At the majority of our pet friendly sites, dog hampers are now available, so know your pet can feel as taken care of as you are this holiday.

Our Yorkshire Dales location even offers a ‘puppy hamper’ from £25 for tiny paws, along with the ‘standard hamper’ from £30 and the ‘deluxe hamper’ from £40. Typical items include dog bowls, a knitted bone, tennis ball and launcher, pedigree gravy biscuits, a Frisbee and squeaky toy burger, dog blanket, absorb dog towel and a dog feeding mat for £36.

There are so many things to do with your dog at every one of our locations; from countryside walks in the Yorkshire Dales to paddling in the sea on the Cornish coast. At the end of an exciting day outdoors, the whole family can relax together in your stunning home-from-home.

You can book your doggy hampers online when you book your stay and our specialist Concierge team can help with all aspects of your getaway – from suggesting pet-friendly beaches to special requirements ahead of arrival.

We have profiled a few of our pet-owning staff and asked them a few questions about their pets and our sites.

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Name: Ruth Bond

Job Title: Concierge and Property Specialist

Pet: Dog

Name of Dog(s): Sophie

Breed of Dog(s): Border Collie

Age of Dog(s): 7

Sites visited: Llŷn Peninsula and Trewhiddle, Cornwall

Top tips for dogs and their owners visiting those sites: At Llŷn Peninsula the Ty Coch Inn is a great dog friendly pub and is right on the beach, so you can sit out front and watch the dogs play.  In Trewhiddle, there are walks along the canal and the Poolgooth Inn (pub) is a 5 minute drive from the site; great food and great atmosphere.

Are there any pet-friendly beaches or parks nearby: At Trewhiddle, there are 5 beaches within 10-15 minute drive that are all dog friendly; Gorran Haven, Hemmick, Caerhayes, Par Sands and Portmellon. Perranporth is a very popular dog friendly beach, and a lot larger, but is a 30 minute drive away.  At Llŷn Peninsula there is a large beach on site that is dog friendly all year around, although it is best to go when the tide is out so there is a large sandy stretch to walk on. Nefyn, Morfa Nefyn and Porth Dinllaen are just 10 minutes away and are dog friendly also.

Are there any specific sites that you’d like to visit next? And Why:  I’d like to go to the Yorkshire Dales.

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Name: Rachel Hatt

Job Title: Retreat Manager

Pet: Dogs

Name of Dog(s): Finnley and Penny

Breed of Dog(s): Great Dane and Lhasa Apso

Age of Dog(s): 17 months, and 5 years

Sites visited: Llŷn Peninsula

Top tips for dogs and their owners visiting those sites: All surrounding areas are governed by the National Trust so walkers must adhere to the country side code. Dogs must be kept on a lead as the area is home to livestock (sheep, cows and mountain goats). Penalties are given to owners of dogs who do not clean up after them, £70 on the spot fines have been issued!

Are there any pet-friendly beaches or parks nearby: Parc Glynllifon is a manor house set in idyllic grounds and pets are welcome if on a lead; one can enjoy woodland walks and discover the hidden magical treasures within its grounds!   Llanbedrog Beach offers a mile long stretch of sand and is one of the calmest beaches in Wales, sheltered by the huge headland of Mynydd Tir-y-Cwmwd. This pet-friendly beach is now owned by the National Trust, with parking facilities, a cafe/bistro selling ice cream through the summer months and public toilets a little further up the road.   Abersoch Beach is a sandy and very sheltered which makes it popular with water sports enthusiasts e.g. wake boarders and water-skiers. There’s a shop and cafe at the top of the beach and a specific section for dogs, south of the slipway. There are many more beaches nearby as well.

Sites to visit and why: I especially would like to see Yorkshire Dales, John O’Groats and Trewhiddle for the dog-friendly aspect.

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Name: Cheryl Bishop

Job Title: Assistant General Manager

Pet: Dog

Name of Dog(s): Boo & Lilly

Breed of Dog(s): Weimaraner & Springer

Age of Dog(s): 7 years old & 7 ½ years old

Sites visited: Llŷn Peninsula & Trewhiddle

Top tips for dogs and their owners visiting those sites: Great walks on the doorstep direct from both sites. Especially Trewhiddle where the Pentewan Trial is right outside the site and Kings wood is 10 minutes away on foot.

Are there any pet-friendly beaches or parks nearby: Great dog friendly beaches all year round include Crinnis & Par which are 10 minute drive away from site.

Sites to visit and why: The next site I’d like to visit would be JOG, because of all the lovely walks on the doorstep and stunning scenery there!

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The theme for National Pet Month this year was companionship between owner and dog – what’s a better way to show companionship than taking your pet with you on holiday?

From mid-August guests can stay at the stunning John O’Groats Inn. Natural Retreats have restored the iconic John O’Groats Hotel, originally built in 1875, along with a Norse style extension which provides a splash of colour against the coastal landscape. The interior will combine old and new styling to provide a contemporary feel throughout and hold bespoke self-catering apartments within. Each is unique and carries its own character, offering 1, 2 or 4 bedrooms with all of the high quality facilities you can expect from Natural Retreats. To make a booking, please contact our Concierge team on 0844 3843166.

There’s plenty of wildlife to discover off the coast of Scotland and John O’Groats plays host to some of the finest wildlife around. What better way to explore than on our Natural Explorer Sea Safari, speeding across the waves towards Stroma and along the dramatic coastline around the Stacks of Duncansby. You’ll get a chance to see Scottish wildlife up close, with Orca and Minke whales migrating, plus smaller marine mammals such as grey seals, harbour seals and the region’s most iconic bird – the Puffin.

Located just a few minutes along the coast from Natural Retreats John O’Groats, the Castle of Mey was bought by the Queen Mother in 1952 and restored to its original glory before handing it over to the Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust in 1996. The Trust has opened the house and gardens every year since her death in 2002. The Castle has just reopened to visitors for 2013.

The residences are fully equipped with modern interiors and the Natural Retreats Concierge can take care of everything, from suggesting the best place for a picnic to booking restaurant reservations.

Here are some of our suggestions to enjoy a summer holiday to remember at Yorkshire Dales:

Enjoy lighter, longer evenings

Make the most of your stunning home-from-home and spend summer evenings amidst the countryside. Open your full-height picture windows and enjoy the outdoor space and furniture. Natural Retreats Concierge can order delicious BBQ packs – so fire up the coals, sit back and watch the sunset. Children will love having acres of space to run around in – all under the watchful eye of Mum and Dad.

Take a stroll in the sunshine

There are a number of fantastic walks starting from Natural Retreats Yorkshire Dales, ranging from 45 minutes to just over 2 hours, all of which take in spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. ‘Whitecliffe Walk’ offers a huge variety of sights, from the wonderful views of Swaledale to dark forest walks, river trails and dramatic cliffs.

Explore Richmond

Just a short stroll away you will find the town of Richmond – best known for its impressive Norman Castle, its large cobbled market place (which is the biggest in Europe) stunning Georgian architecture and picturesque waterfalls. The town is also home to Britain’s most complete Georgian playhouse, which has all been magnificently restored and is still a working theatre; as well as two popular museums, The Richmondshire Museum and The Green Howards Museum.

Pack your bucket and spade!

With miles of award-winning beaches, hidden coves and lively fishing harbours waiting to be discovered on the Yorkshire coast this is the perfect destination for family fun and relaxation. Kids love a day messing around on the beach, especially if you throw in some delicious fish and chips!

This carefully considered redecoration combines state of the art British designed fixtures, fittings and equipment with a rejuvenated exterior as well as enhanced roads and pathways. A selection of properties will also boast private outdoor fire pits and sunken seating, enabling guests to further appreciate the beautiful backdrop and views across the stunning Swale valley. The coming months will also see the introduction of an enhanced landscaping plan including reconditioned railway sleepers vertically installed and set within a dry stone wall of local Yorkshire stone and uplit to enhance the guest’s sense of arrival.

The interiors have been revamped courtesy of NoChintz, an interior design agency and similarly to when they worked at our John O’Groats site, NoChintz have used locally-sourced regional suppliers, including the award-winning contemporary furniture company Naughtone. The residences have been lovingly furnished with exclusively designed sofas as well as innovative ‘cube’ seats, showcasing colours selected to compliment and mirror the scenery. Local level involvement has been evident throughout the project, from local craftsmen installing the entrance feature to local stone masons rebuilding the stone walls.

We are crafting a brand standard of British manufacturers and products within our collection, whilst incorporating local items wherever possible. This is exemplified by the locally-produced sofa cushions, and ‘tree trunk’ bedside tables to emulate the scenery, which are under the spotlight of our debut pendant lighting, looping a triad of shades on long flexes as a focal point.

Ethical and exquisite in design, our vision will ensure the creation of a robust and durable yet aesthetically alluring interior that is sustainably sourced and executed in the most sustainable manner.

From surrounded by the countryside at our Yorkshire Dales site or perched right on the coast at our sites in Fistral Beach in Cornwall, and John O’Groats in Scotland, our UK locations are likely to appeal to everyone, as well as have something on offer for everybody!

At both of our Cornwall sites you are within five minutes from a beach, but with a variety of beaches on offer there are many from which to choose! Whilst staying at John O’Groats you can spot the best scenery and wildlife that Scotland has to offer; from Minke and Orca Whales to Grey Seals and Puffins, John O’Groats has one of the best vantage points around. Yorkshire Dales offers a perfect example of rural English countryside, with a wealth of activities to keep everyone entertained, from caving and mountain biking to canoeing, as well as trips to the nearby attractions and much more!

Two of our Irish Retreats, Castlemartyr and The Heritage, are nestled in the grounds of iconic hotels; which offer the freedom and flexibility of self-catering along with the spoils of staying in a luxury hotel. Natural Retreats guests can use the facilities at the resort, such as the spa and restaurants as well as many other services, such as the horse-drawn carriage rides and fishing at Castlemartyr or the tennis courts and 15m swimming pool at The Heritage. The Heritage is tucked within the countryside of Co. Laois but within easy access of attractions such as Emo Court Gardens and Kildare Shopping Village and more. Castlemartyr, Co. Cork, is breath-taking and a perfect location from which to explore; Fota Wildlife Park and other outings are not too far away!

Every single one of our locations offer stunning views, as well as great walks and activities that will appeal to all ages and provide perfect opportunities from which to explore your new surroundings. So book now to ensure you have a bank holiday weekend to remember!

Terms and Conditions Apply; Subject to a 5 night minimum stay, stay dates must include 06/05/13 and 27/05/13.

From countryside to coast, the UK locations offer something for everyone. Spot the best scenery and wildlife Scotland has to offer at John O’Groats or visit the UK’s favourite holiday destination and beaches a plenty down in Cornwall. Yorkshire Dales offers a perfect slice of rural English countryside, with a wealth of activities to be discovered.

On the Emerald Isle, both Castlemartyr and The Heritage offer all the spoils of a luxury Hotel with the freedom and flexibility of self-catering. Located in the grounds of iconic hotels, the Natural Retreats accommodation at both is of the highest standard and guests can utilise Resort facilities including spa and restaurants. Located in Co. Laois, The Heritage provides a hidden gem tucked within the countryside and Castlemartyr, Co. Cork, is ideally located to explore this famous County.

Scotland plays host to some of the finest wildlife around and the area comes to life in May and June. Harbour and Grey seals returning to their breeding sites, Killer whales can be spotted around the coast and the nearby cliffs home thousands of birds from puffins, arctic skuas, storm petrels, guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes.

Guests who book in May and June will also receive an exclusive 15% discount on Natural Outfitters activities and in-store clothing, footwear, home and pet accessories!

So join us for a sea safari around Stroma and the Duncansby Stacks on our Natural Explorer boat, fantastic freshly cooked local produce at Natural Storehouse and our luxury eco-lodges, featuring sustainable locally sourced materials such as Caithness stone, Scottish Larch timber and sedum roofs.

Ideally located to access the best the region has to offer, the spacious and modern residences offer a superb vantage point from which to discover Cornwall.

With our current offers giving you up to £250 off 10 and 14 night stays at Natural Retreats Trewhiddle, now is the perfect excuse to book this incredible coastal break, find out more about the offer HERE

Here are our top five picks for a Cornish holiday with Natural Retreats:

Take a stroll through Charlestown
Just a ten minute drive from Natural Retreats Trewhiddle you will find the Port of Charlestown. Much-loved by holidaymakers, the stunning setting has been the background for television and film producers over the years, mainly because the houses and surrounding area of the harbour has not changed much since the Georgian Times. Charlestown boasts a spectacular Cornish harbour which holds magnificent tall ships. Hornblower, a television drama programme based on C. S. Forester’s novels about the fictional character Horatio Hornblower, a Royal Naval officer during the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars, was filmed here, starring Ioan Gruffudd and Robert Lindsay.

Day at the Beach
Cornwall is well known for its beaches; both for swimmers and surfers, Trewhiddle is surrounded by beaches that are suitable for all types of activities. Some examples include Porthcurnick Beach which is an isolated sandy beach, backed by high cliffs, on the Roseland Peninsula, with rock pools and water activities which are ideal for children. The nearest beach to Natural Retreats, Trewhiddle, is the beach at Pentewan Sands, which is a large sandy beach excellent for swimming as well as water sports, including surfing, windsurfing, sea-canoeing, water-skiing and sailing. Three miles from Padstow is a wonderful collection of seven sandy beaches, locally known as Seven Bays for Seven Days; each bay has its own unique character. Whilst staying at Natural Retreats you will be spoilt for choice, from family friendly beaches such as Porthpean, to beaches that are more suitable for swimming, windsurfing and sailing. Beaches such as Watergate Bay and Par Sands are well worth a visit, and with so many to choose from you don’t even have to visit the same beach twice, unless of course you want to!

Day Trip to Rock / Padstow and Wadebridge
An example of a day trip from Natural Retreats, Trewhiddle, could see you visiting three tourist destinations in one day! Drive to Rock and take the ferry across to Padstow. Varied pursuits can be found from cookery lessons at Rick Stein’s Seafood School (www.rickstein.com/Seafood-School) to hiring bikes and riding along the Camel Estuary (www.padstowcyclehire.com). When you eventually want to leave Padstow, you can take the ferry back to Rock, famous for the long stretches of fine sandy beaches and clear blue water. It is one of the major water sport centres in Cornwall – sailing, windsurfing, water-skiing, canoeing and rowing are all activities which can be carried out in the relatively calm waters of the Camel Estuary!

Minack Theatre
The Minack Theatre is an open-air theatre, constructed above a gully with a rocky granite outcrop jutting into the sea over Porthcurno Bay; from above it looks as though the ancient Greeks had carved a theatre into the granite cliffs of Porthcurno, when in reality just under eighty years ago there was nothing there except a sloping gully of gorse and heather! With different theatre groups performing throughout the summer, there are a range of different performances from Babe, The Sheep Pig to Wuthering Heights and The Marriage of Figaro with many other in between!

Glorious Gardens
The Eden Project, roughly a 15 minute drive from our Trewhiddle residences, is essentially the world’s largest greenhouse; consisting of two enclosures that house thousands of plant species from around the world, with each enclosure emulating their natural environment. Examples include tropical rainforests, banana and cocoa plants to grape vines and citrus fruits!
The Lost Gardens of Heligan consists of over 200 acres of magnificent gardens, which lay forgotten after the First World War until they were re-discovered in the early 1990s. They are now one of the most popular botanical gardens in the United Kingdom, with plenty of areas for exploring, from the Northern Gardens that feature a productive vegetable garden to the area known as “The Jungle” which plays host to giant rhubarb and banana plantations, avenues of palm trees and tunnels of towering bamboos!
Scattered throughout Cornwall are privately owned open gardens; from formal gardens to small country gardens. There are plenty of gardens within a 16 mile radius of Natural Retreats, Trewhiddle; a full list of open gardens can be found at http://www.ngs.org.uk/gardens.aspx

1. On Your Doorstep

During the summer holidays, the hotel arranges a host of free family activities; from Arts and Crafts, Basketball and Table Tennis to Rounders, Croquet and Bowls! Every morning from 9.30 till 2pm the hotel also hosts a Kids Club, for children staying at the hotel or with Natural Retreats; activities include Circus Skills, Badminton, Target Football and many more activities to keep the children entertained!

2. Emo Court Gardens

The gardens at Emo Court are 35 hectares of magnificent naturalistic landscaped grounds which have been brought back to the splendour of their past! The gardens have been divided into two main areas, ‘The Clucker’ which contains rare specimen trees and shrubs, and ‘The Grapery’ which is an arboretum through which wind a series of pathways, each opening to vistas across to the surrounding Slieve Bloom Mountains or towards the house; both of which are in full bloom in the summer months!

3. Kildare Shopping Village

Perfect if you’re in need of a new summer wardrobe and only a 20 minute drive away is Kildare Village; a designer outlet shopping village featuring 60% off, year round reductions on previous seasons’ collections from over 55 leading European and international luxury fashion and lifestyle brands; as well as cafés and restaurants. Natural Retreats guests can get 10% off at Kildare Shopping Village; just collect your exclusive voucher from the Concierge desk at the Hotel.

4. Walking / Slieve Bloom Mountains

There’s no point in sitting in doors day after day during the summer; why not go for a walk amongst the nearby Slieve Bloom Mountains!? The Slieve Bloom Mountains are breath-taking; they rise steeply from the surrounding plain, covering an area of 600 square miles and offer mysterious glens, rivers, waterfalls, historic sites and more. Choose from a variety of walks, eco-trails, short and long loops, forest paths and the famous Slieve Bloom Way – walking truly is the best way to fully absorb the beauty of the country.

5. Golf

The Heritage Championship Golf Course was designed by the late Seve Ballesteros in conjunction with the renowned course designer Jeff Howes. This course is a par 72 course and offers over 7,300 yards of Championship tees. It is strictly a soft spike course and the dress code is smart casual (no jeans), reservations are essential. The Heritage is also home to the Seve Ballesteros Natural Golf School, only the third of its kind in the world. The school offers a unique training facility and employs leading edge technology and personal tuition from PGA professionals Eddie Doyle and Eamon O’Flanagan. Within a 40 minute drive there is also Palmerstown House, The K Club Golf and Spa Resort and Carton House Golf course.

Find out more about our residences at The Heritage by clicking here

To book call our specialist concierge team on 0844 3843166! With prices for 2 people starting from £400 for 3 nights and £500 for 4 nights this is not to be missed.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan consists of over 200 acres of magnificent gardens which was forgotten after the First World War after the majority of the estates gardeners did not return and the up keep deteriorated. The gardens lay neglected under ivy, brambles, laurel and fallen timber until they were rediscovered in early 1990 and gradually restored before being opened to the public in 1992. The Lost Gardens are now one of the most popular botanical gardens in the United Kingdom with plenty of room for exploring such as the Northern Gardens that feature a productive vegetable garden that stands as a working memorial to the Heligan’s Lost Gardeners, the area known as “The Jungle” which plays host to giant rhubarb and banana plantations, avenues of palm trees and tunnels of towering bamboo and much more.

The Eden Project, roughly a 15 minute drive from our Trewhiddle residences, is essentially the world’s largest greenhouse; it consists of two enclosures of adjoining domes that house thousands of plant species from around the world with each enclosure emulating the natural biome. The Humid Tropics Biome recreates the look, feel and natural environment of a tropical rainforest and houses hundreds of trees and plants from rainforests in South America, Africa, Asia and Australia such as fruiting banana trees, coffee and cocoa beans, rubber trees and giant bamboo as well as a waterfall. The Mediterranean Biome imitates the natural landscapes of South Africa, the Mediterranean and California perfectly; plant species found here include aubergine, citrus fruits, grape vines, olives and peppers.

Scattered throughout Cornwall are Open Gardens; the gardens mentioned below are all within 16 miles of our residences, with many open gardens still out there to discover! Pencarrow House and Gardens feature 50 acres of tranquil, family-owned Grade II listed gardens with superb specimens such as azaleas, magnolias, conifers and camellias galore! Bluebells and Wild Garlic carpet the woods in June and over 700 varieties of rhododendron give a blaze of spring colour! Designed and laid out between 1831 and 1855 by Sir William Molesworth, later Secretary of State for the United States, and Thomas Corbett, this garden features an Iron Age hill fort, sunken Italian Garden complete with a quatrefoil fountain, ancient Cornish cross and a grotto which is believed to have been a secret meeting place!

Riverside Cottage is a small garden on the beautiful St Clement Estuary, with a small Victorian orchard and nut walk with wildflower areas, borders and vegetable patches. Carclew Gardens once was part of the formal gardens of the original Carclew Mansion, including Italianate gardens, over 40 varieties of Acer, Fern Dell and Woodland Walks. Trelissick Garden features woodland gardens with fantastic views out to water on 3 sides, with mixed borders designed for long term interest, with a mixture of popular species and tender exotics with foliage interest; among the gardens are four summerhouses with lovely views. Headland Garden is a 1 ¼ acre cliff garden with magnificent sea, coastal and estuary views; planted especially to withstand salty gales yet includes subtropical plants. Paths wind through the garden, past rocky outcrops down to a secluded swimming cove! Lastly The Japanese Garden and Bonsai Nursery features a spectacular Japanese maples and azaleas, a symbolic teahouse, koi pond, bamboo grove and zen and moss gardens! There are many other open gardens in the surrounding area, an interactive list of which can be found at the NGS Open Garden Website. 

To book call our specialist concierge team on 0844 3843166! With prices for 2 people starting from £400 for 3 nights and £500 for 4 nights this is not to be missed.