Last month I visited Log House Holidays with a few of my favourite blogging ladies including Ellie from The Wandering Quinn, Kara from Heels in my Backpack, Sam from Yokomeshi and Liv from Liv on a Shoestring! We had been meaning to go away together for ages, and when this place appeared on our radar, we knew it was the perfect retreat for a weekend away from the chaos of London. Log House Holidays is a family run 130 acre nature reserve in the Cotswolds, offering something unique to visitors. It is a small oasis where you can escape the pressures of daily life in your own Scandinavian style log cabin. Here is my round up of my visit to Log House Holidays.
About Log House Holidays
Started in 1980, the family-run business open its doors each year to families, and friendship groups from the UK and beyond. Founder Anthony Edmondson had an idea for a unique and exclusive venue where both conservation and totally secluded holidays would exist in harmony. The log cabins offer the perfect place for family holidays and special celebrations, romantic weekend breaks or a long break with good friends.
The log cabins are all modern eco-friendly homes, finished with beautiful interiors, all with modern appliances and amenities – completed with a wood burner, lakeside hot tub, rowing boat, fire pit, private beaches and BBQ. Our cabin was called Kaiser and was situated on the inlet road in the middle of the lakes, with its own driveway and parking. As soon as I arrived I was taken aback at the cabin interiors and the atmosphere. From the lit Christmas tree, to the immaculate bedroom spaces, and roll top bath in the upstairs bathroom.
What’s at Log House Holidays
Soon after I had unpacked the shopping, our Private Chef for the evening Jamie from La Belle Assiette arrived to prep dinner and get the kitchen ready for the evening. And not long after the girls arrived in tow!
After a prosecco or two, we sat down for dinner perfectly cooked by Jamie, who runs his private dining experience, The Holistic Chef, across The Cotswolds. We enjoyed a seven-course vegan tasting menu which included:
- CANAPÉS – Belgian endive leaf, hazelnut ricotta, persimmon, lime, Jackfruit satay pot-sticker, Sri-Lankan jungle slaw and Japanese sushi bowl, smoked tofu, sesame, miso, yuzu
SOUP – Pumpkin soup, sage, truffle with Granary sourdough, Cotswold rapeseed oil
STARTER – Crispy panisse, salsa verde, black garlic, tomato raisins, piperade
MAIN COURSE – Celeriac terrine, sprouts, chestnuts, cox’s apple, wild mushrooms, mulled wine reduction
DESSERT – Chocolate and orange mousse, iced banana, tigernuts, amlou, the taste of argan oil
TEA – Born Wild Tea Party with Mince pies
After a long evening we settled down in front of the open fire, before heading for bed not long after midnight!
Lodges with Hot Tubs
As Saturday arrived we awoke to the most incredible views, as the mist rose across the lake. Me and Kara had the top bedroom with the balcony and it was a lovely view to awake to, with a swan swimming on the horizon.
Our Saturday was well spent, as we brunched in the morning before taking a dip in the Finnish hot tub, and spent the afternoon on a three-mile walk around the lakes, before heading back to get ready for dinner at the local pub, The Potting Shed.
Then we returned for an evening at the cabin, toasting prosecco in the hot tub, and roasting marshmallows on the fire in the log burner. It was the perfect end to the most wonderful day! But the best was yet to come…
The perfect log cabin break
As we awoke on Sunday morning we looked out of the window in awe. Overnight it had snowed and we awoke to a stunning winter wonderland. The lake was misty, whilst the trees were dusted in a white powder. The ground was a sparkling white, and as we stepped outside onto the decking it felt like we had woken up in Lapland, not Gloucestershire.
We spent the first few hours of the morning playing in the snow, and getting boomerang shots. We went for a walk down to the end of our private pier, before having a cup of tea out on the decking looking out across the lake.
Once our fingers had frozen we made our way inside, only to realise the power had tripped and we had no electricity. Usually this would spark panic in me, but due to the snow, and the relaxed nature of our weekend, we all took it in our stride and lit the log burner for heat.
We then realised we couldn’t make any breakfast so I popped some pans on the log burner and cooked breakfast for the girls using the heat from the fire.As we came to leave this wonderful place I couldn’t help but feel like I’d left behind my heart. This weekend was all about relaxing and getting back to basics. Me and the girls felt like we’d been there forever, yet it wasn’t long enough, and that was the best feeling. This place is incredible, and even the six-hour drive back home in the snow didn’t falter my memories of a wonderful weekend in The Cotswolds. I am now on their website looking at booking a break for next summer….
*We were invited to stay at Log House Holidays, however as always opinions are my own. This place was really as magical as I say it is!
