So this year there is 366 days, we all have an extra 24 hours!

I don’t know if you noticed, but it’s a leap year. A whole extra day, so if you could do whatever you wanted, what would it be? What about us I hear you ask? Well read on lovely reader and find out…

I know we don’t really have an extra 24 hours to do whatever we please with, as there is still work and washing to be done. But this begs the question, what would you do if you had an extra 24 hours to do whatever you wanted with? (with in reason, this isn’t Groundhog Day, you will have consequences the next day…no robbing banks please!)

Would you take time out for yourself with a spa pamper day? Or do all the things you want to, and truly enjoy that hobby you keep meaning to get round to? Well here at Darwin Escapes we asked our good friends, and wonderful mummy bloggers, Jo, Hayley and Karen what they would do, here is what they said…

karen from stopping at two would:

With 2016 being a leap year, it means that we have an extra day this year. So what would I do with an extra 24 hours? It’s a bit sad that the first thing that comes to mind is to catch up on my “To Do” list. Since becoming a mum, it feels like there is always SOMETHING that I could do. But that seems like a waste. Time is a precious commodity and I should make the most of it, so I would want to be with my family, in beautiful surroundings – maybe a walk in the countryside, with good food and all finished off with a glass of gin and tonic – perfect!

hayley from hayley from home said she would:

If I had an extra 24 hours I would want to spend it doing something I’ve never done before. Have you heard that expression ‘when was the last time you did something for the first time?’ I read that recently I couldn’t think of an answer. I’d like to change that. It would be a wonderful way to make the most of an extra day. It could be as simple as going to the cinema alone, something that I have always wanted to do, or having a spa day, sadly something I have never done. Alternatively I could do something crazy and go skydiving or take a helicopter ride. Whatever I decided on it would be something new and different – an experience I’ve never had before, something to push me out of my comfort zone.

jo from single slummy mummy says:

If I had an extra 24 hours I’d make it totally about me do all the things I normally feel too guilty to do! In my extra 24 hours, I’d make my own rules, so there would be no one else around and calories wouldn’t count, obviously. I’d eat every meal out, in gorgeous places, with open fires, whilst reading magazines and cutting out pretty pictures of things. In between food related outings I’d indulge in some serious relaxing – watching all the films I’ve had on my wish list for years, munching my way through some luxury chocolates, and generally spoiling myself. You have to love yourself first right?

and me…

Imagine that, no calories?! I would be in chocolate ice cream heaven. But I do like the practical idea of catching up on the to do list, that way the rest of your days would be more relaxing! Great answers girls! But what would I really do? I think we all know… spend time with these two lovely fur-babies of course! And I would obviously go on the biggest Netflix binge of my life, along with a lot of food (following the no calories rule of course). I would watch my Netflix list, it is so long, I’m still only on the fourth episode of Luther!

What would you do with an extra 24 hours? Drop me a comment below or let me know on facebook, I would love more ideas!

Happy Leap Day Guys and Dolls!

So you’ve booked to go on a self catering holiday and are struggling for ideas of what to eat, I’m here to help!

All Darwin Escapes luxury holiday homes and lodges come equipped with stunning and fully functioning kitchens (no fake cupboards or stick on buttons here folks!), we have ovens, microwaves, hobs and even dishwashers to help clean up after. A self catering holiday dream!

So that’s all the equipment sorted, now what about the meals? Well we have the bases covered for that too, this blog has the top 5 easiest (and tastiest) things to make in a holiday home. But remember, most Darwin Escapes locations do have mouth watering restaurants to visit too, so you don’t have to cook if you don’t want to. But if you do…

Then read on and see what recipe tickles your taste buds…

tuna pasta bake

What you’ll need: pasta, tuna, cheese (broccoli, courgette and tomato if you like them)

My favourite dish made by my lovely mum! And what’s not to love? Pasta, easy to make on the state of the art hob, tuna and cheese (I am such a cheese fiend!). It’s super easy to make, stick it all in the dish, grate a bit more cheese on top, and let it cook in the oven for 20 – 30 minutes. The BBC have a great step by step recipe for this tunatastic (har de har) dish!

chicken fajitas

What you’ll need: tortillas, chicken, peppers, onion, salsa & mayo

Fajitas in general are pretty versatile (and fun to say), but chicken ones are my favourite. You can add pretty much anything you like, so I have peppers, onion, a bit of lettuce, a dash of salsa and then some mayo to cool it all down. I sometimes cook the chicken in a spice so it’s a bit more tasty too (I say ‘I cook’, that’s code for the hubby cooks…). Simply Recipes has a great variation too, and it comes with step by step instructions (with photos). Throw it all into a pan and eat with your hands…my kind of meal!

turkey stir fry

What you’ll need: turkey, carrot, baby sweetcorn, veg & soy sauce

Again a super easy dish that you can add anything to, but I like turkey. It’s really quick and easy to cook, stick it all in a pan and you’re pretty much done, I love the fresh egg noodles, but that’s personal choice, you can get them dry too. You can also get a pre-packaged stir fry veg if you didn’t want to make it all from scratch. The Netmums have a fantastic stir fry recipe!

homemade pizza

What you’ll need: Base – flour, butter, egg & milk. Toppings – BBQ/tomato sauce, cheese and mixed herbs

Okay so this can go two ways. You can make your pizza completely from scratch, including the dough base if you wanted to, or you can buy a base and create your own toppings (or for healthy fiends, try some pitta bread). Guess which one I would choose? Pizza’s are amazingly easy to make when you get down to it though, and you can add literally anything you want to on top. Once my hubby put BBQ sauce as the base – totally delicious, I love spinach and goats cheese as my toppings. They normally only take around 20 minutes to cook as well, super quick! The Netmums have another great recipe for this!

bbq

What you’ll need: meat, corn on the cob, jacket potatoes

This is a super simple meal to do. You just pick up any kind of meat you like, some bread buns, a corn on the cob or two and maybe a jacket potato if you fancy it. Stick it all on the BBQ and bob’s your uncle (if he really is then wahey!) you have a ready made meal. And don’t worry if your holiday home is not equipped with a BBQ, the shops sell disposable ones now-a-days so pick that up the same time as the food! Sorted. Tasty food, smells delicious and enjoying it in the sunshine, what could be better?

So that’s the top 5 easiest caravan meals, was your favourite dish in there?

If you are heading off to one of Darwin Escapes UK holiday resorts and thinking of cooking for yourself, I hope this has come in handy. And if you don’t want to cook for yourself? We have you covered with many of our locations having their own Darwin Escapes restaurants on-park, check out this blog post here to learn more about them!

Happy Cooking Guys and Dolls!

Disclaimer: Most, but not all, accommodations have all the equipment mentioned. Some resorts don’t allow BBQ’s, please check before firing it up!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Love is in the air!

Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat is almost ready! Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat is Darwin Escapes luxury new development, on the stunning Isle of Wight. I’ve shown you a sneak peek on the progress of development previously (see here if you missed it!), but now I have an amazing teaser for you guys!

I am so excited, feast your eyes on these beauties and see what awaits you at Woodside Bay!

So my lovely readers, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, are you all ready and prepared for the love festival of the year?!

No? Well no fear, Darwin Escapes are here (and we rhyme, yay!) to help you plan your perfect Valentine’s Day! We have everything covered in this post, from stunning accommodation for a lovely weekend away and a romantic evening meal (I will be dining with Hugo and Bella, my two loving puppies…), to activities, as fun or relaxing as you choose. So if you aren’t feeling too sick from all the mushiness, keep on reading and let’s plan that perfect Valentine’s Day!

accommodation – fall in love all over again

If you are deciding to get away for Valentine’s Day, as most people would like to, it is the perfect excuse for a long weekend break. Looking for a romantic break by the beach? Our adorable beach huts at Beach Cove Coastal Retreat, on the coast of Devon, are fast becoming the romance capital of the UK. Right on the doorstep of Hele Bay, the charming beach huts have brilliant views of the bay, private decking areas and even some hot tubs!

If you wanted to travel to the beautiful Isle of Wight why not visit our stunning Woodside Coastal Retreat. With great views of the Solent and surrounded by glorious woodland you can lose yourself in the nature and relax in this most romantic setting. The luxury lodges will have everything you need for a self-catering Valentine’s weekend away, with all the modern conveniences like dishwashers and washing machines (as great as these are, who is doing their washing on Valentine’s Day…oh right, me). But also the luxuries like DVD players for that cosy night in, maybe with a bottle of wine.

activities – as active or relaxed as you want

Are you the envious adventurous couple? Love to climb mountains and go running? Well Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa could be the perfect place for you this Valentines, with amazing Go Active and target shooting activities on offer at the park. Or scale the 3 mile Cheddar Gorge and see the magical Wooky Hole! There is so much to offer at Cheddar Woods for the active couples out there!

Looking for a city escape, but without the hustle and bustle of a city centre? Bath Mill Lodge Retreat can offer everything you need for a romantic city break, being only a few miles out from the historic City of Bath. It’s nestled and secluded in a beautiful woodland area, with the picturesque Newton Mill Brook meandering through the resort. The sound of the water will relax you and add that special ambience to your Valentine’s Day.

Looking to relax and reconnect? Our brand new Hawkchurch Resort & Spa is the perfect stop for you this long weekend break. With our own Ezina Spa offering the most luxurious spa treatments, from fantastic facials to relaxing full body massages. You will feel the stress slip away as you reconnect, take a dip in the glorious Hydrotherapy pool, heated to a higher temperature and proven to release tension in your muscles. This will be the most relaxing and luxurious Valentine’s Day you’ve ever had.

restaurants – luxurious food in a romantic setting

Hawkchurch Resort & Spa is fast becoming the relaxing capital of the UK, with so much on offer to relieve your stress, The Beeches is the perfect place to whet your appetite, with an eloquent and mouth-watering menu on offer there is sure to be something to tickle your taste buds here.

Our mouth-watering and award-winning restaurant Signatures, owned and run by Executive Chef Jimmy, and talented wife Louise, will be there to open the doors and spoil you this Valentines. Placed on the North Wales coast, a stone’s throw away from the Conwy Morfa beach, you can have a taste of the Aberconwy Experience, our exclusive owners-only resort and spa will have you wishing for the finer things in life. Aberconwy Resort & Spa is perfect for a lovely meal in a romantic and opulent setting.

Bath Mill Lodge Retreat, in the heart of Somerset, has a picturesque setting and The Brook Bar & Bistro is set alongside the meandering Newton Mill Brook. You can sit by the brook and listen to the water slip past, while enjoying a delicious meal, or if the weather is a bit on the chillier side (it is February guys…) you can enjoy your mouth watering dish in the 300 year old converted water mill.

Or if you are taking a country break in Surrey at our beautiful Tilford Woods, why not pop around the corner from the park and visit The Duke of Cambridge for your romantic meal out? Famous for it’s very warm welcome, with it’s heated patio room and cosy fires, this is a fantastic farmhouse pub. Enjoy your Valentine’s meal here, have a few drinks after and soak up the friendly atmosphere!

I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine’s Day (myself and the hubby will be spending it with the pooches!) and a lovely weekend away if that’s what you have chosen to do! Let me know anything you got up to on social media, I love to hear your stories!

Happy Adventuring Love Birds!

Bath Mill Lodge Retreat has been picked as one of the UK’s most romantic places to stay by The Independent! The sought after Somerset location is surrounded by nature, and only 10 minutes away from the city centre! Ever fancied a different kind of city-break? Well Bath Mill Lodge Retreat is the place for you. Being only 10 minutes from the beautiful and historic city of Bath, you can enjoy all the excitement of the city and get away from all the hustle and bustle in the tranquillity of Bath Mill.

why are we romantic I hear you ask?

Well I will answer you. The privacy adds to the romance, you can feel the stress of everyday life slip away, while you relax into your luxury lodge and surroundings with your loved one. Take a leisurely stroll around the retreat and listen to the babbling Newton Mill brook meander its way through. Take a romantic woodland walk through the leafy surroundings of Bath Mill.

romantic meal For two

Thinking that you will have to cook for yourself on Valentines weekend? Well, if you don’t want to, you don’t have to. The Brook Bar & Bistro is offering a stunning Valentines menu for your weekend away, with top quality food for two for £79! This gormet menu will have your mouth-watering and tummy’s rumbling. The perfect treat for you and your loved one at this special time of year!

still thinking?

Enjoy all the romance the historic city of Bath has to offer, wander around the stunning Roman Baths and enjoy some afternoon tea for two at The Pump Room. Find out why our Somerset resort is the perfect destination for romantic breaks in Bath.

It is great to be mentioned by The Independent in their UK’s Best Valentines Getaways article, a great seal of approval if there ever was one!

We are now open! The long awaited Hawkchurch Resort & Spa is now open to the public.

Hawkchurch Resort & Spa is our brand new resort for 2015, take a sneak peek of some pictures from our VIP weekend.

Hawkchurch Resort & Spa has been extensively redeveloped, built from the ground up, and has been transformed from a former tenting and touring caravan park, in to one of the most relaxing sanctuaries in Devon. All surrounded by the magical views of the Axe Valley, it is sure to be one of the most desirable and relaxing holiday destinations in the South West, and is ready just for you. The fully equipped gym, glorious Hydrotherapy pool and indulgent Ezina Spa are all ready to relieve the tension and stress from your life. The beautiful lodges are primed and ready for you to take a break and put your feet up. Enjoy the serene surroundings, and marvel at the beautifully decorated reception and restaurant, The Beeches. The perfect place to relax and forget your worries.

take a sneak peek here…

And here is the amazing team that you will be meeting on your stay, all friendly faces for your relaxing break away…

So plan your next Darwin Escape at Hawkchurch Resort & Spa, book now for your rejuvenating holiday break, or if you are interested in holiday home ownership at this stunning resort, book a park visit now to have a look around.

Another beautiful destination and stunning location for Darwin Escapes.

What would you do if the Zombie Apocalypse hit today? And what if you were on holiday?

Well don’t fret! I am fully prepared for such an eventuality, and I am willing to share my secrets with you lovely readers!

So with the CDC in America disaster-scoring each city, and realistic films like World War Z being released (watch with caution!), it feels like everyone is preparing for this. Matt Mogk, the founder of the Zombie Research Society (which is a REAL thing by the way!) has said it is “not a matter of if, but when”. He says the zombie plague may not be for 100 years, or it could be tomorrow, we just don’t know, so it’s best to be prepared. Now the ZRS website is full of great tips and has over 350,000 members, with experts like an active US Navy officer, and a Harvard Medical School Professor (not kidding!)

The ZRS starts with the rule of three; stating you wouldn’t survive 3 minutes without air (no shocker there), 3 hours without shelter, 3 days without water and 3 weeks without food (pretty sure this is less for me, I start feeling funny when I haven’t eaten for 2 hours!). However in my expert opinion, my first top tip is to watch the film Zombieland, if you are reading this after the apocalypse started, well tough luck, you should have watched it when you could have, Woody Harrelson was hysterical, you really missed out!

Anyway let’s read on and make sure we aren’t zombie fodder in one of our luxury holiday homes…

supplies – food for thought!

It’s always about food with me, we know this. On a Darwin Escapes holiday break you can enjoy the glorious food from many of our delicious restaurants. This is still the case even after the zombie plague, just pop on over to the kitchens, avoiding those pesky brain eaters, and sit back and relax while enjoying a 3 course, 5 Star, meal. If you want something to take back to your luxury zombie safe house, drop into one of our on-park shops, all of them hold the essentials to get you through – and a few luxuries to indulge in too. Take a stroll back to your safe haven and cook up a storm in the fully fitted kitchen. Don’t forget the washing powder, we even have washer/dryers in some, so you can stay clean and presentable, should any other survivors pop over for a cuppa! As for water, well put some bowls on your lovely, private, outdoor decking area to gather up that falling rain. The classy decking is also a great place to start your post-apocalyptic herb garden! Don’t forget to use some mesh wire to keep those zombie hands off your grub!

safety – by this I mean weapons!

So in this situation our amazing Go Active resorts are in luck, with a selection of bow and arrows and crossbows floating around, there is a great supply of personal safety weapons here! And there are even testing ranges to make sure you don’t take any eyes out of the living too (please don’t touch these unless there is a zombie apocalypse though folks, we do still have health and safety!). For those not in the Go Active resorts, don’t panic, everything around you is a potential weapon! Every stunning holiday home holds a fire extinguisher or two, this is a great battering ram for those up close fights with undead, as well as a great fire safety feature! All our lovely holiday homes come fully equipped with everything you need for self catering holidays, including frying pans – again great personal safety weapons, turn that zombie face into a pancake face! To protect yourself during the zombie scuffles, why not grab the toilet seat for a first class and luxurious shield (again don’t do this until the zombie plague! We still need to use the toilet until then!). Now our holiday homes do sometimes have bottled gas – this should be conserved to keep you warm, however you can use a little to create a fire to get rid of the annoying zombies (please be careful, fire is just as dangerous as the zombie – if there is no zombie DO NOT TOUCH this gas bottle!)

location –safe but comfortable!

Yes you need a safe location for a zombie safe house, but it also has to be comfy and have some luxuries or you’re going to be completely bored! Our luxury holiday homes are very safe, secure and easy to barricade from unwanted zombie visitors. But we also have some great luxuries, from the little things like a dishwasher (who wants to wash the dishes with a apocalypse going on?). To full sized baths so you can have a relaxing bubble bath, and showers to keep extra clean (just because it’s the zombie plague, doesn’t mean your hygiene has to slip!). We also have great luxuries like flat screen TVs with Freeview, (to keep up to date on the zombie information) DVD players to curl up and watch a film, and a selection of board games. You can sit on the sofa playing your favourite game or watching you favourite movie, with the curtains closed so you don’t see the zombie fella outside trying to join your party (he might like Beauty and the Beast too!). At our brand new Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat we even have our one-of-a-kind tree house accommodations, perfect balance of luxury, with a glorious view from the decking area, and safety, being tucked away in the tree tops on the Isle of Wight (probably away from all the mainland zombie chaos). This stunning resort will open in 2016, let’s hope the zombie plague holds off until then!

plan B – always plan for the worst!

Okay so if you’re sitting in the spacious, beautifully designed and decorated living area of your holiday home, and you find the zombie’s just wont leave you alone, there are a few back up plans. If you didn’t watch Zombieland you were clearly not taking this possibility seriously, and it’s impressive you made it this far (kudos!) So the first thing you need to do is grab the frying pan from the kitchen (not just for tasty bacon guys!) and then run to hide in the ensuite, it’s the safest place because nobody will think a holiday home will have an ensuite, but a Darwin Escapes luxury holiday home does! (we don’t just give you the great holidays folks!) And if all else fails, run to the on-park Spa, get a face mask (green or grey colour is best) paint your face, stick your arms out in front of you and blend in, go make some new friends!

okay so what did we learn today?

We need to check Facebook regularly, and if you hear it on the radio/TV it is not a prank! Get yourself down to a Darwin Escapes luxury holiday home as soon as possible. Watch Zombieland, make sure you create a herb garden and water station on your private decking area, close the curtains on nosey zombies who want to watch your movie on the flat screen TV, hide in the ensuite (nobody will find you!). And if all else fails, use a face pack to blend in and make some new buddies – start practicing your zombie moan now!

Darwin Escapes giving you luxury UK holidays and keeping you safe from brain-eating zombies!

Good Luck and Happy Adventuring Ladies and Gents!

Disclaimer – not all holiday homes and resorts offer all of the luxuries mentioned, make sure you check zombie-proofing amenities before you book!

Hugo’s Dad and I recently went for a lovely weekend break away at Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa, totally pet free! What a treat! Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa is nestled in the stunning Mendip Hills, all the lodges are spread out around the resort, giving the feeling of privacy and peace to everyone and with the glorious woodland surrounding the resort you’ll feel safe and secluded in a magical land! (not like Unicorns kind of magical, more like responsibility-free magical!)

It was beautiful, relaxing and fun all in one weekend, also we didn’t have to get up for the dog in the morning, bliss!

read on and find out how it went…

what about the digs?

The weather was not on our side, as it rained the whole weekend, but we didn’t mind at all. The resort is beautiful all year round and has something for everyone no matter the weather; from the great outdoor Go Active programme, including swimming activities at the indoor pool too, to the indoor bowling lanes, pool tables and golf simulator, something to keep everyone busy, and not forgetting the great Eden Spa too. Here you can get some relaxing treatments throughout your stay, we didn’t stay long enough to make time for this, don’t worry I won’t be making that mistake again. Our lodge was stunning, had every essential we needed (including the heating on ready for our arrival!), plenty of room for the two of us, plus extra if we needed it! We had a good old route through the drawers and cupboards, (because we are nosy, and everyone else does it) and we found Monopoly and the kids game cube, including snakes and ladders and draughts, our wet weekend was saved! There was also a DVD player in the living room, and the option to rent DVD’s from reception, however we came prepared with our own selection (The Big Bang Theory, Arthur Christmas and The Inbetweeners 2 Movie …guess which was my choice).

adventure is out there!

Although the weather wasn’t great we still ventured out to explore the local area too, located just 50 minutes away is Bath, the hubby and I wandered around the Christmas Market and the historic city centre. We managed to get Hugo some treats and a toy, we did miss him and God forbid we go home without something for him! We also travelled 30 minutes through beautiful countryside, to Glastonbury, where we visited the Frost Fayre and saw the colourful and quirky high street shops. There were loads of book shops, stunning clothing shops and a shop called ‘Imaginarium’ which I just had to explore, I managed to find an amazing new Frankenstein-themed handbag, I wanted so much more there!

We also visited the town of Cheddar, which is much closer, only a 5 minute drive from Cheddar Woods. Although it is only small there was a lot to see, obviously the awe-inspiring Cheddar Gorge was top of the list, and it did not disappoint. The sheer size of the Gorge is amazing, and we saw a lot of people walking their dogs up there too, along with the loveable goats and sheep wandering around the mountain, so we are looking forward to taking Hugo next time! We stopped by the charming Lion Rock Tea Rooms for afternoon tea, I’m a sucker for cake we all know this, and we dropped into the Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company shop and saw the tons of different cheese varieties, and managed to sample the goods of course!

it always comes down to food…

When we arrived we had a delicious meal at the Cheddar Woods bar, both having the Darwin Burger (loyalty at its best here!), with a side of onion rings, it was beautifully cooked and very filling! A must try if you are visiting, a burger topped with bacon and cheese…(Homer Simpson mouth-drooling moment). The day after, we decided on a takeaway, so we popped into the local town of Cheddar and chose the busy Chinese takeaway, it was very tasty, if a little pricey! A great foodie trip for me, Cheddar Cheese, afternoon tea and cake, glorious burger and a Chinese takeout, can’t go wrong really!

We had an amazing weekend at Cheddar Woods, and Hugo’s Dad loved it so much he has made me promise we will be going back next year, and taking Hugo with us too! I can’t wait for our trip back either, one of many Darwin Escapes holiday breaks next year!

Check out our selection of locations and have a Darwin Escapes holiday break too? Go on, spoil yourself and tell me all about it!

Happy Adventuring Guys and Dolls!

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

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

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

Cornwall – a coastal adventure

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

Sommerset – the best of both worlds…

Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa

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

Bath Mill Lodge Retreat

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

Surrey – explore the countryside

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

Isle of Wight – a whole island to explore

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

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

Lake District – nature at its best…

Thanet Well Lodge Retreat

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

Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat

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

perfect pet escape

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