Another bank holiday is upon us but there is always something different about the last weekend of August: a frisson in the air that feels like a last hurrah before the leaves fall in earnest and we all go back to school or work and normal levels of productivity.
Whether you want to hunker down at a chic countryside pub or fancy saying goodbye to summer with nothing but a canopy of stars above your head, look no further.
Here are some of the best last-minute bank holiday getaways to make the most of that final precious Monday lie-in.
Be at one with nature
Glamping on the Godwick Estate, Norfolk
Get away from the bank holiday traffic and city stresses and head to the bucolic Godwick Estate. Imagine pitching up in a buttercup-strewn pasture in the rolling Norfolk countryside to be greeted by a new age stargazer bell tent. These spacious tents come with a super-king bed (no post-camping chiropractor appointment necessary), private toilets, stove, mini fridge, shower and a see-through roof so you can fall asleep under the stars. Nearby, you’ll find the market towns of Holt and Burnham Market, plus The Lost Village of Godwick, a recently restored medieval village.
Stargazer Hattie Bell Tentsstart from £260 for two nights, godwickhall.co.uk
Golden Oak Hideaway, Nottingham
Nestled in the green glades of Sherwood forest and surrounded by fragrant pines and imposing oak trees, you’ll feel like you’ve been dropped onto the set of the new Robin Hood reboot. Don’t let the rustic surroundings fool you, these treehouses come with a master double, ensuite bathrooms and complimentary dressing gowns. There’s even a log fire and a jacuzzi on the terrace, the perfect place to have a glass of mead as your evening nightcap.
From £915 for three nights, forestholidays.co.uk
Cosy pub getaways
The Double Red Duke, The Cotswolds
This newly refurbished 16th- century coaching inn in Clanfield looks like a cross between something from Alice in Wonderland and Soho House. Its wisteria-encrusted, stone exterior, stained glass windows and wood-panelled drawing room feels like you’ve been whisked back in time, but the jazzy wallpaper, crisp linens, brightly hued baths and cocktail bar bring it firmly back into the 21st century. Georgie and Sam Pearman, who co-founded the Country Creatures group, spent lockdown restoring and redesigning the inn from a tired pub to a boujis oasis aimed at city slickers craving an escape to the country without having to compromise on alternative milks for their coffee.
From £170 per night, countrycreatures.com
The George & Heart House, Margate
Owners Dan Williams and Kelly Love have transformed a crumbling old building into a beacon of creativity and eclectic charm. In the spirit of Margate’s Old Town — home of the Turner Contemporary and several independent galleries — each room has been designed by a different artist. From gold leaf four-poster beds to Tracy Emin (Margate’s most famous export) prints, a staycation here gets the creative juices flowing. Perhaps the biggest draw, though, is the food, with arguably Margate’s best Sunday roast on the menu and a mid-week residency by Pasta Slut.
From £115, georgeandheart.com
Beach escapes
The Scarlet, Mawgan Porth
This eco sanctuary on the rugged Cornish coast is home to one of the best spas in the West Country and some of the best sea views in all of the UK. With just 37 rooms, it’s the salty oasis to visit if you want to escape the crowds and indulge in a little pampering — and it’s adults only. Sea views and fresh air aside, the spa is the real reason to visit. Book in for a four-hour Ayurvedic consultation, which includes a personalised health plan based on the ancient Indian healing practice. After discovering whether you’re a Vata, Pitta or Kapha body type, wallow in one of the three outdoor baths with a cleansing tea or an equally cleansing gin and tonic.
From £560 per night, scarlethotel.co.uk
Pig on the Beach, Dorset
The Pig hotels have become something of a franchise in recent years, and for good reason: their novel take on eclectic luxury works. Arguably the jewel in the crown is the Pig on the Beach at Studland. Set in a rambling Victorian manor with sweeping views across the rugged coastline, a turn-of-the-century conservatory kitchen and a subdued sage green colour scheme, it’s a place ripe for an overactive imagination. Come for an aromatherapy massage or the delicious Poole Bay Ray Wing swimming in lashings of caper and parsley brown butter.
