Tree-based camping, East Sussex and Wales
The latest way for campers to enjoy the great outdoors is suspended several metres above ground – from the comfort of a tree tent. The Secret Campsite (01273 401100, thesecretcampsite.co.uk), near Lewes in East Sussex, has added a hanging tent for two “with views over the South Downs” to its collection of camping “shelters”, which include a modern day shepherd’s hut called an Arkette and a bell tent.
Meanwhile, in a wood in Wales, the Red Kite tree tent (01865 764087, available to book through sheepskinlife.com) hangs from the trees in the grounds of Red Kite Barn, a self-catering property near Builth Wells in Powys. Featuring a double bed and wood-burning stove, it offers all perks of other posh camping structures, but a few metres above the ground.
Tree tents may be sold as “back to nature” options, but the idea of such creature comforts as a wood burner will no doubt appall camping traditionalists. They may well baulk at the price too. As with most “glamping” options, tree tents aren’t cheap. The Secret Campsite’s tree tent costs £95 per night, with a two-night minimum at weekends (though a standard tent pitch costs from £10pp). The Red Kite tent is similarly priced: £299 for a three-night stay for two. But for those who like the romance of camping, but not the discomfort of sleeping on lumpy ground, it’s perfect.
Sea kayaking and wild camping, Scotland
How do you solve a problem like the UK’s unpredictable spring weather? Wilderness Scotland (01479 420 020 wildernessscotland.com) has come up with a good plan for their new sea-kayaking trip along the west coast. Wait and see what the conditions are like, and then decide how brave you are feeling. If the sun’s out over the Hebrides, up the number of nights of wild camping from one to three. Or if it feels like less of a good idea when you’re hit by April showers, then a comfy bed can be booked instead. A five-night trip leaving on 25 May costs £650pp, including accommodation (hostel and wild camping), most meals, all transport to and from Inverness, full guiding and equipment. Across the sea, newly-launched sister company Wilderness Ireland (wildernessireland.com) is offering a range of activity holidays. Its Northern Ireland cycling trip takes in Rathlin Island and the Giants Causeway, with overnight stays in an 18th-century manor house (from £337pp, based on four sharing, including two nights’ B&B, afternoon tea, packed lunches, bike hire and guides).
Cycling for all, the Lake District
Sky Rides’ free group cycling trips have become popular in various UK cities, from London to Newcastle, but this spring will be the first time they come to a national park. May’s Lake District ride will be led by British Cycling guides and split into different abilities on arrival, so experienced riders who might be considering joining a club won’t be held back by kids using stabilisers. These are great days out for families and groups of friends, or those wanting to meet new people who share a love of two-wheeled travel. Participants will soon be able to register at goskyride.com. For more on cycling in the area (including details on bike hire), see golakestravel.co.uk/bybike.
Wine tasting, Essex
There are nearly 400 vineyards in the England and Wales, and the West Street Vineyard in the village of Coggeshall in north Essex claims to be the first wine “experience” dedicated to celebrating a range of them. Modelled on the vineyard experiences of New Zealand and South Africa, and housed in a newly constructed barn overlooking 1.4 hectares of vines, West Street will offer tastings of over 30 English wines in its wine bar, including their own sparkling, white and rose. They also offer courses covering English (an introduction to East Anglian wines), European and New World varieties, plus there’s cafe selling locally produced cheese and meats.
• weststreetvineyard.co.uk. Opens 23 April. Visitors can buy a smart card for £5, £10 or £20, which gives them a choice of tastings from an automated wine wall
Non-stop arts, Norfolk
Norfolk is preparing to become a giant stage as it hosts its annual arts festival. Renowned for cutting-edge events and brilliant use of alternative venues, the Norfolk and Norwich festival promises another stonking line up of music, visual arts and theatre, among them contemporary circus Risque Zéro at the Great Yarmouth Hippodrome (the UK’s only surviving complete circus building in the UK); a Kindness of Strangers theatre piece performed to an audience of four in a moving ambulance; and the world premiere of an epic show by New York-based Nature Theater of Oklahoma, based on the verbatim transcript of a 16-hour phone conversation. With 75 shows over 17 days, there’s a massive choice of entertainment.
• nnfestival.org.uk, 10-26 May
Scenic strolls, nationwide
The Churches Conservation Trust, the charity dedicated to conserving historic churches, has put together a series of walks taking in some of the most picturesque churches in the country. They include a five-mile, cliff-top path walk from Whitby to Ravenscar in North Yorkshire, via Whitby’s dramatic Benedictine abbey; St Andrew’s hilltop to Prudhoe castle in Northumberland; and from All Saints on the Thames to Oxford (six miles), ending at the Eagle and Child pub, which has attracted many literary heavyweights over its long history, including Tolkien and C.S. Lewis.
• Whitby to Ravenscar, North Yorkshire: click here for route map
St Andrew’s hilltop to Prudhoe castle: click here for route map
All Saints to Oxford: click here for route map
Fish and a dip (if you’re brave), Cornwall
The pretty Cornish harbour of Padstow can be hellishly busy in summer, but in spring visitors can admire its charming narrow streets, lined with colourful homes and cute cafes, in peace. There’s no escaping the influence of Rick Stein, but those who don’t mind that could take advantage of a spring deal in one of his holiday properties. Costing £425 for two and available on breaks between Sunday and Thursday until 23 May (excluding Sunday 5 May), the stay includes two dinners and two nights’ B&B accommodation in one of six properties (including cottages, the Petroc Hotel and B&B rooms in the cafes). The meals are at St Petroc’s Bistro and Rick Stein’s Cafe, known for its very fresh fish dishes.
• 01841 532 700, rickstein.com
Sunny strolls by day, stargazing by night, Cambridge
For those who like looking at the constellations but who can barely identify that sort of frying pan-shaped one, the stylish Varsity Hotel is putting on an astronomy night, run by the Cambridge Astronomical Association, on 25 April. The hotel, which has a fantastic rooftop garden, backs on to the river Cam, so guests could spend the day strolling in the sunshine (fingers crossed) before the event. Specialist telescopes and high-powered laser pointers will be put into action by the experts for a guided tour of the cosmos; last month’s class managed to see the rings of Jupiter. A warming drink on the roof, a two-course meal and glass of fizz are included in the tickets, which cost £45pp.
• 01223 306 030, thevarsityhotel.co.uk, rooms from £155 per night
Walk with a purpose, Northumberland/Scottish Borders
The 2012 bestseller The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, which tells the tale of a man who goes out to post a letter to a sick friend but ends up walking 600 miles across Britain, is partly to blame for an increased interest this year in pilgrimages, according to self-guided walking specialist Macs Adventure. It says bookings for long walks are up by over 100% on certain trips. For a spring challenge in the UK, it recommends St Cuthbert’s Way, a 63-mile trek through the Scottish Borders and Northumberland, finishing at Holy Island. Its package for independent walkers starts in Melrose and takes four to seven days, costing from £370pp including accommodation, breakfast, luggage transfer, maps and route guides.
• 0141 530 1950, macsadventure.com
Enjoy spring blooms, Wiltshire
Britain’s woods are normally carpeted with bluebells by now but the freezing weather in March and early April mean the traditional blooms may not appear until mid May or later this year. When they do make an appearance, enjoy them at Stourhead in Wiltshire (nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead) where you can stroll landscaped gardens and bluebell woods (garden entry is priced at £7.70 for adults; £4.20 for children).
The harsh spring has not affected the Bowood House and Gardens’ (bowood.org) famous rhododendron displays. If anything, it’s helped. Owner Lord Lansdowne is predicting one of the best flowering years after the particularly wet spring. Bowood’s Rhododendron Woodland Walks, a separate garden featuring 60 acres of azaleas, magnolias and rhododendrons, opens on 26 April for six weeks (walks are between Calne and Chippenham, accessed via a separate entrance) and will take in the new four-acre Jubilee Garden.
If you’re planning more than a day trip to enjoy Wiltshire’s impressive gardens, you could base yourself at Poulton Lodge Marlborough (poultonlodge.com), a Finnish-style log cabin set on a working farm. Walk straight from the cabin into a bluebell wood and onto the Ridgeway (sleeps five, £700 - £950 self-catering), or enjoy other nearby gardens including Lydiard House and Park (lydiardpark.org.uk) and Wilton House (wiltonhouse.co.uk).
