Six summery staycation ideas from Pride of Britain Hotels

Still not booked a summer getaway and in need of some inspiration?  Fear not, Pride of Britain Hotels – a consortium of 49 luxury, independently-owned hotels renowned for their exceptional hospitality – has the following options available, perfect for couples, families and friends holidaying together.

Summer picnic boat at Bovey Castle – from £128 pp

Bovey Castle in Dartmoor has a summer picnic boat that can be hired for a romantic champagne lunch, private family outing or even a child’s pirate party.  Guests are ferried along the tranquil River Dart, passing Agatha Christie’s beautifully-restored Greenway House, before stopping in a secluded spot for a delicious West Country-inspired picnic.  Boat hire costs £128 pp/£510 total (four sharing) for a three-hour ride with picnic.  An additional two-night stay in one of the hotel’s self-catering lodges costs from £375 per night (minimum two-night stay/based on six adults and two children sharing) including a welcome pack, use of the spa and all hotel facilities.

Foodie heaven in Pembrokeshire – from £90 pp

Framed by ancient oaks and towering beech trees, Pembrokeshire’s The Grove, Narberth is fast gaining a reputation for its award-winning restaurant, headed up by Chef Duncan Barham.  Delicious locally-sourced Modern British cuisine is its speciality and over 70 varieties of vegetables, summer fruits and herbs are served from the hotel’s burgeoning kitchen garden. The hotel has also recently opened up a sister restaurant, Coast, led by Head Chef Will Holland and overlooking Coppet Hall Beach just a few miles away – further adding to the area’s foodie appeal.  A one-night stay costs from £180 per room/£90 pp (two sharing), with a full Welsh breakfast included.

‘Lifestyle and Fitness Day Spa’ at Calcot Manor – from £195 pp
Set in 220 acres of grounds near Tetbury, Calcot Manor & Spa is a very special Cotswolds retreat dating back to the 14th-century.  The Spa’s new ‘Lifestyle and Fitness’ day spa package in conjunction with Skin Regimen is the ideal solution for those seeking a fitness-driven purpose to their spa visit.  The day includes a health assessment and personal training session in the gym or on the new outdoor trim trail, a super-food lunch, plus a lifestyle facial and body treatment with some stretching to ‘exercise the skin’. Calcot Manor’s ‘Lifestyle and Fitness’ day spa package costs £195 pp with an afternoon-only version offered at £135 pp. Stay overnight for an additional £280 per room/£140 pp (two sharing), including breakfast.

Froome with a view at The Devonshire Arms – from £75 pp

Has the recent Tour de France’s grand depart inspired your own two-wheeled adventure? If so, The Devonshire Arms – situated on the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire’s grand 30,000-acre Bolton Abbey estate – is perfectly positioned for exploring the Yorkshire Dales by bicycle. Either bring your own bike and follow the Tour de France route or hire a hybrid mountain bike, electric bike or tandem from the hotel.  The one-night ‘Froome with a View’ break costs from £150 per room/£75 pp (two sharing) including breakfast.  Bike hire extra.

Pilates retreat in West Sussex – from £399 pp

Just a short walk from Climping beach in West Sussex, Bailiffscourt Hotel and Spa’s restful setting provides the perfect backdrop for practising your downward dog.  The two-night Pilates Retreat (1-3 September) includes daily classes with a qualified instructor, a raw food demonstration, nutritional talk, 25-minute spa treatment and full use of the spa.  The price of £399 pp (two sharing) also includes two nights’ accommodation with breakfast, dinner, one lunch, fresh smoothies, juices plus the activities listed above.

Pooh sticks in Hundred Acre Wood – East Sussex from £240 per family

If the children are hooked on A.A. Milne’s magical stories, then a trip to Pooh’s Hundred Acre Wood (a.k.a. Ashdown Forest) will go down well.  Ashdown Park Hotel is set within the forest and the hotel will provide maps pinpointing Poohsticks Bridge and Roo’s Sandy Pit.  Back at the hotel, a Pooh-inspired children’s afternoon tea includes Hunny sandwiches and Kanga cup cakes. A one-night stay this summer costs from £240 (family of four sharing) including breakfast and use of the Country Club. The Pooh-Bear tea costs £5.95 per child.

To book an overnight stay, and for the best available price, call Pride of Britain Hotels on 0800 089 3929 (www.prideofbritainhotels.com).

Ends – 15 July 2014

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For media enquiries and press visits, please contact:

Julia Farish, Camilla Colley or Sue Ockwell, Travel PR, tel: 020 8891 4440, email: j.farish@travelpr.co.uk, c.colley@travelpr.co.uk or s.ockwell@travelpr.co.uk.