We decided to go and check out the Yorkshire Natural Retreat, so we could let you know what you can expect if you are the lucky winner.. read on and don't forget to ENTER at the bottom of the page..
We arrived at Natural Retreats on the outskirts of Richmond, on a sunny, blustery afternoon in March. As we dropped down off the beaten path into the dell which houses the Natural Retreat properties, the whole family honestly gasped at the sheer beauty of the setting and the lodges. The properties are all made from natural materials and are basically like mini versions of eco houses you might have seen on Grand Designs. Their positioning is such that they blend in with the environment and they are dotted around the site in such a way that every one seems completely private.
For children it is a dream come true- on stepping out of the lodge there is grassland, a shallow frog filled pond, hillocks, rocks, rabbit holes and a rich variety of local wildlife including very cute and inquisitive brown hares who enjoyed hopping around next to our decking! That is just the outside.
The inside of the lodges manage to strike an incredibly difficult balance- combining being 'family friendly' whilst maintaining an air of luxury. The layout is spacious with a centre piece log burner in the main living area. There is clear attention to detail on fixtures and fittings and all lodges have a state of the art entertainment system & wifi access. They also offer a DVD lending library for those rainy days. A drawer full of kids plates, cups, bowls and cutlery is provided making family dining a hassle free experience- plus the cot and high chair provided on arrival meant more room in the boot of our car for bikes and scooters. Furthermore there is a utility room with a microwave for heating milk and washing machine for this inevitable little accidents, again ensuring less stress!
Natural Retreats have clearly made a concerted effort to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. Even the welcome hamper on arrival was a visual delight- covering all the basics, but also with some naughty treats such as wine and local organic biscuits.
In all honesty, we actually found it difficult to move from our 'retreat' once arrived as it was a real home away from home (with a lot of conveniences we actually don't have at home!) The kids just ran and ran in the safe, natural environment and the parents could relax on the decking with a glass of wine, soaking up the views. Should we have wished to get more energetic there were a variety of activities available including several picturesque walking trails running straight from our doorstep, horse riding and so on.
It sounds cliched but we honestly did not want to leave. We returned feeling rested, relaxed and knowing that we had sampled a rather special experience.
For further information on Natural Retreats holidays click here
