As you may have heard, Darwin Escapes has a brand new location under development in Norfolk and there has been a lot of interest, so here’s a sneak peek for you. Take a look at the pictures below for all the latest on how Norfolk Woods Resort & Spa is shaping up, this sure-to-be breathtaking location will be offering luxurious lodges for accommodation and first class facilities, including a fun nature themed play park for the little ones and a huge Go Active field for all the adventure seekers out there!

Norfolk Woods Resort & Spa will also be a brand new Ownership destination, how exciting! You could be the proud owner of your dream holiday home in a breathtaking destination with outstanding facilities to enjoy every weekend, what could be better?

Keep an eye out on our blog section and social pages for more development news…

How amazing does this place look already? We are so excited to show all that Norfolk Woods Resort & Spa has to offer you, from the fabulous facilities and outstanding local area, to the option of holiday home ownership. It really does have it all!

If you’d like to know more about holiday home ownership with Darwin Escapes, call our dedicated Ownership Team on 01745858010 or talk to an advisor via our Live Chat service.

Explore this beautiful inhabited island on selected days of the year and discover the 18th Century house on this little island

Derwent Island and House offers a beautiful day out for all ages and is only around a 30 minute drive away from our own, 5 star Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat. Meaning you can enjoy the beautiful luxury that Keswick Reach offers and it is ideally placed to explore the local area and all that the Lake District has to offer!

The Derwent House is lived in all year round, but is actually only open to the public 5 days a year, giving you the chance to see island living at its finest! The only date left for 2018 is Thursday 21st August, but make sure to keep an eye on the National Trust website for the 2019 release days.

the history

Derwent Island has been inhabited for centuries and was previously owned by monks and even at one time, Royalty. During the 16th Century a group of German miners, who were working in the area, lived on the island and built a camp for themselves, they grew vegetables, kept animals and even brewed beer!

The beautiful house currently on the island was built in the 18th Century by an eccentric named Joseph Pocklington, who also built a charming chapel and a small fort on the island. The fort has been used for mock battles during annual regattas on the lake. The house is currently lived in all year round.

about your trip

The most reliable way to travel to the island is by canoe, as the lake levels can be quite unpredictable and are affected by rainfall and drought in the area. Don’t worry if you have never canoed before, the trip is quick and easy for beginners and the canoes are rafted together to create extra stability. Although you will be paddling yourself, all trips are accompanied by two qualified canoe instructors from Keswick Canoe & Bushcraft. The journey takes around 5 minutes.

Only 18 people at one time can fit in the canoes, as such tickets are timed and you’ll get around 2 hours on the island itself. when you arrive you will have a 45 minute guided tour of all the main show rooms inside the 18th Century house, after the tour you can explore the island at your leisure until your time to canoe back.

Derwent Island and House is steeped in centuries of local history and offers a fantastic day out for all ages.

Located only a 30 minute drive away is our own 5 star holiday destination, Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat, where you can indulge in fabulous facilities including luxurious Aromatherapy Associates treatments at our onsite Ammara Spa. Or enjoy a delicious meal at The Copper Fells Bar & Brasserie, which is also home to a fully stocked bar with locally produced spirits and regular live music.

Retreat back to your stunning accommodation, which comes with sumptuous sofas, fully fitted kitchens and beautiful beds, as well as selected lodges having private hot tub facilities. We have a wide range of accommodation to cater to all party sizes, from large family gatherings to our beautiful one-bed lodges, which are ideal for a romantic getaway in the Lake District.

Book your holiday to Keswick Reach and explore the rich history of the Lake District, while staying in complete luxury

Tamar Otter & Wildlife Park offers family fun in Cornwall, with friendly animals to meet and delicious cake to eat from the Tea Room

Our own beautiful Sandymouth Holiday Resort is only 30 minutes away from the Tamar Otter & Wildlife Park, making it ideally placed to explore the stunning local area during your holiday. Stay in our stunning family friendly and luxurious accommodation at Sandymouth, explore our exceptional facilities onsite and discover the cheeky animals at the wildlife park only a half an hour’s drive away.

about Tamar Otter & Wildlife Park

Wander the beautiful grounds and visit the families of British and Asian Short Clawed Otters, who will be having the time of their lives playing and you’ll even see them being hand fed. If you stroll to the large woodland enclosure you’ll spot some of the stunning species roaming around, including fallow deer, wallabies and muntjac deer, who all call the 21 acre grounds home.

Meet the different owl species and the other fabulous birds of prey who call Tamar Otter & Wildlife Park home. Check out the walkway to meet those cheeky meerkats before exploring the Old Quarry, or going a little further to discover the beautiful and tranquil Quarry Pool.

There is also a great gift shop onsite, an award-winning Tea Room, two lakes and various picnic areas available throughout the park for the whole family to enjoy. Tamar Otter & Wildlife Park is completely funded by paying visitors, they receive no other funding, so you’ll be pleased to know that your entrance and extras help to pay for upkeep, improvements and especially otter rehabilitation.

the tea room

The Platinum CHEFS Award Winning Tea Room serves both hot and cold food, so no matter the weather or your craving they’ll have something perfect for you.

The high quality, locally sourced ingredients create delicious and healthy dishes, which are freshly prepared and cooked onsite. The extensive menu always includes a range of quiches, jacket potatoes, various mouth-watering pies, as well as salads, sandwiches and, of course, Cornish Cream Teas. There is also is a selection of decadent cakes and cake slices, as well as having a range of gluten free choices and children’s portions available on the menu.

If the weather is on your side, why not order your food to takeaway and enjoy your mouth-watering meal at one of Tamar Otter & Wildlife Park’s picnic areas?

times & prices

Open every day from 30th March until 31st October, 10:30am to 6pm. Last entry at 4.30pm.
Adult £9 / Child £5.50

Enjoy a fabulous day out at Tamar Otter & Wildlife Park, where you’ll be helping conservation and rehabilitation, all while having a great time. And why not book your break to a beautiful, 5 star location in Cornwall at Sanymouth Holiday Resort? Where you can enjoy the local area, including the endless sandy beaches, as well as unbeatable onsite facilities, including an indoor heated swimming pool, a fabulous Go Active programme with archery, our own Black Pearl Pirate Ship play area, as well as the fantastic Splash Zone and indoor play area for those wetter days.

Book your Sandymouth Holiday Resort break today

Piran Meadows Resort & Spa offers a relaxing and family fun destination in a beautiful Newquay location

Offering both holiday breaks and holiday home ownership, Piran Meadows is the perfect place to escape to with your family and friends as often as you can! With a fantastic Go Active+ programme, including water walkerz, body zorbs, archery and lazer clay shooting, along with the fabulous outdoor splash zone, and the indoor entertainments area, including golf simulator, pool tables and 2 lane bowling alley, there is something for all ages and all weathers!

Enjoy a delicious bite to eat at the onsite restaurant and relax with a drink at our fully stocked bar. For the ultimate in relaxation indulge in an Aromatherapy Associates treatment at the onsite Serenity Spa, where you can unwind with a full body massage or refresh with a luxurious Jessica Nails manicure.

So whether you’re looking for a luxurious holiday break, or somewhere you can call a home from home, take a look at the stunning Piran Meadows pictures below:

Now is the perfect time to book your holiday in Cornwall to enjoy all that Piran Meadows has on offer. If you’re interested in owning your own little slice of Cornish heaven call our dedicated Ownership Team on 01745858010, or talk to an adviser via our live chat service, where a member of our team is on hand to answer any questions you may have.

Have a wonderful break in Cornwall!

With a fantastic entertainments programme all year around, the summer offers endless days of fun with Charlie Bear and his Rangers at Talacre. Talacre Beach Resort is home to Charlie Bear and his Rangers, who create a fabulous entertainment programme for our guests every week. With daily activities and evening entertainment available in the North Star lounge, it’s easy to see why Talacre Beach has been a popular holiday destination for over 50 years.

Along with the regular daily entertainments programme, Talacre Beach’s fabulous entertainments team help to organise event days and themed parties all year around. See below for what our fun days this Summer are at Talacre…

mars attacks theme night – 27th july

full fun day event – 4th august

full fun day event – 25th august

So make sure you’re ready for a summer of fun and sun with Charlie Bear and our talented team of Rangers at Talacre Beach Resort!

about Talacre Beach Resort

Talacre Beach is perfectly placed to springboard you into the North Wales region, being only a 10 minute drive to the bustling retail town of Prestatyn and only a 15 minute drive from the traditional seaside resort of Rhyl. Our 5 star holiday location is only a 5 minute walk from the sandy Talacre beach itself, which is home to the historic 17th Century Lighthouse and the protected Gronant Dunes.

Talacre Beach’s fabulous facilities include an indoor tropically heated swimming pool, sauna and stream room to relax in, as well as a state of the art gym lodge available. We also have a great Go Active programme, which includes panna soccer, water walkerz, mini jet skis and archery! Along with our beautiful Bistro Restaurant offering mouth-watering dishes and a fully stocked bar to relax in.

ownership options

Offering holiday home ownership means you can explore the region, take full advantage of the facilities and enjoy the diary of events and daily activities from the Rangers, all at your own pace. Owning a holiday home at Talacre Beach is much easier than you think, with a wide range of holiday homes and holiday lodges available, we are sure to have the perfect option for your needs.

If you’d like some more information about holiday home ownership at Talacre Beach, call our dedicated Ownership Team on 01745 858010 or talk to an advisor via our Live Chat service.

Darwin Escapes’ new location Norfolk Woods Resort & Spa is coming along nicely, take a look at the pictures below for an update on the sure-to-be fabulous complex building!

For more information and development pictures of Norfolk Woods, take a look at our previous post here.

The Making of Harry Potter Studio Tour is only a short distance from our own Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat! Our retreat is located in the heart of Surrey, perfectly placed to explore all the picturesque region has to offer, and Harry Potter fans will be delighted to know that we are only 1 hour and 40 minutes’ drive from the studio tour! So why not make a weekend of your Harry Potter trip and explore all that Surrey has to offer too? If you want to know all there is to know about the studio tour, then settle in with a cuppa and read on…

visit the sets

Various sound stages and sets were created throughout the Harry Potter movie series, including The Great Hall, which was built in 2000 and was used for the next 6 movies. The set includes handmade costumes and two large tables set ready for dinner, as well as breath-taking props like Professor Dumbledore’s lectern and the House Points Counter. A newer addition to the tour is the Forbidden Forest, with 19 handcrafted trees, each 12 feet in diameter.

Other sets include Platform 9 3/4, which was built for the Deathly Hallows Part 2 movie, with previous scenes shot at Kings Cross Station in London, however the set was constructed for the final movie, complete with tracks and the iconic Hogwarts Express train. You’ll also get to walk the magnificent Diagon Alley set, lined with store fronts such as Gringotts Bank, Flourish & Blotts, Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes and of course, dusty old Ollivander’s, which was home to over 17,000 individually labelled boxes of wands during shooting.

marvel at the spectacular props

The extraordinary talented Propmasters on the Harry Potter series created beautiful items to bring the wizarding world to life, they even created over 950 potions jars to line the classroom, all with something unique inside them, including herbs and shrunken heads. They also created 900 memory labels for Professor Dumbledore’s Memory Cabinet, with the labels including names such as Professor McGonogall and Argus Filch.

The unsettling pink room of Professor Umbridge’s office was expertly decorated by the art department, with over 130 plates of cute kittens, which meant the department actually filmed kittens with witches hats and balls of wool (sounds like heaven to me!). But nothing is as striking as the 20 foot mannequin above the entrance to Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezers store front. Except maybe the funny and equally disgusting Pucking Pastilles dispenser on the store front, outstanding work by Head Propmaster, Pierre Bohanna.

stunning handmade costumes

Costume Designer, Jany Termime, really helped bring the wizarding fashion alive throughout the series, from the Quidditch uniforms which evolved from heavy robes to lighter, sportier robes with names and numbers on the back. She also created breathtaking wizard formal wear for The Yule Ball, putting the boys in wizard tuxedo-style robes, and also made Hermione’s showstopping layered, Chiffron gown. Ron’s wizards robes were actually made from acres of lace and old carpet fabric (he pulled the look off well considering!).

details of the art department

The Art Department created everything for the movies, but the true jewel in the crown is the Hogwarts Castle Model. It was built for the very first movie and every turret, tower and courtyard was filmed, the makers installed more than 2,500 fibre optic lights which simulates torches and lanterns, and giving the illusion of students wandering the halls. The Art Department created thousands of props to bring the wizarding world to life, they made sweet packaging, fantastic textbooks and even issues of the Quibbler. By the end of the Harry Potter saga, over 40 editions of The Daily Prophet were designed.

the magical beasts

There were many magical creatures created on the Harry Potter films, from the huge Basilisk mouth that was made for the final battle scene in Chamber of Secrets, which was 30ft long and had 3ft deep jaws. There were 3 Buckbeak’s, created for the movies including one laying down, another rearing and one standing, with each Buckbeak having every individual feather inserted and glued into place, as well as designers talking to physiologists and vets about the proportions of the mythical creature. Aragog was also physically created for the movies, he actually had a leg span of 18 feet, and the model was able to crawl out of his hole and even deliver dialogue (Ron was right to be squeakily terrified!). Each hair was individually inserted by hand and the hairs varied from pieces of coconut, to the centre of feathers and even broom bristles.

mind-boggling special & visual effects

The Art Department worked tirelessly to create everything from the wizard world they could, even creating the amazing Chamber of Secrets Door. The door is often thought to be CGI, but it’s actually a fully operational door, which includes articulated snakes and motor to make sure they all move at the correct time. The temperamental Whomping Willow tree is iconic of the Harry Potter series, the full sized tree trunk and mechanically operated ‘whomping’ branches were created, with other branches being added in via CGI.

This is just the tip of the magical wonders awaiting you at The Making of Harry Potter Studio Tour, you’ll get the chance to sample some Butterbeer or hop on a broomstick and fly over London via the spectacular green screen experience too!

After your Harry Potter filled day, you can return to the tranquillity of Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat and explore all the beauty that Surrey has on offer. We offer stunning accommodation, which includes hot tubs and private saunas, with some lodges including views of a peaceful lake to top it all off, when you holiday with us at Tilford Woods you really will have a magical weekend worthy of Hogwarts (too cheesy? I’m not even sorry…).

Get your art on at Hawkchurch Resort & Spa and celebrate art week by creating your own piece of art!

Locate a short drive away from the stunning Lyme Regis, art has always been at the heart of Hawkchurch Resort & Spa. So what better way to celebrate art week than to partner with two talented artists and offer fabulous workshops to create your own! Art week is from June 4th – June 9th, and we will be holding multiple workshops throughout the week.

paint your day away with anne

Artwrok by Anne Townsend

The lovely Anne Townsend from Broomgate Studio will be at Hawkchurch Resort & Spa on Tuesday 5th, Thursday 7th and Saturday 9th June, from 10am to 4pm. Booking is essential as this is sure to be a popular workshop.

Anne will be tutoring you to paint your own masterpiece and once you have realised your fabulous creation, you’ll be able to take it home too! All materials and tutoring will be included in the booking.

To book your workshop, call Anne direct on 07746 758 370.

create a beautiful necklace with wendy

Jewelry by Wendy Lowis Bates

Wendy Lowis Bates is a talented, local jewellry artist, who will be helping you to create a stunning gemstone necklace, that you’ll be able to take home.

Wendy will be available for bookings at Hawkchurch Resort & Spa on Monday 4th, Wednesday 6th and Friday 9th June, between 10am and 1pm. Booking is essential for this popular workshop and all materials and tuition will be included in your booking.

To book your workshop with Wendy, call her direct on 07956 914 018.

Contact the artists direct for workshop prices

So celebrate art week from 4th – 9th June at Hawkchurch Resort & Spa and create some beautiful art to take home with you!

Why not make an evening out of it too? Treat yourself and book your table at our onsite restaurant and indulge in some mouth-watering dishes and decadent desserts. Then sit back with a refreshing drink from our fully stocked bar and admire the views of the magical Axe Valley.

Enjoy a fun-filled family day out at the largest zoo in the South West! Set in over 100 acres of beautiful countryside, Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm (which is themed on the biblical story!) offers a packed day of family fun with an opportunity to see over 100 different species of animals at the zoo including Giraffes, Lions, Pigs, Chickens and Elephants!

If you’re looking for a hands-on zoo experience then Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm is the perfect option. Not only are there animal keeper talks which take place every half hour, so you can hear what it’s like to look after these beautiful animals, but you can also book your own one-on-one ‘Keeper Experience’, where you can spend time with a qualified zoo keeper and help them with their daily routine. If you’re an animal lover or an aspiring zoo keeper this will be a great treat as you can get up close and personal with the animals.

Choose from a range of experiences such as the Big Cat Experience, Elephant Experience, Junior Zoo Keeper Experience and more, all of which can be booked in advance via the Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm website.

There are a wide range of animals to see at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, which is bound to keep little ones entertained for hours as well as 15 different exciting play areas that are just waiting to be explored. Visitors will also find a variety of outdoor adventures to enjoy on-site such as the Mega Monster & Mini Maze, a Tractor Ride and an Elephant Playzone.

If you’ve not had chance to pack a picnic then don’t worry because Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm has an on-site Food Barn café, which serves hot and cold food options as well as drinks and tasty treats throughout the day. For those who’d rather grab a bite to eat on the go then there are 3 smaller eateries which can be found around the zoo.

where is Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm?

Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm is based in North Somerset in Wraxall near Bristol. It’s a 45 minute car drive from our Bath Mill Lodge Retreat and roughly 35 minutes from our Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa. It’s also accessible via bus and further details on transport links can be found on the Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm website.

Postcode for Sat Nav: BS48 1PG

Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm Bristol prices and opening times

Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm is open Monday to Saturday, 10.30am to 5pm throughout the year except for a short break over Christmas.

Prices are seasonal and range from £15 to £20 for an adult and £10 to £14 for a child. A 10% discount is available when you buy your tickets online via their website.

The zoo farm also runs a range of exciting events throughout the year, check out their What’s On page for the latest information.

North Wales is teeming with dog friendly walks, just waiting to be explored by you and your pup! No one gets left behind on a Darwin Escapes holiday! Talacre Beach Holiday Home Park offers pet friendly holidays in North Wales, so your furbaby can explore the region with you! Discover panoramic views of the majestic Snowdonia Mountain Range and breath-taking vistas of the infamous seaside. Read through our list below and discover a new and exciting way to explore with your dog in North Wales.

Llyn Elsi

2.5 miles / low walking level / 2 hours

Enjoy a pleasant walk to the Llyn Elsi lake, surrounded by the forest above Betws-y-Coed. When you reach the lake you’ll be greeted by a clearing with the most beautiful views stretching across to Moel Siabad.

Llanberis path up mount Snowdon

9 miles / high-moderate walking level / 5 – 6 hours

This is known as the ‘tourist path’ to reach Snowdon’s summit. It is the longest route, but offers breath-taking views all the way. It’s the most popular path, so you’ll be sure to meet lots of people and pups along the way! See our post here for more routes up the famous mountain.

Llyn Padarn

5 miles / low level / 2 hours

Take a circular walk around the picturesque lake in Llaberis and marvel at the views of the surrounding Snowdonia Mountains. You’ll see the history of the area along your walk, even encountering the Gilfach Ddu, National Slate Museum.

Talacre beach to Gronant

4.3 miles / low level / 2 hours

The beach is only a 5 minute walk from Talacre Beach park. This walk takes you past the famous, Grade II listed Lighthouse, which was built in 1776 and is rumoured to be haunted. You’ll then walk through the rich habitat of the Gronant Dunes, which is home to the rare Natterjack Toads.

Llangollen history trail

6 miles / low level / 3 hours

Follow the historic landmark trail around Llangollen and you’ll see some beautiful monuments, including the Horseshoe Falls and the Llantysilio Church, which was originally built in 1254.

Coed – y – Gopa

7 miles / moderate level / 3 hours, 30 minutes

A wonderful woodland walk through the ancient forests in the outskirts of Abergele. Following the trail, you’ll see one of the country’s largest hibernation bat sites in the limestone caves, when you reach the clearing you’ll enjoy magnificent views of the vale, and why not try climbing the Iron Age hillfort on the summit? *Note: be very careful – no broken paws please!

Gwydyr forest

6 miles / moderate level / 3 hours

Follow the trail from Betws – y – Coed village into the forest. The trail will take you to the water’s edge of the Llyn river, which you can follow all through the forest. Reach the end of the trail to be rewarded with unbeatable views of the valley and Snowdonia Mountain Range.

Nercwys forest

5 miles / moderate level / 2 hours, 30 minutes

A beautiful woodland walk in Flintshire, follow the forest track and reach two viewpoints, where you’ll enjoy fantastic views of the surrounding area.

bird’s eye Bodnant garden walk

2 miles / low level / 2 hours

With 80 acres to explore, there is a walk for everyone to enjoy at the beautiful Bodnant Gardens. Take the Bird’s Eye walk through the Furnace Wood and Meadow for breath-taking and panoramic views of the gardens.

Before embarking (ha!) on any walk, please make sure you’re properly prepared with the right clothing and walking boots, that you have enough water and food supplies for all in your party (including plenty of tasty treats for the pups) and make sure to don the sunscreen on those hot days! During your walk stay together and take your time enjoying the Welsh scenery.

And these are only a small number of dog friendly walks in North Wales, you and your pupper could discover Roman forts, endless castles and breath-taking views all over the region! With tails wagging and smiles beaming, you will have the time of your lives (too cheesy?).

North Wales has been a popular holiday destination for centuries, and it’s easy to see why when you take a walk around the region and witness the beauty and peace for yourself, you can really let go of the daily grind and any stresses or strains when surrounded by so much nature. Talacre Beach is the perfect base to explore North Wales, while also offering fabulous accommodation and fantastic facilities to come back to. Our facilities include an indoor swimming pool, sauna and steam room, children’s day entertainment and family evening entertainment, as well as a wonderful onsite Bistro Restaurant and fully stocked bar, plus so much more!

and if at the end of your holiday, you don’t want to leave?

Well, you’re in luck! Talacre Beach offers holiday home ownership, so you could call this little slice of North Wales home and explore all it all has to offer at your own pace. And it’s much easier than you think it is, our professional team are on hand to walk you step by step through the process, and we are able to introduce you to a finical advisor who can help you spread the cost should you need to, so it’s cheaper than you thought too!

If you’d like more information about buying your dream holiday home at Talacre Beach, call our dedicated Ownership Team on 01745 858010, or talk to an advisor via our Live Chat service today.