Four of the best autumnal breaks in Britain
As the nights draw in, it’s time to enjoy countryside walks and evenings in by the fire. Chris Carter reports
A cosy spot by a loch
The 12-bedroom Pierhouse hotel, on the banks of Loch Linnhe in Argyll, is worth visiting for the seafood alone, says The Sunday Telegraph. Mussels and oysters are prepared in the restaurant in one of four ways – the buttery grilled version is a favourite – and the people who farmed them are celebrated on the menus. “Bedrooms are snug, decorated with maritime-themed artwork, and pretty blue and white flowers – a soothing place to hide away on rainy autumn nights.”
There are numerous beaches and walking routes located close to the hotel, “but our favourite spot was the hotel bar, sitting in an armchair, local whisky in hand, gazing out at the pier and its ferry boat”. The ferry makes frequent trips to the Inner Hebridean island of Lismore, which was once an important centre of Christianity and is now “the home of a small population, some hardy sheep and a couple of ruined castles”. From £125, pierhousehotel.co.uk
Getting snug in a pub in Wiltshire
Hunker down this autumn in a snug pub in Wiltshire, says Maria Shollenbarger in the Financial Times. Down at the edge of the Somerset border, just above the “gorgeous stretch of Cranborne Chase on the estate of the Duke of Somerset”, is a new take on the quintessential British village inn, the Bradley Hare in Maiden Bradley. Its interiors were executed by a former Soho House design director – think old antiques and vintage textiles repurposed as pretty headboards, mixing nicely with mid-20th-century paintings. “A proper (if city-polished) pub resides on the ground floor, complete with snug and private dining rooms… [with] a full gastro menu and impressive wine list.” The dozen bedrooms are spread out over the main building and adjacent coach house. There is also a private garden, and “even a cheeky little beauty parlour”. From £130, thebradleyhare.co.uk
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
A woodland retreat in Northumberland
“Fiery displays of autumn colour are provided by vibrant acers, and by the red squirrels foraging for winter stores” at the National Trust estate at Wallington in Northumberland, say Gemma Bowes and Lorna Parkes in The Guardian. Walkers on a “heritage tree trail” can explore the woodland that features “exotic conifers and other trees from around the world”, planted by the families that lived on the estate for 300 years. Nearby, the National Trust has a new holiday cottage, called Rothley Lakehouse, surrounded by woodland and wetlands. The property, which sleeps up to 13, overlooks the 250-year-old lake created by Capability Brown, a native of Northumberland. “Bats, badgers and otters frequent the shore.” Bikes can be rented to explore trails to nearby villages such as Wallington, or further afield to Blyth, quaint Morpeth, or to Rothbury for antiques. £1,625 for three nights in November, nationaltrust.org.uk
Communing with nature in Staffordshire
Be seduced by the fairy-tale beauty of the Tawny – 70 acres of gardens on the edge of the Staffordshire Moorlands, consisting of “lakes dotted with tumbledown follies… wayward borders and dappled woodlands”, says Susan d’Arcy in The Times. The custom-built shepherds’ huts are “Scandi-cute”. They have stargazing skylights, king-size beds, log-burners and decks with plenty of room for a stylish tin bath, filled with water filtered on site. As for the treehouses, they enjoy “the same slick styling and facilities, but with on-trend outdoor showers”. Or guests can opt to stay in one of the boat houses, which are “probably the most romantic, with interiors drenched in bolder colours and slipper baths positioned to make the most of the dreamy views through floor-to-ceiling windows”. On site, there’s a small outdoor heated pool and a “dinky thatched spa”. The focus, however, is on “communing with nature, so wander until you find the perfect spot to stop and read”. From £230, thetawny.co.uk
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Chris Carter spent three glorious years reading English literature on the beautiful Welsh coast at Aberystwyth University. Graduating in 2005, he left for the University of York to specialise in Renaissance literature for his MA, before returning to his native Twickenham, in southwest London. He joined a Richmond-based recruitment company, where he worked with several clients, including the Queen’s bank, Coutts, as well as the super luxury, Dorchester-owned Coworth Park country house hotel, near Ascot in Berkshire.
Then, in 2011, Chris joined MoneyWeek. Initially working as part of the website production team, Chris soon rose to the lofty heights of wealth editor, overseeing MoneyWeek’s Spending It lifestyle section. Chris travels the globe in pursuit of his work, soaking up the local culture and sampling the very finest in cuisine, hotels and resorts for the magazine’s discerning readership. He also enjoys writing his fortnightly page on collectables, delving into the fascinating world of auctions and art, classic cars, coins, watches, wine and whisky investing.
You can follow Chris on Instagram.
-
Skipton launches a retirement bond with monthly income – is it any good?
The building society has launched a new three-year fixed-rate bond for those aged 66 and over. Can it boost your retirement income?
By Katie Williams Published
-
Pensions: 140,000 pensioners to be hit by surprise tax demand
Tens of thousands of pensioners will be written to over the summer because their pensions have gone above the frozen income tax thresholds
By Chris Newlands Published
-
Review: The Bath Priory – a charming stay in an elegant city
MoneyWeek Travel Matthew Partridge visits the Roman ruins and takes the waters at The Bath Priory hotel’s luxurious spa
By Dr Matthew Partridge Published
-
Review: Four Seasons Seychelles – sustainable island luxury
MoneyWeek Travel Natasha Langan explores the Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island and the Four Seasons Resort Seychelles in the Indian Ocean archipelago
By Natasha Langan Published
-
Review: Windjammer Landing – unwind in stunning Saint Lucia
MoneyWeek Travel Windjammer Landing offers authentic dining and fabulous views over the beautiful Caribbean, says Chris Carter
By Chris Carter Published
-
Review: Grand Resort Bad Ragaz – indulging the mind, body and soul
MoneyWeek Travel Rejuvenation awaits at the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz in Switzerland
By Chris Carter Published
-
Review: Six Senses Vana – a retreat for body and soul
MoneyWeek Travel Flora Connell finds rest and spiritual rejuvenation at Six Senses Vana in India
By Flora Connell Published
-
Flight prices could rise due to aircraft shortages – is aerospace in trouble?
Aircraft shortages could push up flight prices as crisis hits the airline duopoly Boeing and Airbus. But, does that leave room for competition?
By Matthew Lynn Published
-
Review: Three magnificent Beachcomber resorts in Mauritius
MoneyWeek Travel Ruth Emery explores the Indian Ocean island from Beachcomber resorts Shandrani, Trou aux Biches and Paradis
By Ruth Emery Published
-
Review: Hôtel des Grands Voyageurs – a welcome arrival in Paris
MoneyWeek Travel The new Hôtel des Grands Voyageurs exudes timeless elegance from the golden age of travel, says Matthew Partridge
By Dr Matthew Partridge Published