Planning the Perfect Bank Holiday Weekend
Spring has now officially started, and there’s so much to look forward to – like relaxing bank holiday weekends in the sunshine. I love taking a few long weekends away in the UK in springtime and some of my favourite destinations are only a couple of hours – or less – by car from London.
Of course, we all know that the best places always book out quickly for bank holiday weekends, so now is the time to start making some calls. Here’s my list of top places to stay for a fantastic bank holiday weekend away:
Gourmet Cotswolds weekend with friends
We keep returning to the relaxed and friendly Kingham Plough pub, as the food is brilliant and it’s one of my favourite places to stay in the Cotswolds. We’ve been going with a group of friends at least once or twice a year for the past four years, and we’ve always been extremely impressed with the food in the popular, award-winning pub restaurant. It’s headed by Emily Watkins, who worked for Heston Blumenthal in The Fat Duck before opening the Kingham Plough with her husband in 2007. The seven en-suite rooms are cosy and comfortable and I particularly like the large double room with a free-standing bath tub. Kingham Plough is also walking distance from Daylesford Organic farm shop and Kingham Plough guests benefit from a 10% discount in the beautiful Bamford Haybarn Spa at Daylesford too. Not to be missed!
http://www.thekinghamplough.co.uk
Fun-filled family weekend in the New Forest
Now that we have a little one to think of when booking a weekend away, we’ve also considered going somewhere close to Peppa Pig World at Paultons Family Theme Park in the New Forest, Hampshire. But the best part about Peppa Pig World is that it can easily be combined with a stay at one of my favourite luxury countryside hotels, Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa. I loved going to Chewton Glen before we had our daughter too, but all the activities on offer at Chewton Glen mean it’s a fantastic hotel for families. There’s a nine-hole golf course, a croquet lawn, tennis courts, a kids’ club, indoor and outdoor pools plus mountain bikes to borrow. It’s also lovely to go for a walk down to the beach from the hotel and there’s a path through the woods. When you return from a walk – or a trip to Peppa Pig World – you can relax on the terrace with afternoon tea. Brilliant weekend getaway for all ages!
A loved-up weekend in Ascot
We celebrated our first wedding anniversary at Coworth Park, a stylish country house hotel on the borders of Windsor Great Park. Coworth Park is an ideal destination for a romantic getaway, because of the chic décor in the guest rooms, beautiful surroundings, delicious food and fantastic service. The location makes it ideal for long and relaxing walks, and you might even get a chance to watch a polo match from the hotel grounds. After all that fresh air, it’s also worth making time for visiting the spa. A couple’s massage before a long lunch might be just what you need to unwind!
http://www.dorchestercollection.com/en/ascot/coworth-park
By Tine Farstad, blogger, Mummy in the City
