When lockdown is over… Where to?

Travel Blogger Anna Parker shares her thoughts on what she is looking forward to once lockdown is over.

Hands up who is ready for a different view, a different walk, a change of surroundings? Yes, me too! Much as I love this little bit of Hampshire, I’m also ready for some variety too! It’s been ages since I’ve blogged about travel here, call it an extended maternity leave, but there’s a lot of summertime dreaming going on with me but I’m wary to book much. So I’m writing instead! I’ve been pondering some suggestions, at the same time of reigniting my wanderlust bug…

Closest to home

We are all spoilt for choice of nice places to stay in Hampshire as well as lovely places for day trips and adventures.

Right here in Winchester there’s the magical Pigsty bolthole which is fantastic. In fact staying at The Pigsty is the only night away we’ve had together since having our toddler. It’s as remote as it gets, on the edge of a field surrounded by farmland. It’s self-sufficient and luxury and the view from the bath is across the farm land. This is a luxury pigsty built for it’s purpose as a couples getaway. If you’re looking for social distancing in a beautiful place this is the one!

For the ultimate splurge and pampering there is nowhere better (IMHO) than the Chewton Glen. We’ve been lucky enough to visit here a number of times and it is always the first choice for a special meal, the whole hotel is magical and the grounds and spa too. We actually particularly like the walk down Chewton Bunny to the beach. The hotel is quintessentially English but keeps with the times. The treehouses are the newest addition, hidden away in the forest next to the hotel. Their own hot tubs, breakfast delivered through a hatch, and everything you need from a 5 star hotel that is a golf buggy drive away!

The one place in Hampshire that I have my eye on for when we can have my parents babysit overnight again for us is Heckfield House. It’s stunning and boutique and we already know from going to their farm produce sales the quality of their food. It’s hidden away north of Basingstoke near to Wellington Country Park and looks to me like a quiet little slice of relaxation. 

Southern England

I’m thinking we will keep things pretty local this year (alongside a return to the cutest little cottage in Anglesey to see our friends again), so here are some suggestions. 

With a little person in tow The Bedruthan really is the simplest and best served place to go. Within minutes of arriving, we were in the soft play area! There’s also a pool, family rooms, babysitting, sea views and a path to the beach. For the adults the food is excellent as is the spa, and with a bit of planning you can eat and use the spa facilities at the adults only neighbouring hotel The Scarlet too. 

We went to Timbrell’s Yard when we were trying to find somewhere rural that was near Bath. It’s a pub/restaurant with rooms and we liked it for the food and the modern style rooms. It was good to get away from home to somewhere quiet, yet still be close to the city.

The Lygon Arms brings the amazing hotel experience of Chewton Glen and Cliveden into an historic coaching inn located in The Cotswolds. We had our babymoon here and were spoilt rotten. There’s fine dining, an Italian restaurant, a cute little patio for drinks and nibbles, a spa and rooftop sunlounge. The rooms are dripping with history and the staff are superb.

I’ve just moved my March birthday stay at The Pig in Coombe to September and am very hopeful it will happen then! We visited before it became The Pig and it was already lovely and I can’t wait to investigate a bit more of The Pig family!

Further afield

It’s very unlikely that we’ll fly abroad for some time, at the moment I can’t get my head round it – the fact my toddler can’t/won’t wear a mask and the risk of travel corridors shutting when you’re away… But when we do, I can’t wait to be in Greece, or Jamaica, or the UAE, or Portugal again. 

We can dream and enjoy it all the more when it happens again. But for now, thank goodness for Hampshire, for what’s on our lockdown doorsteps and what is in the local area when we can use our cars again too! It isn’t even long until bluebell season arrives!

Blog provided by Travel Blogger, Anna Parker - head over to instagram and find her @annaeparker  Alternatively, visit her website: www.travelwithpenelopeandparker.com