B R I T I S H T RAVEL JOURNAL AUTUMN/WINTER 2022 | ISSUE 13 BRITISHTRAVELJOURNAL.COM WONDER sINp WeAciLEaS l 12-PAGE £6.75 + TRAVEL NEWS | WILDLIFE | INTERVIEWS | HOTELS | LUXURY BREAKS WINTER ON TRESCO Time to be immersed in the wilds of an island winter. In the occasional storm and its seaspray slinging drama. In the wonder of a subtropical garden blooming in the midst of a British winter. In the cosy heart of the island at our newly-refurbished island inn. TRESCO.CO.UK/WINTER Tresco: 28 miles off the Cornish coast. Somewhere else altogether. CONTRIBUTIONS Welcome BRITISH TRAVEL JOURNAL E D I TO R ’ S L E T T E R — BritishTravelJournal.com T ravel and relaxation merge together EDITORS seamlessly during the quieter off- EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jessica Way season months, enabling the perfect FEATURES EDITOR Samantha Rutherford opportunity to embark on your CHIEF SUB-EDITOR Angela Harding own effortless journey, so why settle for one HEAD OF DIGITAL Adrian Wilkinson destination when you could discover an entire region? Our Cymru special shows you how to curate CONTRIBUTORS your own Wonder in Wales – an epic adventure through three Chantal Haines, Tonwen Jones, Jane Knight, spectacular counties spanning the country’s west coast (page Karyn Noble, Natalie Paris, Charlotte Varela, 48) – before whetting your appetite further with our Gourmet Karolina Wiercigroch 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 COVER PHOTO 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 dining and the success behind his flagship restaurant L’Enclume, which has just celebrated its 20th anniversary year and been awarded its third Michelin star (page 42). Discover our natural world, enjoying picturesque walks and beautiful gardens, from a luxurious subtropical Valley of Paradise in a hidden corner of Cornwall (page 70) to Wildlife Walks, spotting water voles, butterflies and four-spotted chasers (page 64). However you choose to spend your time, I hope this issue inspires your sense of adventure and ignites your passion to Grove of Narberth, Pembrokeshire delve deeper – and you enjoy a season of intrepid trips filled with © Image Editor's own incredible moments. Thank you for all your support of British Travel Journal this year – we love hearing from you, so please don’t forget to share or tag your best travel pictures with us. CONTISTA MEDIA Jessica x Unit 6, Basepoint, Andersons Road, Southampton, SO14 5FE 01489 660680 contistamedia.co.uk JESSICA WAY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF – All rights reserved by Contista Media Ltd. Copyright is either owned by or licenced to Contista Media Ltd, or permitted by the original copyright holder. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is strictly prohibited. While every care is taken prices and details are subject to change and Contista Media Ltd @BritishTravelJournal @BritishTravelJournal @BTravelJournal take no responsibility for omissions or errors. Views expressed by authors are not necessarily those of the publisher. BritishTravelJournal.com 3 A LUXURIOUS SEVEN BEDROOM SELF-CATERING HAVEN IN SUSSEX w w w. s o u t h d o w n s h o u s e . c o . u k CONTENTS AUTUMN/WINTER 2022 | ISSUE 13 09 48 80 FEATURES 24 UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT: THE FOX AT JOTTINGS ODDINGTON 09 TRAVEL NEWS Editor Jessica Way reviews popular Cotswolds hotel, The Fox at This edition’s enticing autumn and winter escapes cater to Oddington, which has been revamped for maximum indulgence, all tastes, from a palatial Roman villa at The Newt in Somerset to from the ‘foxylicious’ food to the artistic interiors and private a self-catering bus turned miniature home with Swedish hot tub, or drinking dens. take to the skies with next-level treehouses in The Lakes District. 26 KINDRED SPIRITS 80 TOP TEN AUTUMN BREAKS This is our pick of the must-visit distilleries that you should Enjoy the seasonal autumnal beauty in our curated explore on your next road trip (perhaps with a driver!). selection of luxury experiences; whether you prefer wild foraging in Abergavenny or apple-pressing and glamping in Cornwall, we 34 BLACK AUTUMN MAGIC have hot tips for all corners of Britain. We uncover the renaissance of English truffles, with expeditions in Sussex, Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire revealing 88 CAMPERVAN ROAD TRIPS the prized nuggets that grace some of the best restaurants in the Why bother with airport queues when you can hit the country. road in style. We test-drive some of the best British road trips in Yescapa campervans. 48 WONDER IN WALES Join us on the newly launched Celtic Routes journey 98 FOR YOUR JOURNEY through West Wales, an adventure that winds through scenic Unwind with our cosy autumnal book recommendations or Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, dotted with sharpen the mind with a crossword challenge. natural wonders and historic landmarks. A LUXURIOUS SEVEN BEDROOM SELF-CATERING HAVEN IN SUSSEX BritishTravelJournal.com 5 Subscription Offer Subscribe to three issues of British Travel Journal for just £19 and receive the ultimate 60 YOUR GOURMET GUIDE TO getaway essential from Noble Isle worth WALES over £20, while stocks last. With a Welsh restaurant nominated as the britishtraveljournal.com/subscribe UK’s best and the World Cheese Awards being hosted in Wales in 2022, now is the time to discover this underrated country’s gourmet delights. 64 WILDLIFE WALKS If you’ve wondered where to see wild orchids while wandering in Britain, or the perfect spot to admire peregrine falcons and other natural phenomena, this article from Wildlife Walks author Charlotte Varella will open your eyes. 70 THE VALLEY OF PARADISE E D I T O R L O V E S We take a trip to Cornwall to review the recently refurbished Hotel Meudon, an idyllic The heatwave season might be over escape with its own private beach, high-class but that doesn’t mean our outdoor fun dining, and nine acres of exquisite gardens – should stop. Beach days, dog walks INTERVIEWS it’s dog-friendly too. 42 and wild swims should be activities SIMON ROGAN 94 we enjoy all the year round – and AN EXTRAVAGANT Celebrating the 20th anniversary of his thanks to these thermally lined stylish REFURBISHMENT three-Michelin-starred restaurant L’Enclume weatherproof boiler suits they can The £16-million refurbishment of Leeds’ in the Lake District, chef Simon Rogan is a be, and with effortless style. Say hello historic site The Queen’s Hotel is a good pioneer of field-to-fork dining and a long-time to the brand new Wylding suit; the excuse to learn more about its glamorous champion of sustainability. He chats to us heyday and new must-dine destination, the about his ambitions and his spectacular local perfect new fashion statement must- Grand Pacific restaurant. ingredients. have for camping, paddleboarding, sailing, festivals and more! priced £160 wylding.co.uk Not only do these fragrances smell wonderful, they come as a gorgeous mini-travel collection of 6ml spritzing bottles. Perfect for people who like to wear perfume when they travel. Priced, three for £80, or six for £150 42 matiere-premiere.com/en/fragrance/ 6 BritishTravelJournal.com This is Refreshing. For epic holidays all year round. This is Wales. Freshwater West, Pembrokeshire visitwales.com a profound journey of rediscovery along the rivers of britain ‘A knockout.’ Melissa Harrison ‘Quietly courageous.’ Patrick Barkham available now learn more STYLISH RETREATS IN THE UK’S HOTTEST LOCATIONS From raising the flag on your own private island to watching the stars boutique-retreats.co.uk over the sea from your hot tub, Boutique Retreats specialise in unique, stylish properties that celebrate their surroundings whilst embracing +44 (0)1872 553 491 luxurious living. We know how good getaways should be. [email protected] latest TRAVEL NEWS As the nights draw in, be sure you have a late summer or autumnal escape to look forward to. Here we provide some inspiration Text by Jane Knight HOTEL NEWS SELF-CATERING EXCLUSIVE USE ATTRACTIONS AND GLAMPING AND EVENTS from page 10 from page 16 from page 20 from page 22 Pictured from top Olea, p18; Roman Villa, p10; The Balcony Studio, p17; Hillside Hangouts, p21; Kinetic Glasshouse at Woolbeding Gardens, p23 Hotel News 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 by Lime Wood’s Angela Hartnett and Luke Holder. Using produce from artisan suppliers that aren’t big enough to cater for usual hotel quantities, the duo will chat to guests seated at a kitchen table as they cook. It costs £3,000 for ten people. ◆ limewoodhotel.co.uk LEICESTER Hotel Brooklyn The clue’s in the name: this Leicester-based hotel adjacent to the Tigers’ rugby stadium could be straight out of New York's Brooklyn borough, just like its sister property in Manchester. The 191 rooms are done out in a dark palette, while the in-room service menu includes pillow fights. From £90, B&B. ◆ hotelbrooklyn.co.uk 10 BritishTravelJournal.com