We’re on the move again...
Emma Featherstone suggests indulgent travel experiences for each stage of England’s journey towards full reopening
The prospect of rediscovered freedoms is providing respite in the dregs of lockdown. Catching up with friends, travelling to fresh corners of the country or tucking into a meal in your favourite restaurant are just some of the experiences that should be returned to us as restrictions ease. After all we’ve been through in the long past 12 months, now is the time to book a sumptuous reward.
To usher in each coming stage of the proposed roadmap in England (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are following different reopening plans), we have some suggestions for indulgent experiences on home soil to look forward to in the months ahead. Do bear in mind, though, that each stage is dependent on the Government’s “four key indicators” going in the right direction.
MARCH 29
WHAT WILL CHANGE?
The Stay at Home rule comes to an end, although people will be asked to stay local as much as possible. Two households, or up to six people from different households, will be allowed to meet outside in public spaces or private gardens.
ENJOY A POSH FAMILY PICNIC Hever Castle (hevercastle.co.uk), the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, is an option for southerners. With spring in full bloom, its grounds will be coated with daffodils in the final days of March (£15.85 for adults, £9.95 for children). Midlanders could head for Witley Court (english-heritage.org.uk). The remnants of a Victorian country pile, destroyed by a fire in 1937, provide a macabre backdrop to landscaped gardens (£9.90 for adults, £6 for children). Invest in the Windsor Hamper from Fortnum & Mason (fortnumandma SELF-CATERING son.com) ahead of time. The 32-piece hamper features plenty of treats and a drinks haul that includes vintage port and champagne (£1,000).
APRIL 12
WHAT WILL CHANGE? Restaurants and pubs will be allowed to serve customers outdoors. Spas, theme parks and zoos can reopen. Households (or bubbles) can holiday in self-contained accommodation in England. IN THE GROUNDS OF A VICTORIAN MANSION
The apartments and holiday homes of Rockliffe Hall will open up to guests. Ease into each morning with a brunch hamper, then head for the spa: selfcatering bookings include two hours use of the indoor facilities, plus treatments. An extra two-hour slot in the Spa Garden could include dips in the hydrotherapy infinity pool. Take a day trip to the Yorkshire Dales, or the coast. Armstrong House Apartment costs from £290 per night; Woodland Mews from £390 per night (rockliffehall.com).
TAKE A RIDE AT A COUNTRY ESTATE What could be more liberating for equestrians than galloping through the Wiltshire countryside? Adults and children over 16 can enjoy this experience at Lucknam Park led by a trained guide. An hour’s ride then lunch, before visiting the property’s heated therapy pool and thermal cabins. You might also tack on a spa treatment or a therapy session. An hour’s ride, two-course lunch and two-hour spa entry costs from £170 per person; treatments and experiences not included (lucknampark.co.uk).
SAVOUR THE TASTING MENU AT A MICHELIN-STARRED PUB Head to The Star Inn in Harome, North Yorkshire, for the feel of a village local, but with Michelin-star dining. Among the options on its spring tasting menu are a smoked eel “doughnut” with barbecue orchard pear and maplecured yolk, a Colchester oyster 99 with scallop roe sprinkles, and a rhubarb soufflé with hot-spiced syrup and ginger parkin ice cream. Guests must book in advance and should allow three hours for a sitting.
Lunch tasting menu from £85 per person (thestaratharome.co.uk).
MAY 17
WHAT WILL CHANGE?
Six people or two households can meet indoors. Pubs, restaurants and other hospitality businesses can seat people indoors. Hotels and B&Bs can reopen.
REST YOUR HEAD IN ONE OF LONDON’S FINEST SUITES
The Goring is fit for lords and ladies: it hosted the Middleton family the night before the Royal Wedding. If funds allow, a stay in the Royal Suite is sure to wrench you out of pandemic-induced drudgery. On entering the penthouse quarters (for an idea of size, it stretches the length of the building), you’ll find a footman waiting to unpack your luggage, a welcome drink and views out over the Goring Gardens. Your evening meal awaits in The Dining Room, the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant.
A night in the Royal Suite costs from £7,500 (thegoring.com).
TAKE A RETRO RAIL JOURNEY Belmond has launched a series of summer day trips on its British Pullman train. From May 19, its 1920s and 1930s carriages will ferry passengers to Kentish or Sussex seasides. Each ride will begin with a welcome bellini and includes a three-course brunch and a three-course dinner. Head to Whitstable for oysters, Broadstairs for boutiques, Margate for the Turner Contemporary Gallery or Hastings for 1066 history. You’ll depart from Victoria Station in London. Ask ahead to secure a four-person private coupé, at no extra charge.
From £360 per person (belmond.com).
AFTERNOON TEA
An assortment of brews served in fine china, a 115-year-old ceremony and a strict no-jeans policy add up to what is perhaps England’s best known culinary export: and where better to enjoy such pomp than the Ritz? The hotel’s Palm Court, decked out in panelled mirrors, marble columns and 24-carat gold leaf fountain sculpture, will reopen on May 17. Book an evening sitting, and those springy scones, slathered in Cornish clotted cream, may be soundtracked by a soprano.
From £86 per person (theritzlondon.com).
CHARTER A YACHT
Sample a slice of the millionaire lifestyle on British shores by hiring a crewed yacht. The Windweaver of Pennington is perfect for a family or group holiday (up to six) and you can board in either Southampton or Lymington. A seven-day trip might include (although won’t be limited to): sailing down the Jurassic Coast, nipping to the Isles of Scilly and popping over to Skomer Island for puffin-watching. You could add a private chef to your trip, who will work to your culinary whims.
Charters available from May 18, starting from £16,000 or £19,000 with a private chef (windweaverofpennington.co.uk).
JUNE 21
WHAT WILL CHANGE?
All legal limits on social contact will be removed, legal caps on the number of people attending weddings and other life events should be removed and nightclubs allowed to open.
HIRE A CASTLE FOR A BIG BLOW-OUT REUNION Soaking up the atmosphere of a busy room, in a crowd comprising friends and family, is an experience that we’ve been denied since last March. So how about gathering 16 of your dearest in the 17th-century Walton Castle? This turreted building in the Somerset countryside was originally designed as a hunting lodge. Its central keep includes an indoor swimming pool and an outdoor hot tub. Surrounding the keep are eight turrets. Within them is a “bar turret” with dining space for 40 and a party room.
Weekend stays from £3,000 (oliverstravels.com).