British Travel Journal

Travel and relaxation merge together seamlessly during the quieter offseason months, enabling the perfect opportunity to embark on your own effortless journey, so why settle for one destination when you could discover an entire region? Our Cymru special shows you how to curate your own Wonder in Wales – an epic adventure through three spectacular counties spanning the country’s west coast (page 48) – before whetting your appetite further with our Gourmet Guide to Wales (page 60). If you prefer foraging for your food and blending your favourite tipples, then our Black Autumn Magic truffle-hunting experiences (page 34) and Kindred Spirits behind-the-scenes distillery tours (page 26) are idyllic reading. Our gastronomic theme continues with our Star Man, British chef Simon Rogan who chats to us about the importance of field-to-fork…

SOMERSET Roman Villa at The Newt It already has magnificent gardens, a deer park, and a wealth of on-site activities, from bee safaris to cider tasting. Now The Newt, one of Britain’s hottest hotels, has opened a palatial Roman villa on its estate, reimagined next door to the original villa ruins found there. Visit the superb interactive museum before wandering through Villa Ventorum, with working Roman baths and formal dining room with frescoes of The Three Graces and intricate mosaics on the floor. You can sample authentic Roman food outside but we recommend eating in one of the excellent hotel restaurants instead. Rooms with breakfast and activities from £495. ◆ thenewtinsomerset.com NEW FOREST Lime Wood It’s the ultimate treat for foodies – the chance to enjoy a private meal cooked…

LINCOLNSHIRE The Nest Still not convinced by glamping? Take a look at the egg-shaped baths in the three safari-style tents here and imagine yourself sipping a glass of bubbles as you gaze down at the lake. Each lodge sleeps up to six people, and while you’re technically under canvas, they come with all the creature comforts, including White Company linen on the beds, plenty of hot running water and a fully equipped kitchen. You can book inlodge spa treatments, too. Go fishing, boating or birdwatching, then cook an evening BBQ, toast marshmallows or soak in the wood-fired hot tub. From £750 for four nights. ◆ thenestglamping.co.uk DEVON The Boathouse, Sandridge Barton Enjoy a boozy break when you visit Sharpham Wine’s new home at Sandridge Barton and stay in this two-bedroom…

SUSSEX South Downs House This recently renovated 20th-century house comes with stunning South Downs views and sits on four acres of woodland and grounds. The seven beautifully furnished bedrooms with Crittall windows share six bathrooms. There’s space for everyone to sit down together as well as a modern kitchen for home-cooked extravaganzas, although caterers can also be arranged. A heated outdoor pool is available, as well as croquet, badminton and giant Jenga. Take a tour of the nearby Ridgeview Vineyard (two bottles of its sparkling wine are included in the welcome hamper). A week for 14 costs from £7,000, or £4,000 for a weekend. ◆ southdownshouse.co.uk NORTHUMBERLAND Brockmill Farmhouse Just a 35-minute walk from the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, this characterful family home comes with its own cinema room, games…

ESSEX AND HAMPSHIRE New stretches of England Coast Path Walkers can now make their way along an 85-mile route in Essex and a 52-mile route in Hampshire after two new paths were opened by Natural England. In Essex, the new stretch runs from Tilbury to Wallasea Island, via Southend-on-Sea, and takes in varied landscapes of salt marsh and vast grasslands. The Hampshire stretch – the first in the county – takes walkers along the Solent coast, with its unspoiled countryside, busy marinas, industrial heritage, historic castles and wildlife conservation sites, connecting the popular beach at Calshot Spit to the nautical town of Gosport, and then on to the busy city of Portsmouth. Once complete, the 2,700-mile-long England Coast Path, will be the longest, continuous coastal walking route in the world.…

Carole Bamford’s latest project, The Fox at Oddington, was destined to amass attention during its 16-month revamp – and just three weeks after opening, not only had all the most influential travel journalists been there already for the full tour of the Grade-II-listed property, but the locals are now turning out in their droves, visiting night after night – and the atmosphere is electric. I’m dining in the Saddle Room restaurant feeling decadent with a glass of Rouge de Léoube, about to take another mouthful of succulent Chateaubriand steak sourced from a local Wiltshire farm, Stokes Marsh, when I see a familiar face: Ewan Grant, General Manager from nearby sister hotel The Wild Rabbit in Kingham. He's lending a hand to the new team and we joke about the food…