Welcome to a Love Local post my loyal readers, this month we are in breath taking countryside of Hampshire. Over 250 years go Selborne and its surrounding areas inspired Gilbert White to start a life-long investigation of the natural world, writing one of the most famous books in the world.

Just over half an hour away from our very own Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat, Selborne is a beautiful village to visit, with picturesque country houses surrounded by rolling hills, trees and the English countryside. Our Love Local business for October is The Gilbert White House & The Oates Collection and it is a must see for all those visiting the region, steeped in history but with fun games and event days for all the family to enjoy and learn something new about the natural world.

the history

Gilbert White is author of the world famous book The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne, first published in 1789, the book has never been out of print and is said to be one of the most published books in the English language. White was the first person to grow potatoes in his village, that gives you an idea of the history we are talking about, before potatoes! He also has the reputation for being the first ‘ecologist’, he believed in studying living birds and animals in their natural habitat. This was considered an unusual approach back in the day as other naturalists carried out experiments on dead specimens in the comfort of their studies, so White really changed the game on ecologist studies.

the house

Gilbert and his family moved into the house when he was around 7 or 8, it was originally a small house and was extended on to over the decades creating the long and sizable house you can visit today. The rooms of the house have been restored using the descriptions in White’s correspondence, including bed hangings that were embroidered from him by his Aunts, contemporary furniture, a chair that White himself used at Oriel College in Oxford, as well as many family photos. On display in the house is the original manuscript of his book, The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne, more than any other book it has shaped our everyday view of the relations between human and nature. The extensions on the house contain The Oates Collection, which celebrates the lives of two members of the Oates family who were both pioneers and explorers, who were very different, but both equally intriguing.

family days out

The Gilbert White House is a fantastic place for families to visit whatever the season, as you wander through the house you will learn all about Gilbert White and his book, but also about life during the 1700’s. Keep an eye out for the Georgian cooking utensils, venture out to the garden to see the growing sunflowers and pumpkins with so much to explore in the wider gardens. The house and gardens has an exciting programme of family activities and events all year round, including Nature Drawing Workshops and Fungus Walks around the gardens, where you discover local fungi and learn the different types and how important they are.

Next time you’re staying with us at Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat, make sure to make time for visit this hidden gem in the stunning English countryside.

Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat is nearing it’s opening date and I thought it was time to show you some development photos…

In the heart of the Lake District, Darwin Escapes is redeveloping a brand new UK holiday location with fantastic facilities and outstanding accommodation called Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat (it just rolls right of the tongue right?). So I thought it was about time for us to give you a good taster of what’s to come at this location, check out the photos below…

Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat has a soft open due in Decemeber, with the website taking bookings from around Novemeber, so keep checking back to see when you can book your next Lake District Holiday! And I would just like to say a huge Thank You to Sean Wilson for the photos of our redevelopment!

Happy Adventuring Folks!

The Dorset Jurassic Coast is one of the most beautiful places on earth, and these images will show you why…

Visit the Jurassic Coastline with our beautiful Wareham Forest Lodge Retreat location in Poole, a popular holiday destination in Dorset for all the family. Known as one of the most stunning places to visit, these 9 images will show you why, a truly breathtaking location to explore with lots of family fun things to do around the local area. Take a look at the 9 images below to sway you on where to stay for your next UK holiday to Dorset…

Did these sway you to stay at Wareham Forest Lodge Retreat? Book your next Dorset holiday here

Hawkchurch Resort & Spa is in the heart of the stunning Axe Valley in Devon, the perfect surroundings for a lovely cocktail…

Summer is now coming to a close, schools will be back in no time along with the daily grind of work. But that doesn’t mean you have to stop having some fun! A weekend break, or a week holiday away from the summer crowds, at Hawkchurch Resort & Spa, in the heart of the Axe Valley along the Dorset/Devon border could be just what you need! The Beeches Restaurant is beautifully decorated, with vibrant colours and also a more formal dining area, these are the perfect surroundings for feeling like Carrie Bradshaw while in the Devonshire countryside!

Hawkchurch has some delicious cocktails and we have even got the recipe details listed below in case you wanted to make one in your holiday lodge during your stay at our resort, or even if you fancy getting in jolly mood at home!

Happy Cocktail Making Folks!

Welcome to another hidden Britain post ladies and gentlemen, we are going to explore the Lake District

In late 2015 and early 2016 Cumbria was affected by devastating floods, our own Thanet Well Lodge Retreat was lucky enough not to be touched, but now Cumbria needs the tourism and support to get them back on their feet. So pay them a visit and cheer a few people up after a very tough start to the year…

the bridge house

This is literally a tiny house on a tiny bridge, you can step off the pavement and straight into the miniature downstairs room, with a cute tiny fire place! Walk around the back of the house to go up the outside spiral stone staircase and into the light and airy upstairs room, the house was originally built in the 17th Century as an apple storage building. Over the centuries the little house has been a tea room, a weaving shop, a cobblers, a chair makers and once even a home to a family of 8 (I have no idea how!). During the 1920’s Beatrix Potter’s husband helped to save and restore the charming house through conservation efforts, why not drop in to the see the quaint tiny house on a bridge.

larch cottage nurseries

The Larch Cottage Nurseries is a secret garden in the heart of the Eden Valley with Romanesque walls draped in greenery, providing a backdrop for the peaceful gardens bursting with mature and breathtaking plants. Hosting more than 15,000 varieties of plants the team specialise in rare and unusual shrubs and climbers including Japanese Acers and Dwarf Conifers. It is also home to a huge range of statues, many of which are for sale too, there is a statue to suit everyone taste, from animals and teddy bears to gargoyles and goblins, made out of iron, steal, bronze and even marble. A lovely afternoon out surrounded by colourful flowers and beautiful statues.

lucy’s on a plate

A wonderful restaurant offering delicious food, and owner Lucy Nicolson has made a name for herself in Cumbria, and rightly so! This very talented lady owns not only the restaurant, but also Lucy4 which is a popular wine bar in the area. She has also recently opened a cooking school called Lucy Cooks that offers something for every age, interest and ability, from beginners to advanced skills, helping you to create your own cooking masterpiece. Take a seat on the comfy sofas, or dine in the airy conservatory curled up in front of the cosy fireplace. If the sun is on your side, soak it up in the secluded walled garden too. There is somewhere to enjoy your food for all moods.

brougham castle

A striking historic castle in Penrith, with picturesque surroundings on the banks of the River Eamont, this 13th Century masterpiece is a wonder to behold. It was once a formidable barrier against Scottish invaders and was even home to King Edward I back in the 1300’s, it has lots of complex passages, hidden rooms and spiral staircases to explore on your travels through it too! The gift shop has lots on offer, with souvenirs from the English Heritage site, and the castle is also dog friendly and has picnic tables available to have some lunch too!

Also visit one of the best smoke houses in the region, The Wild Boar in Kendal, and for a beautiful lake away from the tourist path venture to Buttermere lake and marvel at the beautiful scenery! (maybe leave some bread crumbs to help you find your way back…)

Happy Adventuring Folks!

Bath Mill Lodge Retreat is an idyllic and tranquil location, just 10 minutes away from the bustling city centre, and this weekend is it celebrating its first birthday!

Bath Mill Lodge Retreat was previously called Newton Mill, and this tenting and touring park underwent a multi-million pound redevelopment in 2015 to turn it into the stunning lodge retreat it is today, along with the 350 year old mill house which was also lovingly restored. Bath Mill has everything you could need on a self catering city break in Bath, from our state of the art gym, large function room for great corporate events, to our cute children’s playing area near the babbling Newton Brook. Along with our world class Brook Bar & Bistro Restaurant, that serves delicious food and is a hit with the locals and guests alike!

Our outstanding lodges that can sleep up to a party of 8, we also have our wonderful and quirky Norland Lodges available too, perfect for one night stays in Bath. These studio style lodges have everything you need for a self catering business stay in the city. From a beautifully finished kitchenette, luxurious king size bed, flat screen TV and comfy sofa to the outstanding sumptuous bathroom all on offer in these lovely little studio lodges!
Manager Will and his team will be celebrating the birthday all weekend, with cupcakes and a quiz night on Friday 12th August and fun live music on Saturday 13th August, leading up to the big day on Sunday 14th August – Bath Mill’s first birthday!

So Happy First Birthday to our beautiful Bath Mill Lodge Retreat, check out the video below for some glimpses before you book your next city break in Bath…

Happy Adventuring Guys & Dolls!

Have a great day out for the whole family the next time you are staying at Hawkchurch, when you pay a visit to Pecorama

Pecorama is one of the leading tourist attractions in East Devon, being situated in the historic fishing village of Beer on the Jurassic Coast, just over ten miles away from Hawkchurch Resort & Spa.

This is a great attraction for railway enthusiasts, with the name of park stemming from the PECO model railway equipment manufacturers whose headquarters are situated adjacent to Pecorama. Pecorama enjoys a close relationship with PECO, even displaying and selling many of their products on-site.

There is very much a railway theme here, with Pecorama being home to one of the country’s finest 7 ¼ inch gauge railways in the form of Beer Heights Light Railway. The hillside location of the railway means that you can enjoy breathtaking views over Lyme Bay and also the Jurassic Coast itself, which is of course one of the few World Heritage Sites in the UK, as you take a ride around this 1 mile track, which was first opened in 1975.

Starting off from near the garden entrance, the journey takes you over many bridges and also a lengthy tunnel in a beautifully recreated track.

something for everyone

This isn’t just a place for railway enthusiasts though, with Pecorama also being home to The Millennium Gardens which was first opened in July 2000 to help celebrate the millennium. Designer Naila Green has ensured that a celestial theme has been followed here, with the sun, moon and rainbow gardens reflecting this with their colour schemes.

You will also find the impressive Millennium Garden Grotto here which is constructed mainly from sea shells as part of the aim of creating a sea theme, with the grotto also featuring an impressive dolphin sculpture leaping out of the sea. It really is a must-see masterpiece.

There is also plenty to keep the kids entertained as well, with a 10 hole crazy golf course and the play station indoor soft play area. You can all grab a bite to eat in the Garden Room Restaurant or enjoy a cream tea in a 1951 ‘Orion’ Pullman Carriage.

If you are looking for a bit of tranquility, then why not head to the secret garden and take in the peace and quiet ensured by the wall herbaceous borders.

peco charity garden day – sunday 17th july

Pecorama puts on a number of special events throughout the year, the next being their annual Garden Day aiming to raise money for charity. This will be taking place on Sunday 17th July and is being put on for Parkinson’s UK and the MS Society.

Special £6 admission prices are available on this day, with £5 of this being given to the two chosen charities. Also on-site on the day. to add a little something extra. will be the Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary with their miniature donkeys as well as the Sidmouth Steppers Morris Dancers.

If you happen to be planning on a trip to Hawkchurch Resort & Spa, make sure that you pay a visit.

Get the know the local wildlife & explore some of the most beautiful walking routes that North Wales has to offer. North Wales is famous for its scenic walking routes and beautiful countryside, and you can explore all of this at its very best when you visit Pensychnant Conservation Centre and Nature Reserve on the Sychnant Pass in Conwy. This is not just a great place to explore the countryside, but is also an area filled with glorious local wildlife which the Centre works hard to safeguard.

a history lesson

This is a hidden gem of the North Wales region, being based around the former home of the Stott family and covering 150 acres of land.

The original house built on the grounds was erected in 1690, but much of the architectural character of the estate stems from the Victorian era. It is beautiful relic of this time when the grounds were the home of the Stott family headed by Abraham Henthorn Stott who led one of the most prominent Victorian architectural firms. He was responsible for building a large number of the cotton mills in Oldham.

However, by 1937 the world had moved on and cotton was no longer the booming trade it had once been. This resulted in the Stott family being forced to give up their home; with Pensychnant and all of its grounds being sold.

The great grandson of Abraham Henthron Stott managed to buy the land back in 1967. In 1989, Brian Henthorn Stott set up the Pensychnant Foundation and it is for this that the centre is now most famous, with the aim of the foundation being to support local naturalists and wildlife, with countless conservation organisations counting on the support offered by the Centre.

wildlife conservation

The nature reserve is now open all year round and is firmly one of the best wildlife sites in North Wales.

There are countless rare and exotic wildlife in the region. Did you know that the Conwy Morfa region is home to a rare wingless Moth known as the Belted Beauty? These animals only exist in one of part of England as well as in the Hebrides. If you are a holiday home owner at Aberconwy Resort & Spa and happen to see some bright lights floating around the dunes late at night, then fear not because it is simply the team from Pensychnant looking to catch a glimpse of these rare creatures.

This is just one of the many animals who inhabit this nearby area, including the beautiful spotted Flycatcher whose numbers have declined by 77% over the past 25 years. The centre deserves praise for its efforts to help these rare creatures survive.

steeped in history

This isn’t just a great site for animal lovers, with Victorian woodlands on the estate where you can view relics of Welsh oakwoods which stood long before Conwy Castle was even constructed. The Stott family also planted many beautiful trees during the Victorian era, with Corsican pines, sycamore and much more which are still on the grounds of the estate.

Sychnant itself is classified as being a Regionally Important Geological Site (RIGS). This is awarded on account of the areas value to Earth science and heritage, with many of the stunning mountains around the Sychnant Pass a result of erosion caused by the melting of ice age waters. It is a wonderful geographic area where you can feel at one with nature and the history of the area.

You can take advantage of the guided walks which are on offer at Pensychnant to really gain an insight into the local wildlife and the environment.

pay a visit to pensychnant

While the nature reserve is open all year around, if you are looking to pay a visit to the house then you will need to go between the beginning of April and the end of September.

In the house you can take advantage of the Victorian Arts and Crafts exhibition where the work of some of North Wales best wildlife artists are put on display. Many of these works are available for sale so you have a great memory to take back with you to your holiday home or perhaps a gift for someone back home.

Go behind bars at Bodmin Jail for a fascinating family days out in a historic building which was once used to house the crown jewels…

If you are looking for a great family day out in Cornwall which is as educational as it is fun, then head over to Bodmin Jail which was built for King George III in 1779 on the edge of Bodmin Moor.

Designed by Sir John Call, the jail was originally intended for prisoners of war and is famous for being the first British jail to hold prisoners in individual cells. During the First World War, it was used to house some of the countries national treasures including the Domesday Book and the crown jewels.

look back in time

The jail eventually closed in 1927, but the building is now used as the base for this fascinating attraction which houses countless interesting exhibitions to showcase the history of the jail and the prisoners who were detained there.

Jaunt through the various cells where you will find mannequins, historic documents and objects which will highlight the crimes of the inhabitants and what life was like for them once they were behind bars.

Please be aware that the jail tends to get very cold and there are many steps to navigate, so make sure that you wrap up warm and wear sensible shoes to ensure you can make the most of the attraction.

You may not automatically associate jails with fine cuisine, but Bodmin Jail is doing its bit to alter this with a range of food and beverages on offer in the impressive Governors Hall and the Witness Box Wine Bar.

the paranormal

On account of the public hangings and grim nature of the past undertakings which took place in the building, it is perhaps inevitable that it has become closely linked to paranormal activities. It has even recently been used as the setting for an episode of Most Haunted.

You can learn more about these paranormal events when you book yourself onto an After Dark event at the Jail where a resident medium will teach you the basics of Reiki and energy management before setting your lose on the jail over night. The event includes a 3 course meal, souvenirs and a free family pass for a day visit to the jail at a different time. You will also receive a complimentary £20 gift voucher. Take a look at the available booking slots if you are interested in one of these events.

20% discount off tickets

Bodmin Jail is just a twenty minute journey away from Piran Meadows Resort & Spa, and anyone staying at our resort can enjoy a 20% discount off the price of tickets to the attraction.

All you need to do is show your holiday park card to staff on reception when you are buying your tickets in order to benefit from this.

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It can all happen in an on-screen coffee shop: simmering resentment, unexpressed desires, and small yet meaningful gestures between friends. The great news is many of these coffee shop locations are accessible to us humble civilians.

For the sophisticated charm of coffee and pastry with Amelie, make your way to Café des Deux Moulins on Rue Lepic in Paris; if you need a coffee to mull over relationship fails head to Elliott Bay Café on 10th in Seattle, which stood in for Frasier’s Café Nervosa.

Arguably the ultimate coffee shop was set in the cult show, Twin Peaks, created by David Lynch. Lynch himself is a coffee lover, has his own coffee brand and is said to drink twenty cups of ‘Joe’ a day. Presumably, we can trust the brew at the original café, which remains open at 137 W North Bend Way, North Bend, WA.

Whether it’s orgasmic coffee at Katz’s (When Harry Met Sally) or the unpretentiousness of Tom’s Restaurant (Seinfeld), the dedicated fan of coffee and TV will want to check out this fresh guide to the precise co-ordinates where our screen heroes got their fix.

Sources:
Tomlin, A. (2013). What Makes French Beauty So . . . French? Experts Answer. Popsugar.com
Sims, A. (2015). How you drink your coffee ‘could point to psychopathic tendencies. Independent.co.uk
Hollyman, H. (2014). David Lynch’s Philosophy on Drinking Coffee. Vice.com
Dashevsky, Y. (2007). Katz’s Delicatessen – in “When Harry Met Sally”. Youtube.com