THE GETAWAY GUIDE Holidays

The Getaway Guide

FOR A HOLIDAY CLOSE TO HOME

Rutland has a blossoming ‘staycation’ market for those seeking to enjoy a holiday here, rather than venturing abroad. With many holidaymakers cautious about booking a break overseas amid Covid-19 fears, UK tourism is set to enjoy a bumper year, and many folk from Rutland and Stamford are choosing to reunite with friends and family in quirky al fresco accommodation with fresh air and rustic luxury!

>> Many more people than you might think, who live in Rutland, also choose to holiday here too! The UK is enjoying a staycation boost, and a large number of visitors to these local glamping sites come from right here in the county... Rutland, it seems, is so great that even locals choose to holiday here, proving the appeal of England’s smallest county!

n In The Stix, Greetham: Look familiar? It may well do, because In The Stix – the Rutland glamping site based at Greetham – featured on Channel Four’s Four In A Bed... and even the usually hypercritical participants in the show struggled to criticise the quirky comfort of Alex Cowie and Darren Blackwell’s unique domes with their log burners, hot tubs and Chesterfields. There are now six domes on the site, each sleeping six people, plus a field kitchen for barbecues, fresh pizzas... and of course that all-important morning fry-up. “Guests come from all over but actually we have a number of visitors who live in Oakham or Stamford. They like the idea of getting away and spending time with family & friends but without travelling too far!” Bookings are filling up for late summer and for 2022... so if you’re planning to book, be quick!

Guide Price: From £550/low season, three night minimum stay, midweek discounts. Call 07958 378971 or see inthestix.co.uk.

n Lantern & Larks, Exton Park: Located on the 500 hectare Exton Estate near Fort Henry. These safari tents are semipermanent with three-bedrooms and front terraces, plus bathrooms with WCs and gas-powered showers. Luxury under canvas! Some dates available from June & July... but these are filling up fast, so make haste!

Guide Prices: £300/two nights. Call 01638 563478 or check dates online at www.lanternandlarks.co.uk.

n Rutland Retreats, Exton: Adjacent to Barnsdale Lodge Hotel, these permanent lodges are beautifully appointed with French doors, two or three bedrooms with en suite bathrooms and brand new kitchens. There are 14 lodges available to rent, plus a waiting list for those keen to purchase one as a investment property. Summer availability is limited but some dates so still remain for June, July & August breaks. Both seven day and weekend stays are available and dogs are welcome.

Top: Rutland Retreats opposite Barnsdale Lodge. Above: A Little Bit of Rough’s canvas lodges near Uppingham all have features like verandahs, wood-fired hot tubs, hammocks and even roll-top baths overlooking the Rutland countryside! Circle: In The Stix provides cosy domes surrounded by wildflowers.

n A Little Bit of Rough: A little bit of roughing it, surrounded by a lot of quirky luxury! These are four canvas lodges owned by Sarah Jackson near the town of Uppingham. “We even attract visitors who live in either Uppingham and Oakham, or Stamford. They don’t travel far to stay here but actually that’s part of the appeal. We’ve had lots of enquiries from people reuniting with family and friends seeking somewhere local, quirky and fun for their reunions!” Intriguingly, Sarah keeps the exact location of the site secret, which adds to the charm. Once you arrive though, you’ll find woodfired hot tubs and pizza ovens, hammocks galore and even roll-top baths for an ‘under the stars’ bathing experience. There are ‘proper’ bathrooms, fairy lights, and outdoor firepits where guests can sit on adjacent logs to tell ghost stories or sing songs together over a bottle of wine. Comfy beds have lots of chunky throws and pillows... it’s all ridiculously stylish and comfy! “We’re seeing significantly increased demand at this stage in the season, with guests keen to secure their preferred dates. We enjoy really high demand during more normal times and have had record bookings year on year. Happily though, we still have some availability for both 2021 and 2022, although dates are booking up quickly.” “With a further relaxation of restrictions, enquiries have increased, along with bookings, but for now you can still stay here this summer, and we’re confident you’ll have a great time in the Rutland countryside when you do so!

Guide Prices: £645/four nights to £1,350/seven days. Call 07591 736739 or see www.alittlebitofrough.co.uk. >>

This Page: Lanterns & Larks (children); A Little Bit of Rough (bathtubs), A Little Bit of Rough (bathroom), In The Stix (living area) and A Little Bit of Rough (dining area).

n Spirit of Freedom: “Everyone should be able to enjoy this!” said Adam Brookes. His usual job in the hospitality industry was temporarily paused amid Covid, so instead he used the time to convert his van into a motorhome. The opportunity arose to work on a friend’s Wiltshire farm and Adam took the van down there.

“I opened the door in the morning, looked out at the scenery and thought ‘this is fantastic, everyone should be able to enjoy this!’” It was the eureka moment which led him to launch Spirit of Freedom, which now has three motorhomes and three VW vans for hire. Pride of the fleet are Meg and Rosie, both around seven metres long, and both with automatic gearboxes, reverse cameras, air conditioning and power steering... they’ll manage 46 to the gallon and are, says Adam, a cinch to drive; “You acclimatise to the driving experience within just five minutes!” But driving, of course, isn’t the point. Meg and Rosie will sleep six people, with a king-size bed in a rear U-shaped banquette, plus a small double up front and an electric drop-down bed towards the dinette. There’s also a full-size shower room and a separate WC, plus hot water and good water pressure. The galley also features a fridge, freezer, hob, oven and sink. “You can collect a vehicle from us or we’ll drop it off,” says Adam. “And we’re providing Covid-safe handovers. We usually hire them for seven day trips although subject to availability we have long-weekend breaks too.” “We wave off our customers as they head for an adventure... to the Yorkshire Dales, to the Peak District, to The Lakes or to Cornwall. You can stop wherever you want to admire the view, and there’s no unpacking when you arrive. The freedom of the open road, the ease of use and luxury of a high-end motorhome... people love it! It’s a total adventure, and one we want to make it easy for people everywhere to experience!”

Guide Prices: Meg and Rosie can be hired from Adam’s company, Spirit of Freedom, from £120/night, with bookings usually taken for a seven day trip. There is availability for all six vehicles this summer in June, July, August and September, pick-up your hire vehicle from A1/A47 interchange. Call 01780 769576 or see www.spiritoffreedom.co.uk.

An great investment in a luxury lifestyle...

A great place to enjoy a weekend break. A place your family can visit. And somewhere with good rental potential too!

It’s a huge success story. The community of Stamford’s Tallington Lakes now comprises around 400 lodges and has a population of about 700. Key to the success of the site is the luxurious, comfortable and beautifully sited lodges which Mark Shrosbree and his team offer to visitors.

“They’re available from around £100,000 and are popular because owners can downsize from large properties to free up capital, or purchase one to keep a foothold in the area after they’ve moved elsewhere, or use them as a place for family and friends to stay in when they visit. They also have great potential in the holiday rental market.” “We have two and three bedroom lodges, and they feature en suite bathrooms, dishwashers, and fully equipped kitchens.” “They’re ready furnished, so all you need to do is bring your suitcase, put your feet up and enjoy the view!”

n Find Out More: The Good Life Lodge Company provides spacious, modern, solid and light lakeside properties at Tallington Lakes (Stamford PE9 4RJ) with prices from £100,000. For a free no obligation tour and more information call Mark Shrosbree, 01778 381144 or see www.goodlifelodge.com.

ENJOYING RUTLAND & STAMFORD

n Limestone & Locals: Alright now... be honest! You’re familiar with Burghley House, of course, but when was the last time you enjoyed a tour around the Elizabethan stately home? It’s easy to overlook the attractions we have on our doorstep. But re-visiting Stamford’s most famous landmark this summer is an absolute essential. Elsewhere? Stamford Art Centre and the town’s Corn Exchange will both have an unsurpassed programme of events when they reopen. The performing arts have been especially badly effected by Covid, so once we’re able to go out and about again, keep an eye on our What’s On guides each month, and make a point of laughing, crying, singing along and being awed by the drama, dance, music and other events being held this summer. n Oakham of Old: A visit to Rutland would not be complete without enjoying sometime in the pretty county town of Oakham. If you like to shop, you will love the boutiques, art galleries and artisan jewellers. If you like history, follow the Oakham Heritage Trail and discover the hidden gems around town, starting at the excellent Rutland County Museum, it takes you to many historical buildings including Oakham Castle. n Uppingham for Art & Antiques: This quintessentially English market town has kept its old traditions and traders; the majority of Uppingham shops are still family run and provide a high level of personal service. You can find these on High Street and Market Place – but there are lots of unique retailers hidden away along ancient alleyways. Uppingham is renowned for its excellent range of antiques stores, fine art galleries and book shops, so you can pick up a piece of history, or marvel at the million pound masterpieces. n You can’t miss Rutland Water! Rutland Water lies at the very heart of the county of Rutland and is as spectacular in beauty as it is in size. Set in 4,200 acres of open countryside makes it the largest man-made reservoir in Europe and an amazing spot for every type of water sport. Grab your wetsuits and test yourself on the AquaPark inflatable assault course, or if you don’t fancy getting wet, head aboard the Rutland Belle at Whitwell to take a leisure cruise across to the iconic Normanton Church. See www.discover-rutland.co.uk.

1. Dining or Drinking in Rutland & Stamford

From your local pub to the finest restaurants, your visit will support hospitality this summer!

RUTLAND & STAMFORD are teeming with great places to celebrate the summer. The George of Stamford (01780 750750) and Hambleton Hall (01572 756991) have, respectively, a courtyard and terrace which provide sublime outdoor dining in conjunction with exceptional menus. Something a little less formal? The Olive Branch at Clipsham (01780 410355) and Chubby Castor (01733 380801) balance great food with a relaxed pub setting, as does The Crown at Uppingham (01572 822302). Two additional options for outdoor dining are The Finch’s Arms (01572 756575) on the peninsular of Rutland Water and its Oakham-based sister venue, The Admiral Hornblower (01572 723004). Meanwhile, Ufford’s White Hart (01780 740250) and Wing’s King’s Arms (01572 737634) both provide great quality pub restaurant dining in the area too. Orbis Oakham and Stamford, plus the sister restaurant of Hoppi Dorri in Stamford are also great choices for international dining... see later in this edition! If you’ve relatives or friends keen to see you after a year of lockdown, they should treat themselves to one of the area’s best hotel restaurants both with great accommodation. Our recommendations are Barnsdale Lodge in Exton (01572 724678) and Stamford’s William Cecil (01780 750070). Exploring the area is thirsty work, so fans of real ale would do well to head towards Grainstore Brewery’s tap in Oakham where you can enjoy over 25 years of brewing experience (01572 770065). Alternatively, if you’re more inclined to enjoy a glass of wine, later in this edition we visit the Hanwell Wine Estate... a guided tour with tasting? In the sunshine? With friends? We’ll drink to that! n

Image: Nick @ Red & Round

2. Retail Therapy

A great day out for those keen to shop!

3. Out & About

Events and activities in Rutland & Stamford...

4. Live Summer Events

Music, drama and the best local produce...

ONLINE SHOPPING? Rubbish. Between missing those deliveries, and not being able to try on potential purchases, there’s very little joy to be found on websites. On those days you’d like to venture out for a day of retail therapy but have no specific destination in mind, we present to you the suggestion of Belvoir Castle’s Engine Yard (01476 247059). The £2.5m redevelopment of the area – opposite the Vale’s 450ft Grade I listed castle – featured over 20 retail units; clothing, jewellery, homeware... there’s a super little garden centre too, plus delis and chocolatiers. For lunch? The great Balloon Bar gin bar and Engine Yard café. And you don’t have to be a gardener to enjoy Gates Garden Centre (01664 54309). Extended – again – there’s now even more to enjoy; gifts, homeware, outdoor furniture and a brilliant farm shop, too. n RUTLAND BY THE SEA? Yes, thanks to Anglian Water, which has created a 140m sandy shoreline and 2,800m2 of coastline. Enjoy a day at the seaside – sort of – just remember a sun hat, a deckchair and a bucket and spade (anglianwaterparks.co.uk)! Also at Rutland Water, AquaPark returns for 2021, with hour-long sessions on the reservoir-based inflatable obstacles, available from £20 (aquaparkgroup.co.uk). And of course, there’s always the option to enjoy one of several cycle routes around Rutland, with bike hire available at both Whitwell & Normanton (rutlandcycling.com). Hire a tandem (£39.99) to enjoy a ‘bicycle made for two,’ or perhaps opt for an electric bike with added power assistance for the steep bits (£34.99)! n It’s back! The glorious Battle Proms at Burghley returns on 10th July. Fireworks, a Spitfire celebration, cavalry displays and of course, a stirring programme of classical music performed against the backdrop of Burghley House (www.battleproms.com). Entertainment for the warm summer nights? We’ll wholeheartedly recommend attending a performance by the Stamford Shakespeare Company, which is this year performing Love’s Labours Lost, The Importance of Being Earnest and Humble Boy – the latter an homage to Hamlet with a contemporary mise en scène (www.stamfordshakespeare.co.uk). And finally, there might not be a county show this year, but the Showground will be hosting the Rutland Food & Farming Festival on Sunday 11th July. Traders, agricultural businesses, crafters, local food and drink producers and community projects (www.discover-rutland.co.uk). n

Maafushivaru, Maldives.

Travel Trends for a Post Pandemic Getaway with MORE TRAVEL

The travel industry has been sent into disarray by Covid-19, but speaking with independent experts like the team at Stamford’s More Travel can help identify the opportunities and the trends that have resulted...

Nerves are shot, the population is weary and it’s been a long, cold, lonely winter. In short, one of the legacies of Covid-19 is a sense of exhaustion and the desire to enjoy a holiday. Whilst the travel industry has experienced much uncertainty, the unique circumstances that have ensued as a result of the virus still provide just as many opportunities as reasons to be cautious... assuming, of course, you have an independent travel expert who can guide you through the unique and unprecedented trading conditions in the travel market right now. That’s where Helen Dooley and the team at Stamford’s More Travel come in... So what are their travel tips for those seeking a Summer 2021 getaway? >>

1. Travel to Israel

Vaccination success yields travel boom...

Relatively new to More Travel’s clients’ wishlists is Israel, whose effective programme of vaccination has led to increased confidence in it as a destination. From a destination once the preserve of the kibbutz-loving free of spirit, it now provides beach chic on its Red Sea Coastline (e.g.: Eliat), as well as offering destinations like Tel Aviv – dubbed ‘the capital of cool,’ by the New York Times. The city offers a palm-fringed Mediterranean coastline and is also just 30mins from Jerusalem, which is rich in history & culture. Year-round balmy temperatures (25°c-40°c) are a bonus for a break, e.g.: in September. n Flights, 5-star hotel in Tel Aviv (4 nights) plus three nights in Jerusalem £3,500/guide, two adults.

Scarlet Lady, Virgin Voyages’s new flagship. Tel Aviv.

A Treehouse at the Fish Hotel, Cotswolds. Olivar Suites, Corfu.

2. Enjoy The Maldives

Something for everyone; a slice of paradise!

The Maldives have always been a favourite of our clients, but they’re usually eschewed during high summer in favour of destinations closer to home. This year the perceived safety from Covid of an island makes the pearl of islands in the Indian Ocean even more desirable. Enjoy your very own desert island with powdery beaches, turquoise waters and a luxurious water villa. We’re really not exaggerating when we say there is something for everyone and I think this year more than ever we all need a little slice of paradise to look forward to! n Maafushivaru, seven nights 1st August, for a family of four (two adults and two children), in a duplex pool villa with half-board £8,270.

3. New Beginnings

Hotel developers have been hard at work...

Lots of new hotels have been developed during the pandemic, from Goodtime in Miami to Six Senses Shaharut in Israel and Kisawa, Mozambique. A real treat, though, is Olivar Suites, Corfu, a small-ish five-star hotel offering contemporary luxury. n

4. Staycation Success

UK travel industry benefits post-Covid...

Cornwall, The Lakes, The Cotswolds... some have been cautious about pursuing international travel plans, so the prognosis looks good for UK travel destinations like The Fish Hotel in the Cotswolds (£194/night). Nearby Broadway offers great cafés and boutiques. n

5. Virgin Voyages

Launch of a brand new cruise experience...

Virgin’s brand new cruise experience had a very expensive launch party for press and travel industry VIPs (More Travel was there!). But its Scarlet Lady cruise ship was unable to sail because Covid scuppered plans for maiden voyages. Happily, taster cruises begin this year from £466/person for this experience, which markets itself as a ‘young and cool,’ cruise experience. n

Helen Dooley and her team are based at More Travel on St Mary’ s Street, Stamford PE9 2DF. The team creates completely bespoke travel experiences, accountable for every element of your travel, with expert advice. Call 01780 433333 or see www.more-travel.co.uk. Please note prices quotes are estimates and may vary.