Restorative breaks

Some holidays you want to go on, some you need to go on. When the pings and bleeps of modern life get a bit much, these are the places to escape to. Each one has been tried and tested by the most overworked member of our team we could find at the time, so you know that we’ve been there and come back happy, meaning you probably will as well. Browse sunny island escapes for sangria at sunset, chic spa hotels for a massage and a steam, and grand chateaux where you can stroll the gardens in the blissful peace that only comes when you get far, far away from it all.

Knockinaam Lodge Gallery

Knockinaam Lodge 1 - Gallery

Knockinaam Lodge 2 - Gallery

Knockinaam Lodge 3 - Gallery

Knockinaam Lodge 4 - Gallery

Knockinaam Lodge 5 - Gallery

Knockinaam Lodge 6 - Gallery

Knockinaam Lodge 7 - Gallery

Knockinaam Lodge 8 - Gallery

Knockinaam Lodge 9 - Gallery

Knockinaam Lodge 10 - Gallery

Knockinaam Lodge 11 - Gallery

Knockinaam Lodge 12 - Gallery

Knockinaam Lodge 13 - Gallery

Knockinaam Lodge 14 - Gallery

Knockinaam Lodge 15 - Gallery

Knockinaam Lodge 16 - Gallery

Knockinaam Lodge 17 - Gallery

Knockinaam Lodge 18 - Gallery
Knockinaam Lodge
Stranraer, Dumfries & Galloway
From £295 p/n

Hotel

10 rooms for 2 - 4
A fine country-house hotel with glorious views and exceptional food (dinner is included in the price). Coastal cliff walks wait

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Almond Hill House Gallery

Almond Hill House 1 - Gallery

Almond Hill House 2 - Gallery

Almond Hill House 3 - Gallery

Almond Hill House 4 - Gallery

Almond Hill House 5 - Gallery

Almond Hill House 6 - Gallery

Almond Hill House 7 - Gallery

Almond Hill House 8 - Gallery

Almond Hill House 9 - Gallery

Almond Hill House 10 - Gallery

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Almond Hill House 12 - Gallery

Almond Hill House 13 - Gallery

Almond Hill House 14 - Gallery

Almond Hill House 15 - Gallery

Almond Hill House 16 - Gallery

Almond Hill House 17 - Gallery

Almond Hill House 18 - Gallery

Almond Hill House 19 - Gallery

Almond Hill House 20 - Gallery
Almond Hill House
Órgiva, Granada
From €435 p/n

Self-catering

1 place for 11
A 200-year-old cortijo in a totally tranquil spot with gated pool, two acres of grounds, an orchard and olive terraces with mountain views

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Château Les Forges du Roy Gallery

Château Les Forges du Roy 1 - Gallery

Château Les Forges du Roy 2 - Gallery

Château Les Forges du Roy 3 - Gallery

Château Les Forges du Roy 4 - Gallery

Château Les Forges du Roy 5 - Gallery

Château Les Forges du Roy 6 - Gallery

Château Les Forges du Roy 7 - Gallery

Château Les Forges du Roy 8 - Gallery

Château Les Forges du Roy 9 - Gallery

Château Les Forges du Roy 10 - Gallery

Château Les Forges du Roy 11 - Gallery

Château Les Forges du Roy 12 - Gallery

Château Les Forges du Roy 13 - Gallery

Château Les Forges du Roy 14 - Gallery

Château Les Forges du Roy 15 - Gallery

Château Les Forges du Roy 16 - Gallery

Château Les Forges du Roy 17 - Gallery

Château Les Forges du Roy 18 - Gallery

Château Les Forges du Roy 19 - Gallery

Château Les Forges du Roy 20 - Gallery
Château Les Forges du Roy
Mauzens-et-Miremont, Dordogne
From €1730 p/n

Self-catering

1 place for 20
Come for much comfort in both buildings which face each other across the garden, plus a pool, lake, yoga and fitness studios

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Wetherdown Gallery

Wetherdown 1 - Gallery

Wetherdown 2 - Gallery

Wetherdown 3 - Gallery

Wetherdown 4 - Gallery

Wetherdown 5 - Gallery

Wetherdown 6 - Gallery

Wetherdown 7 - Gallery

Wetherdown 8 - Gallery

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Wetherdown 10 - Gallery

Wetherdown 11 - Gallery

Wetherdown 12 - Gallery

Wetherdown 13 - Gallery

Wetherdown 14 - Gallery

Wetherdown 15 - Gallery

Wetherdown 16 - Gallery

Wetherdown 17 - Gallery
Wetherdown
East Meon, Hampshire
From £15 p/n

Self-catering

26 places for 2 - 5
Come down to the Meon Valley and be (very gently) nudged towards a better way of living - a Sawday's Community Champion

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La Fucina di Vulcano Gallery

La Fucina di Vulcano 1 - Gallery

La Fucina di Vulcano 2 - Gallery

La Fucina di Vulcano 3 - Gallery

La Fucina di Vulcano 4 - Gallery

La Fucina di Vulcano 5 - Gallery

La Fucina di Vulcano 6 - Gallery

La Fucina di Vulcano 7 - Gallery

La Fucina di Vulcano 8 - Gallery

La Fucina di Vulcano 9 - Gallery

La Fucina di Vulcano 10 - Gallery

La Fucina di Vulcano 11 - Gallery

La Fucina di Vulcano 12 - Gallery

La Fucina di Vulcano 13 - Gallery

La Fucina di Vulcano 14 - Gallery

La Fucina di Vulcano 15 - Gallery

La Fucina di Vulcano 16 - Gallery

La Fucina di Vulcano 17 - Gallery

La Fucina di Vulcano 18 - Gallery

La Fucina di Vulcano 19 - Gallery

La Fucina di Vulcano 20 - Gallery
La Fucina di Vulcano
Bronte, Catania
From €150 p/n

Hotel

9 rooms for 2
A small, family-run boutique hotel sitting right at the foot of Etna with wonderful views, garden, pool and ambrosial Sicilian breakfasts

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The Woodshed Gallery

The Woodshed 1 - Gallery

The Woodshed 2 - Gallery

The Woodshed 3 - Gallery

Modern interior of The Woodshed, with table for two with yellow chairs and grey sofa next to the French doors

The Woodshed 5 - Gallery

The Woodshed 6 - Gallery

The Woodshed 7 - Gallery

The Woodshed 8 - Gallery

The Woodshed 9 - Gallery

The Woodshed 10 - Gallery

Comfy sofa in the living space at The Woodshed in Penicuik, Midlothian with real wood-burner and logs next to the fire

The Woodshed 12 - Gallery

The Woodshed 13 - Gallery

The Woodshed 14 - Gallery
The Woodshed
Penicuik, Midlothian
From £180 p/n

Self-catering

1 place for 2
A romantic cottage for two in the Pentland Hills, with views for miles and your own private garden with a wood-fired hot tub

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