TUCKED away in the woods surrounding Tiptoe Farm, on the banks of the River Till in Northumberland, are two Scandi-style “tree cabins”, each sleeping two people, built to blend into the forest backdrop.
You’ll struggle to choose where to relax here.
4
4
Will it be in the marshmallow-soft, super-king bed with a Velux window above for waking up to dawn skies?
Or perhaps you’ll unwind under the stars in the outdoor Jacuzzi bath, the sounds of deer and the babbling brook the only noises to disturb you.
Then, of course, there’s the mirrored woodland sauna yards from your cabin’s front door.
There’s also a chic kitchen, including a Nespresso Pixie, a smart TV and a stylish bathroom with divine green-cedar-and-lavender-scented Laura Thomas Co products.
WHAT WE LOVED
Tiptoe truly is a retreat for the body and soul.
A 90-minute bread-making workshop with baker Pauline Beaumont, £45 per person, is like a therapy session, chatting and kneading the dough.
Plus, the satisfaction when your cheese soda bread comes out of the oven is just wonderful.
You’ll also find a Pilates studio on site, where a one-on-one class, £25, will leave you feeling both calm and energised.
WHAT WE DIDN’T LOVE
The woodland sauna is only available 3-7pm and is shared with the other cabin, which limits opportunities to work up a sweat.
OUT AND ABOUT
After top-notch, hearty dishes?
4
Head to The Collingwood Arms, just a 10-minute drive away in Cornhill-on-Tweed, to tuck into crayfish mille-feuille, £11.50, local-ale-battered haddock and chips, £17.50, and green apple and cinnamon sorbet, £2.50 per scoop (Collingwoodarms.com).
Those with furry friends will love a trip to The Hirsel, a 500-acre park nearby with a stunning lake.
After walking up an appetite, head to The Homestead Cafe for a cheddar and Hirsel apple chutney toastie, £9.50, then browse the artisan shops selling farm produce and local craftware – think ceramics and pheasant feather art (Hirselhomestead.co.uk).
4
You’re just 40 minutes from Northumberland’s award-winning coastline, and the historic town of Bamburgh, with its imposing castle, which featured in Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny.
Soak up the drama of countless battles in The Armoury and channel your inner Professor Jones in the archaeology museum, stuffed with extraordinary finds.
Entry costs £18.75 per person (Bamburghcastle.com).
Next, wander the stunning three-mile beach, before retreating to The Potted Lobster for a slap-up lunch of Shetland mussels with crusty bread, £14, and a 10oz Northumberland sirloin with hand-cut chips, £38, washed down with a glass of crisp Château de Berne rosé, £11.25 (Thepottedlobster.co.uk).
THE DAMAGE
Stays at Tiptoe Retreat cost from £185 per night (Tiptoeretreat.co.uk).
