Darwin Escapes is adding to our ever expanding portfolio, with Canterbury Reach Lodge Retreat! Take a sneak peek at our how the development of our Canterbury Reach Lodge Retreat is coming along. When finished this luxury location will be the place for tranquil and relaxing holidays in Kent!
Canterbury Reach is due to open in Spring 2017, make sure to keep checking back on the website for more development pictures and information!
Indulge in a mouth watering meal at an award winning restaurant along the North Wales Coastline. Aberconwy Resort & Spa is the proud home of the outstanding Signatures Restaurant. Owned and managed by Executive Chef Jimmy and his, equally talented wife, Louise who is front of house with a smiling face as you enter, Signatures is a jewel in the North Wales crown. It might sound like we are biased here at DE HQ, but if you haven’t tried a meal at Signature’s you need to book now and you will see what we mean!
2016 has been a fantastic year for Signatures Restaurant, winning awards left, right and centre! Below is a list of the awards and accolades that Signatures have gained this year…
What an amazing year for the whole Signatures team! They really are like one big family there too, so they will all be so pleased and celebrating for the rest of the year (as well as working hard!). 2017 is kicking off to a great start too, with the local Daily Post conducting a ‘secret taste test’ and the fabulous review due out soon! Having all these awards, recommendations and the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence 2016, just shows Jimmy and Louise that all their hard work has paid off!
If you live locally why not give them a call on 01492 583513 to book a table and indulge in a mouth watering meal of a lifetime! And if you are considering holiday home ownership along the North Wales Coastline, Aberconwy Resort & Spa offers fantastic scenery, five star leisure facilities and top of the range static homes and lodges to own in Conwy. Call our dedicated and friendly Ownership Team on 01745858010 for more information, or request a brochure here.
An amazing well done to Signatures for all their hard work!
Looking for a romantic break away with your loved one? Darwin Escapes can help you out! Darwin Escapes’ North Devon location – Beach Cove Coastal Retreat, has gained the reputation as one of the most romantic places in the UK, with the 1 bedroom, quirky accommodation having a lot to do with this. But we also have 1 bedroom romantic getaway lodges at quite a few of our luxury locations, so whether you are looking for a romantic city break or a loved-up country holiday, we will have the perfect hand-picked location to fit your needs!
Woodside Bay is located in the Isle of Wight, with world class facilities including a choice of 3 restaurants, state of the art gym and spa lodge for luxury treatments.
winford lodge
One double bedroom with en-suite bathroom, fully fitted kitchen in an open plan living and dining area. Enjoy the decking area with patio furniture, and keep an eye out for the Winford Premier offering a luxury hot tub outside too.
treehouse
Sleeping two, this studio style, one of a kind, luxurious and quirky accommodation offers world class copper finishing throughout. With limited kitchen facilities and luxurious en-suite bathroom, along with a wood burner, decking area with furniture and hot tub.
Mullion Cove is located in South Cornwall and is surrounded by fun activities to do, as well as stunning scenery to explore, including the most southern point on mainland UK, the Lizard Peninsula.
porthleven premier
With one double bedroom, beautiful bathroom, open plan living/dining/kitchen area the Porthleven Premier has everything you could need. A fully fitted kitchen and board games to entertain on your romantic getaway, as well as a private decking area with outdoor hot tub.
Bath Mill is a tranquil retreat just a 20 minute walk from Bath city centre, with a state of the art gym lodge and the luxury Brook Bar & Bistro for mouth watering meals.
norland lodge
A studio style lodge offering a super king sized bed, with deluxe shower and bath, for that added luxurious feel. The kitchenette includes, fridge, microwave, kettle and toaster, with a Bluetooth docking station and flat screen TV. This lodge can be booked for 1, 2, 3, or 4 night breaks, depending on your plans.
Located on the edge of the Lake District, Thanet Well offers unrivalled views of the beautiful surrounding scenery. Visit Brougham Castle in nearby Penrith for some local history of the area.
ebony 1
With a king size bed and a stunning en-suite bathroom, the Ebony 1 is a beautiful lodge to share your romantic break in the Lake District. A fully fitted kitchen, with open plan living/dining/kitchen area means you will have everything you could need, along with the luxury touches including a feature fireplace, free standing bath and private outdoor decking.
Keswick Reach is a brand new location, offering beautiful food at the Copper Fells restaurant, luxury treatments at the Ammara Spa and state of the art gym, sauna and Jacuzzi pool. Keep an eye out for ‘Duck TV’ and see the ducks enjoying their very own lodge on the lake.
ruskin 1
A beautifully finished 1 bedroom lodge, with a fully fitted kitchen including dishwasher, contemporary dining area and breakfast bar in the spacious open plan living area. Opt for the Ruskin 1 Premier if you are looking for a hot tub and riverside view.
walpole
A one double bedroom lodge with a beautiful en-suite including bath and separate shower. An outdoor decking area offers views of the surrounding Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The fully fitted kitchen, dining table and breakfast bar, means you will have everything you need on your romantic break away. There are 3 other types of the Walpole, the Walpole View with a riverside view, the Walpole Premier for an outdoor hot tub, or the Walpole Premier View with both, make sure to check your requirements before booking!
A brand new location for 2017, Wareham Forest offers utter tranquillity in the Dorset countryside, surrounded by magical woodland. Close to the bustling coastal town of Poole, which offers nightlife, restaurants and many activities for you romantic break in the UK.
willow 1
A luxurious double bedroom with en-suite bathroom, the Willow 1 offers luxury in the brand new Dorset location. With a fully fitted kitchen, dining table and breakfast bar in the spacious kitchen/dining/living area, you will have everything you need for your self catering holiday. If you would like an added extra of an outdoor hot tub then make sure to book the Willow 1 Premier Lodge.
Drop next door to The Duke of Cambridge Pub for a delicious meal, or a quiet drink in the Surrey countryside. Or opt to catch the train for a 50 minute journey to the bustling capital city of London, before returning to the tranquillity of Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat.
cobbett traditional premier
Sleeping two, this 1 double bedroom with a beautiful king size, four poster bed offers luxury while holidaying in Surrey. Including a Jacuzzi bath, outdoor hot tub on private decking, as well as your own private sauna in the lodge. With a fully fitted kitchen and spacious, open plan living/dining/kitchen area to enjoy your relaxing, romantic break away.
falkner watersedge
A king size, four poster bed offers a luxurious nights sleep in this 1 bedroom lodge, with a fully fitted kitchen, open plan living and dinning area for everything you could need on a self catering break away. With a luxury en-suite, private sauna, board games, plus a veranda offering beautiful views of the secluded and tranquil pond where the ducks have their very own lodge.
Hawkchurch offers a state of the art gym, luxury and health promoting hydrotherapy pool, indulgent spa treatments at the Ezina Spa, as well as a choice of dinners from Pizza Alfresco or The Beeches Bar & Bistro for a mouth watering meal.
quinn lodge
With a spacious, open plan living/kitchen/dining area, this one bedroom lodge offers everything you would need for your romantic break in South Devon. With a private decking to enjoy, a fully fitted kitchen, free standing and roll top bath for added luxury, along with a Smart TV for a cuddly night on the sofa. If you would like an outdoor hot tub make sure to book the Quinn Premier Lodge.
All of the beach hut-inspired accommodation and apartments, at Beach Cove – sleep 2. This makes it the go-to location for a romantic break in North Devon. Our premier range of accommodation offers private hot tubs for a beautiful view of Hele Bay from your own decking. The studio style, quirky accommodation is decorated in soft pastel colours, with modern kitchen facilities, as well as a soft and luxurious bed and flat screens TV’s.
So whether you are looking for a secluded countryside break in Dorset, a romantic getaway to North Devon or a loved-up city break to Bath, Darwin Escapes has the location and perfect accommodation for your needs! Why not check out our romantic breaks page for information?
Happy Holidaying!
Aberconwy Resort & Spa has partnered with Aromatherapy Associates for our Aberconwy Spa treatments! Aberconwy is a complete sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and now with Aberconwy’s Spa offering a brand new brochure, with treatments from the prestigious and delectable Aromatherapy Associates, now is the time to visit! This luxury spa is open to the public and holiday home owners alike.
Having a luxury spa on your doorstep is just one of the benefits of the Aberconwy experience of holiday home ownership. The Aberconwy Spa offers a range of treatments including full body massages, facials and nails treatments; the spa is in a perfect location too, being surrounded by the dramatic Snowdonia Mountain Range as a backdrop, and the Conwy Morfa Beach just a stone’s throw away, all adding to the relaxing feel of the spa.
Offering brand new spa packages, including a 90 minute Essential Package, consisting of a relaxing Jessica Nails treatment, or try a Mum to Be pregnancy pampering package, to help soothe and relax you and the bump! Or opt for the unadulterated relaxation of the Weekday Wind Down package, helping you to leave the stresses of the workday behind and recharge for the remaining days ahead. Many of the spa packages also include use of the relaxation lounge and fantastic leisure facilities, subject to availability at booking.
After your relaxing treatment why not indulge in a delicious meal at Signature’s Restaurant? Winner of 2AA Rosettes, Michelin recommended and winner of many other awards in 2016, there is no other spa in Aberconwy that is home to a five-star rate facility, completely refurbished gym and a multi-award winning restaurant.
The Aberconwy Spa offers luxury Aromatherapy Associates treatments in a beautiful setting, with five star facilities and an award winning restaurant, all for the perfect experience at this indulgent spa in Aberconwy. If you are interested in becoming part of the Aberconwy community why not call our Ownership team on 01745 858010 for more information? Or if you are looking to book a treatment (lucky you!) call reception on 01492 572002.
Need some fitness inspiration? Darwin Escapes have found some fantastic quotes to keep you on that treadmill! Fitness is hard, especially at this time of year when we are constantly bombarded with food, but reading inspirational quotes can always keep us mindful.
A simple quote can change the way you think about something and look at it a completely different way. Fitness is hard to keep up during the winter months, with the constant dark mornings and nights giving no motivation to go on a run or a quick trip to the gym. But these fitness quotes on instagram help keep you mindful and often give some great insights into how important mental health is to physical health, and vice versa.
Instagram is the best place to find fitness motivation and here I’ve complied my top favourite quotes for you…
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Find your fitness motivation!
Explore the historic city of Canterbury from a whole new angle with the award winning Canterbury’s Historic River Tours. Our brand new location Canterbury Reach Lodge Retreat is due to open its doors in Spring 2017, the perfect time to explore the stunning local area and one of the most historic cities in the UK. Canterbury’s history surrounds you as you walk around the city, from the ancient architecture to the stunning Cathedral you can see on your wanders. Explore the secret parts of the beautiful city with Canterbury’s Historic River Tours…
Canterbury Historic River Tours is the perfect introduction to the city, with very friendly and professional staff who presents all the historical facts of the passing monuments in an entertaining, light hearted and humorous manner! This unique and fascinating tour will capture the imagination of all ages and will form a part of a great day out, flowing through the heart of the historic city exploring the hidden secrets and seeing the well known sights from a whole new angle. Canterbury Historic River Tours are award winning, with them having been finalists in both the Beautiful South Awards 2015 and 2016 Visit England Awards. They also won the ‘European Unique Tour of the Year 2017’ from the Luxury Travel Guides European Awards, so you know you are definitely in safe hands with these guys!
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Canterbury was founded and thrived because of the river that flows through the city, the Romans settled because it was where the River Stour forms around a series of islands making it the easiest place to find a crossing for their commute to London. The river has always helped the city prosper, initially as a source of drinking water and providing food, and later the helping provide power for the city’s growing mill and weaving industries. The Canterbury Historic River Tours first departed on 26th March 1932 from the Black Friars Monastery under the name Canterbury Friars Ferry, with the aim of showing visitors and residents the well known beauty spots from a new view, as well as providing a ferry service for locals, which the current tour still does. In 1932 the tours were so popular and much anticipated, that for the first departure local residents and dignitaries gathered to celebrate the event, with the local newspaper covering it also!
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This 40 minute guided tour will take you through the city, to Franciscan island which is home a 13th Century Chapel that spans the river and is the oldest Franciscan architecture in the country. As well as seeing places such as the 12th Century Eastbridge Hospital, the Kings Bridge and many medieval industrial buildings, including the Cromwellian iron forge. The tour has been one of the favourite pastimes of visitors to the city for decades, being able to explore the hidden beauty of Canterbury and seeing sights you wouldn’t from the streets, including unique and wonderful sights of the historic Cathedral. The river tour is the perfect way to explore the city away from the hustle and bustle above, and seeing the hidden gems that are only accessible by boat, creating the perfect way for you and your family to enjoy the historic sights.
So why not visit these friendly people, jump in a boat and row on down the river (don’t worry you don’t actually do the rowing) and learn all about this historic city in a brand new way! With Canterbury Reach Lodge Retreat opening its doors in Spring 2017, it is the perfect time to start booking your holiday and spectacular river tour now. Also follow Canterbury Historic River Tours on instagram to keep to date with them, and to see the special sights of Canterbury on their travels.
Happy Boating Ladies & Gents!
Located just 30 minutes away from our wonderful Talacre Beach Holiday Home Park it is the perfect place to visit during your North Wales holiday break. Ruthin is a sleepy Welsh town that is steeped in history and local culture, with a rock in the town centre claiming a connection to King Arthur and Nantclwyd Y Dre being a 15th Century house, Ruthin is like taking a step back in time!
Nantclwyd Y Dre is a 15th Century town house, just off the high street, with history and beautiful gardens, the house itself is known as Wales’ oldest dated timbered town house and was continually occupied for more than five centuries.
Since becoming a house in 1435 Nantclwyd Y Dre has been home to some colourful characters, and you can learn all about them during your tour around the lovingly refurbished house. Over the centuries the house was updated and upgraded, with the rooms having been beautifuly restored to demonstrate the ever changing fashions, so you can really see what life was like during the relevant periods.
One room has been left alone, due to current residents still living there. In the attic there lives a family of bats, you can take a sneak peek at these lovely creatures using the ‘bat cam’. The newly refurbished Lord’s Garden adds a whole new dimension to the house, and helps to show people what the original Nantclwyd Y Dre garden looked like.
A visit to Nantclwyd Y Dre is like taking a trip through time, a wonderful tour of the centuries through the house, and they even have an accompanying Interactive Tour App if you fancied more stories about the beautiful and fascinating house! For the opening times, please visit the Nantclwyd website.
Happy Exploring Ladies & Gents!
We here are Darwin Escapes HQ love Christmas, and we think you can’t beat a good Christmas table
From perfect Christmas centrepieces to traditional Christmas crackers, your table will set the mood for your delicious Christmas dinner, we have the top tips right here.
Before the food is all scoffed down and just as everyone is about to sit down, imagine what your Christmas table decorations will look like, need more help? Well we have the top Christmas table decoration ideas to help you!
Christmas themed tablecloths are fun, and sometimes fancy. They will make your table the centre piece of the room or the perfect themed backdrop to your Christmas table decorations. If you are looking for a light touch, you can get some nice Christmas table runners, such as Santa Claus’ belt.
This adds a little festive feel with a touch of comedy to your Christmas table decorations. Amazon has a great selection of these, from Santa outfits and snowmen, to Christmas stockings.
You can purchase these with a Christmas theme, giving your guests something to play with while waiting for the food to be plated up, or waiting for people to finish. These will give lots of giggles around your Christmas table.
Christmas themed table confetti adds a touch of sparkle to your table decorations. You can find reindeer, snowmen or Santa ones, or if you are looking for a subtle hint, you can get confetti made out of A Christmas Carol, the novel.
There are cute Santa hats to put over the back of your chairs, adding an extra festive look to you Christmas table.
A must have item for every Christmas table, a well loved tradition of putting on paper hats and playing with toys that will break 2 minutes later. There are literally millions of different styles, you will definitely be able to find some to match your Christmas table decorations.
These are a delicate and subtle Christmas decoration, themed charms to dangle from your wine glasses during your Christmas dinner.
You can pick up plain red ones, or Santa themed placemats to add to your theme, or even Christmas themed colouring matts for the children to entertain themselves while everyone is finishing off their delicious dinners.
These can be as simple or extravagant as you like. A simple Christmas centrepiece decoration could some candles on a silver tray, with some fake holly leaves around it, or wine glasses turned upside down with some green leaves inside and tea lights on the top (bottom?) of the glasses. Or you can go all out and have a full on wreath, a garland (depending on the size of your table) or a Christmas village scene – it’s totally up to you, but just be mindful that the centrepiece tends to set the theme for the whole Christmas table.
One last tip: You probably don’t want all of these on your table or there won’t be any room left for you food, pick your favourites or a theme and stick with that.
Happy Christmas Table Decorating Ladies and Gentlemen!
Never sure how to decorate your house during the festive period? Well Darwin Escapes are here to help, with our ultimate cheat sheet!
So you are the type of person who thinks of a theme for your Christmas decorations all year long? Or are you more like me, and wing it every year? Here are Darwin Escapes to help with the top 3 themed Christmas decoration ideas for 2016!
The first thing for Christmas decorations is to have key focal points, make sure to consider the main areas of the house, the areas you spend time in and the ones people will see. The Christmas tree is normally the main focal point for any home, and will often spark ideas for Christmas decorations around the rest of the house.
Decorating your front garden, door and windows in the same Christmas decoration theme as the rest of your home, sets a warm welcome for anyone visiting during the festive season.
But what about Christmas decoration themes I hear you cry? (or not…) But no fear, this is the cheat sheet for Christmas decorations after all, so we have the top three festive themes for Christmas 2016!
The traditional elegance theme consists of festive holiday colours of red, green and gold with a subtle opulence. So basically traditional Christmas decorations reminiscent of the Charles Dickens era, old style Christmas ornaments, plaid patterns, velvet, silk trims, beads and plenty of glitter! A fancy Christmas tree covered in red and gold Christmas decorations, with maybe a Christmas ornament village dotted around too!
This is a bit more of a playful Christmas decorating theme, bold and bright colours, borderline neon shades (but without giving you a headache). Here we are talking true hues of red, blue, yellow, turquoise and orange, as well as trying geometric patterns and lots of fun shapes. This is a fun and non-traditional Christmas decorating theme for 2016, a new one to try and especially bold and bright if you have little ones!
This is a calming palette of winter colours and country Christmas decorations, with plenty of pale pinks, sky blues and purple hues. Hessian bags, brown paper Christmas wrapping paper and DIY Christmas decorations all lend themselves to this Christmas decoration theme. The Christmas tree decorations are best in wood, straw, pine cones and other kind of organic stylings, then add special feather clad balls or (fake) birds or butterflies for outdoors, rustic theme. Add these styles to the rest of the home and you will have your very own country rustic Christmas decoration theme!
And that, ladies and gentlemen is your cheat sheet to Christmas decorating themes in 2016!
Take advantage of one of the UK’s Best Go-Kart Circuits During Half Term. As part of our partnership with GYG Karting, we are delighted to be able to offer 10% off the price of arrive and drive karting for all Darwin Escapes customers this half term. All you have to do in order to redeem this offer is enter the promotional code “darwin” when you are booking your arrive and drive session on the gygkarting.com website.
The circuit is located in the midst of the tranquil North Wales countryside near Cerrigydrduion, perfectly located for a great day out for anyone staying at one of our North Wales Holiday Parks over the course of the half term week. This offer is open to both owners and holiday makers alike.
The Glan Y Gors circuit is generally regarding as being one of the most challenging and spectacular outdoor karting circuits in the UK. It regularly plays host to national karting championship events featuring many of the stars of tomorrow. This is a circuit where the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button honed their skills in their younger years prior to hitting the big time in the world of Formula One. The circuit is regularly featured on championship broadcasts on Sky Sports and S4C.
You can find out whether or not you have got what it takes behind the wheel of a go-kart in these fantastic arrive and drive sessions which are now even more affordable than before thanks to this special Darwin Escapes offer.
It is the perfect day out for all the family, with various skills levels taken account of courtesy of the two circuit layouts which are available. The shorter track is ideal for beginners or those who are not overly confident with their driving abilities, while the longer configuration is not for the faint hearted featuring the notorious devils pinch corner. Take this at full throttle if you dare!
There are also two different sizes of go-kart available to hire for arrive and drive sessions. The smallest of which is the Honda 160cc kart which is designed for the less-confident, inexperienced and younger drivers, including children aged nine and above, who are taller than 4ft 5 inches, all welcome to take to the track. The larger go-kart is the Honda 270cc kart, which is great for those who are confident in their abilities and keen to push the limits.
Happy Driving Thrill-Seekers!
