There’s a lot to love about Watergate Bay Hotel. Perched on the edge of a cliff above a vast stretch of sand, it offers adventure and comfort in large and equal measures. With the beach, pool, spa, crèche and some great restaurants at our disposal, each of our little family found their own slice of heaven, even on a cold and blustery early spring weekend.

The ethos at Watergate Bay is ‘adult-focused, kid-friendly’, and I think they’ve got the balance just right. The hotel caters perfectly for families (with a fantastic crèche, kids mealtime and baby-listening service), but it’s also a place that grown-ups can retreat to for some proper downtime; quiet G&Ts and newspapers on the terrace after a breezy walk along the beach is what Watergate Bay is all about.

The place never felt too busy or noisy, too big or impersonal; it manages to maintain a sense of calm (probably a lot to do with the sweeping sea views) – and nowhere more so than the beautiful Swim Club; instantly warming and uplifting with its beach-house-style interior.

The infinity pool overlooking the beach is fantastic but the treatment rooms had to be the highlight of my stay. Here I spent the most wonderful afternoon hidden away, indulging in a massage. It was utter bliss! The whole area is beautifully designed – all calming Farrow & Ball tones, with low ceilings and low lighting and a cosy relaxation snug – I really felt like I’d left the outside world far behind.

Stepping back out into the Swim Club, adjusting my eyes to the light, I collapsed into a huge comfy armchair in the Ocean Room – a wonderful lounge with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the beach. My husband was still surfing and my three-year-old happily ensconced in the crèche, so I came to quietly with a cup of tea and that huge sea view for company. Bliss, and more bliss!

Images courtesy of Watergate Bay Hotel

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We were visiting friends last weekend and after a walk we made our way to Beales Barn in muddy wellies for some lunch. Arriving here was like walking into the garden of my dreams; a scene of total abundance and colour, nothing too neat; wild flowers dotted everywhere, rows of huge, green cabbages, bushy stems of purple kale, pumpkins ripening and apple trees unloading their fruit.

It was a cool-ish, grey day so we opted for the warmth on offer inside the barn. That said, I was tempted by the gorgeous veranda dotted with potted plants and strung with festoon lights.

Inside, the walls are lined with gardening paraphernalia, colourful old trowels and hoes, shelves of local jams and honey, buckets of freshly cut dahlias from the garden and baskets of freshly plucked red peppers, chillis and pumpkins.

The concept is from plot to plate and the garden supplies the kitchen year-round. It’s a small place run with much love. The team appeared to be a group of good friends, and I spied a shelf of my favourite recipe books marked up with post-it notes.

On our visit there was a beetroot salad, red pepper and goat’s cheese quiche and salmon and spinach filo pie on the menu. On Sunday’s they serve a ‘big breakfast’ and our little ones devoured scrambled eggs and sausages.

Everyone was happy. And the grown-ups even happier because they also serve Monmouth coffee and the most wonderful cakes. I couldn’t leave without a slice of the rose geranium cake with cardamom cream – divine!

Images by Rebecca Gaunt

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I had seen and heard so many wonderful things that my expectations of Wilderness 2014 were sky high. But not for one moment was I to be disappointed, not even when Hurricane Bertha bucketed rain on proceedings. It was fantastic and magical and heart-lifting through and through.

With our three-year-old in tow and friends by our side, we danced at impromptu discos, wrote letters to our future selves, crafted feather headdresses, played ping pong, partook in pirate takeovers and plunged into the cool of the lake.

At night we doused ourselves in glitter while aerial acrobats floated among the trees, watched in awe as the fantastic Macnas lit up the skies with a spectacular burning effigy and saw London Grammar with a full moon rising over the main stage. Three whole days of fun, fun, fun. I even made it out on one of the wild morning runs and to a drop-in yoga session.

And I can’t not mention the food. We ate like kings all weekend; feasting at the Moro Souk Tent, working our way around the delicious food stalls and treating ourselves to fizz and pavlova at the Laurent-Perrier Orangery.

So much to see. So much to do. Something truly wonderful tugging the senses at every turn. And all in the most beautiful of settings, complete with natural amphitheatres and huge, old trees. I can’t wait to go back.

Images by Rebecca Gaunt

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I’ve been waiting for brighter, warmer days to try and recreate the most perfect afternoon spent grazing and lazing at Hartnett Holder & Co at Lime Wood.

It was early summer last year when my husband and I treated ourselves to a random weekday lunch here. The sun streamed through the large windows into the gorgeous dining room, so much so they threw open the doors onto the terrace inviting a gentle breeze in. We gazed out over the beautiful, manicured lawns and glistening pond and had the most superb meal.

Celebrated head chefs, Angela Hartnett and Luke Holder, share a passion for Italian cooking which infuses the menu, along with locally-sourced ingredients. We started with a delicious selection of meats, cured in their smokehouse at the bottom of the garden. I then had a crisp, baby summer vegetable salad served on top of ewes cheese with honey and pumpkin seeds. It was so pretty I had to pause before tucking in. Meanwhile my husband declared his main the best steak he’d ever eaten.

After lunch, we collapsed into huge armchairs in the garden, sipping Pimms, nibbling shortcake and reading the papers in the sunshine, glancing up now and then to take in the glorious setting; huge trees and green as far as the eye could see.

I urge you to go, and don’t for a moment be deterred by the grandeur of Lime Wood. Yes, the surrounds are beautiful and smart, but the atmosphere is buzzy, relaxed and friendly – and the thing that surprised us most were the prices. You could easily pay the same for disappointing, careless food at an overblown gastro pub. But here, it’s perfection.

Images courtesy of Lime Wood

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With one night only to escape minus child there was no room for a duff moment. Thankfully any fear of that was swiftly banished when we stepped through the huge doors of At the Chapel. Greeted by the smell of fresh bread spilling from a gigantic stone oven, I knew we had found somewhere special.

Formerly a coaching inn and chapel, today the impressive building has been sensitively restored and houses a restaurant, café, bar, wine store, bakery and five beautiful bedrooms. The feel is contemporary but not starkly so; white walls, lots of wood, interesting furniture and some great artwork.

Apart from a venture along Bruton’s tiny high street (special note to the impressive Quillon Antiques), we happily spent most of our time in the stunning double-height dining space. The food was exceptional, making the most of fresh local produce and the wood-fired oven. Perfect pastries and wood-fired pizzas up to fancier meat and fish options – all faultless and delicious.

Food aside, the thing I loved most about the place was the laid-back atmosphere and great mix of people. There are the interesting visitors (artsy types and parents paying a visit to the local boarding school) but it’s by no means some exclusive weekender hangout; locals meet for supper, groups of friends gather and the cheery and efficient staff go about their shifts. There’s a lovely buzz, but equally you can tuck yourself away and read the papers before contentedly climbing one flight of stairs into a huge, comfy bed. Waking to find a tray of fresh croissants outside your door, and you really couldn’t ask for more! 

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One of my most favourite places to escape to is The White House in the little village of Chillington in the South Hams. You might call it a ‘boutique hotel’ but I love the fact it’s not too smart or fussy. The whole place just has a really nice relaxed and friendly country vibe and is perfect for a chilled out weekend away with someone special.

The rooms are beautifully decorated with whopping handcrafted beds – you just sink into them and have the best night’s sleep ever! The lovely garden has lots of tucked away seats, great for nestling into, reading the papers and enjoying a cheeky glass of afternoon fizz. And the little restaurant serves up delicious, unfussy locally sourced grub, after which you can play scrabble in front of the fire before just stumbling up one flight of stairs and into that inviting bed.

Tearing yourself away from the White House, there is plenty of glorious countryside and coastline to explore. We always take the hotel bikes and pootle along the country lanes and then along the long, flat path across Slapton Sands. For a little bit of buzz then Salcombe and Dartmouth are both great for a mooch around. And on a warm day I recommend a picnic at the picture perfect Blackpool Sands. The award-winning Venus Beach Café there serves up a fab takeaway greek salad and a nice glass of wine from nearby Sharpham Estate – served in a plastic glass that you can take on the beach. Perfect!

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Enjoying first-rate food in the relaxed and friendly comfort of a great pub is definitely my idea of a perfect Sunday afternoon. And when a perfect Sunday afternoon is on the cards The Barkers Arms in Droxford is most definitely my first port of call.

Run by the lovely Adam and Anna and featured in every respectable good food and pub guide going, this is a place to settle in and take your time. Think mismatched wooden tables and chairs, leather chesterfields, a log fire in winter, delightful staff and lots of food, glorious food. Everything from the bread to the biscotti is made from scratch in the kitchen. Tuck yourself away in a cosy corner with a board game or the papers, and order from a menu that changes according to what is fresh, seasonal and local.

The superb Sunday Lunch has quite a reputation, and it’s almost essential to book ahead. Thanks to the newly renovated garden (a real sun trap at lunch time) there’s plenty of extra seating this summer, along with a seasonal twist to the menu. Resist the fantastic roast and there’s whole dressed crab, and chicken or beef caesar salad to chose from. The latter does of course leave room for pudding, in which case Chef’s chocolate brownie comes strongly recommended.

Image courtesy of Chris Devers on Flickr

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Thyme & Tides is an excellent deli and bistro on Stockbridge High Street run by Iain and Sally Hemming, who previously ran the award- winning West Street Deli in Wilton, Salisbury. The couple’s dedication to seasonality, provenance and exceptional taste clearly shows in all on offer at this lovely place.

You’ll find the deli counter and shelves stocked with a fantastic range of local produce as well as the finest world foods. The traditional fish counter is another major draw, stocking local River Test Trout and Dorset Lobster among a great range of other ethical and sustainable catches. In the bright and buzzy bistro, the menu changes daily to reflect the very best ingredients they can lay their hands on. I was also impressed to discover that they pay market rates to local amateur gardeners for their gluts of vegetables. If you’ve time to stop and enjoy a spot of lunch then I thoroughly recommend the tapas style platters, washed down with a glass of wine from their excellent wine list. The Monmouth coffee and homemade cakes are also first rate.

Image courtesy of Mulia on Flickr 

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fforest is the dream of designers James and Sian, who left city life to follow their eco-consciences and create a place so lovely words really do struggle to do it justice. Here you’ll find friendly staff, wholesome breakfasts and flavoursome dinners often made from organic produce grown on site, wide open spaces to explore, a large firepit where you can toast marshmallows, a cedar-barrel sauna tucked into the trees and an old crofter’s cottage converted into a late-licence pub with tealight chandeliers and inglenook fireplace.

For extra comfort you can choose to stay in one of the four beautifully converted crofter’s cottages. Or, for the ultimate ‘glamping’ experience, opt for one of the the fforest domes – complete with a king-size bed, down duvet, bespoke woodburner, chairs draped with reindeer hides, as well as a deck with a fully equipped canopied kitchen, lanterns and cedar muskoka chairs.

I promise you could perch on your deck for days and never tire of the incredible views, but exploring the area is a must. You’re just minutes from the north Pembrokeshire coastline with its many family-friendly coves and the option of surf lessons. Teifi Gorge is also on the doorstep where you can go for a guided kayak. Equally, staying put on the 200-acre farm offers plenty to do. Why not have a go at archery or shelter building while your younger companions make jewellery from salvaged wood?

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One of my favourite places to get away from it all is Land’s End in Cornwall. There are some great places to stay in this part of the world and while trying to book some last minute accommodation last September I discovered a real gem – The Old Wash House, located on a working dairy farm at Boscawen-noon. This beautifully restored granite barn, finished with chunky wooden beams, eco-limed pine floors and a cosy wood burner, makes a super lovely and relaxing retreat. Each morning, you wake up to views over the fields, birdsong and cockerels crowing.

There is plenty to do on foot from the farm. A five minute walk down a stunning green lanetakes you to the ancient stone circle of Boscawen-noon – a wonderful place for a picnic. Alternatively, you can book a place on a wild food foraging walk with the Wash House’s owner Caroline Davey who runs the fantastic foraging and cookery school Fat Hen.

General beach-going and coastal walks are also an integral part of any stay here and just a couple of miles away is Sennen Cove, possibly the most beautiful beach in the country. Here we spent many a happy evening supping and eating homemade pizza on the deck at the brilliant Beach restaurant and café overlooking the white sand and turquoise waters.

I also thoroughly recommend taking a drive along the coast road to St Ives. The scenery is stunning and there are many secluded coves and viewpoints to stop off at along the way. Ask a local where Port Ferris is and you won’t be disappointed. The Gurnard’s Head is also a great place to stop for lunch and you might even be lucky enough to find some of the fruits of Caroline’s foraging on the menu.

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The Bridge Patisserie in Winchester is somewhere well worth partaking in some serious indulgence. The organic Mozzo coffee is always great, the tarts and chocolates are truly special and I promise you really won’t be able to track down a better pastry in town – they’re freshly baked on the premises every day. In fact, much of what you’ll find on the menu is handmade in the tiny kitchens by owner, master baker and chocolate maker Moira and her lovely team. A stickler for quality ingredients, they only use the finest French pastry, Belgium chocolate and local and organic produce wherever possible.

Best of all, you can serve up one of their masterpieces at home by chosing from the special made-to-order take home menu. Guaranteed to impress any dinner table gathering, the Spiced Pear and Chocolate Tart has to be my all-time favourite, closely followed by the almost too beautiful to eat Tarte aux Fruits.

Image courtesy of Stephanie Kilgast on Flickr

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It’s hard to remember where I might have ventured out for a lazy brunch or natter over nibbles before The Corner House opened in 2009. Since then the thoughtfully conceived continental-style café bar has become a much-loved social hub for many a city resident. And it’s no surprise; the food, coffee, beer and wine are all excellent, and the atmosphere relaxed and welcoming. It’s a place where friends gather, acquaintances meet and parents escape for some grown-up only time.

The lovely team here never fail to impress with their ability to seamlessly cater for all manner of wants and whims. Whether it be an early-bird breakfast, a strong coffee and internet connection, a catch-up over lunch, an afternoon stitch and bitch, a post-work platter and scrabble, or a full blown evening meal, The Corner House offers it all up in the comfort of their homely, eclectic interior.

This is a place where it’s easy to settle in and stay for a good few hours, especially in the winter months. I love the cosy feel the low lighting offers in the evenings, accompanied by the superb mid-week deal – a fantastic rustic sharing platter and a bottle of wine for £20. Always very tempting.

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