Luxury Escapes

We recently visited Launceston Farm in Blandford where we decided to explore the different elements that make a luxury escape. What should you look for? What should you avoid? After a great chat with Sarah, her daughter in law Catherine and a brief hellogoodbye with her farmer son Jimi, not only do we feel utterly overwhelmed by how amazing Launceston Farm is, but we could now almost class ourselves experts when it comes to choosing a luxury retreat! 

Their beautiful bed and breakfast, which has remained in the family since Sarah's grandfather owned the property and land years ago, has an amazing classy and stylish feel about it, that still hits the nail on the head perfectly when it comes to a farm/countryside stay. 

Owner Sarah highlighted a few things to us that she felt made Launceston luxurious and unique, and we agree;
- Family Run
- Strictly adults only!

- Emphasis on the great location.

- Excellent locally sourced food (from their HUGE working farm)

- Constant effort to ensure peace and tranquility for guests.

- Beautifully designed rooms that certainly have the 'wow factor' when it comes to beds, baths and artwork! 

- The little details - homemade biscuits in room, chalkboards for breakfast orders etc

- Gay friendly

- Large dining tables for banquet style dining at breakfast, dinner etc

- Personalised tours of the farm and local area

- Personal recommendations (Sarah makes lists of 'Top 5...' in the local area including places to go, places to eat, places to get coffee and cake etc!)

- A swimming pool (well, who can blame her)

- 'Real Life' farm experiences. Sarah described how a recent guest was and still is mesmerised after seeing a calf being born as he arrived. 

One of the main things that stood out to us, was the real focus on the farm and food. The farm supplies to various local supermarkets, and Sarah offers evening meals to guests on Mondays and Fridays. We were absolutely awestruck as Sarah began to explain the food available to guests, which includes her famous Goat Tagine, Andalusian Lamb and Rustic Casseroles. (one of her dishes is even featuring in the Waitrose Magazine soon so look out for it!).
From the beautiful roll top baths, outstanding furniture, gorgeous outside gardens, well-stocked honesty bar and beautiful countryside views, the whole experience just oozes luxury and tranquility. 

When Loving Dorset arrived at Launceston Farm, we became very aware very quickly that this was not going to be a place that we forgot in a hurry, and after being greeted so warmly by everybody there, we are already checking our diaries for our next free weekends....! 

For anyone looking to get away this summer to either explore the area or avoid Weymouth and Portland's Olympic Mayhem then this will certainly be a great place for a luxury retreat and with prices starting at £55 for single occupancy £80 for double occupancy, you can't NOT really....! Plus, if you visit over the next few months, you may even find a little potted conker plant in your room - a little souvenir from Sarah's home-grown conker tree to remind you of your stay! (how amazing is that!). 
For more information about Launceston Farm, visit their website, like them on their Facebook Page or follow them on Twitter! You won't be disappointed! Now lets enjoy a couple more images......

Escape, Unwind & Find Yourself at Middle Picadilly Holistic Spa Retreat

You can be forgiven if you have never heard of Middle Piccadilly Holistic Spa Retreat.  It’s not particularly well hidden and lots of people know and love it, including Loving Dorset, but Middle Piccadilly, like its owner and guiding hand Dominic Harvey, is understated and discreet. 

Located on the outskirts of Sherborne, Middle Piccadilly attracts guests from all over the world – many head down to Dorset from London and there is a loyal following of more local clients too.  I was introduced to Middle Piccadilly by a good friend a while ago but it was only when I actually visited the retreat recently that I really began to appreciate the tranquillity and the real opportunities offered there to reflect and ‘find yourself’.

Accommodating a maximum number of 9 guests at any one time the atmosphere is very informal and guests are made to feel instantly at home.  Dominic’s view is that only when people are completely relaxed can they truly unwind and be receptive to holistic treatments and rejuvenation.

Middle Piccadilly was originally the brainchild of Dominic’s mother – anecdotally her father was the first osteopath to practice in Harley street London.  Established in 1985 the retreat has evolved and is still evolving to meet the needs of guests looking to escape the stresses of everyday life for a while and re-charge their batteries.  

Radios and TV’s (with the exception of one room) are nonexistent and other electronic equipment is discouraged.  Food as you would imagine is organic, locally sourced and delicious. Celebrity guests over the years have included the likes of Lulu, Maureen Lipman and Terence Trent d’arby!

 A six sided stand alone wooden building on stilts in the grounds provides a tranquil location for yoga practice and meditation

Dominic explains his philosophy, “In order to meet the demands of stressful 21^st Century working life, it’s important to implement sustainable strategies to enable you to maintain a healthy lifestyle that will allow you to manage all the daily challenges at home and at work.”

Middle Piccadilly’s recipe for positive change, a renewed sense of self and an empowered outlook on life includes:

·          An inspiring list of transformative, potentially life changing and empowering healing  treatments for the body mind and spirit.

·          Therapists that work from a holistic perspective – considering all the aspects of your being in wholeness

·          A ‘home from home’ atmosphere to assist you to be your most comfortable

·          An opportunity to clear away anything in your life that doesn’t serve to benefit you

·         Mouth-watering ‘Feel Good’ vegetarian cuisine, the taste sensation that is Roaw Food and all our own freshly prepared recipes

·         Specific and tailored breaks with Detox, Raw or Retreat options.

      For more information visit their website or email Dominic E.dominic@middlepicadilly.com

The real meaning of the word Luxury!

Mention Summer Lodge to anyone who's visited and their eyes light up and a recommendation quickly follows.  I was lucky enough to be taken to dinner there one evening last winter so I can speak from first-hand experience.  The atmosphere, food, wine and service were all exceptional and definitely made it, for me, a Loving Dorset must have post.  With this in mind and being keen to see the hotel in the full light of day I called to ask for a show-round.  To cut a long story short, Kevin Reid, Director of Sales at Summer Lodge, very kindly met with me at Summer Lodge this week and gave me the full low down on what really is (and I hate the over use of ‘unique’) a unique venue!

Some might expect a venue like Summer Lodge to be extremely quiet on a damp spring afternoon but far from it.   Alive, pleasantly busy and a haven of peace, in equal measures, would be a more accurate description.  I saw several groups of people enjoying mouth-watering afternoon tea (which is served from 1.30pm), guests milling around and making the most of the hotel’s spa, relaxing beside the swimming pool.

Part of The Red Carnation Hotel Collection Summer Lodge has an excellent reputation and very comprehensive website but nothing compares with ‘seeing for yourself’!  Attention to detail, burning wood fires (because it’s a bit cool outside), sumptuous quintessential British country house decor with a quirky twist, fresh flowers and a warm and friendly atmosphere make for the perfect setting for any occasion.  I’m thinking weddings, anniversaries, christenings, private parties, corporate meetings, product launches and events - but it would lend itself to much more besides.

Summer Lodge oozes tradition and history but the team of people running it are forward thinking and on the ball.  Innovative packages include Adventures in Food where guests can rediscover the ancient art of foraging with acknowledged expert John Wright - star of TV show ‘River Cottage’. Here John introduces guests and diners to the joys of these fascinating food adventures and the hotels award-winning restaurant uses the produce collected during the day to create a sumptuous feast. 

The forages are free of charge to guests staying in the hotel on Friday or Saturday night as well as non-residents with Saturday night dinner reservations. The next event is a Seashore Forage on Saturday 19th May 2012 – definitely worth checking out. 

The Summer Lodge Wine Dinners are pretty exceptional too.  They have been established for some time and are held monthly.  For these evenings Chef Steven Titman teams up with Cellar Master Eric Zwiebel, recognised as one of the four best Sommeliers in the world, to create a series of extraordinarily enjoyable dining experiences.  The next date is 5^th June and presents wines from Yerling Station, Yarra Valley in Australia which looks sensational but I’ve got my eye on the 5 Sommeliers Black Tie Dinner on 19^th September! 

I have to say the thing that really impressed me the most was the relaxed and friendly atmosphere that greeted me throughout the hotel.  I didn’t feel intimidated for a second.   My experience was one of laid back luxury!  

It also boasts some impressive awards – recent wins include ... 

·         Dorset Restaurant of the Year - Taste of Dorset Awards 2011

·         Best British Cheese Board - The British Cheese Society Awards 2010

·         Sunday Times - Britain's Top 100 Restaurants 2010 - 2nd in the South West, 27th in the UK, Top 10 Best Wine Lists
Conde Nast Johansens 2010 Awards for Excellence - Most Excellent Service in the UK & Ireland

·         Recognised as Gold Standard Award Investors in People - the first company to gain this award on a worldwide basis.

Thank you Kevin – I really enjoyed my visit and will be back soon!  For further information please check out the website www.summerlodgehotel.co.uk

Aren't We Lucky?!

Hopefully, like us, you've had a chance to enjoy the beautiful weather we've had in Dorset these last few days! We wanted to share with you a couple of images taken of Chesil Beach Cove, on Portland.

Dorset at it's very best!

5 Star holiday Park - Yes, you did read that right!

The Dorset coast has it's fair share of Holiday Parks, and let's be honest, when we think about Holiday Parks, we do get an image of over crowded  Haven and Butlin-esque type parks with chlorine overdosed swimming pools. That's why at Loving Dorset, we were intrigued to come across Newlands Holiday Park in Charmouth, at 5 Star, it's Glamping at it's very best!

Perched on the Jurassic Coast just outside Lyme Regis, they're only half an hour from Weymouth, making it a bit of a find for anyone looking for a tranquil base, especially during the Olympics! (For visitors driving to the park, using the M5 will mean you stick to the Western side of the country, meaning you neatly avoid the manic traffic of people driving to both London and Weymouth over the period of the Games.)

We were impressed with the well thought out and extra special accommodation on offer there, with a choice of lodges, apartments and caravans - we particularly loved the lodges! The park itself also boasts loads of facilities including indoor and outdoor pools, bar and lounge and shops on-site for your bits and bobs!

So if you're not from Dorset but are taking a trip or are having family or friends visit - Newlands Holiday Park is definitely an option for people wanting a family break in the midst of the beautiful Dorset Countryside! They're offering some great rates for over the Olympic Period so do take a look at their website and get in early!