We’ve put together the ultimate holiday checklist of all the things you need to remember to make the most of your UK getaway. Staycations are the perfect getaways for all, whether you’re looking for a family break or a romantic escape, our resorts are waiting for you!

There is so much to discover with a UK holiday break, whether you’re searching for your next adventure, or looking for summer breaks on golden sands and blue seas, Britain has such a massively diverse landscape that you can choose any type of holiday and it will be waiting for you to explore.

Here at Darwin Escapes, we’ve put our brains together to come up with this definitive list of what you need to look at before booking your staycation.

breathtaking views

You’ll discover some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, from stretches of sandy beaches in Dorset to the dramatic mountains of the Lake District. Whether you’re searching for a country escape, a seaside getaway or looking for a next adventure by climbing the magical North Wales mountains, our resorts are your base for exploring our stunning country.

St Anthony Head – Cornwall. Closest location, Piran Meadows Resort

family fun activities

If you have little ones, activities in the park are a must! Some of our parks have a full Go Active+ program, including climbing walls, archery and some even have an outdoor splash zone. You’re sure to find the perfect family holiday break for you.

Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa – Somerset

delicious food

With Darwin Escapes, you’ll have one of the area’s best restaurants on your doorstep. Relax and kick back with a drink from our fully stocked bars. Find family-favourite dishes in Cornwall or enjoy a date night in peaceful surroundings at our Bath Mill Lodge Retreat, in Somerset. Or dine in at our Rivendale Lodge Retreat in the Peak District with award-nominated interiors and enjoy the stunning countryside too.

Rivendale Lodge Retreat – Peak District

relaxing spa treatments

Everyone loves to unwind on holiday. All our spa locations offer relaxing treatments such as a full back massage, refreshing facials, and nail treatments. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful place to escape for a couple of hours at our Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa in Somerset, or Norfolk Woods Resort & Spa, or if you’re after a full spa-break away in Devon, you’ll find it here.

The Spa at Norfolk Woods Resort & Spa – Norfolk

first-class facilities

If you’re looking for saunas and steam rooms or Jacuzzi’s and swimming pools, Darwin Escapes’ destinations are ideal for you. Head to Surrey for a sauna in your lodge, or venture up to Yorkshire for a golf course, we really do have something for everyone! Our Hawkchurch Resort & Spa in Devon is a firm favourite for a relaxing break, with our stunning hydrotherapy pool.

Hydrotherapy pool at Hawkchurch Resort & Spa – South Devon

beautiful accommodation

The accommodation makes the holiday, our self-catering lodges are second to none. With sumptuous king sizes beds, luxurious ensuites and spacious, open-plan living spaces, there’s enough room for everyone. Or if you’re looking for a romantic break, we have quirky beach huts at Beach Cove Coastal Retreat in North Devon for you or try out our stunning treehouses in the Isle of Wight or in the Peak District, whatever kind of escape you’re looking for, it’s here.

Treehouse at Woodside Bay – Isle of Wight

Are you ready for a perfect staycation?

We have holiday locations all over the country waiting for you, and with 8 of our destinations offering holiday home ownership in case you never want to leave us! There are endless escapes you can make, discover Darwin Escapes and your UK holiday inspiration with us.

discover our destinations

Our stunning Rivendale Lodge Retreat has been nominated in the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards 2021!

Here at Darwin Escapes, we love creating beautiful spaces that showcase the personality of our locations from family-friendly destinations to county escapes. When designing and building Rivendale, we partnered with NBDA Architects and Lazzeri Creative Interiors, who created a beautiful, welcoming, and relaxing space.

The designers have created a colourful interior, showcasing the landscape with floor to ceiling windows and really making the countryside the main character with a living green wall behind reception, stunning flowers throughout and even flower wallpaper in the truly stunning loos (a sentence you’d never thought you would read, but wait until you see the pictures below!).

The Restaurant & Bar Design Awards have been recognising talent for over ten years with over 100 countries entering the competition. We are so thrilled to be nominated, take a look at the interiors below to see the award-nominated interior.

discover Rivendale Lodge Retreat

We’ve found all the top five reasons why you should book your staycation today and start planning your getaway!

Now is the time to book your staycation and beat the boom! Here at Darwin Escapes, we have destinations all over the UK for you to find your dream holiday location, with stunning accommodation from static caravans and large lodges to EPIC treehouses and beautiful beach huts! Find your holiday inspiration with us and book your staycation at one of our stunning locations.

1. the best beaches for sandcastles

Did you know that Britain actually has the best sandy beaches for building sandcastles in the world?! So book yourself a beach break away in the UK and pack your bucket and spade. Whether you’re heading south to Cornwall or east to Norfolk, we have destinations along the coastline waiting for you!

2. endless history to discover

The UK is a country full of culture and history, with endless monuments and historic attractions throughout. Including a range of Medieval Castles, especially near our North Wales destinations, as well as Roman Runes and towns that date back to the doomsday book. There will always be something to explore and discover during your staycation.

3. year-round events for everyone

The UK is home to a calendar of a huge variety of events, including world-renowned music festivals, like Glastonbury, huge literacy festivals such as Hay Week and smaller fetes, fairs, and the ever-popular Christmas Markets. So whether you’re looking for a village fete, international music festival, or a Medieval festival, there will be an event for you to enjoy on a weekend staycation with Darwin Escapes.

4. breath-taking landscapes

Are you looking for an adventure-filled holiday? Or maybe a relaxing beach break? Perhaps you’d like both! Well, a staycation is perfect escape for you, book a stay along the North Wales coastline, and you can soak up the sun golden beaches, then challenge yourself with a climb up the Snowdonia Mountain all in the same day. The UK has one of the most diverse landscapes waiting to be discovered and explore on your staycation.

5. explore with your pup!

A staycation often offers the freedom of taking your fur-baby! So if you’re looking for pet-friendly holidays, a staycation could be the best idea for you, and with Darwin Escapes’ luxurious, self-catering lodge’s we have the ideal destination for your pup! There are a number of pet-friendly attractions throughout the UK, including pubs, garden centers, and stately homes, as well as dog-friendly restaurants becoming more popular. And if you’re looking for endless dog walks, Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat in Cumbria is perfect for you and it even has a special dog wash area for you to clean your pup’s muddy paws after a fun, nature-filled walk.

So whether you’re looking for staycation ideas for families, which includes endless fun and family facilities, or you’re really wanting romantic staycation ideas for couples, with a hot tub, relaxing spa facilities, and stunning views, we have the perfect destination for you.

Start planning your holiday break and escape with your friends and family, book your staycation today!

Dundonald Links lodges are coming soon in August 2021, but have a look at our artist illustrations below to take a little sneak peek inside these sure-to-be stunning lodges in Ayrshire, Scotland.

Explore the west coast of Scotland when you book your break away with us at Dundonald Links, we have beautiful lodges waiting for you, each with self-contained bedroom suites, with their own bathrooms, open plan living spaces, and panoramic views of the stunning golf course around.

Take a virtual tour of our artist’s impressions below and scroll down for some more images.

Book your lodge holiday at Dondonald Links, Ayrshire, and start planning your Scottish dream break away today!

Our brand new resort along the west coast of Scotland is currently under development and we’ve got the latest pictures here for you to see!

Our stunning Dundonald Links, Ayrshire will home to beautiful lodges and an outstanding clubhouse, which will including a dedicated whiskey room and world-class restaurant. Known as a first-class links golf course, hosting many prestigious tournaments, here at Darwin Escapes, we can’t wait for you to see the purpose-built lodges in Ayrshire, where you can book your getaway and explore the breath-taking Scottish landscape.

Scroll through our images below for the latest update on the development of the clubhouse, lodge foundations, and the redesign of the beautiful golf course.

And the best part is you can book your lodge holiday break away today, make an enquiry and find out more.

Our stunning Dundonald Links location has a rich and fascinating history dating back to the 1800s!

Always home to one of Scotland’s most beautiful links golf courses, Dundonald also played a role in both World Wars and has gone on to host the most prestigious tournaments.

Here at Darwin Escapes, we are so excited to show the new course redesigned by Kyle Philips and of course, we can’t wait for you to see our stunning lodges in Ayrshire, where you can base yourself and explore the beautiful west coast of Scotland. Located only 40 minutes away from Glasgow, you can enjoy city centre shopping and an evening stroll along the sandy Irvine Bay, all on the same day!

Discover centuries of hidden histories and fascinating stories around the local area when you book your holiday lodge in Ayrshire.

Watch our video below for the wonderful and fascinating history of a beautiful Scottish resort.

Here at Darwin Escapes, we have stunning destinations all over the country, each a spectacular holiday getaway that’s perfect for you.

Are you looking for a family adventure? Or a romantic getaway? Or maybe you’d love to explore legends and nature? We are sure you’ll find your UK holiday break with us! With locations reaching from south Cornwall to the Yorkshire Wolds, whatever kind of break you’re looking for, you’ll find it with Darwin Escapes.

We’ve had a bumpy start to the year, but now’s the time to do a little window shopping for your Easter breaks and summer holidays, find your holiday inspiration with us and start planning your break away today. Have a read through below about just some of our locations and see if you can find your perfect holiday to create with us.

family adventure time

You’ll find your next adventure on a UK holiday break with these Darwin Escapes locations, from fantastic family facilities to fascinating local areas. Get outside to explore nature, enjoy the thrills of a theme park, or test your skills with our activity programmes, there is something for everyone!

Sandymouth Holiday Resort

Location: Bude, North Cornwall.

Facilities: heated indoor swimming pool, soft play area, EPIC pirate ship playground, splash zone, Go Active and entertainment schedule, Bistro, and bar.

Local area: a short walk to Sandymouth Bay and miles of golden sands, children’s theme parks and King Arthur’s birth place in Tintagel Castle

find out more about Sandymouth

Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa

Location: Cheddar, Somerset

Facilities, Go Active schedule, indoor heated swimming pool, Eden Spa with treatments, rock climbing wall, multi-purpose playing courts, two-lane indoor bowling alley, Bistro, and bar.

Local area: explore woodland walks behind the resort, climb the famous Cheddar Gorge and explore the Wookey Caves, visit the bell-ringing Swans and learn mystical legends of Glastonbury town

more about Cheddar Woods

peaceful city breaks

We know the title of this section is basically an oxymoron, but that’s only if you haven’t been to one of our destinations yet! Explore the hustle and bustle of a city and experience the exciting nightlife, then retreat back to a stunning oasis just a few miles away, where you’re surrounded by countryside. A place where you can unwind from a fast-paced city life and recharge ready to go again!

Bath Mill Lodge Retreat

Location: Bath, Somerset

Facilities: gym lodge, The Brook Bar & Bistro, small outdoor children’s play area

Local area: two miles from the city centre of Bath, visit the posh Pump Rooms for afternoon tea, see the stunning and historic Roman Baths, learn more about Jane Austen and her stamp on the city, as well as visiting the famous Victoria Park

find out more about Bath Mill

Kilnwick Percy Resort

Location: Pocklington, Yorkshire

Facilities: golf course, The Glasshouse Restaurant, The Box gym, nordic spa area, and Tranquility Spa Lodge

Local area: about a 20-minute drive to York City, visit York Minster and the city of stunning architecture, the popular Jorvik Viking Centre, experience the scares at the York Dungeon

find out more about Kilnwick Percy Resort

lose yourself in nature

Surround yourself with the beauty of nature, explore the English countryside like never before, venture out on endless country walks, climb mountains, find fantastic cycle paths and sail on great lakes. Your UK holiday is your break away, your way.

Thanet Well Lodge Retreat

Location: Greystoke, Cumbria

Facilities: reception and small essentials shop (it’s all about getting out there and finding your peaceful escape)

Local area: close to the famous Scafell Pike which is the highest mountain in England, visit Coniston Water – the third largest lake in the region and hire a boat to sail around it, there are endless footpaths and smaller mountains or hills to climb in the area

more about Thanet Well Lodge Retreat

Rivendale Lodge Retreat

Location: Ashbourne, Peak District

Facilities: Bistro and bar (where you can relax and take in the breath-taking views)

Local area: close to Alton Towers for the theme park thrill-seekers out there, endless cycling paths to discover including the Tissington Trail only 100 meters away, visit the Lyme House & Estate and learn about the Regency era (and see the site of the famous scene of BBC’s Pride & Prejudice!)

more about Rivendale Lodge Retreat

Are you looking for more ideas? Visit our holiday inspiration page here and find your dream destination for a UK holiday perfect for you and your family

Have a little sneak peek inside our beautifully decorated Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat’s facilities, where you can getaway from it all to truly relax and unwind

See more and find out more about our beautiful Lake District resort here

Take a sneak peek around our stunning treehouse accommodation at Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat, where you can escape for a romantic getaway and enjoy the peaceful tree-top break.

Whether you’re looking for a romantic stroll on the beach or an couples adventure getaway, the Isle of Wight is the perfect holiday break for you. The island has everything you could need for a fabulous UK holiday and our beautiful Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat is perfectly placed to explore the whole island and everything it has to offer – even it’s hidden secrets, if you can find them!

Take a look at the treehouse below, which is the ideal romantic getaway, complete with hot tub and stylish decor, you will love your getaway with Darwin Escapes to the Isle of Wight.

Do you love our treehouse as much as we do? Why not book* your romantic getaway and start planning your escape to the Isle of Wight with Darwin Escapes today

*please follow current government guidelines and check our Coronavirus page for the latest information about our resorts

Recently we’ve all been stepping outside more and exploring the stunning UK landscape, so now is the time to discover your holiday alter ego and find the perfect outdoors holiday break for you!

Whether you’re looking to sunbathe on every beach in Cornwall, wander the Yorkshire Wolds, or explore the legends and mountains in North Wales, we have the perfect resort waiting for you. In this post we’ve grouped together the types of outdoor getaways you may be looking for and have picked our top destinations where you can enjoy that type of holiday. Read below and find out your holiday alter ego is…

hiking your way

Is walking the countryside and climbing mountains your kind of thing? We have the best resorts to base yourself from where you can see some of the most spectacular sights in the UK.

The Lake District

our resorts: Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat & Thanet Well Lodge Retreat

The Peak District

our resort: Rivendale Lodge Retreat

North Wales

our resorts: Talacre Beach Resort & New Pines Holiday Home Park

surfing around

Spread your toes in the sand, chase the summer sun and spend endless days surfing in the sea. Explore the home of UK surfing in Cornwall or find secret beaches in Devon when you discover surfing is the way forward!

Cornwall

our resorts: Piran Meadows Resort, Sandymouth Holiday Resort & Mullion Cove Coastal Retreat

Devon

our resorts: Hawkchurch Resort & Spa & Beach Cove Coastal Retreat

Dorset

our resort: Wareham Forest Lodge Retreat

woodland wanderings

Lose yourself on woodland walks and explore long-lost trails. British woodlands are places of mystery and legends, find your favourite area and discover the hidden history.

Norfolk

our resort: Norfolk Woods Resort & Spa

Yorkshire

our resort: Kilnwick Percy Resort & Golf Club

Somerset

our resorts: Bath Mill Lodge Retreat & Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa

Isle of Wight

our resorts: Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat & Woodside Coastal Retreat

Have you found your outdoorsy alter ego? Find your holiday inspiration and explore the UK like never before!

search for your holiday getaway