Who doesn’t love a cute beach hut? We have the 11 perfect gifts to yourself or someone you love who’s obsessed with beach huts!

Beach Cove Coastal Retreat is located on the breathtaking Hele Bay Cliffside, and is home to our unique beach hut accommodation, offering luxury and romantic getaways. These sumptuous studio-style huts sleep 2 people and have all the modern conveniences you could want for a UK holiday in Devon.

If you love beach huts as much as we do, you’ll love the list of all things beach hut related below:

beach hut tea light holders

Light up your living room with these adorable tea light holders, found on Amazon here

cute salt & pepper shakers

A subtle way to show your beach hut love in your home, found here on Amazon

couples mugs

Perfect for a couple in love with beach huts! Found here on Amazon

quirky cushion cover

A colourful addition to any sofa, found here on Amazon

beach hut book ends

Perfect for the book lovers, keep your library in order with these little beach huts, found here on Amazon

beach hut perpetual calendar

It literally never goes out of style… perfect! Found on Down The Cove here

row of beach hut photo frames

A classic and subtle touch to your beach hut dreams, found on Amazon here

rustic wooden plaque

A wonderful beach addition to any wall, found on Amazon here

a beach hut keyring

Take your beach hut wherever you go! Found on Down The Cove here

another cute cushion cover

You can never have too many cushions, plus it’s a different shape, adding that extra cuteness to your beach hut theme. Found on Down The Cove here

a beach cove holiday

The ultimate in beach hut must-haves! Come to explore our stunning beach huts and the local area, you’ll never want to leave! Book your holiday here.

Are you ready to take your beach hut obsession to the next level? A Beach Cove holiday is also perfect if you’re looking at spoiling a special someone in your life, fast becoming the romantic capital in the UK, you can stroll across the beach before relaxing in your private hot tub surrounded by the beautiful seaside.

Book your Beach Cove holiday today and live your beach hut dreams!

Rob from Chapters & Adventures has recently returned from a relaxing babymoon at Wareham Forest Lodge Retreat, read his reasons why you should book yours with us below…

why Wareham?

4 Reasons Why Wareham Forest is Perfect for Your Babymoon. Words and Photos by Rob Haggan

More than half of the entire county of Dorset is classed as an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ and three quarters of Dorset’s coastline is categorised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With credentials like that it’s no surprise that it’s a beautiful location that draws in around 18 million visitors a year. When it comes to choosing a destination for your babymoon, you’d struggle to find a county more suited, with its variety of bustling seaside towns, quaint rural villages, rugged coastline and stunning beaches, there really is something for everyone.
Wareham Forest Lodge Retreat is located in the heart of Dorset within easy driving distance of its popular towns, villages and beaches.

Here are our four reasons why Wareham Forest makes the perfect place to book your babymoon.

1. the beautiful forest location

After weeks, or even months, of morning sickness and exhaustion, your babymoon should be all about relaxing, recharging and spending some time with your partner before your lives turn upside down with your new arrival.

When it comes to relaxation, Wareham Forest is the perfect spot. We all know that getting outside and being active is good for us, but did you know that spending just 40 minutes in a forest has measurable benefits for your wellbeing?

In Japan, there is a popular therapy known as ‘shinrin-yoku’ (forest bathing) and researchers have found that spending just 40 minutes in a forest can lower blood pressure, reduce stress, lower blood sugar, improve immunity and increase vitality.

What better way to look after yourself and your bump than sitting on your lodge’s decking area, or taking one of the many local walks, soaking up the forest surroundings.

2. there’s so much to do

The ideal babymoon is a happy mixture of adventures and afternoon naps. There may be days when you want to get out and explore, or there may be days when you just want to sleep in and enjoy a lazy breakfast in your lodge.
For the days when you are feeling fit and ready to explore, there are opportunities for adventure in every direction.
If it’s a walk in the fresh coastal air that you fancy then take the cliff top walk out to Old Harry Rocks and check out the iconic chalk cliffs. Or, for a more relaxing stroll, head to The Blue Pool, just a few minutes’ drive from Wareham. This pool varies in colour from bright blues to emerald greens and is surrounded by 25 acres of woodland for you to wander through and enjoy the views.
If all of that walking has worked up an appetite, then head to Corfe Castle and enjoy a cream tea in the gardens overlooking the castle, on a sunny day it’s probably one of the best spots in Dorset to sit and enjoy a coffee.
If retail therapy is more your thing then head to nearby Poole to enjoy a morning shopping before grabbing a harbour-side lunch and watching the yachts go by.

3. the family that retreats together, eats together

With an ever growing list of baby related things that you need to buy over the course of the next few months you may be conscious of trying to stick to a budget when on your babymoon. At Wareham Forest our lodges have fully equipped kitchens, meaning that you can sit with your feet up while your partner does his best Jamie Oliver impression and cooks you up a feast, and you don’t need to go out and over-spend on meals each evening.

Just think of all of those cute little outfits you can buy with the money you’ve saved from eating in.

4. life’s a beach

Many pregnancy books and websites note that Vitamin D is particularly important during pregnancy and the best source of Vitamin D is sunlight. Vitamin D is produced in the body when skin is exposed to sunlight and it helps to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy.
If that’s not a fantastic excuse to slap on some sun cream and head to the beach for the day then I don’t know what is.

Dorset’s famous Jurassic Coast has an abundance of incredible beaches and coves to explore and whether it’s the golden beach at Sandbanks, or the picturesque Lulworth Cove, you will definitely find the perfect spot to sit and soak up the sun.

Durdle Door is a ‘must-do’ for anyone that visits. The famous limestone arch is one of the most photographed stretches of coast in the UK and is a firm favourite for many of the amazing photographers you see on Instagram. Remember to use #darwinescapes when sharing your beautiful beach photos.

Just a few days away will recharge, refresh and reenergise you for the next stage of your pregnancy, and whether you’re looking to explore or just relax, Wareham Forest Lodge Retreat is the perfect starting point.

Huge thank you to Rob from Chapters & Adventures for writing this wonderful post about the perfect babymoon at our brand new, luxurious Wareham Forest Lodge Retreat. Book your retreat now and enjoy a relaxing escape in Dorset!

Enjoy your babymoon at Wareham Forest Lodge Retreat!

Ever wonder what Woodside Bay was like before Darwin Escapes? Once an abandoned and derelict park, Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat is now a stunning retreat on the Isle of Wight. Opening its doors in 2016, there was a long road for Woodside Bay’s Cinderella-like transformation, having seen a lot throughout the decades.

Read on for more about the history of Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat…

warner holiday camps

Captain Harry Warner retired from the Royal Artillery in 1925 and opened his first holiday camp in 1931, by the early 1970’s Warner Holiday Camps had grown to 14 parks.

Around 1960 the company purchased Woodside House on the North East Coast of the Isle of Wight, the house dated back to the 1850’s and was set in 30 acres of magical woodland. The site itself had been a naturist’s camp site since the 1930’s, briefly closing during World War II for use by the army, and being reopened after the war ended.

With a lot of local opposition, Warner began building in 1963, building a holiday camp for 650 people, with single, double and family chalets, most with private bathrooms, a luxury in the 1960’s.

The ancient house was demolished and replaced by the main complex building, including receptions, bars, a ballroom, disco, café, gift shop, games room and an indoor pool. The site also had an outdoor pool overlooking the beautiful Solent. The large windows in the complex provided unrivalled views of the Solent, there was always great excitement should the Queen Mary or Queen Elizabeth sail by.

In 1966 Warner Holiday Camps purchased the nearby Underwood park, including the surrounding woodland and field to the south of the camp. They built a footbridge over the footpath joining the two sites, this bumped the capacity of Warner’s Woodside to 950 people, making it the largest camp the company owned. The large campsite definitely didn’t deter the wildlife, with red squirrels regularly emptying the bins for food, these cheeky chaps are still around today, although no longer trying to steal food, but they often stop to pose for a photo!

the grand metropolitan years

Warner sold their camps in 1981 to Grand Metropolitan, who closed the site in 1982 with the vision of upgrading the facilities, briefly reopening to house 160 police officers over the August Bank Holiday for the first annual ‘Scooter Invasion’ of the island.

Grand Metropolitan never realised their upgraded vision, having been dealt a crushing blow in August 1985 when a fire completely destroyed the entertainment complex. The complex house furniture, carpets and a large amount of equipment, all that was left standing was a metal skeleton, with an estimated cost of around 1 million pounds lost to the blaze. Two months later another fire destroyed the catering staff quarters, with another fire in 1987 destroying more at this derelict park.

After the fire in 1987, Grand Metropolitan sold the park to the Roche Group, who gained planning permission for a new park but never realised the plans.

Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat

Darwin Escapes purchased the abandoned site in August 2010, which included the planning permission and having been through a lot of changes over the decades, the 35 acre land was in need of some TLC.

Darwin Escapes invested millions into the marshland, while working closely with the Natural England and Isle of Wight Council’s biodiversity officer, ensuring no important habitats were effected during the work onsite. While still maintaining the luxurious standard that other Darwin Escapes locations have.

Undergoing a multi-million pound redevelopment, Woodside Bay finally opened its doors in 2016, with luxurious family accommodation, including our romantic and one-of-a-kind treehouses. Our first class facilities include the Woodside Bay Spa Lodge, offering indulgent Aromatherapy Associates treatments, a state of the art gymnasium, equipped for all kind of workouts, and a choice of 3 restaurants onsite, all with beautiful views and stunning woodland surroundings. Make sure to explore the magical woodland, you may even see the beautiful glow worms shine along the path on warm summer night.

Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat is the little holiday retreat that could, having gone through so much to become the outstanding retreat on the Isle of Wight that it is today! Perfectly located on the island, where you can venture just 4 miles away to the popular harbour town of Ryde, or just 10 miles to bustling coastal village of Cowes, known for its yearly sailing regatta.

Joanna has recently stayed at our refurbished Sandymouth Holiday Resort and has created a fantastic review for you, read her introduction and review below…

Freelance copywriting can bring many a surprise, and there was certainly one waiting when one of my clients put me in touch with Darwin Escapes. Owned by one of his good friends, my client holidays regularly at their sites and couldn’t recommend them highly enough. After giving a brief of what we were looking for on our half-term break, an email landed in my inbox asking if we would like to stay at Sandymouth Holiday Resort free of charge, in exchange for honest feedback on the recent redevelopment! You can imagine our response, read more below!

family fun at redeveloped sandymouth holiday resort – the doors are open!

The doors of the newly redeveloped Sandymouth Holiday Park are now officially open and visitors are flowing in to see the treat Darwin Escapes has created for them! Feedback from first-timers and returning guests is the same – what’s not to like?!

On arrival at Sandymouth Holiday Resort, you will be greeted by the friendly Darwin Escapes staff, given your keys in a quirky little tin suitcase and directed to your accommodation. Whatever type of accommodation you have booked, you will find the same level of quality throughout. Thoughtfully laid out and designed, furnishings and decor have been chosen to create a feeling of calm and relaxation to get you straight into the holiday mood.

That said, the redeveloped park has an offering for those that would like an added level of luxury. Situated on the edge of the park, the newly built lodges really are superb! Providing sea views that can be enjoyed either from inside through the full-length windows or from the expansive private terrace, each lodge is really a home from home. Beautiful furniture, high spec appliances and luxurious beds make booking into a lodge a definite way to indulge.

Once settled into your accommodation, the kids will be chomping at the bit to be let loose on the AMAZING pirate ship park! Rope ladders, slides, a zip line, swings…big or small, the kids will be off on their adventures. Pop on their swimming costumes and they can enjoy the adjacent splash zone too! Rainy day? Indoor soft play or the heated swimming pool to the rescue!

The grown ups in your party may be more attracted to the new stylish and contemporary bar, serving everything from Costa coffee to cool beers, good wine and favourite cocktails. A major part of the redevelopment, this has become the hub of the park where holidaymakers can enjoy a drink or sample some of the food prepared by a team of expert chefs.

Darwin Escapes has created the perfect compromise to avoid the park versus bar battle – an attractive outdoor seating area that lies between the two. Everyone’s happy!

The fun continues with children’s entertainment starting at 6pm. Dancing, magicians, a hug from Charlie bear and a game of the famous Sandymouth bingo will be sure to wear the kids out before bedtime. Much of the same (possibly minus Charlie Bear hugs!) follows into the evening.

If all that isn’t enough, Sandymouth Holiday Resort also has an on-site entertainments programme, Go Active. With a wealth of activities to choose from, you’ll be able to create memories that last a lifetime by signing up to archery, body-zorbing, fencing and much more. Even the little ones can take part with their own Go Junior programme.

Exploring off site leads you to the stunning Sandymouth Beach, situated just minutes from the resort. Visiting at hide-tide and low–tide makes you feel like you’re exploring two different places. High-tide will see you scrambling on the stones of a small pebble beach, while at low-tide you’ll be running on long swathes of sand and paddling in rock pools. The coast offers similar beaches and coves, while heading inland will take you to some of Cornwall’s finest areas of beauty.

Whether your stay is a few days or a fortnight, Darwin Escapes has created a park with a range of facilities in a fantastic location that will allow you to relax and refresh in whichever way you choose. Book your Sandymouth Holiday Resort holiday today!

Check out Joanna’s LinkedIn profile for more of her wonderful work! A huge thank you to Joanna for contributing to our blog section and for such a lovely review of our newly refurbished Sandymouth Holiday Resort, along with a big thank you to Darwin Escapes’ own wonderful Simon Cooper for putting us in touch!

Explore Cornwall Today!

Join in on the Family Fun Day on 24th June at Talacre Beach and raise money for a great cause! Talacre Beach’s fantastic entertainments team have put together a super special Family Fun Day on 24th June. Sign up in teams of 4 – 6 for the It’s A Knockout Course, cost of £5 per person for a fantastic cause, with funds going to the Special Care Baby Unit (S.C.B.U) in Glan Clwyd Hospital. Each team must have at least 2 adults, sign-up sheets are currently in reception but you will also be able to sign up on the day.

Other fabulously fun attractions include:

• Giant Assault Course
• Wipe-out Course
• Zorb Runner
• Obstacle Course
• Balloon Modelling
• Face Painting
• Ice Cream Van
• Temporary Tattoos

There will also be live entertainment from Tommy Barron and Heather Marie, with cheeky Charlie Bear also making an appearance at various times throughout the day. His team of Rangers will be on-hand all day selling raffle tickets, giving you the chance to win some fantastic prizes on the day!

about Talacre Beach Resort

Talacre Beach Resort has been a popular holiday destination for over 50 years, located a stone’s throw from the beach itself and home to five-star facilities, it’s easy to see why.

Updated throughout the decades, Talacre Beach offers a traditional British seaside holiday, including onsite fish and chip shop for that authentic ‘chippy tea by the sea’. Our five star, luxurious and modern facilities include an indoor, tropically heated swimming pool, sauna and steam room, along with a fully stocked bar and onsite restaurant serving delicious meals.

There is never ending fun for the little ones at Talacre Beach, from the fun arcades room, the teenagers Loft room and Pebbles indoor play room for the younger crowd, to the full Go Active programme, including archery and panna soccer. There is also a full entertainments programme daily for fun with Charlie Bear and his Rangers, as well as family entertainment during the evening in the North Star lounge, including fantastic cabaret acts and family fun games.

Talacre Beach offers holiday home ownership, making sure you can create memories that last a lifetime as many times as you want throughout the year. Pop into see our Ownership Team, or call them on 01745858010, or talk to an adviser via our live chat service on our website.

Come join us at Talacre Beach’s Family Fun Day on 24th June, sign up for the It’s A Knockout and raise money for a wonderful cause!

New Pines Holiday Home Park is home to a brand new play park for children of all ages!

New Pines Holiday Home Park offers luxurious holidays and holiday home ownership nestled in the North Wales countryside, but only a short 5 minute drive to the beach. Having the best of both worlds at New Pines means you can choose how to spend your endless holidays with us, with so much do on park, including a full entertainments programme organised by our fabulously talented Charlie Bear and his team of Rangers, as well as a tropically heated swimming pool and two entertainments room for children of all ages available.

New Pines is now home to a brand new play park, located on the large playing field, all ready for the coming summer! Take a look at the gallery images below for a sneak peek before you book!

How beautiful are the images of the new play park? As well as the children’s soft play area and very cool teenagers’ space to play games and pool. With so much on offer here at New Pines, it’s easy to see why we are one of the most popular holiday home owners’ destinations in North Wales.

If you’re interested in learning more about holiday home ownership at New Pines Holiday Home Park, call our dedicated Ownership Team on 01745858010, or talk to an adviser via our live chat service now.

Get Ready for Summer with New Pines’ New Park!

Take a sneak peek of all the hard work that has been done at Sandymouth Holiday Resort!

Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Sandymouth Holiday Resort is just a 15 minute drive from the beautiful seaside town of Bude, North Cornwall. At over 50 years old, Sandymouth is Darwin Escapes’ oldest location and is a popular holiday destination, with many guests returning for generations and creating brand new memories.

Closed for 9 months, Sandymouth Holiday Resort has had some much-needed TLC with a fabulous redevelopment, including brand new accommodation and updated facilities but keeping the same family-fun feel, and of course the breath-taking views.

Take a look through the gallery below at the development, all the little details and luxurious accommodation, pictures are of during the development, keep checking back for the final photo shoot! – and don’t worry the popular Pirate Ship is still there, with a new paint job!

The new facilities at Sandymouth Holiday Resort include a fabulous Go Active programme, including archery, bodyzorbs, fencing and lazer clay shooting! Along with a full entertainment programme, including Charlie Bear and his team of Rangers, as well as an evening entertainment programme, including fabulous cabaret acts in the Crow’s Nest cabaret lounge and bar.

The Pirate Ship play area has been renewed, with an outdoor Splash Zone, as well as a brand new Astro Pitch, where you can play all sorts of games, including football and touch-rugby. Follow the new Go Quest Pathway around the park, where there are plenty of benches and picnic tables along the trail for a lunch with a view. Take advantage of the Go Quest Activities along the Pathway, including outdoor gym equipment, with sit up beams, ladder bars, hurdles and parallel bars to get your workout in with a beautiful view, and being nestled in the countryside.

We would love to say a huge Thank You to all involved with the redevelopment, including our interior designing company Symms Revill, David and Michael from DJE Architects, KWC Contracting, James Grover and JFA Contracts Ltd for the outstanding artwork created! The teams worked so hard throughout the 9 months to create a beautiful holiday resort!

Sandymouth Holiday Resort has been a UK holiday destination for families for generations, and with this wonderful redevelopment, it will continue to be a place where families can create memories for a lifetime, returning time and again to their favourite Cornish holiday location.

Happy Holidays to Sandymouth Holiday Resort!

Are you looking for a romantic and relaxing babymoon in the UK? A babymoon holiday, also known as a pregnancy holiday, means getting away to relax and put your feet up before the sleepless nights and endless nappy changes take over, once your little bundle of joy enters the world.

It’s the perfect time to have a little me-time and add some extra special romance in all the excitement of your new arrival. With babymoons becoming increasingly popular and starting to hit the mainstream mindset, Darwin Escapes has some of the most perfect locations for this special getaway for expecting parents.

Beach Cove Coastal Retreat

Where: North Devon

Beach Cove Coastal Retreat has slowly gained the reputation as one of the most romantic destinations in the UK, with countless honeymoons and proposals taking place every year (including our staff!). Beach Cove is located in Hele Bay, atop the cliff overlooking Hele Beach, with dramatic views of the ocean from almost all units at this North Devon location.

Our deceptively spacious beach hut style accommodation will have you relaxing on the sofa, or in the bed, and gazing at the stunning views around you. Take a stroll through Hele Bay and visit the Hele Corn Mill for an award winning Devonshire cream tea. There is plenty to discover in the local area, from Exmoor Zoo to coastal walking paths, and the Victorian Tunnels Beaches, where you can take a dip in the sea pools to ease those aches and pains.

Bath Mill Lodge Retreat

Where: Somerset

Bath Mill offers the perfect alternative to a Bath City break, being just two miles away from the bustling city centre, Bath Mill is surrounded by the beautiful and peaceful countryside. With plenty to do on park you can have a relaxing babymoon break in Bath without feeling rushed into the city life, take a walk in the surrounding fields, dine at our onsite Brook Bar & Bistro for a romantic meal or cook up a storm in the fully fitted kitchen available.

If you are looking for something a little more intimate, the studio style Norland Lodge is our one-bed accommodation, ideal for short city breaks in Bath. With a high-end finish, kitchenette for all your needs, along with a flat-screen TV, the Norland has everything you could need. Bath city offers fabulous must-visits for all, from the famous Roman Baths, to the Jane Austen Centre and Fashion Museum for fabulous period clothing. Visit the Hestercombe Gardens nearby and marvel at the beauty on offer, and don’t forget to enjoy a delicious afternoon tea at the infamous Pump Room.

Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa

Where: Somerset

Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa offers the perfect place to unwind before baby arrives! Surrounded by the Somerset countryside, nestled in the Mendip Hills and views of the beautiful Cheddar Reservoir, you will feel your stresses slip away as you drive to your beautiful lodge style accommodation. Only a 5 minute walk from Cheddar village, where you can see the famous Cheddar Gorge, try some real cheddar cheese at the Cheddar Cheese Co. and indulge in an afternoon tea at the Lion Rock Tea Room.

Onsite at Cheddar Woods you can relax and put your feet up or go for a lovely walk in the woodland surrounding the park. The onsite Eden Spa offers specialised Aromatherapy Associates pregnancy treatments, so you can indulge in luxury while our trained therapists ease away your aches and pains. Enjoy a delicious meal onsite too, with our Kellermans restaurant offering family favourites, and indulge in a hot chocolate from our Costa Coffee machine too.

Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat

Where: Lake District, Cumbria

Keswick Reach is one of Darwin Escapes’ brand new locations, opening its doors in December 2016, it is fast becoming the most popular holiday destination in Cumbria. Surrounded by the breath-taking Cumbrian countryside, with rolling hills and peaceful horizons, you will truly feel your stresses slip away, while relaxing in our luxury lodge style accommodation.

The Lake District has so much to offer, including the beautiful scenery, close to Derwentwater Lake, the Lakes Distillery, The Darling Manor and even the Beatrix Potter Centre. Onsite at Keswick Reach, you can indulge in a specialised pregnancy Aromatherapy Associates treatment, from our fully trained therapists, before putting your feet up in the beautiful relaxation area in our Ammara Spa. Enjoy a mouth-watering meal at The Copper Fells restaurants onsite, where family favourites meets fine dining, as well as Costa Coffee on offer too. A beautiful escape for you and your loved to one to relax before baby comes!

Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat

Where: Isle of Wight

Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat offers luxury holidays in one of the UK’s most popular holiday spots, right next to the Solent and close to seaside hot spot Cowes, and the bustling harbour town of Ryde. The island itself has so much to offer everyone, from wonderful woodland walks around the park, to a stroll on the beach, as well as plenty of historical places to discover. Including Queen Victoria’s summer house, The Osborne House, which will be featured in the upcoming movie of her life.

The accommodation at Woodside Bay ranges from full lodge style accommodation, with a fully fitted kitchen, to our one-of-a-kind tree house accommodation, with a balcony to sit and enjoy a meal surrounded by nature. Enjoy a specialised pregnancy Aromatherapy Associates treatment from our fully trained therapists at the Woodside Bay Spa Lodge, where you can indulge in the ultimate me-time in the relaxation suite. There is a choice of 3 restaurants onsite, enjoy a family favourite at Kellermans, or try something new at our South African inspired BBQ The Braii, and during the warmer weather you can indulge in a Pizza Alfresco from our outdoor wood burner stove. With all this and more onsite to help you relax, the Isle of Wight could be your perfect babymoon destination!

Darwin Escapes is here to help you relax at a time when you really need to, a babymoon is designed for you to unwind before the arrival of your little one, and with so much on offer at our locations, you can be sure of a relaxing time with us.
There are hot tubs at our locations, and although the NHS advises against using these while you are pregnant, your significant other can take a dip while you unwind next to them on the outdoor furniture.

Book your babymoon with Darwin Escapes and enjoy the peace before the excitement of your new baby!

Thanks to the iconic beaches, the stunning mountain ranges and the local culture; North Wales has attracted visitors from across the UK for well over a century. Major financial investment in recent years has resulted in a number of pioneering attractions being created and redeveloped in the area – leading to tourist numbers achieving a record high in 2016.

To cement the region’s reputation as a first-class tourist destination, travel website and travel guide publisher – Lonely Planet, named North Wales as one of the top 5 destinations to visit in the world, amongst the likes of South Australia and Taranaki in New Zealand.

We take a look at some of the top things to do in North Wales and examine why it has become one of the most alluring travel destinations in Europe…

North Wales’ beaches

North Wales is well known for its range of captivating coastal scenery and golden sandy beaches. Newborough Beach in Anglesey is regarded as one of the most beautiful in the UK, combining the sand & sea with a stunning mountain backdrop. At the end of the beach, you will also find Llanddwyn Island and the remains of St. Dwynwen’s church. St. Dwynwen is the Welsh patron saint of lovers and for centuries religious folk would make a pilgrimage to the island, in order to make offerings to the holy well found there.

Talacre Beach is popular with families and people travel from all across the North West of the UK to enjoy the vibrant, friendly atmosphere and the trademark system of sand dunes that provide miles of enjoyable walks sheltered from the coastal winds. At Talacre, you’ll also find the iconic lighthouse, the North Wales Coastal Path and an energetic seaside vibe. It’s also ideal for dogs, who can make the most of the beach all year around.

North Wales’ waterfalls

North Wales has waterfalls large and small scattered across the area. Aber Falls in Abergwyngregyn, is conveniently located about 30 minutes’ walk from the local car park – which costs £2 at the time of writing, to park there all day. The path itself offers great views out to the sea and you are rewarded at the end with the stunning waterfall itself.

Dyserth Waterfall near Rhyl, is less well known but equally as beautiful. Located conveniently near the town centre, it is certainly worth a visit if you are in the area.

mountains in North Wales

If there’s one thing that North Wales is famous for, it’s mountains. With Mount Snowdon alone attracting over 10 million visitors from across the world each year, if you love a hike and a long walk, you’ll love North Wales.

Snowdonia is the iconic landmark of North Wales, but there are a number of other smaller, equally beautiful hills and mountains in the area. Conwy Mountain for example, offers a shorter yet equally enjoyable walk.

Known locally as Mynydd y Dref, there is a car park located right near the base of the mountain – use postcode LL34 6TB to find the approximate area. From the summit of the mountain you should be able to take in views of Anglesey, Puffin Island, the Great Orme, Llandudno and of course – Conwy. Although the summit is rewarding, the walk to the top is equally interesting. With a range of wildlife to see – including wild horses, a number of old fort ruins and beautiful jagged rock-faces and flowers; the walk is a must for any avid hiker, or anyone staying in the area.

There are many more mountains and hills to be discovered in North Wales, with Moel Famau – the highest in Clwydian Range, providing a range of easy-going and challenging routes to the fort at the top. It also provides a stunning sunrise on winter mornings.

lakes & reservoirs of North Wales

Llyn Brenig in Conwy (postcode LL21 9TT), is a beautiful body of water that boasts a comprehensive visitor’s centre and offers a range of activities including cycling, fishing, sailing and walking. There are also a number of events and activities held at the reservoir including bush craft workshops and running festivals.

On the way to Mid Wales is the stunning Lake Vyrnwy. According to our friends at Visit Wales – this is the best lake in Wales for bird watching. It’s also a great lake for scenery, especially in the snow!

The lake itself has been created thanks to the huge Victorian reservoir, which is the oldest of its kind in the world. The lake is flanked by woodlands which are managed by the RSPB as a nature reserve.

There are a range of other beautiful lakes around North Wales, created by the mountainous landscapes and deep valleys. Conwy is again no exception, with the beautiful Llyn Crafnant one of their many idyllic lakes. The lake is a 30 minute drive from our Aberconwy Resort & Spa.

North Wales’ restaurants & eateries

North Wales boasts a number of Michelin recommended restaurants, including of course, the double rosette winning Signatures Restaurant. A wonderful fine dining experience, with free parking right outside it offers a friendly atmosphere in between the beach and the Conwy Mountain. It’s certainly worth a visit if you are in the area.

Hidden in the beautiful village of Tremadog, in Porthmadog is North Wales’ best fish & chip shop as voted for in 2016 – Chippy Dre-Sglod a Cod, or Chippy Dre for short. Previous winner of the coveted award from the Daily Post include Les and Rita’s Fish Bar in Rhyl, and O My Cod! in Bangor.

Heading towards Wrexham and only 20 minutes from Chester, the Pant Yr Ochan in a beautiful village called Gresford offers fantastic ales, a large pub garden and a range of freshly prepared meals. Perfect for families and couples alike.

adrenaline-fuelled North Wales

North Wales is ridiculously well equipped to cater for adrenaline junkies. With dozens of well known bouldering spots, hair-raising ridges such as Snowdon’s Crib Goch to (carefully) conquer and more water sports than you can shake a leek at, it’s the place to be if you like action sports.

North Wales is the perfect destination for mountain bikers. Llandegla near Wrexham, is open Tuesday to Sunday 9am to 5.30pm and til 8.30pm on a Wednesday.

For the brave hearted, there are a number of off road downhill trails, including The Snowdon Big Mountain Descent. Getting yourself and your bike to the summit is half the battle.

Other attractions for action and sports lovers, include Surf Snowdonia – a stunning man-made surfing lagoon and Zip World Penrhyn Quarry in Bangor – boasting the longest zip line in Europe and the fastest zip line in the world.

For those of you that enjoy ascending rock faces without any safety equipment, North Wales is also a hotspot for bouldering fans. With a number of well known boulders to ascend in Bethesda, the Great Orme and the Llanberis Pass, to name but a few.

other attractions

Where to start? With a plethora of stunning mountains, beautiful valleys and historical landmarks; North Wales is a fantastic place to visit all year round. Whether you enjoy mountain biking, relaxing on the beach or rubbing shoulders with the locals over a cup of tea and a slice of Bara brith, it’s a fantastic place to visit and explore.

Snowdonia National Park is the icon of North Wales, and rightly so – but there is so much more that the area has to offer, with beautiful walks and sights waiting to be found if you are happy to do a bit of exploring!

With four locations in North Wales, Darwin Escapes can offer you the perfect place to base yourself while you explore this picturesque and exciting region!

Happy Exploring!

Health Benefits of the Beach, the Sea Air & Coastal Views. Back in the good old Victorian days, heading down to the beach was a frequently recommend treatment for a number of health conditions. Although, thankfully, diseases like smallpox are no longer a huge problem in the UK; stress, depression and various auto-immune conditions are…we look at some of the health benefits associated with the beach and examine how modern science and research is beginning to reinforce the positive benefits of traditional treatments for enhancing physical and mental wellbeing.

A quick word of warning though before you read any further; this article has been written for information purposes only and we recommend visiting your doctor if you are suffering from any health issues highlighted in this post.

walking barefoot reduces stress

The practice of walking barefoot, is often referred to as “grounding”.

Grounding is a simple, yet scientifically proven way to reduce stress and improve sleep. All you need to do is walk, or stand with your bare feet in contact with the Earth. Studies have shown that when the body is grounded, or ‘earthed’ – the electrical potential becomes equalised with the Earth’s. This in turn, leads to a number of health benefits, related mainly to reduced stress hormones and inflammation.

Walking on the beach barefoot, as close as possible to the sea, is thought to be the most efficient way to practice grounding.

the beach encourages and enhances the positive effects of exercise

Research has concluded that in terms of mental health – exercising outdoors can lead to greater benefits than exercising indoors.

One study concluded that:

“Access to natural environments for physical activity should be protected and promoted as a contribution to protecting and improving population mental health.”
Source

In addition, a study conducted on fifteen families who lived in coastal regions of South England, made the following findings:

• Families report children engage in a variety of physical activities at the beach.
• Families are active together as parents join in activities with their children.
• Families perceive beach visits as having health benefits for children and parents.
• The primary health benefits perceived by parents and children are psychological.
  Source

It would appear that living by the coast not only enhances the benefits of exercise, but tends to increase levels of participation as well.

sun exposure in appropriate & measured timeframes has many health benefits

Obviously, it’s very important to be sensible in the sun, but at the same time we should also acknowledge that it does provide a number of health benefits (in moderation). The sun enhances mood through the release of endorphins, helps to treat certain skin conditions and helps the body make Vitamin D. Vitamin D is essential for bone growth and repair, immune function and for reducing inflammation.
For more information on how to get enough vitamin D without risking sun damage, please visit the NHS website.

sea air and negative hydrogen ions

I bet you didn’t know that the smell of the seaside is actually caused by the romantically named substance – dimethyl sulphide gas.
Negative hydrogen ions found in the sea air help to neutralise damage caused by ‘free radicals’ and can help to balance levels of serotonin – a hormone related to happiness. This has led to a number of studies looking at the potential use of negative ions as a treatment for depression. The same negative hydrogen ions, are also scientifically proven to help promote sleep and are currently being researched as a way to combat allergies.

coastal living is associated with better overall health

Research conducted by American scientists on data from New Zealand, found that the health benefits of living besides the seaside, were so substantial, that they went on to recommend more houses and flats being built along shores; allowing more people to benefit.

Researchers found that in particular, having a view of the ocean from one’s home, was associated with improved mental health.
Additional research carried out by the European Centre of Environment & Human Health, examined data from the UK census – concluding that the closer respondents lived to the sea, the better their general health tended to be. This trend remained true, even when social and economic differences were accounted for, suggesting that living near to the coast has direct health benefits.

It would appear that the Victorians may have been on to something with their prescribed trips to the beach to help alleviate certain pains and illnesses. Thanks to the negative hydrogen ions, the relaxing sounds of the sea and the sun exposure, there are many health benefits to be enjoyed.

If you can’t get to the seaside, there is also a growing body of evidence confirming that just being ‘amongst nature’ also has a number of cognitive and physical benefits. These benefits include – improve memory, stress relief and reduced inflammation – so take a stroll in the woods, the hills or out in the fields whenever you can.

Anyone who is considering purchasing one of our holiday homes by the beach will stand to benefit from this also, giving yet another reason to consider purchasing your home away from home at one of our stunning coastal locations such as Talacre Beach Holiday Home Park and Swanage Bay View Holiday Home Park.