STOKE  PARK
Score brownie points your lady guest: this was the location used for the romantic getaway in the mind numbingly dull Bridget Jones Diary. You on the other hand, will probably recognise it from the golf scene in Goldfinger.  Adjacent to the century old clubhouse is the Spa, Health and Raquet Pavillion, which houses 28 contemporary suites, bringing the total number of room to 49.  A treatment menu has been devised just for men, most of which features the hotel’s own line of exclusive SPC products.  Or if you prefer, you can just veg out in the Italian marble steam room after working up a sweat in the state-of-the-art gym.

BABINGTON  HOUSE
A must-visit spa for over 12 years, the celeb-friendly, Georgian bolthole, Babington House’s Cowshed Spa is set deep in the Somerset countryside.  The Cowshed spa houses a pool, steam room, sauna and gym, as well as six treatment rooms and series of soaking baths.  All the Cowshed products are plant base, their own product range are made from 100 percent natural essential oils is use in all treatments. At your convenience you can ask to have your treatment in your room*.

POWERSCOURT
This 30,000sq ft uber-spa really does have it all.  From the separate male and female thermal suites overlooking the Sugar Loaf Mountain to the 20-metre Swarovski crystal-lit pool, Powerscourt is packed with luxurious ways for you to relax and unwind.  Signature experience includes the ominous-sounding a Garden of Inspiration Body Ritual, which involved a sea-salt and essential-oil body scrub, intensive massage, a heated boy mask and Oriental head massage. If you are interested there is a Gordon Ramsay restaurant on site.

THE  GROVE
Situated just outside Watford Junction, The Grove is a 300-acre 18th-century estate with beautiful gardens for you to enjoy nature. Also on site is an 18-hole championship golf course, a fine-dining restaurant, a makeshift beach and some 227 luxury rooms.  Its Sequoia spa is a destination in itself, incorporating ESPA products. It is knows to attracts footballers’ wives, golfers and escape the city weekenders.

BARNSLEY  HOUSE
Once Barnsley, located in the Cotswolds was the Mecca for gardeners due to its famous garden, since 2002 its been transform into a luxury spa resort, boasting modern facilities with B&B Italia leather chaise longues and floor-to-ceiling windows.  It fits surprisingly well in the 17th-century boutique hotel and houses six treatment rooms featuring REN products, a sauna and a hydrotherapy pool.  The day-spa experience includes a one-hour full-body massage, use of spa facilities and a two-course lunch for one small price.

GRAND  JERSEY
Once recognised as the UK’s most picturesque cash funnel. Jersey has morphed into something of a premier hotel-spa destination, with the iconic Grand Jersey leading the way.  Dating back to the 1890s, the 122-room hotel houses an 8,000 sq ft Elemis spa with stat-of-the-art VIP treatment rooms, double beds for simultaneous pampering and the world’s first GHD hair spa.  It also offers cutting-edge Galvanic treatments that eliminate wrinkles by sending age-reversing signals by collagen-producing cells.

*not all rooms allow this service

Barafundle bay, Pembrokeshire
The joy of beach at Barafundle is that it is just that; no ice-cream stalls, deck chairs or noisy cafe. Accessible only on foot, it is spectacularly located between cliffs that keep the beach protected and the waters safe and calm for swimming. Backed by pine trees and sand dunes, the bay is part of an eight-mile stretch of unspoilt National Trust coastline.

Llanbedrog, Gwynedd
Lying at the heart of the tranquil Lleyn Peninsula, Llanbedrog has a quiet and unassuming charm; a long stretch of sand, backed by picturesque, multi-coloured beach huts, that shelf gently into the sea. The coastline is famous for its dolphin-spotting opportunities and the surrounding cliffs make it ideal for bird watching.

Rossini, Swansea
The Gower peninsula was the first area in the UK to be designated an area of outstanding Natural beauty, and Rossini bay is the crowning glory a long sweep of golden sand much beloved by local surfers. But there’s plenty of space for families to picnic, play cricket, fly kites or splash about in the waves.

New Quay, Ceredigion
New quay was once notorious as the Haunt of smugglers, who unloaded goods from boats onto the beaches that stretch out from either side of the town. Mwnt is the most beautiful; a soft-sand beach protected by cliffs that is great for families and easily accessible, with plenty of parking nearby.

Sunnybank Form
The Sunnybank Form Yurt Glampsite is located in beautiful Cornwall. The site has three Yurts located on it that can sleep two, four and five people.  They are decorated with traditional handmade Kazath textiles and throws. They come furnished with wood-burning stove (or Gas stove) to offer warmth and cooking, a cute hand-painted dresser with cooking utensils, pots and pans.

The smarllest yurt has a double bed, while the other two have comfortable futons. Each has its own mini-yurt toilet.  There is a shared bathroom yurt with a roll-tap bath and a solar shower.  The site is electricity-free, but there are solar lights, and in the reception area there is a freezer and power to recharge phones and iPod/iPad (cornishyurtholiday.co.uk).

Mathrown of Mabie
Operated by Pan Hazlehurst with husband Mike, the site is located in Scotland’s Mabie Forest, Dumfries. The Roundhouse as it is called is a very special and unusual place which is a replica of how our Iron Age ancestors lived, surrounded by all the sights and sounds of the forest.  It sleeps 16 people, ideal for a group and Pam said they are happy to host a stag and hen parties.

The Roundhouse walls are made of stones to keep out the Scottish chill; the roof is thatched and in the middle sits a cosy open fire.  Outside you can enjoy the Mabie Forest to its fullest with walks and bike rides, with over 61km of trails. Alternatively, head to the chillout area where you can play football, badminton or scramble up one of two climbing walls (marthrown.com).

Jolly Days Luxury Camping
Jollydays is a woodsy retreat in Scrayingham Yorkshire, with 10 luxury tents; it is an ideal location for families.  Jollydays tented cottages are scattered through out the glorious North Yorkshire countryside. The tents really are the last word in glamping, with four-poster beds and chandeliers, a cosy sofa by a roaring log fire, wooden floors and private toilets.

Breakfast and supper basket can be provided. On some evenings, a guest cook will prepare a meal for those who want to gather together for supper at the lobby tent (where tea and cakes are always on offer), even though each tent has its own cooking facilities.  Close by is Flamingo Land Theme Park and Zoo an idyllic children adventure playground, with rope swings and tree houses (jollydaysluxurycamping.co.uk).

Ekopod
The Ekopod is a low carbon camping initiative, located in the Cornish country side.  They are the first campsite to offer the Car-free camping solution, offering campers the option to take the bus or train to the Bodmin Parkway and they will pick you up and take you to the campsite. They also said there is no need to bring heavy bags full of provisions because your meals will be dropped off in the morning and evening for you to cook at your leisure.

Your pod comes complete with a king-size bed or twins, plus there is an adjoining bathroom pod with freestanding bathtub and a kitchen pod with a cooking stove and eating area.  And if its a sunny day you also have your very own private deck with sun loungers(ekopod.com).

Strathfillan Wigwams
Located in the Scottish country side the wigwams (comfortable wooden huts) offer sleeping space for four, including removable sleeping platforms with mattresses, and electricity for light and heating. Each wigwam has its own campfire and picnic bench, along with a play area for the kids, and there is a well-equipped facility block that offers large kitchens and a spacious dinning area.

The site, which also has camping pitches and lodges, makes a great base for walking and canoeing in the Loch Lomond National Park or fishing on the River Fillan (permits are available at the campsite).

Shadow Woods
The enchanting Shadow Woods campsite is set in 63 acres of bluebell woodland in the heart of Billingshurst, West Sussex. You can rest in one of the site’s five yurts that are nestled in the pretty Barn Meadow.

Each yurt has enough room for two people, although there is one larger yurt that fits up to four. Inside each yurt you get carpeted floor, mattress bed and even wardrobes, the site has power points and Wi-Fi. For those that are new to camping there are lessons in making fires and foraging for wild food (woodandyurting.com).

Get a copy of the book: Cool Camping: Glamping Getaways at Amazon.

Many of us might know Kielder Water and Forest as having northern Europe’s largest man-made lake and England’s largest forest or for activities such as its beautiful lake, star gazing, mountain biking walking and much more. Since October 2010 the Kielder Water & Forest Park has become the location of the Kielder Marathon, a brainchild of former 1,500m world champion Steve Cram, who hopes the undulating, off-road course around Kielder Water will eventually become “the most beautiful marathon in Britain.

So if you are looking for a natural escape absorbing the sensational English countryside then the Northumberland forest could be one of those places to escape to. The event is only open to 1,000 runners, so it’s best to register early to avoid missing out on this wonderful experience. The event is also open to junior runners with the Keilder Junior Run.

The run take you around the entire lake keeping you close to Kielder Water as it meanders through the forest and heath land. The course is a mixture of hills and flat, dirt and tarmac, because of the terrain it is advised to walk some area giving you the opportunity to absorb the beauty Kielder Water and Forest has to offer.

Bamburgh, Northumberland
The combination of a brooding, dramatic ruined castle and a long stretch of golden sand makes Bamburgh one of the most stunning beaches in the whole of the UK.  The beach stretches for miles and rarely gets busy, even in high summer.  There are sandbars beneath the waves that create good surf and the 11th-century castle and views out to the bird-clad Farne Island give Bamburgh a truly unique feel.

Camber Sands, East Sussex
The Long rolling dunes that back miles of unspoilt sandy beach at Camber make this stretch of coastline one of the most stunning in the south.  Plan your visit according to the tide times; low tide, when there are acres of open sand, is good for beach games and kite flying, and older kids can take kite-surfing lessons on the beach.  The cluster of old fishermen’s cottages that make up the village of Camber do a fine line in ice creams and fish and chips.

Holkham, Norfolk
Famous as the location of the closing scenes of the film Shakespeare in Love, Holkam is a vast stretch of beach that has a wonderful sense of space and freedom.  This beach is better suited to walkers than swimmers  at low tide the sea retreats half a mile from the shoreline.  It gets busy in the summer months, but the further you walk from the pretty pastel-coloured beach huts, the more peaceful the beach gets. It is perfect for sunlit picnics and sandcastle-building competitions.

Robin Hood’s Bay, North Yorkshire
At low tide, the rocky beach at Robin Hood’s Bay becomes surprisingly sandy and fills up with families rockpooling and searching for the fossils for which the bay is famous.  Surrounded on both sides by sheer cliffs, the bay has a natural peace and beauty, while the small village of the same name that perches to the left of the beach is a delightful cluster of old fishermen’s cottages on pretty cobbled lanes.

Porthcurno, Cornwall
Nature dominates stunning Porthcurno.  The beach is accessible by walking down a lush narrow valley that leads to a wide curve of honey-coloured sands.  There is a wild beauty here, and the beach is free of any development, although there is an excellent cafe a few minutes walk away.  Take a walk along the South West Coast Path towards Penzance to find Penberth Cove, a picture-perfect are of beach.

Woolacombe, Devon
This stunning wide beach is sandwiched between two National Trust Headlands, with dramatic cliffs that slope down to the swathes of rock pools that are revealed at low tide.  Woolacombe is one of a trio (along with Croyde and Putsborough) of top surfing beaches on this stretch of coastline, but the gentle waves also make it ideal for families.  It’s great for walking too; there’s a stunning hike up to the National Trust’s Baggy Point.

The journey to the summit can take one of 11 establish routes, hence Snowdon is nicknamed Britain’s busiest mountain, three of which are the Pyg track, Miners track and Train track, all varying in time and distance.

Depending on your route to the summith the scenery varies so is the experience. On one side it is lush and green and different on the others.  The miner’s route is very scenic with lakes and twisted ridges.

The area offers a camping plus there is the YHA (yha.org.uk).  A good time to visit is early spring and autumn, when the trees have no leaves.

If you are in Snodonia for more than one day why not explore the rest of the national park, Tryfan and Glyderau are worth a visit more challenging though.

Calgary Bay, Mull
Located on the north-west corner of the isle of Mull, there are acres of fine sandy beach of Calgary Bay, with beautiful views across to Skye.  The walk through the dunes from the car park goes past ruined houses that date back to the 18th century. This is a perfect spot to camp, as the beach is backed by flat grassland.

Sanna Bay, Ardnamurchan
It might be a bit of a trek to reach Sanna Bay, but the journey along the small road that twists across the Ardnamurchan peninsula is more than worth it.  Situated at the westernmost tip of the mainland Britain, the beach is dramatic and unspoilt, and on a sunny day the white-shell sand and turquoise water looks positively Mediterranean.  There are no facilities to speak of, just lovely views across to the island of Eigg, Muck and Canna and total peace.

Yellowcraig, East Lothian
The long stretch of sand at Yellowcraig looks across to the island of Fidra, which is said to be the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island tale.  Tucked away on the East Lothian coast, the beach is protected from wind and is great for families. There are rolling sand dunes, space for kite flying and football, and a Treasure Island-themed play area.

Sinclair’s Bay, Caithness
Seafood lovers should head to Sinclair’s Bay; for many years it was one of Scotland’s most famous area for lobster and crab.  Many small boats still put out each day, sharing the waters with porpoises and orcas.  At each end of the beach lie romantic, ruined 16th century castles, while perched high above the beach on the cliff top, the Achergill Tower hotel offers stunning views across the bay.

West Sands, St Andrews
Famous as the beach used in the opening scenes of Chariots of Fire, West Sands stretches for over a mile and the water is shallow enough to make it perfect for young children to paddle and splash around.  It’s also beloved of kite and windsurfers, which mean it can get busy although the further you drive from the town of St. Andrews the quieter it becomes.  Golfers are kept happy here, too; the famous links are just the other side of the sand dunes.

Don’t be put off by the town’s old-age reputation the area offers a refreshing experience to its visitors. Have a stroll on Bournemouth beach, a glorious stretch of sand, where you can swim, surf or build a sand castle.

Walk along the piers, and make the short climb up the Hengistbury Head at the eastern end for views of white cliffs and the Isle of Wight.

Bournemouth is part of Dorset which is home to the dramatic Jurassic coast and Durdle Door is an essential visit; an exceedingly picturesque and oft-photographed giant natural limestone arch, near Lulworth.

On the other side of Bournemouth is little Christchurch is worth visiting for the colossal, 11th century Priory and England’s longest parish church, climb the 120-foot tower for some really beautiful view of it surrounding. There are also Saxon and Roman ruins here.

Up from Bournemouth is the New Forest a favourite for hikers and seeing the indigenous ponies. Further south is nearby Poole would offers watersports enthusiasts windsurfing and kite surfing.

Portmeirion was the brainchild and lifelong work of visionary architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis who first began planning its construct as a boy aged six! After searching many small islands around Britain’s  coast as an adult he found the perfect location on a private peninsula.  Building work began in 1925 and was finally completed in the early 1970s when Sir William-Ellis was in his nineties.  More than a folly or private monument, from its inception, Portmeirion was intended to be a demonstration of how a naturally beautiful site could be developed sympathetically.

Portmeirion was made famus in the 1960′s as The Village in the cult classic TV series The Prisoner.  However, after walking amongst the colourful buildings and beautiful gardens of this extraordinary location you will never want to escape.  There is something new to be discovered at every turn.  Around one corner you may find a giant gold Budda, around the next a beautiful Mediterranean piazza and then next stumble upon a Chinese pagoda.  The sub-tropical Victorian gardens lead down to white sandy beaches and feature unique rhododendrons, Californian coast redwoods, New Zealand’s dancing tree, and the tallest Chilean maiten tree in the UK.

Surrounded by mountains and sea, the village has many colourful shops and restaurants including Castell Deudraeth, The Hotel Portmeirion, The Terrace Self-Service Restaurant, Cadwalader’s Ice Cream Cafe and Caffi Glas Italian Cafe.

All the Cottages in the village are let as suites and rooms as part to the Hotel Portmeirion.  There are also 17 self-catering cottages sleeping from three to eight people.

The Lost Garden of Heligan offers just that. With over 200 acres to explore, you or the young one can really lose yourself in this enchanting restoration Garden.  Having lain forgotten for over 70 years, this stunning estate allows you to take an incredible journey back through time and experience living history in the horticultural playground of a bygone era, something the children will enjoy with this family friendly garden.

The best part of the garden has to be the jungle.  Exotic foliage provides home to colourful kingfishers, unsual insects and birds such as woodpeckers. A walk along the raised boardwalk takes you through this sub-tropical valley past swamps filled with Giant Rhubarb, thickets of towering bamboo and lush verdant banana plantations.

The Lost Garden is host for a lot of fascinating vegetable and flower gardens amongst which are Peaches, Citrus, Pineapples and Melons.