July | Travel
The Tawny, Peak District National Park
Expect log burners, star-gazing skylights and wall-to-wall windows showcasing valley views
Susan Ward DaviesThe Green List may be expanding, but when you weigh up pricey PCR tests against lush Peak District views from The Tawny’s boathouses, shepherd’s huts and treehouses, it’s a no-brainer. Opening this month, The Tawny is in the Staffordshire region of the spectacular Peak District National Park, and is part of the renovation of the Consall Hall Estate’s 70 acres of fabulous lakeside gardens, orchards and woodlands.
Billed as a ‘deconstructed hotel’, it is a kind of glamping set-up with hotel services, with its 55 fancy cabins spread around the grounds. Cosy Wildwood Huts for two – some in pairs for more living space – have log burners and star-gazing skylights; scenic Treehouses can sleep up to six; peaceful waterside Boathouses, two-four; and the Lookouts – with wall-to-wall windows showcasing valley views, and copper al fresco bathtubs – house up to six. Next year, sleek cedar cabin Retreats will join the rest, holding up to eight.
The Tawny is all about wellness and nature immersion, with a cute cottage spa, heated outdoor pool (open all year), yoga mats in every room, and five miles of pathways, woods and gardens to roam, either on foot, or, later this year, on recycled bikes.
Eco-wise, Staffordshire conservation architects, CTD Architects, ensured all cabins were sensitively built avoiding tree roots and plant damage, and by creating sustainable drainage systems. The hotel’s impressive Plumicorn restaurant sources ingredients locally or from their kitchen garden, and any food waste is used as fertiliser.
After all that lockdown isolation, places you can go to with a gang of friends are going to be trending massively, so you might want to grab some cabins while you can.
Rates start from £230 B&B for two, thetawny.co.uk
