There’s an upside to all the summer rain we’ve been having: our gardens are now in full, beautiful bloom.
Relaxing amongst nature – any kind of nature – is all but guaranteed to restore and revive weary souls. But flowers, especially when they’re at their fullest and most vibrant, add an incomparable something extra.
It’s well-known that flowers inspire warm feelings of joy and happiness (why else are they so often given as special gifts, or used to decorate celebration spaces?)
So much so, you could find that after a holiday surrounded by heady, sweet-scented blossoms, you’re inspired to brighten up your home with a few flowers. Ones that make you smile every time you look at them, because they remind you of holiday time well spent.
Each of these unique and blissful retreats boasts a particular botanical feature that will make your senses sing. Maybe it’s a fragrant rose garden, carpets of rich-hued rhododendrons, or a serene wildflower meadow buzzing with bees.
Why not take a look right now, and try to ‘pick’ a favourite?
Author: Nina Jervis
Main image: Fairytale Glamping, Lincolnshire
Portlaoise, County Laois, Ireland
A private, magical haven with joyfully quirky retreats and idyllic wildflower meadows, peacefully secluded in Ireland’s ‘Ancient East’ close to bustling Dublin.
Both glampsites burst into bloom from June to September! Flowers wild and cultivated are encouraged to flourish pretty much everywhere on our glamping sites. From hobbit houses with wildflower roofs and petunia planters over the round doorways, to plants in pots, rambling roses on fences, and climbing clematis, the whole place is coming down with colour. Add to this the 2 acres of wildflower meadow on each glampsite (with wiggly paths mown through for guests to wander and explore), and you are very much in touch with nature & flowers throughout your stay. It's beautiful.
St Germans, Cornwall, England
View the best of Cornwall's unspoilt countryside from the window of your very own eco-friendly, lovingly restored railway carriage at Railholiday.
Bedrooms: Varies
Sleeps: 2-6
Harvey of Hayle is a 1950’s railway carriage packed full of original features, that is within easy walking distance of three miles of golden sand. Despite having the convenience of being close to the railway station and local shops, its half an acre of private gardens, with herb beds, climbing roses, fruit trees, brazier, wildlife pond and signal box playhouse/ bird hide give it a feeling of being a magical secret hideaway.
Pagham, West Sussex, England
A soothing coastal retreat with a Victorian railway carriage at its heart, perfect for families and friends and opening straight onto Pagham Beach.
Driftwood Beach House has some availability until 12 July and also an amazing crop of wildflowers to admire between house and beach.
Underhill, Gloucestershire, England
A romantic hideaway in the heart of the Wye Valley AONB that’s cocooned in nature, styled with eco-friendly luxury, and completely surrounded by wildlife.
At Owl's Nest Hideout, we have a designated flower patch with orchids, and bee-friendly wild meadows.
Marbella, Andalucia, Spain
An architect-designed retreat with an al fresco swimming pool, rich in laid-back Scandi style and privately secluded in the Andalusian hills close to Marbella, for jaw-dropping forest, sea and mountain views.
Flower filled herb gardens amongst the forests of Andalucia, a hillside of lavender, rosemary and guara with pink oleanders and pine trees can be found in the grounds of The Hidden Villa, flowering throughout the year in the mild Malaga climate. Soak in the jacuzzi overlooking the forests or relax ala chaise on the terrace brimming with blossoming lavenders is this haven in the hills.
Dittisham, Devon, England
An exquisite collection of luxury treehouses, a gleaming American airstream, and artisan shepherd's lodges, all with al fresco hot tubs and beautifully nestled in the scenic heart of Devonshire countryside.
Bedrooms: Varies
Sleeps: 1-5
Perfect behind Pink – The private treehouses at Dittisham hideaway pop out behind the colour palettes of the summer, and the meadow down at the Shepherds Lodges in full bloom hosts a great location for the bees and butterflies.
San Luis Obispo, California, USA
A vividly kitsch, grandly one-of-a-kind resort just off US Route 101, where the good times roll and no two rooms are the same.
Bedrooms: 110 rooms/suites
Sleeps: Varies
Madonna boasts beautiful, bountiful gardens year-round; especially in the Secret Garden: open to hotel guests and day visitors alike. Our head groundskeeper plants garden roses, daisies, lilies, dahlias, sunflowers, freesias, ferns, and more each season.
Tiverton, Devon, England
Learn to appreciate nature again and relax in a lovingly handcrafted off-grid cabin, secluded in its own Devon woodland glade.
We've been working with Devon Wildlife Trust since 2006, to increase biodiversity here at Bulworthy Project. As a result, our wildflower meadows are beautiful as well as rich in wildlife.
Crediton, Devon, England
Sumptuous Scandi-inspired hideaways with al fresco copper bathtubs, secluded amongst acres of Devon woodland, meadow, and apple orchard, with idyllic views over Dartmoor.
Bedrooms: 1 per treehouse
Sleeps: 2 per treehouse
In the summer the private 20-acre site at Nymetwood Treehouse is turned over to wildflower meadow to attract bees and insects.
Saint Clether, Cornwall, England
Luxury accommodation for large groups, infused with unique style and a warm Cornish welcome, set within 16 stunning acres of private land on the edge of Bodmin moor.
Bedrooms: 11 (6+5)
Sleeps: 22
Watch the wonderful wildflowers dancing in the sunshine at the newly refurbished Tregulland Cottage and Barn - 30% off July stays!
Chard, Somerset, England
A multi award-winning, romantic shepherd's hut retreat in soothing Somerset, taking glamping to brand new levels of luxury in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Bedrooms: Studio
Sleeps: 2 per hut
We love our herb beds at Dimpsey Hither, mint and marjoram and a few strawberries scattered around.
Llanrhaeadr, Denbighshire, Wales
Luxury log-cabin-style hideaways, surrounded by breath-taking gardens on a historic Grade II-listed property in North Wales.
Bedrooms: 1 per roundhouse
Sleeps: 2 per roundhouse
Our garden at the Laundry Retreat is the big draw that brings people to us. An acre walled garden, featured in many garden publications.
Hunmanby, North Yorkshire, England
A peaceful and welcoming 18th century farmstead in the Yorkshire Wolds with a mix of glamping and self-catering accommodation for couples, friends, families… and their dogs!
Bedrooms: Varies
Sleeps: 6
We have a fantastic kitchen garden here at Dale Farm, and guests are welcome to help themselves as we always have a huge surplus!
Braunton, Devon, England
A sublime and secluded off-grid Devon retreat, dog-friendly and with a dreamy private deck to bring you blissfully back to nature, batteries fully recharged.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 2 (+2)
The beautiful stream meadow in front of the Linhay is filled with meadowsweet & buttercups in summer whilst the wildflower meadow (Lower Fox meadow) is a designated Devon wildlife site with an abundance of beautiful blooms. Inhale the glorious scent of honeysuckle as you wander along the woodland path bordered by foxgloves and wood avens... and best of all it's yours alone to enjoy, without another soul in sight.
Ashington, West Sussex, England
A sustainable, solar-powered A-frame haven, architect-designed and beautifully secluded in its very own field, amongst the peaceful green foothills of the South Downs National Park.
This solar-powered, architect-designed A-frame cabin is secluded in its own seven-acre flower field, on a flower farm in the West Sussex village of Ashington, in the foothills of the South Downs National Park.
St Ives, Cornwall, England
Innovative glamping pods with stargazing roofs, secluded in a leafy hilltop hideaway with stunning views of St Ives Bay.
Bedrooms: Open plan
Sleeps: 4 or 5 per pod
Stay amidst the serene beauty of Wildflower Wood, overlooking St Ives Bay. The vibrant tapestry of woodland and wild blooms makes this a truly tranquil glamping experience.
Sheerness, Kent, England
Eclectic accommodation and seasonally-inspired dining on a National Nature Reserve in Kent, with an abundance of wildlife right on your doorstep.
Bedrooms: Varies
Sleeps: Varies
At Elmley Nature Reserve our Kingshill Farmhouse garden is full of English wildflowers interspersed with English country garden borders.
Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, England
An absurdly romantic treetop hideaway with huge windows, luxurious facilities, and an al fresco bathtub, dreamily secluded on the edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds.
Bespoke-constructed around shimmering lakes and whispering trees, amongst magical rhododendron woodlands in the Lincolnshire Wolds, Pheasant’s Roost is a wonderfully luxurious treetop hideaway for two.
