First there was camping, then there was glamping and now there are stately staycations. That’s the best way to describe the holidays on offer at the Walcot Hall Estate which elevate the experience of staying outdoors to another level. Here, in the grounds of a palatial 18th-century stately home, you can wander five acres of landscaped gardens, play tennis on the estate’s court and sip Prosecco over breakfast in the big house.
For the moment there’s just a single glamping pad in Walcot Hall’s small but ancient orchard, so you have this corner of the estate all to yourself. Tucked amid mature apple, pear and plum trees, Apple Blossom Yurt offers a secluded and totally private place to stay with the luxury of a rather nice hotel suite tempered by the outdoor appeal of camping. Inside, there are rugs underfoot, robes in the en suite bathroom and Egyptian cotton sheets on the kingsized bed. But you also get the outside where there’s a hot tub, views of horses in surrounding paddocks and bistro-style seating for dining under the stars. Despite the name, the accommodation here is not a traditional Mongolian-style construction but a lighter, airier Lotus Belle tent with stargazer skylights in the roof. That means you can lay in bed and watch the stars as they begin to twinkle or gently wake as the sun starts to rise over the North Lincolnshire countryside.
The tennis court, swimming pool, gardens and wider parkland are shared if others are staying on the estate. Walcot Hall itself is let as accommodation for large groups and there are plans for a shepherd’s hut, too — but with 27 privately-owned acres, you won’t be jostling for space. In fact, you’re unlikely to see anyone, except perhaps your host. Walcot Hall’s gracious owner, Cindy will welcome you to the site when you arrive up the long drive on day one of your stay and is on hand to help if you need information or one of her lovingly-cooked breakfasts.
It’s the kind of place that, if you’re staying for the weekend, there’s little need to leave, save for walking to the nearby nature reserve to enjoy views across the Humber. Or perhaps to dine out at the Michelin-star restaurant, that’s just a five-minute drive down the road.
