagoon. Secured by a historic sluice gate and surrounded by rocks for utter privacy, it’s worth braving the unheated water for this totally unique swim. Alternatively, there’s also a rowing boat available for those who would prefer to remain dry - just watch out for the mermaids… burghisland.com 10 CLIVEDEN HOUSE, BERKSHIRE Very few swimming pools can claim to be the origin of a worldfamous political scandal, but this one most certainly can. The legendary ‘Profumo pool’ at luxurious country retreat Cliveden House is where John Profumo first laid eyes on Christine Keeler, and their infamous affair began. Surrounded by rows of cream sunbeds, neat topiary and swaying lavender, this picturesque pool sits in the hotel’s elegant walled garden and is the last remaining listed outdoor pool in England. Admire the hotel’s stunning neoclassical architecture whilst doing a few lengths, before unwinding in one of the outdoor hot tubs. clivedenhouse.co.uk 70 BritishTravelJournal.com
Pictured above then clockwise: Thames Lido, Reading; Tinside Pool, Plymouth; Bristol Lido, Bristol; Jubilee Pool, Penzance and swimmer at Bristol Lido, Bristol LOVELY LIDOS – Our love for lidos emerged in the 1930s when outdoor swimming first became popular in the UK, and now these sociable swimming spots are making a comeback. Today, there are more than 100 to discover, with more renovation projects in the pipeline. Here’s where to make a splash this summer! Thames Lido, Reading: After more than three years of careful restoration, this beautiful, historic lido re-opened its doors in 2017. Located by the river Thames in Reading, the water temperature at this urban retreat is heated all year round to between 24-26°C. Spa treatments are available on-site, as well as a stylish poolside restaurant with a Mediterranean menu. thameslido.com Bristol Lido, Bristol: Tucked away in the heart of Clifton, this historic lido is in fact a restored Victorian swimming pool and it oozes stylish serenity. It’s kept at a toasty 24°C and is surrounded on all sides by beautifully designed buildings that include an awardwinning restaurant and a poolside tapas bar, perfect for a post-swim sangria. lidobristol.com Tinside Pool, Plymouth: Built in 1935, beautiful Tinside Pool is an internationally acclaimed Art Deco style seaside wonder. Open only during the summer months, this stunning semi-circular saltwater pool is 50m in diameter and is both family friendly and fully accessible. Dry off on the large sunbathing terrace; the sea views are unbeatable. everyoneactive.com/centre/tinside-lido Jubilee Pool, Penzance: Another Art Deco gem is the recently restored Jubilee Pool on the Cornish coast. It is the country’s largest seawater lido and there are three pools to choose from. The popular geothermal pool is the first of its kind in the UK, where you can bathe in natural salt water heated to between 30-35°C by the lido’s very own geothermal well. jubileepool.co.uk BritishTravelJournal.com 71
