Norfolk Woods Resort & Spa is sprinting towards its opening date in mid-January and is now taking showing the finishing details of a first class, luxurious destination you can really relax in. Take a scroll through the photos below and see how fabulous Norfolk Woods is looking in our most recent photos!

How fantastic is our brand-new location looking? You can book your holiday now! Norfolk Woods Resort & Spa also offers holiday home ownership, where you can relax and retire to your home away from home in utter luxury. Call our dedicated Ownership Team on 01745 858010 or talk to an advisor via our Live Chat Service.

The popular Conwy Quays Marina boasts a beautiful backdrop and a perfect location, being only a 15 minute walk from our own Aberconwy Resort & Spa…

The Conwy Marina is part of the Quay’s Marina group, which owns a few marinas along the North Wales coast and is one of the most respected operators in the UK, which gives a safe haven to you and your boat in the only marina to be awarded the 5 Gold Anchor Marina Award in North Wales.

Conwy Marina offers the perfect place to base yourself to explore the picturesque North Wales coastline. You can discover the cruising grounds of North Wales, where shallow draught vessels can follow the Conwy River and go as far in-land as Tal-Y-Cafn, where you can secure your boat and have a lovely lunch with spectacular views.

in the local area

The Conwy Quays Marina is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering beautiful views all around, but you’ll be able to discover all the wonderful landmarks around the coast with your boat. From the marina, you can take in the views of the seaside town of Llandudno and the Great Orme landmark, which boasts a range of family fun activities and cable cars. Travel along the Llyn Peninsula towards the picturesque Italianate style village of Portmeirion, which was made famous by the 1960’s sci-fi TV show ‘The Prisoner’. Or choose to follow the Conwy River to the beautiful Bodnant Gardens, which are reported to be amongst the most stunning and finest gardens in the world.

One of the most popular destinations for boats to visit is the island of Anglesey, as vessels with a draught of 1.5m are able to navigate the sea to the island, and there are plenty of sheltered areas to anchor. There is also a peaceful anchorage point on Puffin Island, which is roughly 3 miles out and is home to a number of wildlife, including a range of birds, cormorants, puffins and seals. Take a picturesque trip through the Menai Straits, where navigation requires care but you’ll be able to see Plas Newydd, a National Trust property where the Marquis of Anglesey lives.

training courses

Conwy Quay Marina is a Sewake centre and an accredited RYA training centre, with a wide range of courses to cater to all boat enthusiasts. Offering a unique experience, the Conwy Marina combines the safety aspects of the Conwy Estuary and the challenging waters of the Menai Strait, you’ll be tested on all levels from the best instructors.

The RYA instructors are highly experienced in all training areas and the marina has a fleet of commercially coded vessels, as well as offering training courses for your own boat training, individual training and commercial skipper examinations, plus more.

If you’re looking for a place to anchor and base yourself, with 24 hour staffing, free Wi-Fi and a beautiful Mulberry Pub onsite serving delicious food, the Conwy Quays Marina is for you.

The Conwy Marina is only a 15 minute walk away from our luxurious, 5 star Aberconwy Resort & Spa destination, which offers holiday home ownership and unbeatable facilities.

about Aberconwy

Aberconwy Resort & Spa is our owner’s exclusive destination along the North Wales coastline, offering beautiful lodges and holiday homes for sale, with breathtaking views of the Conwy Morfa Beach and magical backdrops of the Snowdonia Mountain Range.

Book a park tour to visit our location and meet our friendly team, who will be able to take you around the park, showcasing the stunning facilities and our wide range of lodges and holiday homes for sale in North Wales. The team will be able to talk you through the process, help you find out if the holiday home lifestyle is for you, help you pick out your dream holiday home and talk you step by step through the purchasing process. Our friendly team are always on hand to answer any questions you may have, or even if you just wanted to pop into the Sales Lodge for a cuppa and a chat!

Our 5 star facilities include a beautiful indoor, heated swimming pool, sauna and steam room to relax in, as well as the Aberconwy Spa where you can indulge in an Aromatherapy Associates treatment by our fully trained therapists. The Langley’s Country Club will have everything you need for a full body work out, including a wide range of cardio machines, free weights and deadlift areas, as well as a separate HIIT room, with a programme of classes to enjoy. Aberconwy is also home to the multi-award winning Signatures Restaurant, where owners Jimmy and Louise offer fabulous and friendly service and outstandingly delicious meals for all to enjoy.

For more information call our dedicated Ownership Team on 01745 858010 or talk to an advisor via our Live Chat service.

There really is a holiday home destination to fit everyone and Talacre Beach Resort could be perfect for you and we’ve got an owners review to prove it!

Offering fabulous first-class facilities, Talacre Beach Resort is only a short walk to the sandy beach and offers a fantastic getaway on the North Wales coastline. We spoke to Mr Hampson, who is an owner at Talacre Beach, as well as the 2019 Talacre Beach Golf Society Captain, we spoke to Andy Hampson and his wife Sarah and asked them about their ownership experience at Talacre, along with some questions about the wonderful Golf Society, which has been going for a number of decades at Talacre.

profile

From South Manchester

Andy is General Manager of a Ceramic Sink manufacturing business and Sarah is an IT Development Team Supervisor for the NHS

They have an adorable small dog, named Ted, who holidays every weekend with them at their holiday home

Friends and family love to use the holiday home when they can, but Sarah, Andy & Ted use it almost every weekend

questionnaire

• How long have you owned at Talacre Beach?
  2019 will be our 5th year on site.
• How did you first find out about Talacre Beach?
  We actually had a friend at a nearby site which we had organised to view, we realised Talacre Beach existed next door. We went to the other site and then Talacre Beach, the rest as they say is history.
• What drew you to buying with us?
  The lifestyle, the opportunity to get our youngest daughter from behind a laptop/TV screen and then the facilities on site.
• How often do you visit your holiday home?
  Pretty much every weekend.
• Who would you recommend to buy at Talacre Beach? (ie. families, retired couples, business professionals)
  Yes it will suit everyone, provided you go into the experience with your eyes wide open. This is not a cheap experience, so don’t expect it to be.
• What’s the best part of owning a holiday home at Talacre Beach?
  The lifestyle. We’ve made some amazing friends, we get the chance to walk our dog on the beach every day. Just remember to give your liver a break during the week!
• How often do you gather to play rounds of golf?
  Every weekend first thing on a Saturday morning. Sometimes if a few of us are down on a Friday pm we’ll also play then.
• What golf courses do you play at in the local area?
  Mostly at Rhuddlan, although some of us are also members at Prestatyn.
• How would an owner join the Golf Society?
  Come and see me in the club on a Friday night (I’m very tall 6ft 5 with too much grey hair!). You can come along and see whether you enjoy playing with us on a Saturday. If you then decide to join fully its £120 per annum.
• What events/tournaments do you have during the year?
  We have 6 away days per year (tournaments) where we actually play at other courses within an hour or so of the site. Additionally, we have introduced a weekend away trip this year. We also host an annual Captain’s Day BBQ in August, a charity tournament and evening in September and then our annual presentation evening in November. In addition to those events, there are countless ad-hoc nights out / BBQ’s.
• Would you recommend owning at Talacre Beach to family and friends?
  Absolutely, one of the best lifestyle decisions we have ever made.

As Andy has brilliantly said, owning a holiday home is a wonderful lifestyle decision, imagine being able to escape the daily grind and spend your weekends by the beach with friends, at your very own North Wales holiday escape at Talacre Beach Resort. With such fantastic reviews for Talacre Beach from our very own owner’s community, it’s easy to see why we have been one of the most popular holiday home owners destinations along the North Wales coastline for the past 50 years.

about ownership at talacre beach

Becoming an owner at Talacre Beach means taking full advantage of the lifestyle, from exploring the local area and enjoying the fantastic facilities and spending time with your family in your holiday home. Book a park tour with our professional sales team who will take you through the whole process, from showing you our 5 star facilities to showcasing our wide range of lodge and holiday homes for sale at Talacre Beach. Our friendly team can take you step by step through the purchasing process, as well as introducing you to financial advisors who can help you spread the cost of your holiday home should you need it.

For more information about ownership at Talacre Beach, call our dedicated Ownership Team on 01745 858010 or talk to an adviser via our Live Chat service.

Talacre Beach’s five star facilities include an indoor heated swimming pool, sauna and steam room to relax in, as well as a fully equipped gym lodge for those who don’t want to miss out on their weekly work out. The children will love the Go Active programme, with archery, panna soccer and even mini jet skis to have a go on! The whole family can enjoy the day and night time entertainment organised by Charlie Bear and his talented team of Rangers, which includes activities like afternoon tea parties, family fun days, movie nights, quizzes, karaoke and fabulous cabaret acts for all the family to enjoy. Spend some time relaxing in the lounge area while enjoying a delicious meal from the Bistro Restaurant, which serves family favourites for lunch and evening meals, then relax with a hot drink from the varied Costa Coffee menu or from our fully stocked bar, while catching up with friends.

Our brand new location is reaching its opening date, take a look at the photos below for a sneak peek inside at our facilities! Norfolk Woods Resort & Spa is nearing its official opening day and the final touches are starting to take shape, from the beautiful mural along the wall in the swimming pool area and the spectacular branded pool tables, to the wonderful restaurant and bar, and the outdoor multi-purpose sports area. Take a look at the images below for a sneak peek of how the resort is shaping up! Why not book your holiday with us at our brand new resort?

Book your Norfolk Woods Resort & Spa holiday and see the finished article with your own eyes! For more information keep checking back on the blog, or head to our home page for all the detailed information about this first class resort!

All the elves here at DE HQ would love to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Father Christmas is enjoying his break over at the Best in Britain 2016 Award Winner, Beach Cove Coastal Retreat… getting ready to put his feet up after a job well done!

We hope you all have a wonderful festive break and enjoy a fun-filled New Year!
Here’s to more adventuring in 2017!

Here at Darwin Escapes we would like to wish all our fantastic customers, employees and partners a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The Duck That Saved Christmas!
It was the night before Christmas; preparations almost done,
But help, oh no, my reindeers had gone on the run!
Christmas would be ruined, the children would be distraught,
Who on earth can help? Then suddenly I had a thought.
To the SOS phone I quickly ran,
I dialled Darwin Escapes to locate my main man.
‘Darwin Duck please can you help,
The reindeers have escaped thanks to my clumsy elf!’
With a flash and a bang, and feathers a’ flapping,
Darwin Duck</a> arrived and we all started clapping.
With a quack , a waddle and magic dust from a tub,
Darwin Duck found my reindeers, they were in the pub!
To the sleigh we ran, with only seconds to go,
Jumped on board with a quack quack quack and a Ho Ho HO!
Christmas was saved, presents delivered to all,
For always happy memories, you know who to call…

For UK Breaks Think Darwin Escapes…

With 22 stunning locations to choose from, offering everything from traditional holidays and short breaks to luxury lodge accommodation and boutique beach huts, we’re sure we have something for everyone.

Our handpicked locations are dotted throughout the UK and include tranquil escapes in The Lake District, North Wales, Surrey, Somerset, Cornwall, Devon and the Isle of Wight.

Book your 2019 Darwin Escapes holiday with a deposit from only £25 today or find out more by requesting our holiday brochure.

For a Lifetime of Memories…

If you don’t want your holidays to end, they don’t have to. Here at Darwin Escapes we have 8 handpicked locations where you can create a lifetime of memories by becoming an owner.

We’re confident we have the perfect destination for your dream UK holiday home. We also have an unrivalled selection of new and used holiday homes, static caravans and lodges for sale in North Wales, Somerset, Dorset and Cornwall.

For more information on holiday home ownership with Darwin Escapes request our 2019 ownership brochure online today.

The Tilford Bach Society is organising the annual festive Carols by Candlelight event, which is sponsored by Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat. The Tilford Bach Society was founded in 1952 by Denys Darlow, who is now a well-known and popular conductor, as well as an interpreter of 17th and 18th Century music…

The TBS runs a number of festivals and concerts in both Tilford and Farnham throughout the year, including monthly high quality chamber music concerts in Farnham Castle, along with running an international baroque concert, which showcases predominantly Bach’s music. There are monthly chamber music concerts in a number of churches around Farnham, as well as a series of Conservatoire Concerts in Godalming, which have been created as the perfect place to give students and young professionals performance opportunities.

The Candles by Candlelight event is taking place on 8th December at the historic All Saints Church, starting at 6pm. There will be a number of choir performances, a few readings and a charming school chamber choir. There will also be a charity collection for the All Saints Church, which is now over 150 years old and as such, requires a lot of maintenance, and has an historic connection to the Tilford Bach Society, being the church were Denys Darlow founded the society nearly 70 years ago.

Head to the church on December 8th for festive event, which is proudly sponsored by our own Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat.

Have you booked your Christmas holiday at Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat? Enjoy a winter break away in the beautiful English countryside of Farnham, Surrey. Indulge in complete relaxation with our unique log-style cabins with four poster beds, sumptuous sofas and some lodges even boast hot tubs and private saunas, the ultimate winter get away is waiting for you.

There is an ownership park for everyone and Seaview might be your perfect destination in North Wales but don’t just take our word for it, read on below to see what our lovely owners say. Seaview Holiday Home Park offers outstanding views over the North Wales coastline and Mr & Mrs F have their own peaceful sanctuary with us. We spoke to Mr & Mrs F and asked them some questions about their ownership experience at Seaview, read below to see their answers…

profile:

From the Wigan area

Both now enjoying retirement. Were previously a Primary School Teacher and a Business Professional in the Pharmaceutical industry

They enjoy retreating to their personal sanctuary in North Wales

owner review questionnaire

• How long have you owned at Seaview?
  Since May 2010
• What drew you to buying with us?
  It was in easy striking distance from home (Wigan area), looked very quiet and had fantastic views.
• Was North Wales your first choice of region to own a holiday home?
  No, we initially found an ‘adult only’ lodge park in the Scottish borders but decided it was too far away for easy week-end use and that we would tire of travelling to it.
• How did you find the buying process with us?
  Very good. Each time we have upgraded (we are on our third now) the sales team have been very helpful.
• How have you found the aftercare service from the Sales Team?
  Again very good. They do try to help in sorting out any issues with the new caravan/lodge.
• How often do you visit your holiday home?
  We try to visit every week-end Saturday to Monday as well as some full week periods during the year.
• Who would you recommend to own at Seaview?
  Seaview is ideal for business professionals/retired couples who want peace and quiet with beautiful views. The lack of children’s facilities at Seaview was one of the main attractions for us.
• What’s the best part of owning a holiday home?
  It’s the fact that it’s really a second home. Everything is your own and it’s ready and waiting when you arrive.
• What’s the best part of owning a holiday home at Seaview?
  The peace and quiet, the great views and the fantastic beach to walk on.
• Would you recommend Seaview to family and friends?
  Yes, if they want tranquility.
• Do you explore the local area during your break at your holiday home? (If so, where do you venture?)
  We go walking most days, mainly on the beach but also along the various paths in the Talacre/Prestatyn area.

Seaview is the perfect tranquil getaway, nestled half way up the Gwespyr mountain in North Wales, you can create your own hide-away from the daily grind. If you’re looking for Seaview Holiday Home Park reviews, who’s better than our owners, Mr & Mrs F? They offer an honest review of the process and what they enjoy about the glorious destination, which they have enjoyed for 8 years now!

ownership at seaview

Becoming an owner at Seaview means taking full advantage of the amazing views available from almost every plot we have, waking up to the peaceful North Wales countryside while enjoying the views of the coastline nearby. With no facilities, Seaview concentrates on the tranquility of the surrounding nature, including public walking paths, the nearby Talacre Beach and coastal walking path stretching the length of North Wales.

Book a park tour with our friendly and professional Sales Team, who will take you around the park itself, showcasing the views and our wide range of lodges and holiday homes for sale at Seaview. They will also be able to take you step by step through the purchasing process and answer any questions you may have, including being able to introduce you to a financial adviser to help you spread the cost should you need it. The team will always be on hand to help out and provide an excellent aftercare service, with a friendly face to have a chat with.

For more information call our dedicated team on 01745 858010 or talk to an adviser via our Live Chat service.

This year we thought we’d weigh in on the Christmas advert debate, having been inspired by the wonderful John Lewis 2018 Christmas advert

By now you will have seen the John Lewis 2018 Christmas advert, who partnered with another British icon, Elton John (if not, take a look at this and all the other festive ads here). The retail giant tugged on the heart strings of the nation again this year with a story about how a gift is more than gift, with a little boy getting a piano for Christmas and it completely inspiring and changing the course of his life, the little boy is Elton John, and the gift was from his mum and his nan, who encouraged his talent.

We loved this message and it’s similar to our own, below we’ve jumped on the band-wagon and created our own version of the Christmas advert, have a watch about all the reasons why a caravan is more than just a caravan.

A caravan is somewhere you can escape to, your sanctuary away from the daily grind, where your kids can learn to swim and make friends who they will grow up with. It’s a place where you can have some quality family time together and relax, it really is your home away from home.

You’ll be joining a community of owners who will become your friends, you’ll have more time to relax and enjoy delicious food, take advantage of all facilities as often as you’d like and explore the local areas with your family.

A caravan is more than a caravan, the same way a gift is more than a gift. The power of a gift can inspire a career, the power of owning a holiday home can help you relax and explore new areas with your family!

Why not start a new tradition with us this year? Give yourself the gift of a caravan, an escape from the daily grind and see how it inspires and changes your life!

Don’t miss Bath’s biggest ice rink this festive season in the beautiful Victoria Park, filled with fun, food and events. Bath Mill Lodge Retreat is only short distance from the historic city centre, meaning you can explore all the hustle and bustle of city life but retreat back to the peaceful oasis Bath Mill offers. And during your winter break with us, don’t miss the ever popular Bath on Ice!

about Bath on ice

Bath on Ice opens on Friday 16th November and is open every day (except Christmas day) until Sunday 6th January. This year the rink will be 1000 square meters of ice, making it the biggest ever ice staking rink in the city, which will provide more space for skaters than ever before, there will also be new, more comfortable lace-up boots available to hire too.

The Glow in the Dark Mini-Golf course will also be back and is always a popular attraction, with 18 holes, mist and atmospheric lighting, and of course, glow in the dark golf balls! Put your competitiveness to the test with this fabulous attraction, in the beautiful surroundings of Victoria Park.

After a fun time skating and playing mini-golf, head into the warmth of the Moguls Alpine Bar, which will be serving festive hot mulled wine, mouth-watering wood fired pizzas and luxurious hot chocolate. There will also be a range of beers and wines available at the bar, and wonderful log burners to relax next to.

events at Bath on ice

There are a range of family friendly events throughout November and December to enjoy at Bath on Ice, where you can enjoy time with family and get in the festive spirit.

Enjoy the events and have fun skating, but Bath on Ice also offer private event functions, where you can book a group booking, birthday or Christmas party and have a wonderful night!

opening hours & prices

16th Nov – 14th Dec: weekdays 11:45am – 9:30pm / Weekends 10:30am – 9:30pm
15th Dec – 6th Jan: Everyday 1:30am – 9:30pm (Closed Christmas Day)

Why not book your Bath Mill holiday break and visit the fantastic Bath on Ice, skate the night away, enjoy the Glow in the Dark Mini-Golf and indulge in delicious food at the Alpine lodge.

Bath Mill offers a great alternative to a city hotel escape, with a range of luxurious lodge choose from, including our one bed Norland Lodges which are ideal for city breaks and a range of larger lodges for full family holidays. Indulge in a delicious main meal at our onsite Brooke Bar & Bistro, where you can enjoy a delicious meal and decadent desserts, as well as a relaxing drink from our fully stocked bar.

Photo’s provided by Bath On Ice