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!
Start planning your 2021 staycations with Darwin Escapes and discover all that Britain has to offer, your way.
2020 is almost over (sigh of relief anyone?), they year threw us all a lot of curve balls, but we really can’t wait to make 2021 your year. Although we know restrictions are tightening for the start of the year, that doesn’t mean you can plan your Easter or Summer breaks away now and have a fabulous UK getaway to look forward to!
We’ve listed a few of the top UK destinations that you can visit in the New Year, from beachside breaks to woodland getaways, here at Darwin Escapes, we’ve got your 2021 holiday.
*please note, all of the below destinations are open to visitors at the time of writing. We hope at they are at the time of reading too, but please check our Coronavirus page for the latest information and always follow your local restrictions.
time to visit Cornwall
Always a popular holiday location, our Cornish resorts are the perfect getaway and some of the top destinations for families in the UK.
Head to Newquay for our fabulous Piran Meadows Resort, where you and your family can take a full advantage of the miles of golden sands. Venture to Fistral Beach, the home of UK surfing, and catch the best waves in the country. You’ll find your next adventure or your sunbathing hot spot when you holiday at Piran Meadows.
Our beautiful Sandymouth Holiday Resort is the place to be for stunning views of the Cornish coastline. Our family resort has everything you need for a self-catering break away in one of the top UK destinations for families. Explore Bude and find your perfect escape to the coastline, whether you’re looking to venture out coasteering or follow the coastal path for a wander along the stunning British seaside.
Holiday at our Mullion Cove Coastal Retreat and spend summer weeks in the Lizard Peninsula where you can enjoy spectacular coastal views. This sleepy resort offers the perfect place to getaway and relax in Cornwall, our holiday accommodation have everything you need for a break away and you can explore Mullion, the harbour and the southernmost point of the UK, your way.
discover Devon
A wonderful region filled with history, countryside and sandy beaches waiting for you to discover, our resorts in Devon are really the top destinations for couples in the UK.
Escape to the coast with our Beach Cove Coastal Retreat and our stunning beach huts. Ilfracombe is one of the UK’s top destinations waiting for you to explore, from the beautiful Hele Bay only seconds away from your doorstep to the surrounding mountains and footpaths. Whether you’re looking for a coastal adventure or a romantic, peaceful break away, our Beach Cove retreat is the perfect destination for you.
Truly relax and find your peaceful escape at our Hawkchurch Resort & Spa in South Devon, offering spa facilities and stunning countryside views of the Axe Valley. Learn all about the history of the local area, which can date itself back to the Doomsday Book, as well as the famous Axminster Carpets Corporation. Hawkchurch offers you the best of both worlds, where you can lose yourself in magical woodland or spend hours discover fossils along the stunning Jurassic Coastline. A self-catering holiday to Hawkchurch in 2021 is the ultimate relaxing getaway.
lose yourself in the Lake District
Wander woodland trails and find yourself on endless footpaths when you explore the Lake District with Darwin Escapes and our stunning resorts waiting for you.
Take in the spectacular views of our beautiful Thanet Well Lodge Retreat when you holiday with us in Greystoke, Cumbria. Cosy up in your holiday lodge and see views stretching across the World Heritage Site of the Lake District, explore the countryside and see the Spring flowers bloom. Walk up mountains on sunny days and discover charming English villages, or take a boat out on the Great Lakes, your next holiday at Thanet Well is waiting for you.
Explore the beautiful countryside with a holiday break at our Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat in the Lake District. Spend hours discovering the sleepy Keswick town or visit the Beatrix Potter museum and see Peter Rabbit’s famous garden, there are so many things to do here. Walk miles of woodlands and countryside, sail across the lakes and ramble the days away when you book your holiday to our stunning Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat.
Have you found your 2021 holiday break? Here at Darwin Escapes, we have so many locations for you to discover and we think they’re all the top UK destinations you need to visit! (not that we’re biased…) Take a look here for more destinations and find your own top destination to visit in 2021, we can’t wait to see you!
Whether you’re looking to holiday in your country or planning for a post-lockdown break away, North Wales is filled with legends, mountains, and beaches for you to discover!
Book your holiday break in wales or find your holiday-ever-after and search for your North Wales holiday home with us at Darwin Escapes. We have four resorts in the area, each offering its own unique personality, so you’ll find the perfect destination for you. Read more below to see the places you can explore!
Betws-Y-Coed
A beautiful village in the Conwy valley, perfect for outdoorsy people. There are endless walking trails, hills to hike and adventures to be had. The village has been popular since Victorian times and is home to stunning waterfalls and lots of local shops to see.
Conwy Castle & Town
Explore the historic castle, built between 1283 and 1289 by King Edward I. Don’t miss the beautiful quay or the smallest house in the UK. There are so many historic houses to visit in Conwy you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time!
Bodnant Gardens
Created and landscaped over 150 years ago, the gardens are colourful all year round and have the most outstanding backdrop of the Snowdonia Carneddau mountains. Find the secret gardens, hidden corners, manicured lawns, and magical woodland in the gardens.
The Great Orme
Drive to the top or get the famous tramway and take in the views of Llandudno town below. Thought to be over 350 million years old, you can take in the wildlife on the headland – the goats were recently made famous as they traveled to the town during the summer lockdown period.
Rhyl
Enjoy a traditional seaside getaway when you visit Rhyl promenade. Have fun in the arcades, stop for candy floss and a stick of rock at the sweet shops, get scared in the small horror walkthrough attraction, and test your skills at the mini-golf station! The perfect traditional British seaside day out on the North Wales coastline.
Talacre Beach
Relax on golden sands all year round, explore the sand dunes, and the protected wildlife in them. Grab some fish and chips for a traditional chippy tea by the sea, before you wander over to find the centuries-old Lighthouse.
There are our top five things to do in North Wales, there are so many things other places to explore that we can’t wait for you to visit and start planning your getaway with us!
There’s nothing quite like jumping in the car on a Friday afternoon, getting into that holiday mood and after a few hours, you’re there, in your holiday accommodation for your weekend break.
A staycation is the perfect short break, you can escape the working week, explore, discover and indulge… just the treat we all need right now! Here at Darwin Escapes we have beautiful holiday accommodation offering the perfect place to base yourself while exploring a new area on your staycation. Whether you’re looking to spend the night in the treetops in our treehouse, relaxing in our romantic boutique beach huts or getting together with family in a spacious lodge, we have it all waiting for you.
Find your perfect holiday inspiration for your weekend break away
romantic getaways
With a range of holiday destinations, from woodland escapes to beach getaways, your romantic weekend break is yours to make. Book a weekend away in our boutique beach huts at our Beach Cove Coastal Retreat, where all our accommodation is one bedroom, colourful and right next to the beach (sounds like heaven doesn’t it?)
Explore our treehouse accommodation on the Isle of Wight at our Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat, where you can cosy up in the tree tops and meet the friendly wildlife on the island. Only a short walk to the beach, you can explore the island, relax in your private hot tub and enjoy a weekend break away.
active weekend breaks
Escape to Cornwall for the home of British surfing, with three beautiful resorts along the Cornish coastline you can choose from Fistral Beach to Lusty Glaze Beach and find your perfect surfing spot.
Climb mountains and learn new legends when you visit our resorts for a short break in North Wales. With four of our resorts within driving distance of the magical Snowdonia Mountain, you can climb Wales’ most famous mountain and see if you can spot the legendary huts and ruins that dot the landscape too.
Explore our country on foot with a walking holiday when you book your weekend getaway with us. Or try out a cycling holiday and see the landscapes like never before, whether you’re looking for a walking holiday in the Lake District or a cycling break in the Peak District, our resorts are ready for you!
a peaceful escape
a peaceful escapeFind your perfect peaceful escape with our resorts, explore the local area at your own pace or spend the weekend watching movies and relaxing on the decking, it’s your holiday, your way.
Lose yourself in a countryside holiday, where you can wander woodlands, explore meadows and all other magical sounding places – think Lord of the Rings! Explore Surrey, Devon, the Lake District, Yorkshire and so much more of the UK on your short break away.
Have you started planning your weekend staycation with us? You can fit so much into a short break away, whether you’re looking to get away from it all or searching for your next adventure, our destinations are the perfect base for you!
We can’t WAIT to welcome you back! With our resorts open up and down the country since lockdown, we’re back to giving you the holidays you love, time and time again. We hope you’re just as happy as we are, and we’re over the moon that we can be the place for those BIG reunions.
We’ve been having a good think about that first incredible holiday back together. (All right, you got us – it’s all we’ve been thinking about!) At Darwin Escapes, we wanted to make sure you had somewhere extra-special to catch up with friends and family when the time came. That’s why we’ve been busy creating a brand-new resort to welcome you all back to – our spectacular Rivendale Lodge Retreat, which opened its doors last week.
After all – where better to catch up with old friends, and spend precious, uninterrupted time with family than the Peak District? One of England’s most peaceful and breathtaking nature reserves, the Peak District is an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with truly unbeatable local scenery. At Darwin Escapes, we’re lucky enough to have Rivendale Lodge Retreat nestled right in the heart of The Peaks – to give you that magical moment you’ve been waiting for!
Our retreat is right in the middle of the dramatic jaw-dropping mountainscapes of the Peaks, but a stone’s throw away from some of the most beautiful market towns and villages, like Buxton, Bakewell and Ashbourne. With endless things to do and see, we know you’ll really be able to make the most of the lush green British countryside this summer!
With hidden gems nearby like the world-famous Tissington Trail, or the rich history and legacy of local stately homes like Chatsworth Manor and Keddleston Hall, this part of the country is just filled with things to discover. If you’re more of an adrenaline junkie, you’ll be delighted to hear that you’re moments away from the world-famous theme parks of Alton Towers and Thorpe Park (for a truly thrilling time!)
Rivendale Lodge Retreat, our brand-new Peak District holiday park, gives you the chance to immerse yourself in all that the Peaks have to offer from your beautiful, bright and modern lodge (we’re really proud of those). Whether you’re a get-up-and-go adventurer, getting the gang ready for those EPIC walks and discoveries – or prefer the life of luxury, with a glass of something fizzy whilst you soak in your hot tub – Rivendale’s got it covered!
If you’re looking for the perfect staycation spot, we think you’ve found it. Rivendale Lodge Retreat gives you the best of both worlds – enchanting, wild forests and deep blue lakes, paired with gorgeous, quaint towns and villages nearby. Love your escape, every time – when you choose Darwin Escapes.
As any of our UK-based readers will know, the Lake District has long been heralded as one of the most beautiful and scenic regions that the country (perhaps even Europe!) has to offer.
England’s largest national park, the Lake District is one of Britain’s true natural wonders set against a backdrop of rugged mountains, sweeping lakes and dramatic moors, and home to bustling market towns and picturesque villages.
It probably comes as no surprise, then, that Lake District holidays offer incredible, tranquil breaks, in some of the best retreats that the country has to offer. Darwin Escapes is proud to have two beautiful resorts in the Lake District region; both our Thanet Well Lodge Retreat and our Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat offer guests peace and stillness, in the UK’s most sought-after holiday destination.
Home to England’s highest mountain and deepest lake, the Lake District is the perfect breath of fresh air: relax, unwind and recharge your batteries in a Darwin Escapes retreat. For the best retreats in the Lake District, look no further than our holiday resort in Keswick, Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat.
Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat – ‘the best holiday park In Britain’.
Our Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat has been named the ‘Best Holiday Park in Britain’ for two consecutive years – and it isn’t hard to see why.
Set in the heart of Keswick, within driving distance from the region’s iconic lake, Derwentwater, Keswick Reach Retreat is nestled between dramatic fells and among outstanding natural woodland. Lodges in The Lakes For guests looking to take a restful break from the hustle and bustle of daily life, Keswick and the surrounding region offer a truly tranquil escape.
With Catbells Lakeland Walk and Whinlatter Forest Park mere moments away, the opportunities to recharge your batteries with walks through England’s countryside are truly endless. We think there’s truly no better way to shake off the working week than by losing yourself in the breathtaking scenery of the Lakes, which is why the region attracts almost 16 million visitors per year, from home or further afield. Spark your curiosity with visits to the region’s National Trust properties, like the 18th-century Derwent Island House, as well as national historic monuments such as Keswick Railway Path, Keswick Museum and Honister Slate Mine. Perfect in spring and summer, there’s also plenty to do all year round, with truly spectacular Christmas markets on offer in the festive season.
It’s at Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat, however, that you’ll have the opportunity to truly relax. Set amongst the outstanding natural beauty of Keswick, our resort offers a peaceful escape, with truly awe-inspiring views across open moorland, towards Carrock Fell. With our bright, modern lodges and our full range of facilities, your retreat here can begin as soon as you wake up.
Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat is, of course, fully stocked with complete amenities for anything you might need. Soak in your hot tub and drink in the views, build strength in our well-equipped gym, or for complete peace of mind and body you can make full use of our Ammara spa.
Grab a glass of fizz and a bite to eat at our Copper Fells Bar & Brasserie, ready to cater to your every need. With endless places to visit and a whole host of activities, including our Jacuzzi and sauna, there’s truly something for everyone at Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat.
Go on – what are you waiting for? Find your escape, at our Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat.
Thanet Well Lodge Retreat
We are also lucky enough to have a second resort open to guests in the Lake District; namely Thanet Well Lodge Retreat. Located at the edge of Greystoke Forest, with ideal proximity to the region’s stunning locations of Grasmere and Coniston Lake, Thanet Well Lodge Retreat offers total immersion in both Cumbria and the Lake District.
Designed for guests who simply want to relax in the stunning natural scenery, Thanet Well offers access to the unparalleled Lake District towns of Bassenthwaite, Ullswater, Penrith, Keswick and beyond; with awe-inspiring walks and views to entertain for days on end.
For those who prefer the options of resort-based activities, facilities and amenities, our sister park, Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat, is simply a stone’s throw away.
If you would like to learn more about Keswick Reach, Thanet Well or any of our other retreats and parks, please feel free to get in touch with us here at Darwin Escapes, and a member of our friendly team will be more than happy to help. We look forward to your stay with us!
The annual Hoseasons Awards were held in Brighton last night and Darwin Escapes came home with 9 Diamond Awards for 2019!
The Hoseasons Awards are a prestigious event and it is the most anticipated evening of the year for UK holiday companies. Here at Darwin Escapes, we have a wonderful history of being multiple Diamond Award winners, including Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat being the first location to ever win the Best in Britain Award two years in a row!
This year was no exception as Darwin Escapes brought home 6 Diamond Award winning locations and 3 Diamond Award winning restaurants!
Scroll for a full list of our Diamond Award winners…
Beach Cove Coastal Retreat – Best Relax & Explore Lodges in Devon, Somerset & Dorset Small Parks
Mullion Cove Coastal Retreat – Best Lodge Escape in Cornwall
Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa – Best Relax & Explore Lodges in Devon, Somerset & Dorset
Bath Mill Lodge Retreat – Best Lodge Escape in Devon, Somerset & Dorset
Norfolk Woods Resort & Spa – Best Relax & Explore Lodges in the East of England
Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat – Best Lodge Escape in the South of England
Three of our fantastic restaurants were also Food Diamond Award winners this year. The F&B Awards are a brand new category and we are absolutely delighted to have been nominated and won. These are a recognition of all the hard work that our wonderful teams put into creating the menus and serving delicious meals!
- Sandymouth Holiday Resort, Bistro Restaurant – Best F&B in Cornwall
- Best F&B in North England and Best in Britain Food Award 2019 – Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat, Copper Fells Bar & Restaurant
Darwin Escapes also had 6 destinations in the finalists of each of their categories, with Keswick Reach also a finalist in the Best in Britain Award category, which is highly impressive to be recognised for the third year in a row!
Here at Darwin Escapes HQ we would love to say a massive congratulations to whole Darwin Escapes team for another fantastic year at the Hoseasons Awards! All of our colleagues work hard to help you create lasting memories of wonderful holidays at each of our fabulous destinations.
And of course, we would love to say a massive Thank You to you, our truly wonderful guests!
Adults like to be spooked on Halloween just as much as children right? Well here is the ultimate list of adult fright nights 2021 to get your adrenaline going…
If you’re interested in an adult fright night experience the DE HQ have braved the perils of searching the web for the ultimate live scare events in the UK. We searched through endless clowns, monsters and zombies to find these frightful events near our locations – so you can book your event and accommodation all in one go!
Read on to find the best live scare adult attraction near you this Halloween…
Fright Nights
At: Thorpe Park / When: 15th – 31st October / Open times vary / Prices: £55 day pass
Thorpe Park is back with its award-winning adult fright night event. Hold your nerve at the 20 minute, utterly frightening, Terror at Amity High show, where you’re invited to the prom but will you survive the brutal vampires who are out for your blood? Or maybe Creak Freak Massacre is more your speed, where you’ll enter the abandoned Creek Woods Saw Mill and get around the unhinged resident family of lumberjacks. Other live scare attractions include Platform 15, Do or Die and Screamplexx, with so many more to give you the fright of your life this Halloween!
Nearest Location: Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat
FEAR Scream Park
At: Avon Valley / When: 15th – 31st October / Times: 6pm – 11pm / Prices from £13.50
FEAR was voted the UK’s Best Scream Park 2019 and is one of the most popular fright night events. There are 4 returning scare attractions for FEAR fans which are X4, Anarchy Live, Phobia: Rebirth and House of Clowns. But a new terrifying scare maze will be live this year and enter at your own peril! As well as the attractions, soak up the screams from the Halloween Festival of Freakalicious, which has immersive street theatre, fire dancers, an escape room, stilt walkers and fairground rides.
Nearest Location: Bath Mill Lodge Retreat
Hallowscream
At: York Maze / When: 8th – 31st October / Times: 6.30pm – 11.30pm / Ticket prices vary
Back with a bang, Hallowscream has over 100 actors and 5 separate live action haunted houses, as well as stage shows and creepy characters roaming around the maze. Based on a farm, legend tells us there was an awful tragedy 1873 and every year on Halloween the restless souls return to find who’s responsible. Head to the live scare attraction 2073 and get thrown into a ‘post Trump’ nuclear apocalypse, where zombies are running free and society has broken down. Corny’s Carnival has had a terrifying update, including shrinking rooms, rooms that spin and defy gravity, all filled with demonic clowns and mind blowing illusions!
Nearest Location: Kilnwick Percy Resort & Golf Club
Terror Island
At: Blackgang Chine / When: 22nd – 31st October / Times: 6pm – 10pm / Prices: from £18 per person
Terror Island lets you explore one of the Isle of Wight’s most popular attractions in a fantastically frightful way! This adult fright night includes 3 terrifying attractions, The Blood Shed is a serial killers secret hideaway of rotting cabins and half human incumbents. The ancient spirits of the sea are angry with St Catherine’s Lighthouse and are out for vengeance and blood. A Pagan deity has invoked a hex on mankind in Hexcavation after being unearthed during an archaeological excavation. As well as the live scare attractions making you scream, there are two rides available, Cliff Hanger and Waterforce, along with tarot card readings, street food, entertainment and a DJ.
Nearest Location: Woodside Coastal Retreat
Ffear Fforest
At: Zip World / When: 22nd – 31st October / Times: 7.30pm – 10.30pm / Prices: £30 per person
Head to the famous Zip World for a fantastic fright night in the wild! There will be scary characters hiding all over the woods, go for a ride on the Cursed Coaster and twist through the forest with a spooky surprise trying to steal your soul at every corner. Your ticket also gives you access to The Nets where you’ll bounce your way through the jungle while trying to survive an attack of the clowns in Europe’s longest net walkway. Are you brave enough to try Nightfall? A killer clown will be waiting at the bottom of a trapdoor just for you…
Nearest Location: New Pines Holiday Home Park
Farmageddon
At: Ormskirk / When: 21st – 31st October / Times: 7pm – 11pm / Prices vary depending on date
A terrifying and very popular adult fright night is waiting for you this Halloween. Where you can go after the live scare attractions to slow your heart rate and enjoy the entertainment, including fire dancers, stage shows, music and high rise silk displays. The Zombie Outlaw attraction is a fantastic paintball experience where you’ll shoot anything that moves and stay away from the zombies. The Meat Locker will leave you running from Malachi’s slaughterhouse, as he’s found a way to be immortal by the consumption of human flesh, and it’s yours he wants next. Contagion will play with your mind as the insane clowns and freakish ghouls look to catch you and devour you. Welcome to Farmageddon!
Nearest Location: Talacre Beach Resort
Alton Towers Scarefest
At: Staffordshire / When: 15th-31st October / Times: 10am – 9pm / Prices: from £34 per person
Give yourselves the adrenaline thrill you need whilst you get the spooks, frights and thrills of the Scarefest. Throughout the park you will have ghools, ghosts and creepy scares wherever you go so you will always need to be on guard. You can also book into the different scare mazes like Freak Show: Toxic Junkyard, The Attic: Terror of the Towers, Altonville Mine Tours or Darkest Depths. All of which will definitely scare even the bravest of people. Alton Towers now also has The Alton Towers Dungeon which you can also add into your Scarefest experience if you want to learn a little more about the hideously horrible history.
Nearest Location: Rivendale Lodge Retreat
So have you found your live scare event for Halloween from our ultimate guide to the top 7 adult fright night attractions in the UK? Let us know which one you visit…and good luck!