If you’ve been envying the “secret” getaways of Sandi Toksvig and her pals, here’s your chance to join them…
Extraordinary Escapes with Sandi Toksvig Thursday 9.00pm C4
Ed Grenby - 9 March 2022
Sandi Toksvig has some useful friends – and not just the celebrity pals who join her on her jaunts. True, the likes of Sue Johnston, Sarah Millican and Jenny Eclair have shown themselves to be fun travelling companions in her Extraordinary Escapes series, in which she overnights somewhere amazing in each episode; but even more enviable is her little black book of the landlords who own these fantastic British places to stay.
Now, though, that address book is being published: Extraordinary Escapes (lists all the properties from both series, as well as a few other incredible accommodations. Every single one is available to rent, and here are five of our favourites…
THE HOUSEBOAT, HAMWORTHY
Where is it? If pretty, serene Poole Harbour has a prettiest and most serene bit, it’s Lake Beach beside rugged Ham Common. The Houseboat is set about 100 metres back from there. What’s so special? Owned by an architect, it’s an award-winning eye-widener of a building (but built for comfort and socialising, not just aesthetics). Designed to look like an upturned boat, it has interesting angles and curves, plus lovely timber, making it as cosy as it is cool. Who would it suit? The “Living Quarters” are all open-plan and split-level – perfect for groups of friends – but the “Sleeping Quarters” accommodate ten in luxurious privacy, so great for multi-generational family trips, too. How do I get in? Three nights costs from £1,276; see thehouseboat-poole.co.uk.
TY HEDFAN, PONT-FAEN
Where is it? This one sits on a river that’s a Site of Special Scientific Interest; follow it a couple of miles downstream and you’re in the Brecon Beacons National Park. And if that’s still not enough, the rest of south Wales’s caves, forests, waterfalls and beaches are within easy reach, too. What’s so special? The clue’s in the name. Ty Hedfan means “hovering house”, and sure enough, the living room here is cantilevered out over the bubbling Afon Ysgir itself. With another chunk of the house sunk, semiunderground, into the river’s sloping banks, you’re truly living in nature here. Who would it suit? Well, Jenny Eclair was impressed when Sandi revealed the place to her (“I love it!” beamed Eclair. “You can hear the river!”), but – as it’s the owners’ family home, complete with playroom – it best fits families looking for peace and quiet. How do I get in? The property sleeps six, from £1,100 per week; book through ty-hedfan.co.uk.
THE OLD SCHOOLHOUSE, EILEAN SHONA
Where is it? This is as close to Neverland as you’ll ever get. JM Barrie wrote one version of Peter Pan here, and it remains a magical otherworld: Eilean Shona is an island in a Highland sea loch (Moidart), accessible only by boat… What’s so special? When the owners say it’s “off grid”, they mean it: no mobile reception, no internet, no electricity. There are nine other houses on the isle, but the Old Schoolhouse – which really was one – enjoys utter privacy, on its own bay above seal-speckled coves and whale-dotted seas. You might spot golden eagles, too. Who would it suit? Recluses will like the place, clearly, but the house sleeps four. You won’t be roughing it. Gas-lit and wood-heated, it’s decked out in elegantly simple white interiors. How do I get in? See eileanshona.com for details and expect to pay from £2,000 per week.
WISHBONE, MALVERN
Where is it? Nestled in 16 acres, Wishbone sits plum in the middle of the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, halfway between the Cotswolds and Birmingham. What’s so special? Grade II-listed and 500 years old, this honey-coloured stone cottage looks like something from a fairy tale. With its ancient apple orchard and pretty, private fishing lake, you could look out the window and think it’s still the 16th century. Who would it suit? Sleeping just two, Wishbone has “couple’s retreat” written all over it – but bring someone who likes the outdoors: it’s sigh-inducingly beautiful round here. How do I get in? Book through the brilliant uniquehomestays.com from £1,295 per week.
WILDWOOD SPA, RAVENDERE
Where is it? You’ll find this sleek, minimalist, Japanese-influenced pair of connected “living cubes” among 12 acres of deer-nibbled woodland beside the beach and village of Lee Bay, in north Devon. What’s so special? The Zen feel of this sedum-roofed, wood-clad hideaway – and the blissful mini infinity spa pool that sits between the two cubes – fits in perfectly with the tinkling-stream peacefulness of the forest. Who would it suit? Wildwood’s only big enough for two, so take someone you’re trying to impress (or de-stress!). Sandi’s guest Sarah Millican wasn’t impressed that there was no TV… How do I get in? A week costs from £2,750, but the place tends to book up to 18 months in advance; see ravendere.co.uk. ED GRENBY
Extraordinary Escapes (Quadrille, £20), to order for £18 incl p&p, call 03302 232 639 or visit radiotimes.com/shop11
Sandi Toksvig has some useful friends – and not just the celebrity pals who join her on her jaunts. True, the likes of Sue Johnston, Sarah Millican and Jenny Eclair have shown themselves to be fun travelling companions in her Extraordinary Escapes series, in which she overnights somewhere amazing in each episode; but even more enviable is her little black book of the landlords who own these fantastic British places to stay.
Now, though, that address book is being published: Extraordinary Escapes (lists all the properties from both series, as well as a few other incredible accommodations. Every single one is available to rent, and here are five of our favourites…
THE HOUSEBOAT, HAMWORTHY
Where is it? If pretty, serene Poole Harbour has a prettiest and most serene bit, it’s Lake Beach beside rugged Ham Common. The Houseboat is set about 100 metres back from there. What’s so special? Owned by an architect, it’s an award-winning eye-widener of a building (but built for comfort and socialising, not just aesthetics). Designed to look like an upturned boat, it has interesting angles and curves, plus lovely timber, making it as cosy as it is cool. Who would it suit? The “Living Quarters” are all open-plan and split-level – perfect for groups of friends – but the “Sleeping Quarters” accommodate ten in luxurious privacy, so great for multi-generational family trips, too. How do I get in? Three nights costs from £1,276; see thehouseboat-poole.co.uk.
TY HEDFAN, PONT-FAEN
Where is it? This one sits on a river that’s a Site of Special Scientific Interest; follow it a couple of miles downstream and you’re in the Brecon Beacons National Park. And if that’s still not enough, the rest of south Wales’s caves, forests, waterfalls and beaches are within easy reach, too. What’s so special? The clue’s in the name. Ty Hedfan means “hovering house”, and sure enough, the living room here is cantilevered out over the bubbling Afon Ysgir itself. With another chunk of the house sunk, semiunderground, into the river’s sloping banks, you’re truly living in nature here. Who would it suit? Well, Jenny Eclair was impressed when Sandi revealed the place to her (“I love it!” beamed Eclair. “You can hear the river!”), but – as it’s the owners’ family home, complete with playroom – it best fits families looking for peace and quiet. How do I get in? The property sleeps six, from £1,100 per week; book through ty-hedfan.co.uk.
THE OLD SCHOOLHOUSE, EILEAN SHONA
Where is it? This is as close to Neverland as you’ll ever get. JM Barrie wrote one version of Peter Pan here, and it remains a magical otherworld: Eilean Shona is an island in a Highland sea loch (Moidart), accessible only by boat… What’s so special? When the owners say it’s “off grid”, they mean it: no mobile reception, no internet, no electricity. There are nine other houses on the isle, but the Old Schoolhouse – which really was one – enjoys utter privacy, on its own bay above seal-speckled coves and whale-dotted seas. You might spot golden eagles, too. Who would it suit? Recluses will like the place, clearly, but the house sleeps four. You won’t be roughing it. Gas-lit and wood-heated, it’s decked out in elegantly simple white interiors. How do I get in? See eileanshona.com for details and expect to pay from £2,000 per week.
WISHBONE, MALVERN
Where is it? Nestled in 16 acres, Wishbone sits plum in the middle of the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, halfway between the Cotswolds and Birmingham. What’s so special? Grade II-listed and 500 years old, this honey-coloured stone cottage looks like something from a fairy tale. With its ancient apple orchard and pretty, private fishing lake, you could look out the window and think it’s still the 16th century. Who would it suit? Sleeping just two, Wishbone has “couple’s retreat” written all over it – but bring someone who likes the outdoors: it’s sigh-inducingly beautiful round here. How do I get in? Book through the brilliant uniquehomestays.com from £1,295 per week.
WILDWOOD SPA, RAVENDERE
Where is it? You’ll find this sleek, minimalist, Japanese-influenced pair of connected “living cubes” among 12 acres of deer-nibbled woodland beside the beach and village of Lee Bay, in north Devon. What’s so special? The Zen feel of this sedum-roofed, wood-clad hideaway – and the blissful mini infinity spa pool that sits between the two cubes – fits in perfectly with the tinkling-stream peacefulness of the forest. Who would it suit? Wildwood’s only big enough for two, so take someone you’re trying to impress (or de-stress!). Sandi’s guest Sarah Millican wasn’t impressed that there was no TV… How do I get in? A week costs from £2,750, but the place tends to book up to 18 months in advance; see ravendere.co.uk. ED GRENBY
Extraordinary Escapes (Quadrille, £20), to order for £18 incl p&p, call 03302 232 639 or visit radiotimes.com/shop11