David Walsh

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Redefining Elegance in the Scottish Borders.

The SCHLOSS Roxburghe is a stunning historic property set in the countryside of the Scottish Borders. Formerly owned by the Duke of Roxburghe, this charming manor house has recently been enhanced by an extensive and tasteful refurbishment that showcases the original splendour of this time-honoured building. Renowned for out-door pursuits and country sports, guests here can practice their swing on the championship golf course, enjoy fly fishing on the river and trout loch, or try their hand at clay pigeon shooting. The estate offers a wide selection of opportunities to make your stay extraordinary. The newly refurbished gourmet restaurant offers culinary delights of the highest standard, using produce sourced wherever possible from the areas around Kelso and the Scottish Borders. So, whether you’re pulling up a stool in the sophisticated Bar 1745, enjoying a coffee in the elegant drawing room or savouring the culinary delights of Sunlaws restaurant, you’ll enjoy…

Stay in one of the country’s most famous buildings – bragging rights included.

Cowley Manor is one of the most famous buildings in the country. Based on the Villa Borghese in Rome and echoing the architecture of Chatsworth and Cliveden, it features a grand Italianate exterior and bold iconic interiors. The perfect choice for a romantic break or country getaway, Cowley includes 31 bedrooms, a multi award-winning spa, heated indoor & outdoor pools, and 55 acres of Grade II listed gardens – ideal for a luxury getaway in the Cotswolds. Located within the quintessential chocolate-box village of Cowley, the manor is just 15 minutes from Cirencester and 20 minutes from Stow-on-the-Wold – with its honey-hued buildings and inspiring views, it is the perfect starting point for a countryside walk (with some great pubs on the way!). The land on which Cowley Manor sits used to belong to the kings of England. It was exchanged by Edward the Confessor in return for the land…

Windermere – Lakefront Luxury at its Finest.

When it comes to lakefront locations it doesn’t get much better than the Old England Hall & Spa. Set on the shore of Lake Windermere, in the pretty little town of Bowness, guests here can enjoy unravelled views of the private jetties and moorings on the lake. The Bowness pier is just a short stroll from the hotel and offers boat trips on England’s largest lake to a choice of destinations, including Ambleside, Brockhole, Windermere, and Wray Castle. Other great nearby attractions include The Beatrix Potter Experience – where Beatrix Potter’s much-loved characters are magically brought to life. Or, if you feel like trying something new, how about an Alpaca trek and picnic. Start by taking the Alpaca’s across ‘The Helm’ then tuck into a picnic with panoramic views. The nearby South Lakes Safari Zoo offers visitors the chance to see even more incredible animals. For a truly interactive experience…

The Borrowdale Gates Hotel – Lakelands Hidden Gem.

Treat yourself to a stay at the beautiful Borrowdale Gates Hotel. With award-winning Lakeland cuisine and stylish contemporary bedrooms, this hotel is a hidden gem located on the edge of Grange-in-Borrowdale. The area offers a wide selection of hikes direct from the hotel’s doorstep, so you can leave your car behind. Qualified guides will ensure you experience the very best of the fells. For rock climbing enthusiasts, there is a good choice of climbing sites nearby (just mention when confirming your reservation if you would like to book a session with a local Mountain Instructor). For golf fans there are several courses close by, including Keswick, Cockermouth, Penrith and Workington. Guests can enjoy reduced green fees at Keswick and Cockermouth Golf Clubs. When it comes to fine dining the 2 AA Rosette restaurant at the Borrowdale Gates is renowned for its culinary excellence. Panoramic windows offer captivating fell views that…

The Rosevine Hotel – Classic Elegance & Cornish Charm.

Bordered by the Fal Estuary to the west and St Austell Bay to the east, The Roseland Peninsula has been designated part of Cornwall’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for the quality of its landscape and coastal scenery. Visitors can enjoy beautiful wide-open beaches that are never crowded; traditional rural farm shops selling home-grown produce, and St Mawes, a fashionable fishing village located in a lovely, sheltered bay. The peninsula also has great walking routes, and its coastal waters are popular with yachtsmen, windsurfers, and canoeists. Explore stunning scenery and secluded coves or walk through woodlands and across scenic cliff-tops. Discover St Mawes Castle or hire a kayak and explore the Percuil River and creek. For visitors hoping to see the region’s stunning coastline from the water you can take the ferry from St Mawes to Falmouth,The many beaches on the Roseland Peninsula are great for swimming, sunbathing, rock pooling…

Trigony House – Discover the latest addition to our collection.

Country hotel breaks is delighted to introduce another new addition to our portfolio of luxury country hotels.Trigony House is a friendly and luxurious Scottish Country Hotel nestled in the heart of Dumfries and Galloway. Sitting amongst beautiful woodland and romantic gardens this relaxed country house hotel offers excellent rustic cuisine, served by friendly local staff, and concierge services extend to organising a range of activities, including cycle hire, relaxing spa treatments, horse riding, and falconry. Within the grounds of Trigony House is the exclusive boutique micro spa, a separate, private space that guests can book for the ultimate spa experience. Here you can enjoy stunning views from the wood fired Swedish hot tub, Finnish sauna cabin, and other treatment areas. Be sure to try some of the organic products from the Ishga range – an iconic Scottish company, endorsed by the Soil Association. The name Ishga is derived from the…

Enjoy Highland Hospitality at its Finest.

The Drumossie Hotel in Inverness-shire is one of the newest additions to our portfolio of luxury hotels. Set in nine acres of parkland with spectacular views towards the Moray Firth, Drumossie Hotel contains all the ingredients for a relaxing weekend getaway or a more adventurous break. Within easy reach of several of the world’s finest links golf courses, this welcoming Highlands hotel is just ten minutes from Inverness centre, and offers a world of rich local heritage to explore at Culloden, Loch Ness and the Cairngorms. Food and drink forms the very heart of the guest experience here, so visitors are in for a culinary treat. The Grill Room (Awarded two prestigious AA Rosettes) provides an elegant backdrop for the chef’s creativity, while The Lounge at Drumossie is smart and spacious – the perfect place to enjoy freshly brewed coffee, catching-up with friends, afternoon tea or expertly made pre-dinner drinks.…

Yorkshire Country House obtains Top Industry Award.

Congratulations to Goldsbrough Hall who have been awarded three coveted AA rosettes at the recent Restaurant Awards ceremony. Goldsbrough Hall, near Knaresbrough in Yorkshire, is just one of 15 new restaurants across the UK to have been given three rosettes. A long time favourite of Country Hotel Breaks, we are just as thrilled as they are with the news. Goldsbrough Hall has constantly strived to offer guests the very best fine dining experience, having previously held a three rosette status in 2020. A change of chef lead to the prestigious accolade being downgraded, since which time Goldsbrough has worked tirelessly to win it back. The arrival of new executive chef Josh Barnes last September put Goldsbrough Hall back on track – Josh has previously worked in various Michelin-starred restaurants in London, and now works closely with Goldsbrough’s head gardener to include locally sourced and home-grown produce in his culinary offerings.…

This Week’s Top 10 Luxury Hotel Offers.

This week’s Top 10 UK Hotel Offers includes a selection a fabulous, extra-value 2-night luxury breaks. Longer and shorter durations are available, as are alternative room types – for more information please refer to individual hotel details. Matfen Hall Hotel – Newcastle & The North East.Stunning luxury country house hotel situated just 15 minutes from Newcastle. Refurbished in 2021 with 300 acres of spectacular parkland, boasting championship golf, an award-winning spa, fine dining restaurant, and 53 sumptuous bedrooms. OFFER:Stay 2 nights in a Classic Double room and we will include: A glass of Prosecco on arrival, full English breakfast each morning and a £40 food credit per room per stay (can be used towards any dining, bar snacks, afternoon tea, etc. during your stay)£240 per person for 2 nights. Book Now See All Offers at This Hotel Burnham Beeches Hotel – Buckinghamshire.Framed by elegant Georgian architecture and ten acres of…

Catch Up With Sunday Times and New York Times Best-Selling Author Sarah Pearse.

At the beginning of the month we launched our fabulous January competition. To celebrate the success of the international best seller ‘The Sanatorium’ by Sarah Pearse we are giving away a host of prizes, including a luxury break, hampers (courtesy of our friends at Love Cocoa and The Tartan Blanket Co.) and a signed copy of The Sanatorium – If you haven’t already entered, what are you waiting for? Enter Competition We recently caught up with author Sarah Pearse, and had lots of questions we wanted to ask. Sarah very kindly shared some of her writing processes with us: Q: What inspired you to be a writer? A: I’ve wanted to write ever since I learnt to read – we recently found one of my old pieces of school work from when I was five or so where I’d written about what I wanted to do when I grew up.…

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