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Wild Escapes
Forty amazing British escapes where you can get away from it all and reconnect with nature.
These unforgettable locations in Britain’s wild corners range from lighthouses to cottages, from bothies to boats. Although they’re the stuff of dreams, they’re affordable and reachable in reality, and the book gives you invaluable information about the surrounding area, including walks and wildlife. The book is beautifully photographed throughout and even just reading it is an escape in itself.
These unforgettable locations in Britain’s wild corners range from lighthouses to cottages, from bothies to boats. Although they’re the stuff of dreams, they’re affordable and reachable in reality, and the book gives you invaluable information about the surrounding area, including walks and wildlife. The book is beautifully photographed throughout and even just reading it is an escape in itself.
- GenresNonfictionNature
176 pages, Hardcover
Published August 22, 2023
2 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 19, 2023
I actually finished this a few days ago, and I only just remembered that now. This is a beautiful coffee table type book, that one can return to whenever they wish to escape to a wild and unique place. The beautiful photographs are enough to make one's mouth water, and I have already noted a few down to make some enquiries about.
I bought this book from Wightwick Manor a few weeks ago, after seeing it advertised on a website, and I'm so very glad I did! The book is divided into sections: Coast, Meadows, Water, Woodland and moors. There were stunning properties to escape to in each of these sections, but obviously being a forest bather and barefoot walker, the woodland section spoke to me the most.
My favourite escape was a cave dwelling property called 'Rockhouse Retreat' located in Worcestershire, and accomodations two people, probably for a romantic break away from it all. What excites me about this place is the cliffs surrounding it are 250 million years old, and were said to inspire Tolkien when he dreamed up The Hobbit. How amazing is that?
The author includes some vital information about places of interest in the area, how suitable the terrain is for walks, and local amenities nearby, which I think is helpful on making a decision on where to travel. For me though, it was the photography that blew me away, so incredible, and it's enough to make me want to visit all of them.
I bought this book from Wightwick Manor a few weeks ago, after seeing it advertised on a website, and I'm so very glad I did! The book is divided into sections: Coast, Meadows, Water, Woodland and moors. There were stunning properties to escape to in each of these sections, but obviously being a forest bather and barefoot walker, the woodland section spoke to me the most.
My favourite escape was a cave dwelling property called 'Rockhouse Retreat' located in Worcestershire, and accomodations two people, probably for a romantic break away from it all. What excites me about this place is the cliffs surrounding it are 250 million years old, and were said to inspire Tolkien when he dreamed up The Hobbit. How amazing is that?
The author includes some vital information about places of interest in the area, how suitable the terrain is for walks, and local amenities nearby, which I think is helpful on making a decision on where to travel. For me though, it was the photography that blew me away, so incredible, and it's enough to make me want to visit all of them.
January 11, 2024
This book succeeds at sharing inspiration for holidays to tucked-away corners of Britain. The text is evocative, always managing to suggest cozy retreats and time to reconnect with nature. But by and large it feels mostly like an exercise in marketing, with the goal of encouraging people to book these specific properties or camp sites. It's okay as a form of armchair traveling, but it does feel mainly targeted towards potential customers of any of these properties. I will say they are carefully curated and all fairly interesting; it's just that the tone doesn't quite manage to escape a commercial feel.
Thanks to Netgalley and Collins Reference for this digital review copy.
Thanks to Netgalley and Collins Reference for this digital review copy.
April 13, 2023
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me access to this pre-release.
The book highlights some of the of the more ‘wild’ places to stay across the UK, including - as you would expect from a National Trust book - plenty of National Trust properties.
The book is split in to 5 sections - Coast, Meadows, Water, Woodland, Moors - grouping properties by their surroundings. Each section begins with a page about the type of terrain, and some factors about the environment and damage that is being done - e.g. Microplastics in the ocean, Trees storing carbon, There is a low level map in the front of the book, however I would have found it useful to have a male on each property page showing its location and local terrain/attractions.
For the title page of each property, the author has included some key points - such as perfect for walkers, number of people that the property accommodates, dogs welcome, on a farm, off grid. The author provides a short history of the property or area, and an brief but informative description of the property. I was able to build up a picture in my mind of the property, which was confirmed when I saw photographs later. A ‘on the doorstep’ section details a National Trust site that is worth a visit whilst starting at the property, followed by a selection of photographs highlighting the best bits. I felt that after flicking through the book, many of the pictures started to feel the same - there is only so much a picture of of a window shows, and aerial shots of sites began to feel repetitive.
The author has included addresses and websites for each property in a chapter at the end of the book, however I feel it would have been helpful if a grid reference or postcode for the property was provided on the property page, along with some indication on the general cost to rent the properties.
The book highlights some of the of the more ‘wild’ places to stay across the UK, including - as you would expect from a National Trust book - plenty of National Trust properties.
The book is split in to 5 sections - Coast, Meadows, Water, Woodland, Moors - grouping properties by their surroundings. Each section begins with a page about the type of terrain, and some factors about the environment and damage that is being done - e.g. Microplastics in the ocean, Trees storing carbon, There is a low level map in the front of the book, however I would have found it useful to have a male on each property page showing its location and local terrain/attractions.
For the title page of each property, the author has included some key points - such as perfect for walkers, number of people that the property accommodates, dogs welcome, on a farm, off grid. The author provides a short history of the property or area, and an brief but informative description of the property. I was able to build up a picture in my mind of the property, which was confirmed when I saw photographs later. A ‘on the doorstep’ section details a National Trust site that is worth a visit whilst starting at the property, followed by a selection of photographs highlighting the best bits. I felt that after flicking through the book, many of the pictures started to feel the same - there is only so much a picture of of a window shows, and aerial shots of sites began to feel repetitive.
The author has included addresses and websites for each property in a chapter at the end of the book, however I feel it would have been helpful if a grid reference or postcode for the property was provided on the property page, along with some indication on the general cost to rent the properties.
February 23, 2024
Hmmm… A National Trust book (and by the way, they really ought not to be out-sourcing their printing of such to the UAE – just saying), that wants to give us armchair travellers a smidge of the Insta-life. This is designed to be inspiration for us in our quest for the more unusual, remote and basically splendiferous places to stay, from the Scillies to the Scottish Isles, and a peppering of places in between, if you're happy missing out a lot of the English inland. Take Doyden Castle, a fancy cliff-top pile seen by all coastal walkers, whether they recognise it from the first televised Poldark, Doc Martin or anything else. Three night minimum stay, and £500 a night in high season. Yeah, we'll have ten of them.
The book is suitably gorgeous photography, both of the locales and the interiors (although they like the pretentious little detail as opposed to the useful bigger picture, which is on the NT website anyway), with a page of text for each place itemising its offerings, quirks and benefits. Further photos often follow on, with some semblance of info as to what to do given the keys for the night. Sorry, three nights.
This does certainly manage to pack in the intrigue, and many a utube channel could gain for trying their best to budget and book for some of this for the hits. An echt American school bus, just on the Sussex cliffs? Surprisingly available. An NT cottage where the five of you (plus one dog) can wander the site's grounds out of hours, to get the honeyed sense of being lord and lady of the manor in your nostrils? Cushty. A cave dwelling cut into a real cliff-face? Hobbity (although no self-booking, you have to phone them). Heck, you can even stay in a beached trawler boat – here with suspiciously few interior photos (ie none).
Yes, you will know already if you need this, or if you find this mindset anathema. Or if you're like me, pretty much in between – happy to click on this and that and see the bonkers ideas people have about what makes a holidaying base, kind of wishing for some of it to factor in our life, but happy to be away from the midges, camping sheets, and two-mile hikes from the car park to the wifi-free abode of your choice, only to have forgotten the code for the key-box.
Oh, and they're hot on the "don't you dare call it Snowdonia any more!!" shtick.
The book is suitably gorgeous photography, both of the locales and the interiors (although they like the pretentious little detail as opposed to the useful bigger picture, which is on the NT website anyway), with a page of text for each place itemising its offerings, quirks and benefits. Further photos often follow on, with some semblance of info as to what to do given the keys for the night. Sorry, three nights.
This does certainly manage to pack in the intrigue, and many a utube channel could gain for trying their best to budget and book for some of this for the hits. An echt American school bus, just on the Sussex cliffs? Surprisingly available. An NT cottage where the five of you (plus one dog) can wander the site's grounds out of hours, to get the honeyed sense of being lord and lady of the manor in your nostrils? Cushty. A cave dwelling cut into a real cliff-face? Hobbity (although no self-booking, you have to phone them). Heck, you can even stay in a beached trawler boat – here with suspiciously few interior photos (ie none).
Yes, you will know already if you need this, or if you find this mindset anathema. Or if you're like me, pretty much in between – happy to click on this and that and see the bonkers ideas people have about what makes a holidaying base, kind of wishing for some of it to factor in our life, but happy to be away from the midges, camping sheets, and two-mile hikes from the car park to the wifi-free abode of your choice, only to have forgotten the code for the key-box.
Oh, and they're hot on the "don't you dare call it Snowdonia any more!!" shtick.
May 22, 2023
This is a stunner of a book to look at! Full of dreamy landscapes and desirable home interiors, it really gives you a great insight into various places to stay across the United Kingdom, from big budgets to small! And now I want to stay in all of them!
It covers different settings which are the titles of each chapter - from the coast, to meadows, to woodlands and hills - and looks at a variety of different properties from cottages, castles, campsites and even a treehouse! This is what I really enjoyed seeing as the photos from each location gave a great oversight into the actual location and just what the properties offered for your stay.
What's also great about this book is that there's lots of information about the local areas surrounding each location and also history on the places featured along with the local area so that really helped you get more of a sense of the type of area and what there is to do.
The range of properties was also fascinating and I loved seeing inside them all and the books shows how near you are to various other locations and also what kind of holiday each property would offer - whether it's an isolated area to get away from it all, or something that gives you a bit more luxury for a larger group.
This was a lovely informative read and has given me plenty of ideas on not only places to stay, that I never knew existed, but a wider look at each area and the history and how there's so much to see without having to travel too far. The photography is gorgeous too and a lovely book to just escape in to when needed!!
It covers different settings which are the titles of each chapter - from the coast, to meadows, to woodlands and hills - and looks at a variety of different properties from cottages, castles, campsites and even a treehouse! This is what I really enjoyed seeing as the photos from each location gave a great oversight into the actual location and just what the properties offered for your stay.
What's also great about this book is that there's lots of information about the local areas surrounding each location and also history on the places featured along with the local area so that really helped you get more of a sense of the type of area and what there is to do.
The range of properties was also fascinating and I loved seeing inside them all and the books shows how near you are to various other locations and also what kind of holiday each property would offer - whether it's an isolated area to get away from it all, or something that gives you a bit more luxury for a larger group.
This was a lovely informative read and has given me plenty of ideas on not only places to stay, that I never knew existed, but a wider look at each area and the history and how there's so much to see without having to travel too far. The photography is gorgeous too and a lovely book to just escape in to when needed!!
May 28, 2023
There wasn't a place in this book I didn't want to visit. It's the perfect book for an armchair traveller or when you want to organise a travel off the beaten track.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
October 30, 2023
I enjoyed reading this, lots of new places on my list now to explore!
Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews