From the moment you turn down its rhododendron-framed driveway, The Tawny is nothing but bliss. This ‘deconstructed hotel’ next to the Peak District is essentially a collection of 55 huts, boathouses and treehouses dotted around a beautiful 70-acre estate that feels like one big secret garden.
Built on an old quarry site rewilded by a Mr William Podmore (who fittingly sounds straight out of a Beatrix Potter tale), the grounds of The Tawny take around an hour to explore fully and are decorated with quirky follies, five man-made lakes, pristine lawns and woodland that has been allowed to thrive, untamed. The only noisy neighbours you need worry about are the chorus of resident songbirds and the happy chatter of geese.
We were set up in a Retreat cabin, which sits level with the treetops and — despite its wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling glass window looking over the canopy — offers luxurious amounts of privacy. The room is furnished with tasteful green and gold decor and some Scandi touches. It includes a dressing room, a sunken bath gazing up through a skylight, and decking complete with a spa-bath (these come with every room) and an outdoor shower hidden around the corner.
From there, you can stroll 10 minutes to the hotel’s heated outdoor pool which, surrounded by stone arches, towering trees and a spectacular view over the valley, feels lifted out of a Mediterranean villa. Behind that sits The Plumicorn, the hotel’s glass-fronted restaurant. Here, you can indulge in brilliantly creative dishes and seasonal produce (some of which is foraged on site) before wandering back to your cabin to spend a calm, restorative evening under the stars.
Neighbourhood
The hotel sits next to the idyllic village of Consall, where you’ll find the Caldon canal and Churnell Valley Heritage Railway. If, for some reason, you want to step out of the lovely Tawny bubble, Stoke-on-Trent is a 20-minute drive away. Known for being the ‘world capital of ceramics’, it offers a bunch of pottery studios, indie outlets and galleries to mooch around.
Nearby
Heights of Abraham: for cable-car views over the peaks
World of Wedgewood: for creative inspiration exploring the V&A Wedgwood Collection and trying your hand at pottery throwing.
Alton Towers: for getting your adrenaline kick at one of the UK’s most famous theme parks
Time Out tip
Make the absolute most of the gorgeous grounds by pre-ordering a picnic. Staff will set you up with a hamper full of charcuterie, cheeses, crisps and sweet treats. If you like, they’ll lay it all out for you at one of the site’s many beauty spots.