30 S MAGAZINE ★ 26 MAY 2019
Edited by Laura Mulley
Where: On the outskirts of the picturesque
village of Burley, six miles from Ringwood
in Hampshire.
The lowdown: Set against the stunning
backdrop of the New Forest National Park,
Burley Manor sits in eight acres of gardens.
The Grade II-listed manor house dates back
to 1852 and has 40 rooms and suites
situated in the original house and the more
modern Garden Wing. The interior marries
country house character with a bold,
contemporary twist. Beamed and vaulted
ceilings, an impressive staircase and
decorative fireplaces give a luxury feel.
The hotel prides itself on its hospitality
and we were welcomed by friendly and
knowledgeable staff. Our lovely room –
complete with a four-poster bed and roll-top
bath – overlooked a herd of resident red
deer. A jar of freshly baked biscuits and
a retro radio added a touch of old school
charm to the ambience. And an outdoor
swimming pool (open between June and
September) is the ideal place to take a dip.USP: Dining is at the heart of the Burley
Manor experience. Head chef Ben Johnson
has created a modern menu featuring
Mediterranean-inspired dishes made from
locally grown fare. A selection of tapas and
sharing plates such as wild mushroom
arancini, and ham hock and manchego
croquettes are well worth tasting. The
dining room is a relaxed affair and guests
are invited to mix and match dishes.
Who you’ll see in the steam room:
People escaping the hustle and bustle,
nature lovers and foodies.
Time for one treatment: The Temple spa is
small with just two cosy treatment rooms,
so it’s worth booking in advance. Try the
Good Spirits treatment, which involves a
Swedish-style massage on a heated bed
using Mediterranean essential oils chosen
to revive the body and mind. The massage
is designed to improve circulation and my
tense and tired muscles felt soothed and
invigorated after the treatment.
Victoria GrayBurley Manor, Hampshire
Stays at Burley Manor start at £129 per night on a b&b
basis (until July). From July to September, prices start at
£159 per room per night on a b&b basis. For more
information or to book, visit burleymanor.com.Where: Just north of Lake Windermere in
Cumbria’s Lake District. This is the land
of William Wordsworth, John Ruskin and
Beatrix Potter – wild countryside, famous
peaks and rural villages.
The lowdown: The Brimstone hotel is the
Langdale Estate’s newest addition. Built in a
chalet style, out of natural stone and glass,
it looks modern yet unobtrusive among the
surrounding woodland. There is no reception
desk, but instead tweed-clad “hosts” appear
from nowhere at a moment’s notice, ready
to help with anything you need. The estate’s
eatery, Stove, serves a buffet breakfast in
the morning, which is more geared towards
families (most Brimstone guests opt to
order to their rooms), but at dinnertime the
restaurant serves hearty meals, home-smoked
produce and huge, stone-baked pizzas. You’ll
never go hungry at Brimstone, though, thanks
to The Reading Room, which offers help-yourself drinks and snacks from day to night.
Maps and walking routes are also available,
but a reasonable level of fitness and sense of
direction is advised. We took an afternoon-
long hike to the top of Silver How, past
Wordsworth’s house, down to the village of
Grasmere (pick up some of its famous
gingerbread) and back through the sheep-
dotted commons of the Langdale Estate,
finishing off at Wainwrights’ Inn, a traditional
pub that’s popular with walkers and dogs.
The spa, next to Stove, is also a huge
draw for guests and the perfect way of
whiling away a rainy afternoon.
USP: If you’re tired of seeing the same old
country houses, Brimstone is for you. The
rooms and suites are vast with private
balconies and combine chic, modern decor
(furnishings in every shade of grey, subtle
glitter, endless lighting options) with traditional
home comforts (warming log fires).Spa attraction
Feeling stressed?
Relax and unwind in style
Brimstone, Lake District