With summer days spilling into long and languid nights, we’ve got weekend escapes on our minds. There’s certainly something to be said for summer in the city, complete with its cast of cultural attractions. If that’s one of the primary pulls to stay home, we’ve got you covered. More and more, the English countryside is becoming a place of inspiration for creative minds. Over the past few years, in particular, we’ve seen a flurry of urbanites flocking out to the fresh air. Read on to find out where they’ve settled and how you can make the most of their contributions to our rolling landscapes…

 

Somerset

 

Somerset is abuzz with DFLs (or ‘Down From Londons’), as they’re affectionately termed by local stalwarts. Bruton is one locale that’s seen its fair share of creatively inclined new residents. It’s also a fantastic place to visit for a bit of artistic stimulation in the country. It’s home to Hauser & Wirth Somerset, complete with its craft-focused gallery space, Make. Here you’ll also find Osip, a perfectly formed village restaurant with all the allure of London’s top tables. You can even stay at the adjoining Number One Bruton hotel if you’d like to keep close to the action. Just down the road is At the Chapel, another excellent restaurant with rooms. For those in search of the full country experience, take a short drive to The Newt. This sprawling estate is home to one of the UK’s finest hotels, complete with vibrant gardens, a traditional cydery, and a couple of top-class restaurants. The main house as well as its outbuildings are a feat of design in and of themselves that are sure to ignite artistic eyes.

 

 

Bath, in all its Georgian glory, is just a short drive away. Stroll through the creamy sandstone crescents and pop into design destinations like 8 Holland Street, teeming with distinctive vintage finds. Founder Tobias Vernon has recently opened a townhouse, decorated in his signature eclectic style, where you can rest your head for a night or two. Be sure to pop by Francis Gallery as well, which is headed up by Cereal magazine founders Rosa Park and Rich Stapleton. Expect Korean-inflected ceramics and English antiques, expertly curated for a contemporary yet characterful feel. If you’re in the market for a Sunday pub lunch, stop into Margot Henderson’s new outpost, The Three Horseshoes in Batcombe.

 

Cornwall

 

While we’re in the West Country, we’d be remiss not to touch on Cornwall. It’s no secret that the area’s sweeping seascapes and chocolate box villages are spectacular in the summer. As you take in the natural delights, be sure to make a couple of stimulating stops along the way. The Tate St Ives in a fabulous place to start, with its outstanding array of modern art. While in town, make a point of visiting the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden. It’s something of a time capsule which harks back to St Ives’ days as an artists’ colony teeming with inspired imports and local talents. Stroll through her home and have a peek in the studio before taking in her garden of artistic delights.

 

 

St Ives is by no means short on interesting restaurants and bars serving all kinds of new-age wines and small plates, so you’re bound to find one to duck into as you go. Though, if you’re in the market for a proper lunch on the water, make the trip to Hotel Tresanton in St Mawes. You would swear you’re on the French Riviera, with its breezy terrace full of nimble waiters balancing ice buckets packed to the brim. They even host beach barbeques through the summer months so be sure to enquire, especially if you decide to stay in one of their Olga Polizzi-designed rooms.

 

The Peak District

 

If you’re inclined towards a more active escape, the Peak District is a fantastic fit. Walkers and cyclists will certainly get what they bargained for and be rewarded by awe-inspiring views. Once you’ve had your fix of the great outdoors, take a trip to Chatsworth, home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. It’s a spectacular home in its own right, surrounded by outstanding gardens. The experience is heightened by a focus on art and design through the ages. Visit before the 1^st of October to catch their current exhibition, Mirror Mirror: Reflections on Design at Chatsworth. The show presents contemporary creations designed and contextualised in conversation with site’s historic spaces. Expect striking works by Wendell Castle, Faye Toogood, and Michael Anastassiades, to name a few.

 

 

Head off to the Hepworth Wakefield gallery for a deeper dive into modern and contemporary art. For the history buffs, stop into Haddon Hall, a 900-year-old building which is one of the finest and best-preserved medieval homes in the UK. For something a little off-piste, stay in a treehouse at Callow Hall, which has been artfully designed by the team behind Chewton Glen. Round out the trip with a visit to nearby Yorkshire Sculpture Park, where you can explore 500 acres of world-class works by the likes of Henry Moore, Anthony Caro, and Ai Weiwei.

 

Kent

 

Kent is enjoying something of a creative renaissance at the moment. That’s in part thanks to Margate’s hometown hero, Tracey Emin, who’s recently opened an art school to foster local talent. The town has been dubbed ‘Shoreditch-on-Sea’, which might help to paint a picture of its contemporary landscape. It’s also home to Turner Contemporary, a gallery with an ever-evolving roster of fascinating art exhibitions. Visit from the 11^th – 17^th of August to get a feel for local talent at the Margate Festival of Design.

 

 

When evening comes, head off to The Rose in Deal, an on old Victorian pub that’s been reimagined by the ex-Design Editor of wallpaper* magazine, Alex Bagner alongside her husband, Christopher Hicks. You’ll be well fed at their restaurant, headed up by Nuno Mendez of Chiltern Firehouse fame. If that’s sparks an appetite for local fare, continue on to a few vineyards. Simpsons is an excellent example of England’s take on sparkling wine, with a few vintages that stand up valiantly against their French counterparts.

 

East Sussex

 

If you’re in search of an especially easy weekend out, East Sussex will serve you well. The town of Lewes is only an hour’s train ride from London, so you can easily spend three nights away and pop back in Monday morning. Explore this picturesque town’s antiques and rare book shops before heading further afield. Check out Charleston Farmhouse to get a taste of the Bloomsbury lifestyle and all the beauty left in its wake. Before you go, it’s worth having a look at what’s on as they have a rich calendar of cultural events, especially through the summer months. If you’d like to stay locally, book a room at The Ram Inn, a simple country pub that’s been expertly remodelled for comfort and style. You can then take a stroll to nearby Firle Place, a stately home that dates back to Henry VIII.

 

 

Both Rye and Alfriston are beautiful little towns where you’ll find remnants of Roman and Norman history. Stay a night or two at Olga Polizzi’s most recent opening, The Star in Alfriston if you’re up for a bit of pampering. Oenophiles will, again, be delighted (or possibly surprised) with the area’s offering of new vineyards. We’d advise you make Tillingham your first stop if you’d like a taste of the region’s more youthful flavours. The vineyard is home to a restaurant and outdoor pizza bar, both beautifully adorned with vintage modern furniture that imparts an artful touch. You can even stay the night if you find yourself enjoying the wine a little too much to leave.

 

 

 

Text (and unlinked photos) by Annabel Colterjohn