Lifestyle in summer
Take a step back from the everyday and enjoy summer holidays outside the box, from conservation holidays in the middle of a forest to short weekend breaks in the watchtower of a castle. Enjoy a weekend break at the former home of Victorian inventor Lord Armstrong in picturesque Northumberland; become a zookeeper for a day and get up close and personal with some of nature’s more endangered species in Hampshire, and pick up a paint brush and get creative on an art holiday in Brighton.
June events: Enjoy a flutter on the horses at Royal Ascot
Enjoy a quintessentially British day out at Royal Ascot – a highlight of the summer social calendar and one of the most exciting events of the year.
Location: Ascot, Berkshire
Enjoy creature comforts at the Dandelion Hideaway
Down on the farm there are tents that think they’re cottages, roll-top baths, proper beds, fresh food, plenty of fresh air, and plenty to see and do.
Location: Osbaston, Leicestershire
Retail heaven at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet
Spend the day in the incredible shops with fabulous discounts across hundreds of designers, there’s every reason to splurge.
Location: Ellesmere Port, Cheshire
Discover a seaside shopping paradise
Amble is a shopper's paradise, a haven for lovers of local produce, crafts and gifts. Perfect for presents, but don’t forget to treat yourself!
Location: Amble, Northumberland
Discover a vibrant arts scene within the Forest of Dean
Discover a cultural scene that really breathes life in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley.
Location: Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
A little taste of heaven at Hoar Cross Hall Spa Resort
A Grade II listed stately home retreat that pairs period style with modern luxury and attentive service.
Location: Burton on Trent, Staffordshire
Take a luxury break at Kesgrave Hall
Treat yourself to a stay at Kesgrave Hall, a boutique hotel housed in a Georgian building just outside Ipswich.
Location: Kesgrave, Suffolk
Discover the Lanes and North Laine
The Lanes were originally the centre of the sleepy fishing village of Brighthelmstone.
Location: Brighton & Hove, East Sussex
Taste fine wine at Tanners Wines
Don’t miss a trip to Tanners Wines, independent and family-owned since 1842 which is one of the top wine merchants in the UK.
Location: Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Plan an extravagant getaway to Bovey Castle
Indulge in a extravagant getaway to a chic and welcoming castle perfectly positioned in Dartmoor National Park.
Location: Dartmoor, Devon
Rise above it all with a stay at Chewton Glen’s treehouses
Escape to your very own luxury treehouse for panoramic views and nature at your fingertips at Chewton Glen.
Location: New Milton, Hampshire
Stay in an eco-lodge at Somerleyton Estate
Wake up surrounded by nature in an eco-lodge on the banks of tranquil Fritton Lake.
Location: Lowestoft, Suffolk
Be schooled in the nuances of a vital ancient art
No experience required for this drinker's favourite: just an open mind and a willing palette.
Location: Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
Go shopping for retro clothes on a Cotswolds vintage tour
Visit the Cotswolds and discover vintage treasures on a carefully designed retro-themed driving tour.
Location: Tewkesbury or Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire
Get to the heart of the crafty Cotswolds
Allow yourself to be dazzled – and perhaps, learn to dazzle yourself – at a place where art comes to life.
Location: Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Camp at Rocks East Woodland
Hone your survival skills in a stunning West country setting.
Location: Chippenham, Wiltshire
The Tree Relaxation Retreat in Rosedale Abbey
Looking after your body doesn’t need to involve colonic irrigation and strenuous yoga workouts.
Location: Near Pickering, North Yorkshire
Go wild and become a zookeeper for the day at Marwell Zoo
This unique once-in-a-lifetime experience will allow you to get up close to some of nature’s most endangered species for a memory you’ll never forget.
Location: Winchester, Hampshire
Learn a craft and hone your skills in rural Lincolnshire
Stay in beautifully restored 18th century stables in rural Lincolnshire and learn something new on a day-long course during your visit.
Location: Lincoln, Lincolnshire
Unwind and detox by the sea in grand five start luxury
Escape for a relaxing spa day at the UK’s only 5 star seaside hotel and revive the soul with beach-side yoga and devour wholesome vegetarian delights.
Location: Eastbourne, East Sussex