3 National Park stays to suit everyone – from foodies to adrenaline junkies

2023-01-15

Looking for a getaway away from the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life? Luckily, there’s plenty of options on your doorstep.

With the UK being home to 15 National Parks – including 10 in England, three in Wales and two in Scotland – there’s plenty of rural locations to explore while embracing the beauty of the great outdoors.

From taking in the rolling green hills of Dartmoor National Park in Devon while enjoying a spot of archery or air rifle shooting to exploring the 823 square miles of Snowdonia National Park before taking on a wave machine, OK! explains why you should make the most of the UK’s stunning landscapes…

Dartmoor National Park – Bovey Castle, Devon

This award-winning hotel in the heart of Dartmoor National Park is surrounded by rolling green hills and offers a seamless blend of period features and modern luxury.

There are 60 bedrooms in the former manor house and 22 country lodges scattered around the 275-acre grounds. Enjoy a morning swim in the Art Deco pool with floor-to-ceiling windows, followed by a full English breakfast in the grand dining room. Then it’s up to you whether you hire bikes and explore the local area or curl up with a book in front of one of the many roaring fires.

We joined Martin the falconer for the 60-minute Birds Of Prey Experience (£65). It’s hard not to flinch when a bird with a wingspan more than a metre wide lands on your arm but it’s fascinating seeing them up close and in flight. You can also try archery and air rifle shooting, or treat yourself to a massage at the Elan Spa.

Smith’s Brasserie is open for lunch and dinner and offers everything from small plates to hearty meals. For a special occasion, book into The Tasting Room for the seven-course tasting menu (£85). Our friendly waiter and chatty sommelier really made the experience special.

The picturesque village of North Bovey can be reached by a 20-minute stroll along a pretty riverside path through the woods. For a longer walk, try the three-hour circuit via Easdon Tor, with spectacular 360-degree views of Dartmoor.

From £325 per room (two sharing), including breakfast and spa access. Call Pride of Britain Hotels on 0800 089 3929 or visit prideofbritainhotels.com

The Lake District – The Yan at Broadrayne Farm, Grasmere

Hunkered amid the dramatic landscape of Grasmere in the Cumbrian Lakes, this boutique hotel at Broadrayne Farm houses a secret that foodies are keen not to share. An elevated version of the traditional “pub with rooms,” it features a brilliant family-run bistro and seven contemporary, comfortable bedrooms in the former blacksmith workshop, two of which are dog-friendly. “The Yan” comes from the old Cumbrian dialect meaning “the one”. And after the wonderful food we experienced, it was definitely a match made in heaven for us!

In a refreshing change from the abundance of fine dining establishments in the Lake District, posh home comfort dishes such as shepherd’s pie, heaped-up hog roast burgers and “coq au Yan” are presented with a touch of finesse. An accompanying drinks list includes lots of local tipples, too. Breakfast is an equally hearty affair, and the full Cumbrian comes with plump sausages, eggs from the farm and homemade baked beans.

Down the road, The Swan (a 350-year-old inn which features in Cumbrian-born William Wordsworth’s poem The Waggoner) serves good pub grub in a cosy setting.

Heart-pumping walks through the dramatic landscape are the perfect way to balance out all the feasting. Helm Crag and Grisedale Tarn are two routes accessible straight from The Yan’s door. The picturesque village of Grasmere is just a mile away (its famous gingerbread is worth the queues), and the popular Lakes towns of Windermere, Coniston and Keswick are only a short drive away.

From £140 per room (on a room-only basis). Visit theyan.co.uk

Snowdonia National Park – Wave Garden Spa, Conwy

Do you clock-watch while trying to meditate? Is the idea of a day devoted to relaxation distinctly unrelaxing? Well, despite offering Jacuzzis, expert masseurs and, of course, a dispenser filled with cucumber-infused water, this north Wales hotspot isn’t your average spa. Because once you’re feeling suitably zen, you can enjoy some adrenaline-inducing fun mere steps away at the Adventure Parc Snowdonia, playing in the wave machine and flying down the zip wire. Instead of birdsong, the soundtrack to your spa weekend will be the occasional scream of terror!

I visited with my mum, and we signed ourselves up for a beginner’s surf lesson. After a quick tutorial on how to stand on the board while still being on dry land, we joined a group of stag-do revellers in the water, where an hour using the wave stimulation passed by in what felt like minutes.

I could have carried on catching waves all day if it wasn’t for my rumbling stomach. Luckily the onsite restaurant, Zephyr’s Bar & Grill, serves delicious pub grub dishes – steak and ale pie for me and beer battered fish and chips for Mum – in chilled surroundings. There’s an interesting mix of guests, some wrapped in branded fluffy robes and others in full sports gear (most likely here for the indoor assault courses and rock climbing also on offer). You can also enjoy an afternoon tea.

We rested our heads at the adjoining Hilton Garden Inn, where highlights included floor-to-ceiling windows allowing us to watch the adventure activities before enjoying a restful night’s sleep.

The Rest & Rejuvenate package costs from £210 for a single guest; £320 for two. This includes two hours in the spa, a 55-minute treatment, lunch and overnight stay. See wavegardenspa.com. To add on adventure packages, see AdventureParcSnowdonia.com

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