Summer activities in the UK and where to stay

Stately homes, spy novels, floristry and fresh lobster this summer with Pride of Britain Hotels

Activities abound across the UK during the summer months; here are a few suggestions about where you can spend some much-deserved time off…

Horses galore in Newmarket, Suffolk

Opened by HRH The Queen in late 2016, Newmarket’s National Heritage Centre for Horseracing & Sporting Art (General Admission £16.50 pp) took 10 years to plan, design and build. The informative museum includes stables with racehorses, a riding school with dressage and show jumping displays and a palace once occupied by King Charles II (with many amazing pieces of art, some of which have been loaned by The Tate). Stay just five minutes away at Bedford Lodge Hotel, a four-star hotel set in three acres which was originally built as a hunting lodge for the Duke of Bedford, from £350 per night (two sharing), including breakfast and use of the spa.

Tackle Scotland’s Munros from The Torridon

The North Coast 500 – billed as Scotland’s answer to America’s Route 66 – has made Scotland’s highlands more accessible than ever before. Set on a spectacular sea loch, complete with Rapunzel-like towers and a well-stocked whisky bar, The Torridon is the ideal base from which to explore this region of wilderness, and the North Coast 500 conveniently passes the hotel’s front door. The Torridon’s Munro Adventure Package is available from May-October and includes the services of a mountain guide to lead guests over the local Munro peaks which include Slioch, Beinn Eighe, Beinn Alligin and Liathach. An overnight stay costs from £495 per room (two sharing), including mountain guiding services for the day and full Scottish breakfast. Minimum three-night stay.

Snare a Spy on the Cornish coast

It’s hard to beat the location of The Nare Hotel, which overlooks Carne Beach and Cornwall’s beautiful Roseland Peninsula.  Its outdoor pool, heated to 30°C, is open to guests from May until October and there is also a hot tub, perfect for chillier days. Launching this spring, author Jon Stock has set his latest spy thriller, To Snare A Spy, in and around the hotel. Guests participating in Operation Snare this summer will receive a copy of the book and an espionage pack before arrival, then once at The Nare, they will follow in the footsteps of the plot – a deadly race across land and sea! An overnight stay costs from £365 per night (two sharing), including a full English breakfast and complimentary Cornish cream tea. 

Flower workshops and watercolour painting at Gravetye Manor, Sussex

Pick up flower-arranging tips from Chelsea Flower Show winner, Sue Flight, who will be hosting Flower Workshops at Gravetye Manor in Sussex on the following mornings this year – 8 May, 5 June, 3 July, 11 September, plus 3 & 30 October. Each class will use seasonal flowers and twigs to create eye-catching displays and will include a walk around the hotel’s extensive grounds. The workshop costs £75 pp including tea/coffee and a two-course lunch. Alternatively, Hazel Soan will lead a one-day watercolour painting course on Tuesday 6 June. The watercolour workshop costs from £150 pp including morning coffee/pastries, two-course lunch plus tea and cake. Stay overnight from £260 per room (two sharing), including breakfast.

New restaurants at Lucknam Park, Thurlestone and The Priory

New and refurbished restaurants abound this summer across Pride of Britain’s collection of hotels. At Lucknam Park near Bath, Restaurant Hywel Jones by Lucknam Park has recently relaunched. The Michelin-starred restaurant has been expertly led by Hywel since 2004 and serves the finest seasonal ingredients from local suppliers.

Thurlestone, near Salcombe, which has been family-run for 120 years, has relaunched The Trevilder restaurant, named after the hotel founder Margaret Amelia’s farm. 

In Dorset, The Priory, located beside the River Frome in Wareham, is building a new riverside restaurant which will be opening in May. The restaurant will feature glass along two sides, with views of the river and the Purbeck Hills, which provided much inspiration for Enid Blyton’s novels.

Fresh lobster in Pembrokeshire

Nestling in the Pembrokeshire countryside just 20 minutes’ drive from the region’s golden coastline, Grove of Narberth is celebrating its 10th anniversary this September. Visit during the Pembrokeshire Fish Festival (24 June – 2 July), where hundreds of foodie events take place – from cookery demonstrations to fishing trips. The hotel marks the occasion with its 5th annual Fish BBQ (Thursday 29 June – £45 pp, 7pm arrival) serving up fresh local lobster and sea bass, Welsh beef, white sangria and tasty desserts all set to the sound of live acoustic musicians. Stay overnight for an additional £190 per room (two sharing), including breakfast.

Leicestershire stately home stay with European Eagle Owl, Bernard

Live country life like a Lord and Lady while experiencing traditional country pursuits in 500 acres of glorious Capability Brown-designed grounds at Stapleford Park, a grand 15th century country estate. Choose from archery, clay pigeon shooting or falconry with Bernard, the hotel’s resident European Eagle Owl. Overnight rates from £136 per night (two sharing) when booked 20 days in advance (valid Sunday-Thursday), including breakfast in the lavish Grinling Gibbons Dining Room and use of the spa.

To book any of the above breaks please call Pride of Britain Hotels on 0800 089 3929 (www.prideofbritainhotels.com).