The Getaway Guide
Quirky family-friendly accommodation for rural getaways in Rutland and Stamford
A Little Bit of Rough
Somewhere Very Secret (in Rutland!)
Sssh! We’re sworn to secrecy as to the exact location of A Little Bit of Rough, as its creators Nick and Sarah are keen to keep is a secret from anyone but its lucky guests, to whom exact details are disclosed upon booking. What we can tell you, though, is it’s set in 20 acres of private woodland, it was established in 2014 and it’s been featured on George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces and visited by Sandi Toksvig and Rosie Jones as part of their series Extraordinary Escapes. Four luxurious canvas lodges have solar power and log burners, whilst Rocket Lodge has been created from three reclaimed grain silos and four shepherds’ huts, connected by oak frames and glazing for a unique look as well as a comfortable stay. Other luxuries include pizza ovens, fire pits, wood-fired hot tubs and Rocket Lodge’s gorgeous copper bath with disco ball above.
Rocket Lodge £690/two nights, July. Canvas lodges £400/two nights, July.
See www.alittlebitofrough.co.uk.
In the Stix
Brook Farm, Greetham, Rutland
Comprising six geodesic domes, each sleeping six people, In The Stix was founded eight years ago by Alex Cowie & Darren Blackwell, and featured on Channel Four’s Four in a Bed back in 2020. The domes all have mezzanine levels as well as private bathrooms and wood-fired hot tubs. Guests have access to a field kitchen with barbecue and pizza oven, and for those who seeking al fresco dining, Smoke ‘n’ Stix is a new communal dining experience where guests gather around the wood-fired oven and BBQ area to enjoy rustic campfire cooking including pizzas and steaks. A welcome hamper includes Farmer Lou sausages and bacon, Hambleton Bakery granola, Two Chimps coffee and locally sourced eggs… everything you need for a jolly good breakfast!
Guide pride £400/two nights, Greetham.
For information see www.inthestix.co.uk.
The Hide at Manton Bay
Near Oakham, Rutland
Five Lotus Belle tents including Stargazer versions with views of the night sky, plus a Stamford Shepherd’s Hut structure, which is a shepherd’s hut crossed with a cabin. Lotus Belle tents nestle within the cider orchard, with tea and coffee making facilities plus a private bathroom for each tent. Each tent has electricity, plus a private garden too with decking area, hammock as well as fire pit/BBQ. Event space and BBQ/picnic area hire also available. Accommodation prices are from £140/night tents; £150/shepherd’s hut.
For more information see www.thehideatmantonbay.co.uk.
The Nest Glamping
Southorpe, Stamford
Cuckoo, Pinkfoot and Teal are three luxury lodges located near Southorpe, Stamford.Each Lodge sleeps six people in a king-size master bedroom, a kingsize cabin bed and a twin room. All lodges have views over the lake, plus comfortable bedrooms, private bathrooms and kitchens too. Pizza oven available to hire, as is an outdoor screen and projector plus firepit enabling guests to enjoy an open-air movie experience from under a cosy rug. Each lodge has its own wood-fired hot tub and spa treatments are also available in your lodge. The lake is also available for guests to use either for fishing or wild swimming. The Lodges are spaced out for privacy but are also close enough should you wish to take more than one for your stay.
Guide pride £990/four nights in July.
See www.thenestglamping.co.uk.
Sandalwood Escapes
Summer Holidays Made Easy
Craving a break from the daily grind but haven’t planned your much needed getaway yet? Fear not – we might be in June already, but it’s not too late to secure yourself a last-minute summer holiday! If the fabulous Stephen & Viv from the hit show Race Across the World have taught us anything, it’s that spontaneous travel can often lead to incredible and totally unexpected experiences! Planning a summer escape this late in the year might seem a little daunting, but with a little help from the professionals – you can remove all the stress and unlock, quite literally, a whole world of possibilities. No internet booking site can compare to the service of a great travel agent. They’ll help you navigate the landscape of late availability, recommend destinations you may not have considered (yet perfectly suit your travel style and budget) and can probably save you some money as well through their access to exclusive deals and offers. From arranging pre-flight accommodation at your preferred airport, recommending restaurants that can cater for your eldest child’s current obsession for sushi or ensuring the logistics run like clockwork on a complex, multi-destination itinerary – it’s that level of detail that elevates your entire experience and leaves you free to simply, enjoy! So, whether you dream of ditching the laptop for lounging by the pool with the family, closing shop to cruise the Med with your girlfriends, or taking some time off with your partner to travel the far east Stephen & Viv style (perhaps at a little more leisurely pace), now is the perfect time to start planning your summer adventures.
Call 01733 972377 or visit www.sandalwoodescapes.com.