countryside

WHETHER you are gathering seven friends for a picture-perfect getaway, taking the family to a relaxing lodge, or finding an unpretentious rural retreat, Britain’s countryside retreats have something for every pace.

Gayle Schoales, Milcah Fajardo, and Sinead McIntyre tell all about their getaways…

Mad Swans in the Mendips, Somerset

Deputy Editor Gayle Schoales finds good times are par for the course here – even with teens in tow!

Rabbits hopping along beside us, I steer our golf buggy through the ancient oaks and stone hollows at the foothills of Somerset’s Mendip Hills.

Even a golf virgin such as myself can tell this 12-hole course, from £24 a round, is special. Sadly, the same cannot be said for my swing, much to my 14-year-old son Jude’s amusement.

Luckily, at this Mad Swans rural retreat between Bath and Bristol – there’s another in the South Downs, too – the aim is having fun, not rivalling Rory McIlroy. Like a country club, but cooler, it has an unpretentious vibe – think no dress code, with music and beers allowed on the greens.

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Jude and I, plus my friend Daire and her daughter Mia, 14, are staying in two of the resort’s 16 eco-cabins. Each comes with chic, minimalist interiors, floor-to-ceiling windows leading on to decks that overlook a wildflower meadow, and fancy projectors rather than TVs.

Not that there’s time for screen time, with so much on offer and excited teens champing at the bit.

While said teens hit the pickleball and padel courts, from £15 per hour, Daire and I make our way to the bar for Lady Swan cocktails of vodka, milky oolong and strawberry syrup, £12. We reunite for shuffleboard and interactive darts, each £25 per hour, in The Hangout, one of two eateries here.

A pizzeria and bar with a veranda, it’s an idyllic spot for moreish Hail Caesar pizza with anchovies, romaine lettuce, parmesan and Caesar dressing, £12, as the sun sets.

The next morning, after a MasterChef-worthy breakfast of smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, we tackle Putt Patch, the nine-hole mini golf course, £12 for adults, £6 for under-16s.

Then it’s on to the Swing Barn, a driving range with interactive screens that track your ball speed (or, in my case, club speed, after I inadvertently lose my grip mid-swing!). Flying clubs notwithstanding, it’s a complete blast, from £5 per person.

That evening, we hit The Potting Shed, Mad Swans’ cosy a la carte spot.

From roasted suckling pig, £23, to chicken Milanese with fried St Ewe egg, £17, every dish is sensational.

Afterwards, we pop next door to The Nest, a sweeping lounge filled with books, board games, plants and squishy sofas, for a nightcap before collapsing into bed.

As teen-friendly mini-breaks go, this has been a hole-in-one.

Stays for two at Mad Swans in the Mendips cost from £165 B&B (Madswans.com).

The Water House, Suffolk

Sub-Editor Milcah Fajardo checked into a picture-perfect cottage with seven besties.

With the smell of toasted s’mores and woodsmoke wafting from the hearth, my seven pyjama-clad friends and I sink into the technicolour sofas in the cosy living room.

We’re staying in The Water House, a Grade II-listed cottage deep in the sticks of Eye, Suffolk, where no detail has been spared in the chic, maximalist decor.

With four bedrooms, three bathrooms and more than five acres of land to explore, it’s safe to say it hosts us comfortably.

We find everything from a hot tub and Aga-equipped kitchen, to a croquet kit, board games galore and speakers in every room, plus a pretty conservatory.

There’s also lots to discover beyond the vibrant floral walls. We amble the nearby Thornham Walks to take in the woodlands (Thornhamestate.com), before heading for Bury St Edmunds, just over half an hour’s drive away.

Our taxi driver shares a list of must-visit pubs in the historic brewing town, and after browsing the vibrant Sunday market – with everything from home-made candles to Filipino street food – we settle on Greek eatery The Olive Grove for fall-apart lamb kleftiko, £21.50, and moreish halloumi fries with chilli honey, £7, to line our stomachs (The-olivegrove.co.uk).

Our bar crawl begins at Burnt Mill Taproom, serving locally-brewed creations, such as the tart Glass Horizon IPA, £5.60 a pint (Burntmillbrewery.com), followed by The Beerhouse with its rotating menu of indie pints and packs of trivia cards to borrow (Burybeerhouse.co.uk).

We end under the fairy lights of The Masons Arms’ beer garden, sipping their house bitter, £5.20 a pint (@Masons_arms_bse).

Later, we dine on hearty steak and local Abbot Ale pie with chips, peas and gravy, £19.50, and gooey maple and pecan cookie dough with ice cream and maple sauce, £8.20, at The White Horse Inn, a 15-minute wander from our beds (Whitehorse-suffolk.co.uk).

On our last morning – after I take a soak in the rolltop bath – we hit Southwold.

Our perfect day by the sea begins with chips and home-made curry sauce at The Little Fish & Chip Shop (Solebayfishco.co.uk), followed by souvenir shopping at High Tide (@Hightidesouthwold) and Harriet’s Chocolate Shop (@Harrietsofsouthwold) – before snapping the colourful beach huts.

Stopping by The Southwold Flower Company – where dahlias, cosmos and zinnias are in full bloom and pick-your-own bunches start from £8.50 (Thesouthwoldflowercompany.co.uk) – wraps up a blooming lovely weekend.

Two-night stays for up to eight at The Water House cost from £566 (Houseofclarkson.com).

The Barns at Blackwater Meadow, Shropshire

Editor in Chief Sinead McIntyre and her family loved lodge life in Ellesmere.

These luxe lodges, set around two lakes in a rolling meadow on the outskirts of historic market town Ellesmere, offer peace and tranquillity in bucketloads.

Daisy, our sprocker spaniel, gets her own treats and blankets in our beautifully decked-out three-bed barn, Osprey, while our 15-year-old twins, Riley and Harris, are thrilled to discover TVs in each bedroom.

The front garden comes complete with an alfresco dining set, a firepit, egg chair and hot tub.

Come evening, a short stroll along the Llangollen canal admiring the gorgeous narrow boats takes us into Ellesmere and to quirky cellar pub The Vault, with its shelves jammed full of antiquities.

Polishing off burgers and chips, £16, washed down with delicious shiraz, and pepperoni pizzas, £15, for the kids, it’s soon time for another hot-tub dip under the stars. Heaven!

Two nights for six at Blackwater Meadow costs from £515 (Stayatthebarns.com).

IF YOU are looking for your next countryside escape then look no further than this holiday park set to open next year.

A new Landal holiday park in Malvern Hills is set to open in spring next year.

Landal Malvern Hills will be set in a woodland with 40 timber lodges complete with terrace hot tubs.

The lodges can each host between two and six people.

Inside, the interiors will have a modern design, with light woods throughout.

The entire park will be dog friendly too so your four-legged friend doesn’t need to be left behind.

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There’s parking on site, as well as electric car charging points and WiFi across the entire park.

The park sits on the edge of Malvern Hills National Landscape AONB where you can head off on hikes.

A four-night stay for up to four people costs from £516 in March 2027, working out at £32.25 per person, per night.

Or a four-night stay for up to six people costs from £716 in March 2027, working out at £29.83 per person, per night.

As for things to do in the local area, you aren’t far from the pretty town of Broadway as well as attractions such as the 19th-century Eastnor Castle.

The city of Worcester is also only a short drive away where you can visit the historic cathedral and discover the ruins of Witley Court.

YOU’LL find this majestic manor hotel tucked away in the Hertfordshire countryside with beautiful gardens and cosy rooms.

Read on to find out more about Fanhams Hall and everything you can do there from exploring the beautiful Japanese garden to table tennis and even karaoke.

Where is Fanhams Hall?

One mile outside of the pretty town of Ware in East Hertfordshire is the sprawling Fanhams Hall which is set on a 27-acre estate.

The former manor house that dates back to the 14th century has since been built upon and as enormous as it is, if you didn’t know if it was there, you’d never stumble upon it by chance.

After driving through winding country roads you’re welcomed in with the grand driveway that leads towards the beautiful hotel.

It’s a true countryside spot with manicured grounds where you’ll see wildflowers, ducks, ornate Japanese gardens with its own tea house, a wisteria canopy, croquet lawn, and water features – along with the occasional dog walker too.

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What is the hotel like?

Fanhams Hall is a Jacobean mansion which oozes charm, history and luxury. Inside are wooden panelled walls and formal dinners take place in the elegant Drawing Room.

For drinks, there’s the grand conservatory which has its own outdoor terrace and patio.

There are some rooms reserved for events, but you can poke your head in to admire them if nobody’s there and you’ll want a glimpse of the Long Gallery.

It was formerly a picture gallery inside the main house and has oak panelling and a vaulted ceiling with impressive, sparkling chandeliers.

The hotel itself is enormous, as are the grounds, so don’t be surprised if you lose your bearings at first.

What is there to do there?

Of course exploring the gardens is a must. But on a rainy day, head upstairs where you’ll discover the Energy Zone which has a foosball table, table tennis as well as a pick n mix sweet station, soft drinks, and refillable tea and coffee.

If you’re staying in a larger group, you may want to hire out the Karaoke Klub which has disco balls, a private bar, popcorn and even a slushie machine.

Outside is a small fitness room with free weights, running and rowing machines and bikes.

Fanhams Hall is a five-minute drive away from the centre of Ware. Here, take a stroll down the high street and pop into its shops like Noire, Sparkles of Ware and The Sage Garden along with plenty of pubs and coffee shops.

In the springtime check out the local lido, or take a walk along the River Lea to see the barges, boats and swans.

Ware is also a 20-minute drive away from Hertfordshire Zoo where you can see big cats, lemurs, meerkats and reptiles.

What is there to eat and drink there?

For dining, head to the Drawing Room for an intimate setting and tasty food.

The menus change seasonally, and while we were there, we indulged in juicy steak that came with a side of salad and fries, as well as a creamy mushroom pasta with crispy pieces of parmesan cheese.

At the bar, you can choose anything from a refreshing glass of white wine, to sweet rosé, a gin and tonic and a choice of beers on draught.

In the morning, head to the pavilion for breakfast where there are both hot and cold options with all the classics like fried eggs, toast, beans, mushrooms, sausages and bacon along with croissants with jam.

For those who are a fan of tea, you’ll be thrilled that there are Teapigs which come in a choice of flavours and you get your own tea pot – there are various milks on offer too. Feel free to refill your juice, tea and coffee as often as you’d like.

A traditional afternoon tea is popular here where guests can sample a selection of sandwiches from dill and salmon to egg mayonnaise, fresh cakes and gateaux.

Don’t forget the scones which come in flavours like vanilla and lavender and enjoy a cup of tea on the side- this starts from £40 per adult.

What are the rooms like?

There are rooms and suites both in the main building and in the courtyard of the hotel.

Each vary in size and design from the smaller Shoebox room aimed at solo travellers to the large Chestnut Suite which has a four-poster bed. 

I stayed in the luxurious Bonsai Room which has cosy mustard accents, a comfy king-size bed. Its two windows make it light, airy and provide sweeping views across the lawn.

There’s also a mini SMEG kettle and fridge with a few complimentary cans, there was also a coffee machine, snacks and the room has free WiFi and air con too.

The most lavish part was the ensuite where that you can watch TV from the bath, then there’s the huge shower which has side jets and Molton Brown toiletries.

For those who want to bring their furry friends, you can. There is a £40 per stay extra charge, which includes room access and a special welcome pack for dogs.

Room rates start from £126. See https://www.exclusive.co.uk/fanhams-hall/ for more.

Is Fanhams Hall family-friendly?

Yes. The Family Rooms come with two double beds and sleep two adults and two children – making them an ideal choice if you’re travelling with the kids.

The rooms are in the main mansion house and have a large bathroom too, some have a shower, some come with both a shower and bath.

Is there access for guests with disabilities?

Some parts of the courtyard building are accessible, with one fully accessible room which has been adapted with a wet room and handrails.

You can request this room when making your booking and for more information, call the hotel directly.

The lift inside the main building is a lift next to the Conservatory Bar – from there guests can reach the Energy Zone and some third-floor bedrooms.