Marvellous Minibreaks

WELSH ESCAPE

Glangwili Mansion, Carmarthenshire
This luxurious country house in Llanllawddog is on the edge of the Brechfa Forest in Carmarthenshire. Relax in the vast grounds, go for coastal walks, enjoy beautiful beaches and ancient castles, and don’t miss the nearby National Botanic Garden of Wales. Meanwhile, 18,000- acre Brechfa Forest offers plenty of walking routes and pretty fields of wild flowers.

From £115 per room per night: 01267-253735, www.glangwilimansion.co.uk or www.discovercarmarthenshire.com

GARDEN DELIGHTS

Whatley Manor, Wiltshire
Whatley Manor near Malmesbury has 12 acres of gardens and offers guided tours with Andy Spreadbury, the gardens manager, on specific Tuesdays throughout the summer, visiting the 26 garden areas, woodland and wild-flower meadows. The tour costs £44 per person, with tea, coffee and biscuits on arrival, a two-course lunch with a glass of house wine followed by coffee served in Le Mazot brasserie.

Rooms from £250 per night for garden tour guests. For dates: 01666-822888, www.whatleymanor.com

TO THE MANOR BORN

Trewornan Manor, Cornwall
The newly opened Trewornan Manor near Wadebridge is a chic, adults-only B&B in an ancient manor house that has been reinvented by owners Paul and Lesley with the support of English Heritage. With just four rooms, the manor is set in more than 25 acres of tranquil parkland. Nearby beaches include Polzeath and Watergate Bay.

B&B from £100 per room per night: www.i-escape.com/trewornan-manor

SPA EXPERIENCE

The Swan, Lavenham, Suffolk
The Weavers’ House Spa has opened at the 15th-century Swan Hotel at Lavenham. The timber-framed hotel has 45 luxurious rooms, three dining options and the delightful Airmen’s Bar.

Until 30 September, have a one-night B&B stay with dinner in the AA two rosette Gallery Restaurant and enjoy a 60-minute massage per person plus use of sauna, steam room and vitality pool, from £155 per person: 01787-247477, www.theswanatlavenham.co.uk

GET ACTIVE

Nidd Hall, Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Set in 45 acres of gorgeous grounds, this Grade II-listed mansion built in the 1820s is close to the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. Warner Leisure Hotels off ers activities here from bowls, curling and fishing to croquet, Pilates, archery, rifle shooting and tennis, as well as a range of evening entertainment.

A two-night break starting on 10 June costs from £231.73 per person (saving £88.77 each), including breakfast, three-course dinner and live entertainment every night: 0330-100 9774, www.warnerleisurehotels.co.uk

HIDDEN GEMS

Hambleton Hall, Oakham, Rutland
Hambleton Hall off ers the chance to visit some of our greatest castles, country houses and gardens – Burghley House, Deene Park, Rockingham Castle, Grimsthorpe Castle and Easton Walled Gardens – all within a short drive of this country house hotel. The Hidden England stay includes one night’s accommodation, dinner, full breakfast and admission for two people to one of the properties listed.

The one-night Hidden England stay, from £450 per couple, is available Sunday to Thursday until September, excluding bank holiday weekends: 01572-756991, www.hambletonhall.com

Contact Wendy at wendy.gomersall@thelady.co.uk
Prices are correct at the time of going to press.