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THE gentle calls of fishermen beginning their match on the lake opposite were the first voices we heard that morning.
An undisturbed al fresco breakfast on the decking, a read of the papers, and a dip in our bubbling private hot tub later and we were fully immersed in the chilled-out vibes of Ashby Woulds Lodges and Spa, near Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leics.
It’s perfect for anyone looking for a laid-back, luxury selfcatering break.
Set in landscaped gardens, there are spacious, top-of-therange lodges, all with gleaming kitchens, iPod docking stations and en-suite bathrooms.
There’s a central lawn with a fountain, trendy hammocks and a communal barbecue for anyone who fancies a cook-out.
Rest and relaxation are high priorities and after a 60-minute Elemis all-over body massage in the on-site spa, I resurfaced with fully detangled shoulders, babysoft skin and a whole new outlook on life. Located on the edge of the Peak District, Ashby Woulds is a great location for walks across limestone valleys such as Dovedale, with its famous stepping stones, and Lathkill Dale, or “White Peak”.
It’s near to the Heights of Abraham country park and show caverns, reached by cable car over a gorge, at Matlock Bath.
If, like us, you’re going with the children, there’s Conkers, a 120acre forest park next door to the lodges, featuring adventure playgrounds, animals, a maze, a train, a lakeside walk, plus an indoor soft play and a 4D cinema. It’s a great-value day out for a family of four for £35.
We also took a drive north to Chatsworth House, with its gar- dens, rooms and picturesque setting on the banks of the River Derwent. Our kids loved the sheer size of the estate with acres of space to roam freely, hide in the formal planted areas, feel the spray from the towering Emperor Fountain, and of course, paddle in the famous Cascade waterfall which flows down the hill. Featuring 24 steps, each was built slightly differently to create a unique sound as the water runs over it. The little ones are then let loose in Chatsworth’s fun adventure playground with zipwires, trampolines, sandpit and play areas. But a particular highlight was the chance to meet the animals in the children’s farm – and most importantly, comb the fur of a ginger guinea pig called Custard!