5 winter getaways
Cosy stays under three hours away from Bristol and Bath
CIDER COUNTY
Craftsman’s Cabin
Kingsbury Episcopi, Somerset
No car // From Taunton, take the 54 bus to Somerton, then the 850 bus to Kingsbury Episcopi
By car
Bristol: 1hr20
Bath: 1hr15
Frome: 0hr55
Stroud: 1hr40
Home to probably the most beautiful loo in Somerset if not the world (you’ll see), the Craftsman’s Cabin is deep in cider country, with Julian Temperley’s farm, Burrow Hill, just a skip away (and a must visit for the cider brandy). Almost everything in this cute cabin has been made by owner Decca Lang’s talented friends. See Frances Watts art, blankets by Gather wool and oak kitchen by outdoor woodworker Bertie Clark. Walk up to the top of Burrow Hill for a 360-degree view of the Somerset Levels, an easy (if steep) walk. Or head to nearby Langport, one of the smallest towns in England, for river walks, starling murmurations, independent shops and the delectable Kiln Café pottery.
Price: From £180 Sleeps: 4
Photography by Dave Watts
HIKING HEAVEN
The Huts at the Royal Oak
Gretton, Gloucestershire
No car // Get the train to Cheltenham Spa. Then catch the 606 bus from the town centre
By car
Bristol: 1hr10
Bath: 1hr30
Frome: 1hr50
Stroud: 0hr50
Three dark wood-panelled huts on the edge of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, in the heart of hiking country. Book the Dumbleton Hut; it has velvet touches, stacks of kilim cushions and access to a private bathtub, ideal for a sunset soak. The huts are a passion project of Mark Giblin and family, and part of the Royal Oak pub, which is loved by locals and visitors alike. Local hikes include Belas Knap and Cromwell’s Seat. Or the Gretton Hill circular walk offers a look at the local area and its views. It’s roughly 3.5km and starts and ends from the pub. There are walking guides in each hut. It’s a soothing and cosy stay. Don’t forget to wave when the steam train goes by.
Price: From £170 Sleeps: 2
CITY BREAK
8 Holland Street
Bath, Somerset
No car // From Bath Spa railway station, it’s a 10-minute taxi ride or a 20-minute walk
By car
Bristol: 0hr35
Bath: 0hr05
Frome: 0hr35
Stroud: 0hr55
Designer and art collector Tobias Vernon ripped up the classic interiors rulebook at his grand three-bedroom Georgian townhouse. It’s a riot of colour-drenched hallways in clashing hues, free-standing kitchen units in primary tones, walls adorned with abstract art and well-placed trinkets. Large arched windows allow light to pour into most rooms. This is a luxury stay: see Aesop and Le Labo toiletries, Tekla towels and HAY robes. You’re perfectly placed to enjoy the best of Bath’s culinary offerings. Have lunch at Palette on Walcot Street or in the sunny courtyard at Beckford Canteen. For dinner, go for carbs at Solina Pasta or Bandook kitchen for creative Indian food. EH
Price: From £220 Sleeps: 2-6
8hollandstreet.com
GO BACK IN TIME
Little Mill
Abergavenny, Wales
No car // Take the train to Newport, then change for Abergavenny
By car
Bristol: 1hr20
Bath: 1hr30
Frome: 2hr
Stroud: 1hr30
Along the River Gavenny is a 17th-century corn mill so peaceful that you can hear the tinkle of the water from the kitchen window. Divided into two cottages (which you can hire separately or together), Little Mill feels removed from the modern world. There are wonky armchairs, low ceilings and a twangy old piano. If you go in spring, owner Hayley Caradoc-Hodgkins crowds every window sill with paperwhites and heavy-scented hyacinths. Town is a sweet 10-minute amble away. On the way, look out for herons, kingfishers, otters and trout splashing about in the river. Stop for coffee and pastries from The Angel Bakery, visit the eccentric and brilliant undercover market (for bric-a-brac, go on a Wednesday), and have lunch at The Chapel. The cottages are an ideal base for day trips to the Brecon Beacons, Keeper’s Pond – a jaw-dropping wild swim spot in the mountains – and the magnificent ruins at Llanthony Priory (the café is a perfect pint and chips spot). While the books of Hay-on-Wye are just 40 scenic minutes away via Hay Bluff in the Black Mountains.
Price: From £200 Sleeps: 2-11
THE ART RETREAT
Praktyka
Bideford, Devon
No car // From Exeter, catch a train to Barnstaple. It’s a 35-minute taxi ride from there
By car
Bristol: 2hr20
Bath: 2hr40
Frome: 2hr30
Stroud: 2hr40
This rural retreat, close to the wild, Atlantic coastline of North Devon is spectacular whatever the season. The site has several architect-designed outbuildings to stay in. Each encourages simplicity, daily rituals and being outdoors in all weathers. The Heartland is a duo of indoor-outdoor kitchen and accompanying seven-metre geodesic dome (which is great for bat spotting). While an artfully decorated, ply-clad and Mondrian-inspired cabin tucked away behind a stone barn has an outdoor bath perfect to watch the stars in. Co-owner Ania Wawrzkowicz runs a range of creative workshops including ‘lost wax’ jewellery making and cyanotype printing.
Price: From £130 Sleeps: 1-12