Garden & Water Features

Holiday at home with a Natural Retreats ‘Staycation’

British holidays – long characterised by comedy seaside postcards and associated with wet weather, inadequate B&Bs and Punch and Judy shows on the beach – are now very much back in fashion. As reported by Sky news, more British holiday makers are choosing to stay on home shores for their family breaks rather than jet off to sunnier climes. The ‘staycation’ boom is great news for the British economy and tourist industry. As the article highlights, there are no guarantees that the sun will shine on your UK holiday destination, yet research indicates that holiday makers’ reasons for opting for a ‘staycation’ have far more to do with the history and natural beauty of many British locations rather than with the climate.

This is where Natural Retreats luxury self catering holiday residences come to the fore. As the UK’s number one luxury self catering operator, all our locations are carefully selected, so we are able to offer beautifully designed contemporary self catering holiday accommodation in some of the most outstanding areas of natural beauty in the UK and Ireland.

Staycation in Cornwall

Natural Retreats Cornwall is the ideal location for a staycation, whether you’re holidaying as a family or looking for a romantic break. The perfect country residence retreat, you’ll have over 300 beautiful beaches to choose from and are never more than 16 miles from the sea. And with a climate that is warmed by the Gulf Stream, you may even get that Mediterranean weather!

Our self catering holiday residences are conveniently situated to visit some of Cornwall’s most renowned tourist attractions such as the Eden Project and the Lost Gardens of Heligan. A self catering ‘staycation’ in Cornwall also provides plenty of choice when it comes to family friendly days out, with the Monkey Sanctuary, Newquay Zoo and many adventure and leisure centres within easy reach. With plenty of activities to appeal to all ages including mountain biking, sea kayaking, surfing and horse riding as well as many of the UK’s most renowned restaurants such as Rick Stein’s seafood restaurant in Padstow and Jamie Oliver’s 15 in Watergate Bay and a lively social scene, who needs to venture abroad when you can pack so much enjoyment into a Cornish staycation!

Staycation, Yorkshire Dales

It’s not difficult to see why the Yorkshire Dales has been chosen as one of the locations for our Natural Retreats self catering residences. A staycation in the Yorkshire Dales gives holiday makers a taste of rural England and the opportunity to explore all that the nearby historic market town of Richmond has to offer.

If country walks and family bike rides through idyllic countryside and up rich green hills are amongst your reasons for taking your family break in the UK, then you won’t be disappointed. Our contemporary self catering wood and glass eco cabins are set within 54 acres of unspoilt countryside, so a staycation in the Yorkshire Dales allows you to enjoy a well-deserved rest in tranquil surroundings. A fantastic outdoor arena for wildlife, you can be at one with nature and indulge in a range of leisure pursuits to suit every taste.

Staycation in Fistral Beach

Our latest Natural Retreats self catering location at Fistral Beach is the ideal spot for surfing enthusiasts, beach lovers and energetic kids to enjoy a family staycation. With all the beauty of the Cornish coast, when the sun comes out you’ll feel as though you’re holidaying abroad.

There’s always something happening at Fistral beach, whether it’s the annual Boardmasters Surfing competition, sailing, body boarding, mountain biking or shark watching! Natural Retreats have developed close links with some recommended surf schools in the area, so your UK family break or couple’s holiday could be the perfect opportunity to ride the waves. Who needs the hassle of exchanging currency and battling through airport security to lie on an overcrowded beach when you can have a fantastic staycation at Newquay’s world famous surfing beach? With plenty of local tourist attractions and a lively social scene, it’s easy to see why British holiday destinations are hitting the spot.

Staycation in Llyn Peninsula

If the family aren’t convinced by the idea of a staycation in Wales, then they’ve obviously never visited the Llyn Peninsula or stayed at one of our Natural retreats self catering holiday residences on this stunning coastal retreat within striking distance of some of the most celebrated tourist attractions in North Wales.

Located on the edge of the glorious Nefyn Bay, with dry ski slopes, steam trains, wildlife centres, castles and stunning coastline, our luxury self catering residences provide the perfect base for you to explore one of Britain’s most popular holiday destinations. With adventure centres, watersports, sandy beaches, rock pools and over 47 miles of Welsh Coastline to explore on foot or by bike, the kids will soon understand why a staycation on the Llyn Peninsula can be as much fun as a family holiday abroad.

Staycation at Adare Manor

If your reasons for taking a holiday abroad are to benefit from the activities offered by a resort holiday, but you also like the freedom to choose what you do during your family break or romantic retreat, then why not try a staycation Irish style? Natural Retreats Adare Manor in County Limerick offers holiday makers the independence of their own luxury self catering villa whilst also combining the advantages of a five Star resort.

On-site an indoor swimming pool, treatment rooms, well equipped fitness room, bicycle hire, laser pigeon shooting, fishing and golf ensure everyone always has something to do and off-site, beautiful Irish landscape will take your breath away as you choose from a range of worthy day trips. The sumptuous villas provide independent contemporary holiday accommodation which is just a 15 minute walk from the impressive Manor House set in the heart of an 840 acre estate. For the most relaxing home from home holiday experience you could wish for it’s time to try a staycation at Adare Manor.

Staycation at Castlemartyr

The 5 Star Castlemartyr Resort, located in the South East of Ireland in Cork, has become known as one of the finest luxury destination resorts in Ireland, so if you’re looking for the chance to indulge and relax in a holiday destination steeped in history and tradition then book a staycation at Castlemartyr.

Our unique Natural Retreats self catering residences located within the Castlemartyr Estate surrounded by glorious woodland, are the perfect getaway for couples, families and groups or friends looking for a memorable UK holiday. With a range of on-site activities to suit all tastes and wildlife parks, museums and adventure centres providing a range of fun and educational days out, you’ll never be lost for something to do during your staycation in Cork.

Staycation at Kilronan Castle

There’s no need to venture to Italy or France for an enchanting family holiday. A staycation at Kilronan Castle, County Roscommon promises a self catering break to remember. You can almost smell the history in the air and with a range of different activities on site and off, the whole family will be able to relax and enjoy all this picturesque Natural Retreats location has to offer.

There are plenty of places to visit for a family day out, if you can manage to tear yourselves away from the luxurious on-site spa. So whether you want to explore the trails around the estate on foot, discover the breathtaking Irish countryside on horseback or investigate the area on a family bike ride, the choice is yours during your staycation in County Roscommon.

Spoilt for ‘Staycation’ choice!

So, don’t underestimate the beauty of the UK and the amazing scope a staycation holiday in the British Isles offers. With eight Natural Retreats locations of outstanding beauty to choose from, you’re spoilt for choice. Let’s hear it for the great British holiday!

About the Author

Natural Retreats luxury self catering holiday, short breaks and family holidays in areas of outstanding natural beauty in the UK and Ireland. Enjoy some of the most luxurious residences in breathtaking settings. From converted stone buildings to contemporary apartment living. A different experience every time.

What are the main differences between all natural and organic foods?

I know that some all natural foods can be considered organic but what is it that is holding them back from being completely organic?

Also, what makes organic more expensive?

Foods can be labeled organic and natural, which means they tend to lack chemically produced substances, but when a food is called organic, this takes the matter one step further. It means that the producer of the food has created the food under strict and regulated circumstances. Government organizations like the US Department of Agriculture create standards, which foods must meet in order to be considered organic and carry an organic label. These foods tend to be free of hormones, are only treated with pesticides considered “organic,” and the food is produced in a region where organic food production is possible. It can take several years for a farm to convert to the standards required to consistently get that organic label.

Sometimes the line between organic and natural is confused because it would make sense to think of foods that are minimally processed as containing no pesticides. One of the main differences between organic and natural is the way the government defines these terms. When you buy organic foods they must meet certain defined standards.

At present most governments do not have an official definition of natural. They may go so far as to describe natural as not chemically produced, but there is little to no certification for “natural foods” or things called “all-natural.” When a food is natural, that really doesn’t tell you much about it, nor does the description guarantee a certain purity or safety of the product. A natural food, unless otherwise labeled, is not an organic food.