North of England
Scotland
Tucked away within mature woodland on the owner’s working farm, this secluded lodge offers an enchanting escape for couples and solo travellers planning days of adventure across Monmouthshire. Surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature, it couldn’t be easier to unwind here.
Before you venture off-site, make sure to stroll through the peaceful woodland and meet the resident alpacas. When it’s time to explore, outdoor adventure is made easy thanks to the property’s position between the Wye Valley National Landscape, the Brecon Beacons National Park, and the Forest of Dean (all within 17.5 miles).
Across these landscapes await days of walking, cycling, wildlife watching, and plenty more activities. Uncover the region’s history with a visit to the town of Usk (1.5 miles), where the Usk Rural Life Museum and the ruins of a 12th-century castle await.
Other historic towns nearby include Abergavenny, Monmouth, and Chepstow (all within 14.5 miles). The flagship lodge in a complex of four, this beautiful property is the most secluded on the farm, meaning a 1-minute buggy ride takes you from the car park, through woodland, and to your private retreat.
On arrival, take a moment to appreciate the lodge’s position, elevated amongst the trees and setting the scene for a break in nature. Climb the wooden steps to the decking and head into the property.
On entry, be greeted by light and airy, open-plan accommodation that combines a chic corner kitchen with a dining area and restful lounge with bi-folding doors that enables you to bring the outdoors in. With crisp-white walls and soft lighting, this is a charming spot to relax between your days of adventure.
Unwind in the lounge, where soft seating sits before a Smart TV and a feature wood burner that casts a warming glow across the room. When stomachs rumble, the kitchen boasts everything needed for cooking up holiday feasts, which can be enjoyed at the small dining table inside or alfresco out on the decking.
The best-known attractions within an easy drive of 1-Bedroom Hot Tub House with Log Burner in Wye Valley, with real driving times.
Sat nav: NP15 2BT
A grand late medieval Welsh castle with a hexagonal Yellow Tower and a long, dramatic history.
Raglan Castle sits just north of the village of Raglan in Monmouthshire, south east Wales. Built and rebuilt between the 15th and early 17th centuries by the Herbert and Somerset families, it was once a luxurious, fortified home, and its large hexagonal keep is known as the Great Tower or the Yellow Tower of Gwent.
Sat nav: BS10 7TP
A conservation park run by Bristol Zoological Society, with giraffes, cheetahs, gorillas and lemurs on a large countryside site.
Bristol Zoo Project is a wildlife conservation park in South Gloucestershire, run by Bristol Zoological Society. It covers a large site, and its areas are designed to link ecosystems and conservation programmes around the world. Current areas include Bear Wood, Benoué National Park and Discover Madagascar.
Sat nav: HR9 6HU
A ruined medieval castle above the River Wye, with a dark dungeon and keep-top views.
Goodrich Castle is a ruined medieval fortress on a rocky sandstone outcrop above the River Wye, near Ross-on-Wye. Begun after the Norman Conquest, it grew into a stone castle with a square keep, big corner towers and a gatehouse with a barbican. William Wordsworth called it the "noblest ruin in Herefordshire".
Tip: Book advance tickets online through English Heritage, and pick up the family game from the ticket office when you arrive.
Sat nav: NP16 5EZ
A clifftop Norman fortress above the River Wye, begun in 1067 and one of Wales' earliest stone castles.
Chepstow Castle stretches along a limestone cliff above the River Wye. Building began in 1067 under William fitz Osbern, a close friend of William the Conqueror, and it is the oldest surviving post-Roman stone fortification in Britain. Over the centuries it passed to powerful figures such as William Marshal and Roger Bigod, each of whom left their mark.
Tip: Book online to save 5%. The main path is a steep slope and the steps can be uneven or slippery when wet, so wear sturdy shoes.
Sat nav: CF62 5TJ
A classic seaside fairground opposite the sandy beach at Barry Island, with thrill rides and traditional games.
Barry Island Pleasure Park is an amusement park on the coast of the Vale of Glamorgan, about 10 miles south west of Cardiff. It sits opposite the sandy beachfront and has fairground rides, games and stalls, and food outlets. Rides range from high-energy thrill rides to classic ones the whole family can share, and you pay for what you ride using tokens.
Sat nav: NP4 9XP
Go 300 feet underground with a real miner at a genuine Welsh coal mine.
Big Pit is a real coal mine and one of Britain's leading mining museums, standing on the heather-clad moors above Blaenavon. It worked as a colliery from 1880 to 1980 and opened to the public in 1983. The star attraction is the Underground Tour, which takes you 300 feet down with a real miner to see what life was like for the men who worked the coal face.
Tip: Underground tour places on the day aren't guaranteed a time slot and queues can build when busy, so book a timed Job-A-Knock ticket in advance to secure your spot.
Sat nav: NP10 8YW
A grand 17th-century red-brick mansion with gardens and free parkland on the edge of Newport.
Tredegar House is a Grade I listed Charles II-era mansion on the edge of Newport, run by the National Trust. For over five hundred years it was home to the Morgan family, later Lords Tredegar. It was rebuilt in red brick, a rare material in Wales at the time, and has been described as one of the outstanding houses of the Restoration period in Britain.
Tip: Dogs are welcome on a lead almost everywhere, but only assistance dogs are allowed in the mansion house. Keep them out of the lake.
Sat nav: BS1 6TY
Step aboard Brunel's pioneering iron ocean liner, sitting in the Bristol dry dock where she was built.
SS Great Britain is a museum ship on Bristol's harbourside, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. When launched in 1843 she was the largest passenger ship in the world, and one of the first iron, propeller-driven ocean liners.
Tip: Parking is available at the Maritime Heritage Centre car park next to the site, and you pay at the ticket desks. The Long Ashton Park & Ride is an alternative Monday to Saturday.}
Drive times are typical times by car with no traffic. Check opening times and book tickets on each attraction's own website before you go.
East of England
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