Did you know that Tilford Woods isn’t just famous for it’s fantastic family of ducks? The massive James Bond hit, Skyfall was filmed just a stone’s throw away!Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat in Surrey is famous for its ducks, a loyal family of quacks who have their very own lodge on the on-site pond. But that isn’t the only thing that Tilford Woods is famous for, because did you know that the the end sequence to the 2013 box office smash hit Skyfall was filmed just a stone’s throw away?

A mere 9 minutes away from our glorious resort, Daniel Craig (a little swoon here at HQ) was shooting with the awesome and beautiful Dame Judi Dench as M, with Surrey playing the role of Scotland, where the childhood home of James Bond was located. Tilford Woods’ park manager Jackie and her husband are avid Bond fans, and decided to pop along and take some fantastic behind the scenes photos from the set! They even caught sight of the (fake) historic Bond home explosion, as well as being able to see the legendary Aston Martin DB5 too…

So the next time you visit Tilford Woods why not jump in the car to visit the site, marvel at the beautiful countryside and pay respects to probably the best boss anyone would want, dear M. As well as standing on the ground that Daniel Craig and Dame Judi Dench were on… (another little swoon)

Happy Adventuring Guys and Dolls!

Easter delights at Bath Mill Lodge Retreat for guests and foodies alike! Bath Mill is steeped in relaxing nature, surrounded by woodland and the beautiful babbling Newton Brook streaming through the retreat, you would never know we are only ten minutes away from the busy, bustling city. Having recently under gone a multi million pound redevelopment, adding a state of the art gym, and renovation the beautiful 350 year old Mill House. Bath Mill is one of the most sought after holiday destinations in Somerset…

The Brook & Bar Bistro has become known as one of the best places to eat and is located on site at Bath Mill. Offering unpretentious fine dining set in a contemporary and cosy décor. If you reserve a table with us this Easter, you will have a personalised Easter egg with the surname booked under as your reservation table card! Beautiful chocolate in a beautiful setting! And don’t forget the fantastic Easter egg hunt on Sunday 27th all around the retreat, great fun for all the family!

Easter delights for our guests and foodie lovers visiting The Brook, a relaxing Easter break in a secluded retreat, just a stone’s throw away from the bustling city centre.

Happy Easter from Bath Mill!

Darwin Escapes has a holiday perfect for everyone, and if you are looking for a relaxing break away with a few indulgent treatments, we have a few stunning locations for you to choose from…

With 16 holiday locations around the UK, and more coming soon, we are sure to have the perfect spa break holiday for you. Whether you are looking for a spa weekend break or some time to yourself on a family holiday, we have a few locations to help you out on your spa holiday break.

Darwin Escapes is lucky to be partners with Aromatherapy Associates, a company with over 30 years worth of experience, and experts in how to relax, rejuvenate and unwind with their treatments. To learn more about Aromatherapy Associates read our blog here. All our locations also offer Jessica Nails treatments, perfect for a quick mani-pedi or a longer nail treatment and hand massage.

Eden spa

Located in our award winning Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa, in the heart of the Somerset countryside and surrounded by the stunning Mendip Hills, the Eden Spa is the perfect relaxing getaway. After a long day walking the Gorge or having fun adventures with the Go Active team you can indulge in a luxury treatment and relax those achy muscles with a full body massage.

Ezina spa

Nestled in the sleepy village of Hawkchurch, but close to the bustling town of Lyme Regis, the Ezina Spa is in the perfect location to escape the day to day stresses of life. Take a dip in the Hydrotherapy pool, specially designed to release muscle tension and increase blood flow, as well as relaxing in the sauna and steam room.

Serenity spa

Surrounded by the understated Cornish countryside, Piran Meadows Resort & Spa is home to the wonderful Serenity Spa, a place where you can unwind from a day of fun activities or just loose yourself in a relaxing treatment.

Aberconwy Spa

This owner’s exclusive location has everything you need, with the stunning Snowdonia Mountain Range as a backdrop and a stone’s throw away from the Conwy Morfa beach, with an award winning restaurant on site, as well as the Langley’s Country Club and even Mali’s Hair Salon. Aberconwy Spa offers rejuvenating treatments in a sumptuous setting, have a splash in the pool or Jacuzzi, or spend some time in the tranquil Relaxation Room between treatments.

Ammara spa

The Ammara Spa is coming soon to the sure-to-be stunning Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat, located in the breath-taking surroundings of Cumbria. Currently undergoing an extensive redevelopment Keswick Reach is sure to be the go-to destination for the Lake District, keep your eyes peeled for the Grand Opening this December!

So keep your eyes open for Keswick Reach, and in the mean time why not pop along to your nearest Darwin Escapes location or book your holiday now and enjoy a relaxing treatment at one of our spa locations!

Happy Spa Day Ladies and Gents!

Beach Cove Coastal Retreat is fast becoming romance capital of the UK

Devon is known for its stunning scenery and fantastic ambiance, and Beach Cove is no exception, being right on the cliff side of Hele Bay with unrivalled views of the beach and sea. The breath taking retreat is also fast becoming the romance capital of the UK, with too many proposals to count at the retreat itself.

And love must be in the air as our very own Tony Giffard recently popped the question to our lovely Emily Scoffield, and she said yes! Tony has been at Beach Cove since the start and Emily joined us a few months later, they started dating a little while after meeting at Beach Cove, and recently went on holiday to New Zealand and that is where Tony proposed.

This is how Emily described Tony’s proposal:
“We were staying at this really remote campsite, next to a massive waterfall, we’d just been on a walk and seen glow worms for the first time. Then we got our pillows and blankets out and lay looking at the stars for a bit, and then he asked me, he was very nervous poor thing!”

Here are the happy couple themselves! (look at those smiles!)

I can only imagine how nervous the poor guy was after going all that way too!
A massive congratulations to Tony and Emily! We hope you have a wonderful wedding and long, happy life enjoying the scenery of stunning Devon!

Love is in the air!

It’s hard having fur-babies, whether you have one, two or five, holiday’s can be a stressful time, but not with Darwin Escapes!

We have a great range of pet friendly holidays, to take your pooch, cat, rabbit, lizard or fish on the break with you and the whole family can enjoy that special time away! I’ve mentioned Hugo and Bella before in my posts, my loveable puppies, but I also have four adorable cats, ranging from 5 years old to 2 years old. So it’s safe to say that I am bit animal crazy.

Now with this many pets I really have to plan any time away, how am I going to transport five animals – four of which have very sharp claws when annoyed, and two that have no interest in behaving. If I can’t take them with me, where are they going to go? Or who am I going to have take care of them? So Darwin Escapes have come up with a great solution, you can take your pet away on your UK holiday. Have a read on about the all pet friendly accommodation we offer, we will have the perfect location for you and your fur-baby!

Cornwall – a coastal adventure

We have 3 outstanding locations in Cornwall, all with pet friendly accommodation, from our traditional Sandymouth Holiday Resort, the relaxing Mullion Cove Coastal Retreat and the ‘Best in Britain’ 2015 award winner Piran Meadows Resort & Spa. With great family fun activities on park, like a two lane bowling alley, golf simulator and indoor heated swimming pools and spa treatments, there is something for every person in the family. There are plenty of coastal walks surrounding the parks for the little fur-baby in your life, marvel at the lovely cliffs, beaches and hidden woods around the areas. Many of the luxurious holiday homes come with up to date tech, like DVD players, all for a great night in with your dog, cat, lizard, rabbit or fish you love! Some lodges even come with hot tubs for the mummies and daddies of the party! Cornwall is a stunning part of the country to visit, so take a look at what’s on offer at our pet friendly holiday parks in Cornwall.

Sommerset – the best of both worlds…

Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa

We have two glorious resorts in Somerset, ‘Best in Britain’ 2014 winner Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa and the brand new for 2015 Bath Mill Lodge Retreat. Both offer something different for you pet friendly escape, Cheddar Woods is set in the beautiful Mendip Hills and is surrounded by woods for some great walks! The Cheddar Gorge is also very close and has a great 3 mile walking path to the Lookout Tower, what a way to spend a day (or two for me, I’ll take my camping gear…) all lodges are fitted with the great mod cons for a fantastic night in with your fur-family, cuddle on the sofa and relax.

Bath Mill Lodge Retreat

Bath Mill Lodge Retreat is just that, a retreat, two miles away from a city centre. You would never believe you were so close to the city while there, sitting on your private decking all you will hear is the Newton Brook meandering through the resort. Surrounded by trees you will feel totally secluded and safe in this sanctuary of a city break holiday, your dog can run around and enjoy the brook and take the walk through the woods and fields in the surrounding area. (I have a white dog, imagine what colour he would be coming back in?!) What a perfect escape with your fur-baby, and all the mod cons in the lodges will be a great treat to snuggle up at the end of the day on the comfy sofa and take in the lovely surroundings.

Surrey – explore the countryside

Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat is perfectly placed in the Surrey countryside for peace and tranquillity. (if I take Hugo it would no longer be peaceful…) There are plenty of nature walks for your bouncing puppy to explore, you can drop into the market town of Farnham, where there are gift shops and some lovely restaurants to try, and a few even allow dogs in to dine too! Take a walk around the historic Waverly Abbey, marvel at the once magnificent structure and have a wander around the River Wey (another river for the puppy to make a mess in!) Many of our pet friendly accommodations have their own hot tubs for that extra feeling of luxury, and a few even have their own saunas! And with DVD players and our own rental facility at reception, you can enjoy a lovely, cosy night in cuddled on the sofa with your little one. If you have a clever little cat along in tow, there is glorious scenery to marvel at out of the window too! A great country escape with the little fur ones!

Isle of Wight – a whole island to explore

Woodside Coastal Retreat is perfectly placed on the Isle of Wight within easy reach of a plethora of visitor attractions on this beautiful island that has everything you could ever need. Woodside has a stunning shingle beach just a stones throw away, a perfect place to let the dog run loose along the shore, and maybe a quick swim in the sea! Along with great local attractions to visit, like Carisbroke Castle, where dogs are welcome to run around and marvel at the history, along with their mummies and daddies! Visit the plethora of restaurants and café’s on offer on the island, a few of which are dog friendly and have a ready warm rug in front of the fire place for a cold day! There is so much to see here that you really do need to visit and find it all, a wonderful escape to explore with your fur-family, away from the stresses of everyday life.

Take a look at our dog friendly holidays in the Isle of Wight.

Lake District – nature at its best…

Thanet Well Lodge Retreat

Our Thanet Well Lodge Retreat is one of the most perfect places to escape to with a dog in tow, with a huge range of lodges that are pet friendly, some with hot tubs and all with brilliant mod cons for cosy nights in. The surrounding area is breath taking and worth spending every minute of your stay enjoying walks out, placed on the edge of the Greystoke Forest, this secluded location is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Walk out the door on to the private decking and marvel at the nature surrounding you, grab a lead and off you go for fun and frolicking! There are some great restaurants, pubs and cafes that are dog friendly to have a lovely meal out too, or if you fancy a night in, grab a DVD and cuddle up on the sofa in the hauntingly beautiful scenery surrounding you. You can enjoy nature at its best here in Thanet Well and your fur-baby will be in their element too!

Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat

Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat is one of Darwin Escapes’ brand new destinations. Located in the heart of the Lake District and surrounded by an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this luxurious retreat offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside, with the beautiful Bewaldeth Beck running through the park and a picturesque pond, complete with duck lodge, for you to marvel at. Your fur-baby will adore the brand new, luxurious lodges to settle down after a long walk in the surrounding mountains and fields.

perfect pet escape

So if you are struggling to find the perfect pet friendly holiday, or just can’t bear leaving you little one behind (like me, I hate it), why not just have a look at what Darwin Escapes has to offer? There is no better treat than seeing your fur-baby running around and exploring!

We’re proud to announce that our website has been shortlisted for 2015 Web Development Project of the Year at the prestigious Digital Entrepreneur Awards. For the last 10 years The Digital Entrepreneur Awards have been recognising Britain’s finest online talent and it is a great achievement for the Darwin Escapes team to be nominated.

successful launch

Working alongside the fantastic team at Clicky Media, who designed and developed darwinescapes.co.uk, we were able to create an industry leading website that truly reflects our diverse portfolio of holiday parks, retreats and resorts throughout the United Kingdom.

The launch of Darwin Escapes was a mammoth task, but with dedicated agency support and a fully committed internal team, we were able to achieve all of our initial business objectives within the projected timeframe. Six months on and the results have been fantastic. By adopting a user-centric approach, we now have an online presence which works seamlessly across multiple devices, ensuring the best experience for our customers wherever they might be when browsing for their next holiday break.

nomination

We’re completely humbled by the nomination and can’t wait for the DEAs ceremony, which takes place on the 11th of November 2015 at The Palace Hotel, Manchester. The Web Project of the Year category boasts some strong competition so we will keep you posted with how we get on. (Fingers and toes crossed).

We are still developing our beautiful Hawkchurch Resort & Spa but we were so excited by this news we couldn’t hold back.

Our amazing Ezina Spa has released its all new treatments menu!

You can relax, de-stress and revive with the luxurious treatments in a palace of peace and tranquillity. Hawkchurch Resort & Spa are proud partners with Aromatherapy Associates. Their passion for essential oils and plant extracts helps them understand that their power can transform your physical and mental wellbeing. Spoil yourself or your better half with a sumptuous and romantic spa day gift, in the perfect setting to relax and indulge.

luxurious treatments

Escape the noise of the outside world with our highly trained therapists and indulge in a relaxing and invigorating experience. We offer a wide range of treatments, with everything from the Ezina Spa Indulgence, which is a wonderful neck and scalp massage to set you off in the right mindset. Or try our Ultimate Aromatherapy Experience, our hero treatment will save your day like Batman! (I’m really sorry, I couldn’t resist that). Our talented therapist will use carefully applied pressures to stimulate the nerve system and relieve muscle tension which all encourages healthy circulation for a deep relaxation. We have a treatment to cover you from your head down to your toes! Our indulgence includes your hands and feet as well! We provide manicures and pedicures, for men and women, using the very best Jessica Nail products. We’re experts at revealing the natural beauty of your nails, enjoy the ultimate in nail nutrition.

wellness and love

All to create the perfect spa experience for you, you can spoil the other half with a treatment day and earn some brownie points. Or you can book some treatments together with our couples treatments for some great quality, relaxing and revitalising time together, all in a wonderful romantic setting. Take care of your own mindfulness and wellbeing, love your self with our relaxing treatments, romance yourself and spoil yourself with our wide range of treatments on offer. Any mums-to-be are more than welcome to come and enjoy the tranquility, put your feet up with our pregnancy treatment, the perfect way to relax those aching muscles.

So whether you are looking for a treatment to leave your skin radiant and smooth, or something to leave you feeling relaxed and deeply recharged we will have a treatment for you. All our treatments are designed to nourish, rejuvenate and protect, we can’t wait for Hawkchurch Resort & Spa to open so you can relax in our amazing Ezina Spa.

take a look at our brand new treatments menu and spoil yourself or someone you love.

Ezina Spa Treatment Menu

Monday the 13th of July 2015 was a big day for tourism in Chester as Chester Zoo opened its brand new attraction- The Islands. At Darwin Escapes we didn’t need an excuse to visit but wanting to check out this newest attraction was too good an opportunity to miss, so this week off we went. It was a beautiful day and after a short journey we arrived, parked with no problems and purchased our ticket. If you are considering visiting Chester Zoo while you are on holiday please find listed a few tips, lots of information and a review.

animals

Chester Zoo houses a huge number of animals, there are currently over 12,000, from the traditional favourites of elephants and giraffes, to white jaguars and black rhinoceros.
Enclosures include the Realm of the Red Ape and the Spirit of Jaguar, there is also an amazing penguin pool with underwater viewing, it is lots of fun to see the penguins diving and playing, Don’t forget to wave to Percy!

children at chester zoo

The great thing about Chester Zoo is that there are very wide walkways, plenty of places to have a picnic and some amazing play facilities, we found 3 with something for all ages at each site. Rather sensibly they have placed dining or refreshment facilities right next to the play areas which is a great excuse to recharge your batteries and have a coffee.

Another great facility is the little touring pushchairs that are available to hire, you see much more of the park if you have a pre-schooler as they enjoyed sitting in the little cars and driving around the zoo.

food

There are some great options for eating at Chester Zoo, from the Bembe food hall which is right by the entrance to June’s Pavilion*, be careful though the pavilion is right next to the Lions enclosure watch they don’t try to eat your dinner, those hungry lions! *June’s Pavilion is named after the daughter of Zoo founder George Mottershead.
We ate in the Bembe food hall and was impressed by the size of the children’s portion, we had pizza and chips and a very tasty chicken curry and you can choose to eat indoors or outside.

the islands

We were one of the first to visit this brand new attraction as it only opened to the public for the first time on 13th July, the Islands are essentially a step into the amazing Indonesian landscape and includes endangered animals and species that originate in these far flung islands, such as the cassowary and warty pig.

Currently only phase one is open and the other islands have a planned opening date of late August or September. Phase one consists of the Islands of Panay, Papua and Sulawesi.
One of our favourite facilities in the Islands was the boat trip, it takes you on a guided tour of the entire area, very relaxing and informative.

You can see from the pictures that a huge amount of time and effort has gone into creating these immense habitats and it is certainly a joy to visit.

a few tips to help you get the most from your visit:

1. Book in advance to beat the queues.
2. If you arrive early head straight to the Islands Boat Tour for reduced waiting times.
3. There is an all-weather picnic facility for a rainy day picnic near the Realm of the Red Ape.
4. It is possible to pre-book picnic boxes.

The Lake District boasts some of the most spectacular scenery in Britain and the walks are a great way of taking in the picturesque landscape.

Below we have outlined our top 5 favourite walks in the region. These include well-trodden favorites as well as those slightly more off the beaten track. We hope you enjoy them as much as we did!

1. Borger Dalr geology walk, Borrowdale (4 miles)

Borger Dalr was described by the famed fellwalker and writer Alfred Wainwright as the “finest square mile in Lakeland”, and it is not hard to see why! One look at the spectacular views you encounter along the trail and you will be equally inspired by the jaw dropping scenery. The walk takes you around the stunning valley, and leads you to explore the historic origins of Borrowdale as you walk from Grange to Castle Crag, which was the site of a 2,000 year old hill fort and which commands some of the most spectacular views in the region. Take a moment to pause and appreciate Peace How, a small peak, which was bought by the government in 1917 for the benefit of the nation as a place where soldiers returning from the front line in Europe could find some peace and tranquility.

Further along you will also pass Dalt Quarry, a picturesque wetland habitat that has developed out of the abandoned quarry.

For the route click here

2. Buttermere to Rannerdale (3 miles)

The trees at the southern tip of Buttermere, known as The Sentinels, are thought to be some of the most famous and photographed trees in the Lake District. If you are lucky enough to be passing through on a still day, when the sun is low, you will never forget The Sentinels stunning reflection in the lake over which they preside. The route also takes you along past Crummock Water, which is fed by Scale Force, the highest falls in the Lake District. Here you can find a stunning pebbly beach at its northern tip, which is a perfect location for a romantic picnic or a splash about in the warmer months. These walks around Buttermere are relatively straightforward, however, if you are after something a little more challenging that provides you with views that make the hard work worthwhile, head to Rannerdale Knotts. This valley is thought to be where Norman warriors, in their conquest of Britain, were defeated in battle, and the bluebells which bloom there every spring are said to grow from their blood. Its bizarre to think how something so lovely can originate from such a grizzly legend!

For the route click here

3. Greendale and Middle Fell walk (3.5 miles)

If you prefer to hike routes that are more off the beaten track, then west is the best! This side of the Lake District boasts pristine unspoiled natural beauty, which you don’t have to share with the scores of other hikers thanks to the area’s perceived inaccessibility. The walk guides you to Wasdale Screes and Wastwater – England’s deepest lake, and then along past Greendale Tarn and up to the summit of Middle Fell, which provides the perfect alternative view of Wasdale, with its impressive screes and lake. From this viewpoint, the Scafell range can be seen to the east at the head of the valley. On warm, still days look out for the rare mountain ringlet butterfly along the peak. This walk is a great way of experiencing the quieter side of the Western Fells. If you are fortunate and visibility is good, you can spot the Isle of Man in the distance rising dramatically up out of the Irish Sea.

For the route click here

4. summer star gazing walk at Friar’s Crag (0.75 miles)

The walk provides a beautiful and varied hike to Friars Crag, a viewpoint described by John Ruskin as one of the three most beautiful scenes in Europe. If you leave just before sunset, you will pass the circular stone memorial for Ruskin and fellow poet Rawnsley, over which you can watch the sun set. As you continue along the trek, you reach the Crag itself, which is a promontory that juts out into Derwentwater, and looks out over Derwent Isle and the surrounding landscape. On a clear still night, it must be one of the most spectacular locations on earth, as the night sky is perfectly clear in the clean Cumbrian air. After hiking up, make sure you gaze across Derwentwater, which if it is a clear night will be brilliantly illuminated by the reflections of thousands of stars dancing off still water. The land in this area was the first piece of the Lake District to be owned by the National Trust, and it is easy to understand why.

For the route click here

5. corpse road and tumuli walk (3.6 miles)

Since these hills were first settled, families have used the corpse trail to carry their dead from their remote communities to their final resting places. There is something eerie, yet stirring about walking the Cumbrian corpse roads. Perhaps it’s the remote connection you feel with those who have passed before, or simply the dwarfing perspective that is conjured when you consider how insignificant the trivialities of your everyday life will seem when someone walks the same path in a few generations time. These paths are a rousing way of getting under the skin of the Cumbrian landscape. The corpse trail itself follows a patchwork of natural and archaeological features, which include a traditional farm, and other evidence of human activity dating from the Bronze Age to the Second World War. However, this walk isn’t all about connecting with enchanting spirits of the past, as the trail passes some equally spellbinding scenery. Loweswater in particular is a really charming lake surrounded by pleasant woodlands, which are home to a thriving population of red squirrels. It is worth embarking on this trek after its been raining – something that seems to occur all too frequently in the lake district – as Holme Force Falls are at their most spectacular after a downpour.

For the route click here