Pride of place
The Forest Side Grasmere, Lake District WHERE AND WHY
Stepping into The Forest Side hotel, nestled in the heart of the Lake District, it was the perfect extension of lakeland calm.
The dramatic Gothic exterior of this four-star manor made way for a natural soft reception, with charming nods to its setting through ancient tree roots fashioned into furniture.
Guided to one of 20 rooms by friendly staff, we were met by a feather-light palette of white and muted greens in our spacious master suite. The sash windows boasted a breathtaking view of the surrounding mossy fells.
In the ensuite, we found a modern bathroom with a generous shower, luxurious Bramley products and a standalone stone tub – positioned to enjoy that view.
The suite came with a sofa and a bed so comfy (even for some of the worst of hotel sleepers) that we made a note of the mattress brand before leaving.
ON THE MENU
The smart dining room continued the feeling that you’ve been brought to the Forest Side on a refreshing whisper of Cumbrian air, with curious terrariums and glass doors to the hotel’s manicured gardens.
The jewel in the crown is the Michelinstarred restaurant from head chef Paul Leonard. Beginning with drinks in the lounge, we were treated to an eight-course tasting menu tour to the heart of the Cumbrian countryside with local ingredients taking centre stage and foraged finds and additions from the estate’s kitchen garden.
The seasonal March menu included highlights of umami duck agnolotti, perfectly cooked salt-aged filled of longhorn, and an exciting, contemporary confection of rhubarb and custard that made my inner child giggle with glee. Drinks included a glass of Georgian orange wine (£13), and a bottle of the red Enigma Barbera from Australia (£70).
Morning brought a warming whisky and honey porridge, followed by hearty Cumbrian breakfast. Vegetarian menus are available.
WHILE YOU’RE THERE
Head into quaint Grasmere, which is a 20-minute easy walk from the hotel, for the famous Grasmere Gingerbread Shop and Dove Cottage, once home to William Wordsworth.
To take in the lake and forest, there’s a three-and-a-half mile circuit around the water, largely flat and steady, with the walk route beginning at the centuries-old St Oswald’s Church.
WAKE-UP CALL
Choose from Cosy, Superb and Master level suites, along with dog-friendly and accessible rooms. From £359 a night B&B. theforestside.com
Farm stay and play
At Cotswold Farm Park, home of Countryfile’s Adam Henson, you can befriend more than 50 breeds across seven species of farm animals, meet bunnies and guinea pigs at the Discovery Barn, and see births in the Animal Barn.
Later, head back to a luxury lodge ( from £200pn), safari tent ( from £100pn), camping pod (£60pn) or hire a tent or caravan pitch ( from £10pn). Eat at the on-site Ox Shed restaurant then see the sun set over the Windrush Valley. Overnight guests get free park entry.
cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk/stay
Go fish at Chatsworth House
Set within the Peak District National Park, this majestic home comprises a Grade I-listed house and stables, a 105-acre garden, a 1,822-acre park, a farmyard and adventure playground.
Guests staying at The Cavendish Hotel on the estate, the nearby Devonshire Arms at Beeley, The Devonshire Arms at Pilsley (£194pn for two, min two-night stay), or one of its self-catering boltholes can enjoy access to a day’s fly fishing on the Derwent.
Ordinarily reserved for members of the Chatsworth Fishery, guests with a rod licence can buy an exclusive day pass to fish for trout or grayling for £200pp, £300 for two or £360 for three including picnic.
devonshirehotels.co.uk
Island escape
Enjoy farmyard fun at Tapnell Farm Park on the Isle of Wight. Meet the animals, get wet at the aqua park, try archery, axe-throwing or football golf, and have a go on
the giant jumping pillow, sledge slides and mini go-karts. Dine at the award-winning restaurant, then choose from sleepover options such as geodesic domes, safari tents, wooden cabins, modulogs, eco-pods, cottages and a manor house. Two nights from £379.95 in a geodesic dome, sleeps six.
tapnellfarm.com
Play for longer at Legoland
Build awesome memories at Legoland Windsor with its 55 rides and attractions.
You won’t have to prise little ones from the bricks if you book an on-site hotel. Or from May, stay at the village, with lodges and a clubhouse with restaurant, bar and entertainment venue. Every building will appear as if made from Lego. From £410 for a family of four for overnight stay with breakfast, park tickets, character meet and greets.
legoland.co.uk/ short-breaks/ accommodation/ legoland-woodland-village
Lodge at Leeds Castle
Follow the stories of six medieval queens at this Kent castle, then fill up on fun with a ride on the castle train or the Black Swan ferry. Explore the maze and birds of prey centre, then let the kids loose on the playground.
Four Lakeside Lodges are the latest addition to the estate’s accommodation collection, which includes a B&B, holiday cottages and medieval-themed glamping.
Lodges from £295 with breakfast. leeds-castle.com/stay/ lakeside-lodges
Cave in
In the heart of Somerset, Wookey Hole is a magical place of caves and legends. The caverns have eight chambers to explore, then try the penny arcades, adventure golf, soft play and visit the museum.
Afterwards retreat to the Wookey Hole Hotel from £199 with entry, breakfast and dinner.
wookey.co.uk
Safari sleepover
Enjoy animal magic at West Midlands Safari Park, home to more than 100 species, a safari with walk-through exhibits. Go wild on the rides, visit the dinosaur exhibition or explore the play park. Let the animal antics continue with a sleepover in a luxury lodge with a view of the elephants or cheetahs, white rhinos or giraffes, the endangered Sumatran tigers or lions.
Further lodges will be opening this year offering views of hippos and African wild dogs. Overnight stays from £490 for two, including breakfast and dinner, two-day admission and rides.
safari-lodges.co.uk
Live the high life
Set within Cairngorms National Park, Sir David Attenborough described Rothiemurchus as “one of the glories of wild Scotland”.
And there are plenty of ways to enjoy it with activities from wildlife photography to pony-trekking. After all that, put your feet up in a luxury cottage with Hidden Highland Retreats. Each has a fire, indulgent spa bathtub and lavish furnishings.
Additionally, there’s a spacious farmhouse for families. From £1,100 for long weekends. Overnight guests receive a 10% discount on activities, which start from £11.
hiddenhighlandretreats.com
King of the castle
Warwick Castle’s shows, interactive attractions and activities are all set within 64 acres of beautiful grounds. The castle is also home to the Realm of Zog, Horrible Histories Maze, Wars of the Roses LIVE! and the UK’S largest birds of prey show.
Prolong the fun with a stay at the Knight’s Village in a lodge or glamping tent (summer months), or wait until July 22 when its medievalthemed hotel will open. Lodge overnight stays from £219 for a family of four with breakfast and castle entry.
warwick-castle.com
Escape to the estate
Great Hagley Estate, Shropshire, is home to The Great Escape featuring England’s second longest zip wire (£25), a low ropes course (£10), crate stacking (£15) and laser combat (£15). There’s also the Great Escape Challenge (£20).
Great Hagley sits on the doorstep of Hopton Woods, the home of mountain biking in Shropshire.
A bunkhouse sleeps up to 20, from £550pn. The two-night catered gold package is £250pp including dinners, lunch and three activities.
greathagleyestate.com
Sleepover at Sutton Hoo, Suffolk
This 255-acre estate is home to one of the greatest British archaeological discoveries. Visitors can unearth the history of the ship burial of an Anglo-saxon king, see the spectacle from a 50ft viewing tower, and discover the archaeological work that took place here in Tranmer House.
Three apartments in the house offer views over the burial mounds and river including Deben View, sleeps four, from £454 for three nights.
nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays/ suffolk/deben-view
Fun on the farm at Drovers Rest
Day visitors at this 16th-century organic farm in Herefordshire come for animal safaris and wild feasting, but staying over adds to the magic.
Overnight guests can take a guided animal safari on which they can feed and interact with the animals.
Three nights at a cottage (sleeps four) from £700, or four-berth safari tent from £500.
droversrest.co.uk
Zip it!
Max out on adrenaline at Zip World with a stay at a new forest lodge at the Betws-y-coed site, home to the Fforest Coaster ride and Treetop Nets. Lodges have hot tubs and balconies. From £132 per night (min three-night stay), zipworld.co.uk/ basecamps/forest-lodges At Conwy, there are 30 fourperson pods with heating, from £85pn. The site has high ropes, a stunt jump, and assault course. zipworld.co.uk/location/ conwy
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Luxury lodges have views of endangered Sumatran tigers or lions