Summer is in full swing and as warm weather inspiration we have a bit of everything this month – from camping out in churches to wild swimming and saunas by the river, romantic escapes in Wales and the most luxurious UK cabin stays. Great deals too on luxury yurts!
Champing
Have you heard of Champing? It's like Glamping but, er, in a church. As everyone knows, there's a lot of beautiful churches around the country without a congregation or much of a purpose. Many of these have been decommissioned and are now part of the Churches Conservation Trust, and the good news is that around 30 are now available for overnight stays, providing a comfortable, affordable and extremely atmospheric place to spend the night, often in a lovely rural location – and you get the whole place to yourself! Camp beds and basic kitchen equipment are provided, the churches are decorated with lanterns, candles and fairy lights, and the small amount you pay goes to the upkeep of the church. So by supporting Champing, you’re also helping to preserve these ancient spaces for the future.
Swimming, Saunas... and the Best Riverside Camping
I was in Finland recently where I enjoyed a sauna and the questionable pleasure of jumping into the truly freezing Baltic Sea afterwards. It was exhilarating, so I decided to try something similar, in Suffolk, following the late Roger Deakin for a dip at Outney Meadow near Bungay and a trip to the nearby Three Rivers campsite, where their Scandinavian wood-fired sauna is perfect for warming up again before another swim. For me, Three Rivers is the ultimate riverside campsite, with boutique rooms for the non-campers and paddle boards and canoes for hire, so you can paddle to the fabulous and legendary Locks Inn. I can't honestly think of a better place to spend the UK's next heat wave.
UK Lodge Breaks
If staying in a church doesn't appeal, then why not consider a cosy cabin in the woods, or a chalet overlooking a lake? UK Lodge Breaks have selected some of the best cabin and lodge breaks in the UK in one collection and we're featuring the best of them on the Cool Places site – proof that it's possible to stay in the utmost comfort while still getting that little bit closer to nature, whether you are opt for a cosy shepherds hut, a log cabin or a fancy wooden super-lodge.
The Welsh Gatehouse
If you're looking for a place to pop the question, this place is fit for a prince and princess – a turreted, 13th-century mini-castle that's as romantic as it is historic, and has just won an award for Monmouthshire's best historic accommodation. As they say, it's no ordinary holiday let, and is certainly a dramatic place to stay, but don't let its medieval credentials fool you – it's kitted out handsomely for the modern world, with a mezzanine floor bedroom, state-of-the-art kitchen facilities, a wet room, even an EV charging point.
Cool Place of the Month
I haven't been yet, but I'm looking forward to visiting the various cabins and treehouses of The Fold, built on the family farm deep in the heart of Herefordshire. It's a wildlife haven and also as eco-friendly as it gets, with solar panels, water supplied from boreholes and a series of secluded and luxurious places to stay amid tranquil woodlands. And its Scandi Cabin also has a sauna – I can't wait!
Hot Deal of the Month
It's glamping season and there's no better place to do it than the cheekily named Glamp and Tipple, a high-end glamping in South Norfolk that's a bit like an outdoor hotel, with guests wandering between their hot tub and cosy yurt while sipping champagne and listening to the sound of birdsong rather than lift muzak. If that sounds appealing, you should know that until October you can enjoy 15% off weekdays bookings of 2 nights, or 20% off all bookings of 3 nights or more. What are you waiting for?
