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

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

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

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

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

Have a wonderful break in Cornwall!

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

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

Ammara Spa offers Aromatherapy Associates treatments from fully trained therapists, here are our top picks…

Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat is located in the heart of Cumbria, offering unrivalled views of the truly stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site. Keswick Reach is a peaceful place to unwind from the daily grind, and it is easy to see why the destination was the winner of the prestigious Best Park in Britain Award in 2017 at the Hoseasons Awards, offering fabulous scenery, luxurious accommodation which can include hot tubs, and our fantastic facilities.

Offering 5 star facilities onsite, including The Copper Fells Bar & Bistro, which serves mouth-watering meals and is host to a range of locally produced spirits, including The Lakes Gin. Keswick Reach is also home to our beautiful Ammara Spa, which is exclusive to our holiday guests, so we thought we would share some of our amazing treatments to give you a taste of what we offer.

ammara signature treatment hot stone massage

45 minutes version for £45 / 70 minute version for £70

This signature treatment offers a back, neck and shoulder massage, with the 70 minute version adding legs and arms too. Using a variety of heated volcanic stones and hand pressure, the treatment promotes a relaxed state and muscle tension release. This treatment is ideal for those suffering from back pain, as well as those struggling with depression, stress and anxiety.

bespoke skin polish

30 minutes / £30

You’ll feel fresh and rejuvenated with this nourishing treatment, which is an all over exfoliation opening your pores and soothing your skin. You’ll then be layered with rich, soothing and nourishing products to leave your skin looking radiant and feeling amazing. A short 30 minute treatment to leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed.

deep cleanse facial

6 minutes / £60

A wonderful and purifying treatment, ideal for oily or combination skin. As with most Aromatherapy Associates treatments beautiful essential oils are used, this treatment includes lavender, ylang ylang and tea tree. All these oils have natural antibacterial properties, they will help to penetrate deep into your pores. You’ll also enjoy a drainage massage and freshwater mud mask, which will help draw out dirt and impurities.

star treatment: uplift your mood

120 minutes / £110

A truly indulgent treatment, which offers emotional pampering with the aim to rejuvenate your mind, body and soul, this complete experience will boost your emotional well being by using sensory therapy. The treatment starts with a gentle grain exfoliation, followed by a wheat grain oil to the toenail cuticles and dry skin. To help encourage inner peace and harmony you’ll have a pressure point massage with oils including geranium and frankincense. You will then indulge in a soothing scalp massage with conditioning hair oil and pure essential oils. The treatment will leave you feeling both uplifted and nourished, this treatment is perfect for a little emotional pampering and ideal for those suffering with acute stress and anxiety.

relaxation suite

Whether you are booked in for a treatment, spa day or just fancy an hour of ‘me time’ our Relaxation Suite offers the perfect escape on your holiday. The Relaxation Suite includes a soothing Jacuzzi and rejuvenating sauna, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding Cumbrian countryside. You can truly relax and feel your stress slip away while soaking in the Jacuzzi or relaxing on the loungers. Use of the Relaxation Suite is £10 per hour, however, it is included in some treatments and spa day packages, please ask when booking your treatment to avoid disappointment.

Ammara Spa also offers pregnancy treatments, treatments for men, as well as teen treatments for 16 years old and over. We also offer finishing treatments, including waxing, tinting, GELeration and Jessica Nails hand treatments. If you’re looking for a true treat, take a look at our spa day options where you’ll indulge in a treatment and use of our beautiful Relaxation Suite, as well as a light lunch or delicious cream tea from our beautiful Copper Fells Bar & Bistro.

Visit the Spa Reception to book your treatment or spa day, you can also take a look at our full treatment menu here.

The Darwin Escapes family is growing again and this time we’ve headed north to Norfolk! Development has started on the brand new Norfolk Woods Resort & Spa destination, due to open late 2018. For those who have visited our 5 star, luxurious Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa location in Somerset you’ll be pleasantly comforted by the expected facilities at Norfolk Woods! We’ve recently broken ground and started on the main complex building, so we thought you’d like to have a sneak peek at the construction and the surroundings of our brand new destination.

Norfolk Woods is sure to be a popular holiday destination, and if you didn’t want to leave, you wouldn’t have to as it will also be a brand new Ownership destination too!

Keep checking back for more development images and information about Norfolk Woods Resort & Spa!

Did you know local residents are free to use our 5 star facilities? Well, now that you know, why not come and take a look? Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat offers a peaceful escape along the coastline, just a stone’s throw from the beach and is a popular holiday destination on the Isle of Wight. This luxurious holiday destination is home to 5 star facilities including spa lodge, state of the art gymnasium and Bistro restaurant and these facilities are all open to the public, including a fantastic Lifestyle Membership which offers discount rates!

bistro restaurant & bar

Our Bistro Restaurant serves decadent dishes for all the family to enjoy, including our delicious burgers with endless toppings and a mouth-watering sweet potato fries.

Pop in for a light lunch after a walk on the beach or make a night of it and enjoy a wonderful evening meal. When the weather is on your side opt to dine ‘al fresco’ on our outdoor decking area with breath-taking views of the Solent. You can also enjoy a refreshing drink from our fully stocked bar and keep an eye out for any events we may have coming up!

woodside bay spa lodge

Our fully trained therapists offer luxurious Aromatherapy Associates treatments, including full body massages, Jessica Nails hand treatments and a wide range of rejuvenating facials. Leave the stress and strains of everyday life behind with an Intensive Muscle Release treatment. This 60 minute treatment is designed to help tight, stressed and aching muscles, using Swedish and cross-muscle fibre techniques, as well as essential oils known to help circulation, sounds like heaven!

If you’re looking for a quick relaxing treatment, opt for our Intensely Nourishing Hair Treatment, which helps to restore shine and health in your hair. As well as, offering a truly relaxing Ayurvedic head massage, using essential oils to work at muscles and specific pressure zones. It’s recommended for those suffering with anxiety to receive a treatment like this once a month to help restore a balanced, de-stressed mind.

The spa lodge is also home to a private decking area with beautiful views overlooking the ocean.

woodside bay gym

Woodside Bay boasts a peaceful gym environment, which includes all the equipment you could need for a workout. Including a range of cardio machines, such as treadmills, exercise bikes, cross-trainers and rowing machines. We also have range of weight machines and a free weight area, including dumbbells and medicine balls, we really do have everything you could need for a full body workout.

lifestyle membership

If you live locally and love our 5 star facilities as much as we do, you can enjoy a fabulous Lifestyle Membership, from only £25 a month!

Your membership allows you access to our gym facilities during opening hours, which are 8am – 9pm, Monday to Saturday and 9am – 9pm on a Sunday. The membership also grants a 10% discount at both Bistro and treatments at the Woodside Bay Spa Lodge *

booking your events

Woodside Bay is also able to hold a variety of events and occasions to fit all needs, including corporate meetings and indoor team building days, as well as private functions such as birthday parties, anniversary get-together’s and all other celebrations. To book your event or occasion with us please pop in and ask at reception.

So don’t be shy, our friendly staff are looking forward to meeting you! Pop in to have a chat with our team and a look at our 5 star facilities and take advantage of them with our Lifestyle Membership today!

The Lake District has officially been declared a UNSECO World Heritage Site, with Prince Charles unveiling a plaque in Crow Park, Keswick!

Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat is located in the heart of the breathtaking Lake District, Cumbria. The county has recently unveiled a plaque in Crow Park, Keswick confirming its UNESCO World Heritage Site status! The picturesque area has always been a popular tourist destination in the UK with over 18 million people visiting every year.

Prince Charles who is a regular visitor to Cumbria, attended the ceremony at Crow Park, to unveil the large plaque. Giving a short speech during the unveiling, the Prince of Wales said “Whenever I come here… I feel my spirits rise and I know the same is true of countless others.” The plaque sits in a stunning park of the Lake District, and Crow Park is actually only a 20 minute drive from our award-winning location, Keswick Reach.

The Lake District has previously been named the most photogenic landscape in Britain, with stunning stretches of open water, lush green scenery, endless forests and some of the tallest mountains in the UK! Joining the World Heritage Site list means being in the company of the world’s most beautiful destinations, including Stonehenge, the Grand Canyon and the Taj Mahal. The Lake District also have many sites of historical importance, including King Arthur’s Round Table, which is around a 40 minute drive from Keswick Reach and is thought to be a Neolithic earthwork henge and the legendary King’s jousting area.

The UK now has 31 World Heritage Sites across the country, from the Giant’s Causeway in North Ireland, as well as the Tower of London which is only a 50 minute train journey from our Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat. The historic city of Bath is also on the list and our own Bath Mill Lodge Retreat is about 2 miles from the city centre, along with our Canterbury Reach Lodge Retreat being a short distance from the World Heritage Site of the stunning Canterbury Cathedral.

Being in the heart of the Lake District, Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat is a popular and luxurious location, which was presented with the Best in Britain 2017 Award at the prestigious Hoseasons Awards in November 2017.

Our five-star, Diamond Award winning destination includes sumptuous accommodation, catering to an intimate weekend getaway with our one-bed lodges or a full family holiday with our larger lodges. We also offer a number of hot tubs, where you can enjoy a soak in the warm water while taking in the atmosphere, and a number of our lodges are also pet friendly, with gates on the outdoor decking for your furbaby to enjoy the surroundings as much as you!

Our stunning facilities include The Copper Fells Restaurant & Bar, which serves mouth-watering main meals and delicious light lunches, as well as stocking the locally produced Lakes’ Gin brand, and offering a programme of live evening entertainment in the bar area. The onsite Ammara Spa offers luxurious Aromatherapy Associates treatments, including everything from a full body massage and scrub to a relaxing head massage, as well as soothing Jessica Nails hand treatments. Make sure to take some ‘me time’ in the Relaxation Room, which includes a sauna and Jacuzzi  to relax in, and if you’re looking to get fit, try out our state of the art gym, which will have everything you need, including an unrivalled view of your surroundings.

If you’re looking for a holiday break in the World Heritage Site, Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat is the perfect, luxurious destination for you!

Are you looking for the best spa break in Devon? Hawkchurch Resort & Spa is the place for you…

Along with offering five star facilities to take advantage of, a beautiful restaurant and luxurious Aromatherapy Associates treatments at our Ezina Spa, Hawkchurch also has stunning accommodation on offer! From our cosy one-bed lodge to our stunning 8 sleeper lodge, you can choose between an intimate weekend getaway or a full spa break week away for the family.

Read on to learn why you should be booking a spa break to Devon now

ezina spa treatments

Ezina Spa has a wide range of treatments available, all offering Aromatherapy Associates products to help you feel relaxed and refreshed during your treatments.

Our Signature Treatment of Moroccan Rose is a comforting, restorative treatment, which was created by Aromatherapy Associates specifically for Ezina Spa, you’ll receive a whole body olive grain exfoliation with traditional Aromatherapy Associates full body massage, ending with a lymphatic drainage massage using Rose Quartz stones.

Our Lava Shells treatment is very popular, with handcrafted shells containing natural ingredients to create heat, which enables the back massage to increase muscle relaxation and aid in pain relief.

If you’re looking for a treatment to calm a stressed head, our beautiful Clear Your Mind treatment is for you. With a Camomile and olive grain body scrub, followed by a spiritually uplifting inhalation and Auyvedic scalp massage, which works to relieve anxiety and emotional exhaustion.

We also offer a couples massage and the Ultimate Rose Pregnancy Massage to help those aches and pains. We have a wide range of Gentlemen’s Treatments, from massages and facials to the Executive Foot Care for Men, helping to remove hard skin, massaged feet and legs, as well as perfectly shaping your toe nails. Try our finishing treatments, including our Aching Foot Relaxer or Instant Eye Repair, which will refresh and brighten your eyes using specialised massage techniques to improve mirco-circulation. We also have a wide range of manicure and pedicure treatments to choose from.

Don’t forget to take a look at our fantastic Spa Days, with our Half Spa Day with a choice of any 60 minute treatment, plus use of facilities and a light lunch. Or opt for the Full Spa Day and chose a 90 minute treatment, while spending the day in the Relaxation Suite and enjoying use of the facilities, as well as delicious lunch and a cold glass of Prosecco.

five star facilities

Our range of facilities at Hawkchurch Resort & Spa is second to none! Enjoy a soak in our beautiful Hydrotherapy Pool, which is heated to a higher temperature to help soothe muscle soreness and is scientifically proven to increase blood circulation. Take in the heat from the Hammam-style sauna and relaxing steam room, before taking some time out in the serene Relaxation Suite. Indulge in a delicious lunch from our own Beeches Restaurant, and choose to enjoy the bustle of the main restaurant or retreat to the private spa terrace with view overlooking the Axe Valley.

why a spa break in Devon?

A spa break can help your emotional, mental and physical wellbeing. Take time out to focus on yourself and to recharge your batteries, with Hawkchurch offering the ideal place to get away from it all, but still staying connected to the world via our speedy Wi-Fi. Studies have proven taking time to relax is key to a balanced life, as well as showing the many physical benefits massages can have on your body. For a more detailed look at the benefits of spa breaks, read our previous post here.

So if you’ve got the idea of a relaxing spa break in Devon stuck in your head, Hawkchurch Resort & Spa is the perfect place for you. With stunning spa facilities, relaxing Aromatherapy Associates treatments and picturesque scenery, you are sure to feel the stresses of the daily grind slip away on your refreshing spa break at our award-winning destination, click the button below to book your spa break in Devon.

The Royal British Legion are recreating the 1928 pilgrimage to World War One battlefields, and The KP would love to help! A decade after World War 1 ended, war widows and veterans visited the infamous battlefields of Ypres and the Somme before marching to the Menin Gate in Ypres. Now, exactly 90 years later, The Royal British Legion and it’s thousands of members will recreate the Great Pilgrimage, with 2 representatives from every legion branch having been invited to attend a special tour to carry their Standards and lay a wreath in the parade on 8th August.

The Kilnwick Percy Resort is proud to help the Pocklington Branch of the Royal British Legion, who will be sending it’s Standard Bearer and Chairman along on the Great Pilgrimage, which will cost around £1000. To help aid and support the commemoration of a generation who served and defended their country, The KP is hosting two fantastic charity events to raise some funds for the Pocklington British Legion branch.

charity tombola

When: Friday 9th March

Buy your tickets strip for £1 at The KP’s reception to be within a chance to win some fabulous prizes. There will also be a ‘guess how many sweets in the jar’ event running for two weeks at reception, where you can donate a guess and win a great prize too!

pick a square prize draw

When: Monday 12th March

See our numbers board at reception, pick you lucky numbers and donate a £1 per square to play. All in aid of The Royal British Legion, you’ll be entered into a prize draw with fabulous prizes, including 1 week free use of The Box Gym and Nordic Spa facilities, an 18 hold round of golf and an afternoon tea for 2 at Glasshouse.

So pop into The KP reception over February and make a donation to a wonderful cause, enter the prize draws and you’ll be within a chance to win some fantastic prizes too!

Ezina Spa is here to help all you late shoppers this Christmas! Never fear, the most ideal and versatile gift is waiting for you at Ezina Spa

Any last minute shoppers out there? We’re all guilty of a bit of late shopping during the festive season, but don’t worry Ezina Spa has the ideal gift to give this Christmas, a spa voucher! These little gems are the perfect and most versatile of gifts, fitting all situations and budgets, plus who doesn’t want a little slice of relaxation after the festive season?

really, a spa voucher? yes!

They really do fit every situation:

• Your pregnant best friend who really needs some TLC
• That co-worker who has everything
• You mum who deserves a little treat
• Ditto your wife/girlfriend
• Your husband/boyfriend who needs to relax a little after Christmas

And so on… but you get the idea!

At the Ezina Spa you can buy a spa voucher for specific treatment or for cash value, meaning you don’t have to worry about booking the wrong treatment for your giftee (it’s a word… I think).

A spa voucher works for those in your life who love a bit of relation and pampering, as well as those who have everything and those that you’re just not sure what to get them. The festive season is full of fun and normally quite busy, so a little relaxation time in the New Year is perfect to end the festivities off, and they really do fit all situations!

what’s at Ezina Spa?

Ezina Spa is located at the award-winning Hawkchurch Resort & Spa, which offers five-star facilities, including a Hamam-style sauna and stream room to help open pores and airwaves. As well as our stunning Hydrotherapy pool, which is scientifically proven to help reduce muscle tension via the jets creating soothing ripples in the water. As well as helping to increase circulation as it is heated to a high temperature than normal pools, it is also for over 16’s only, with underwater beds to relax on. Take some time out after your dip to soak up the peaceful atmosphere in the Relaxation Room, or if the weather is on your side head outside to the private patio overlooking the magical Axe Valley.

Partnering with Aromatherapy Associates means Ezina Spa takes advantage of the 30 years’ experience and knowledge of essential oils the prestigious company has. Our fully trained therapists learn how to use the oils to relax, refresh, heal and rejuvenate during a wide variety of treatments. Ezina’s Signature Treatments include the Moroccan Rose whole body treatment, using olive grain exfoliation mixed with a traditional aromatherapy massage, this treatment is designed to ease sore and tired muscles throughout your body. We also offer staple treatments, such as the Ultimate Back Massage, a range of facials and treatment enhancers like our Intense Eye Repair to refresh and brighten your eyes.

Ezina Spa, we also cater to men, with an extensive range of Men’s Treatments including an Intensive Muscle Release massage, as well as an indulgent Gentlemen’s Club Hand & Nail Care treatment. For any soon to be mothers, we offer the Ultimate Rose Pregnancy Massage to help the feeling of being nurtured and cared for with a tip to toe massage. And if you wanted to book with a loved one for you spa voucher, we do offer a couples treatment of the Ultimate Aromatherapy Experience, which is full body treatment.

A spa voucher really is the most perfect gift in so many situations, call on 01297678402 or pop into Ezina Spa to pick your ideal gift today!

What’s your favourite Christmas dessert? DE HQ have found the top 4 most popular Christmas desserts in the UK, did yours make the cut? (get it?!)

Christmas dinner is the time of year everyone waits for (or is that just me?) but what sets the meal off just right, is the dessert, when you have a good Christmas dessert, your evening is sorted. Does your family have a traditional dessert that you crack open once a year to gorge on? Or are you an adventurous lot and try something new every year?
Darwin Escapes HQ are all about the desserts, so we thought we would share our top 4 Christmas desserts with you all during this festive season…

Christmas Pudding

This is a traditional British dessert, originating from Medieval England with one of the earliest recipes found in a book written by Mary Kettilby in 1714! The custom of having a Christmas pudding was passed on to different part of the world by British colonists, and it is has become a common dessert in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the Republic of Ireland. Traditionally a penny will be inside the pudding for you to find (be careful not to swallow it!), if you wanted to make it from scratch, follow this recipe.

Trifle

An English dessert made with fruit, which has become a popular Christmas dessert over the years. The bottom of the trifle is jelly, with a thin layer of sponge fingers (usually soaked in sherry), then a layer of custard and topped with whipped cream (the best bit). There are various versions of a trifle, from strawberry to a full chocolate version, and if you’re a Friends fan, you’ll know all about Rachel’s shepherd’s pie mix up! Avoid that horrible mistake and follow this recipe for a meat-free trifle.

Yule Log

This delicious treat is a traditional Christmas dessert in Belgium, Switzerland, France and former French colonies. Usually made from a sponge cake, which is iced and then rolled up before being topped with chocolate icing, a fork is then lightly dragged through the icing, to create a bark effect with powdered icing dusted on the top to create ‘snow’, all helping to make it resemble a miniature yule log. It is then decorated, usually with berries and sometimes with miniature ornaments to create a Christmas scene! Try the traditional recipe here.

Black Forest Gateau

Consisting of 3 layers of chocolate sponge cake (starting off well here), they are sandwiched with whipped cream and cherries. As well as being infused with speciality German liquor, called Shcwarzwalder Kirsch, from which the gateau takes its name, however other countries may change the alcohol used, or include no alcohol at all. The gateau is then decorated with whipped cream, chocolate shavings and maraschino cherries. This was a staple Christmas dessert for my family growing up! Take a crack at creating this beauty by following this recipe.

Is your favourite Christmas dessert in our top 4 list? Everyone has that one dessert that reminds them of the festive season, whether you gorge yourself on all the mince pies or splurge on a professionally made cake, we’d love to hear about your Christmas dessert tradition!