Good site cheaper
THE WELCOME Nestled at the end of a quiet street close to Haymarket rail station, this discreet boutique hotel inside a converted Georgian townhouse would be easy to miss. Inside, the vibe is also quiet and calm, all Farrow & Ball colours and worn leather chairs. THE NEIGHBOURHOOD The up-and-coming Haymarket area has plenty of nice cafes, pubs and restaurants – I’d recommend the Scandinavian lunch buffet round the corner at Akva, beside Edinburgh Quay. But it’s also a short walk, bus or tram ride to shopping on Princes Street and sightseeing on the Royal Mile, and the right side of town for easy access to the airport, Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh Zoo and the Scottish Museum of Modern Art. THE ROOM Cosy but comfortable with a big bed and nice thick curtains. We were pleased to see plenty of complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits in the room, plus a full length mirror. The compact but stylish bathroom, decorated in Parisian-style pale pink and blue tiles, was spotless and had a fabulously hot and powerful shower. It was extremely quiet in the room too. THE FOOD Breakfast is served in a country kitchen-style dining room with a buffet of cereals, toast, fruits and juices, plus homemade muffins and tasty granola, yogurt and fruit pots. You can order hot options too, such as a full Scottish complete with haggis. THE SERVICE Very friendly and easy-going. Staff were happy to prepare hard-boiled eggs for a pregnant lady in our party. LOVED The guest lounge with sofas, jazz music, roaring fire and well-stocked honesty bar. HATED The wardrobe was an open rail in an alcove. VERDICT Ideal for those looking for relaxation and home comforts after a day of exploring Scotland’s capital, rather than party animals. BOTTOM LINE Double rooms from £69 a night, B&B. CHECK IT OUT brooksedinburgh.com, thisisedinburgh.com. OUTDOOR specialist Pitchup.com has a campsite full of late deals over the coming weeks – at least a third off. Bude in north Cornwall is one of the top sites where it works out at less than £2.50pp. The dog-friendly coastal campsite is a mile from Widemouth Bay and has a kids’ adventure playground. The offer is for arrivals between May 26 and June 2. See pitchup.com to book. WE’RE flying straight into summer so have a blooming treat and plant yourself in one of these hotels with stunning gardens and parklands. UP THE GARDEN PATH: Pioneer William Robinson, father of the English flower garden, lived here in the 19th century – and he’s left his mark. There are 1,000 acres of beautiful landscaped grounds to explore surrounding this Grade I listed Elizabethan manor near Crawley. Today, it is flourishing thanks to the green fingers of head gardener Tom Coward.
In summer the oval-walled Victorian kitchen garden comes into its own, supplying 95 per cent of the hotel’s fruit, veg and herbs. Many ingredients in the garden salad are grown here.
Pick up tips on a garden tour with Tom throughout the year for £75pp, including an aperitif, three-course lunch and wine. BED DOWN: An overnight stay costs from £325 including full English breakfast. CONTACT: prideofbritainhotels.com, 0800 089 3929. UP THE GARDEN PATH: On the banks of River Tamar, this former hunting and fishing lodge built for the Duke of Bedford has been given a luxurious makeover by hotelier Olga Polizzi.
Set in 108 acres, its gardens, woodlands and grottos were designed by Humphry Repton, considered the successor to England’s greatest landscape gardener, Capability Brown.
Beyond the formal gardens, which run down to the Tamar, is an arboretum with champion trees and unusual specimens. There are carriage drives, streams, a waterfall, a rose and jasmine walkway and a charming dell perfect for picnics. The gardens are open to the public year round and entry is £5. BED DOWN: From £215 per night. CONTACT: hotelendsleigh.com, 01822 870 000. UP THE GARDEN PATH: On the banks of the Thames, the 376 acres of gardens and woodland surrounding this former stately home are always a joy. In keeping with the Grade I listed home’s hotbed of scandals, the grounds are gloriously decadent, from the Italianate long garden to the Japanese water garden complete with pagoda.
From the terrace, take in breathtaking views of the four-acre parterre, laid out in the mid19th century by head gardener John Fleming. He was a pioneer of carpet bedding – clipping plants into designs that look like a woven carpet. Entrance is £10 for adults, £5 children, nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden. BED DOWN: On selected dates in May, a night in a suite for two costs from £432.50, which is half price, and includes use of the spa. CONTACT: clivedenhouse.co.uk, 01628 668 561. UP THE GARDEN PATH: Set above the Victorian seaside town of Llandudno, the award-winning grounds of this 17th-century manor starred in the BBC’s Glorious Gardens from Above.
Within its 200 acres of formal and wild parkland and gardens is a rare box hedge pa parterre planted with herbs, a walled garden, a ro rockery with a cascade and enchanting follies.
There are plenty of opportunities to explore fo following one of the woodland walks or in the su summer and autumn months you can sign up for a tour with head gardener Robert Owen. The ne next tour on June 17 costs £34.50pp, including lu lunch and a glass of wine. BEDB DOWN: An overnight stay with full Welsh br breakfast starts at £180. CONTACT:C prideofbritainhotels.com, 08 0800 089 3929. UPU THE GARDEN PATH: The former ancestral ho home of the Earls of Wharncliffe are set in 26 acres of gorgeous gardens and woodlands. La Laid out in Italianate Palladian style, the formal