Special Places to Stay in Britain for Garden Lovers (edition 6)

• Publication date: April 1 2011
• £19.99

There might be a little matter of a royal wedding on the 29th but further cause for excitement will surely revolve around the release of the new edition of Sawday’s Special Places to Stay in Britain for Garden Lovers to be published on April 1. Now including hotels and self-catering spots as well as B&Bs, the book will be a new larger format with five colour photos for each of the 102 entries. From cutesy cottages with delightful gardens to match to grand country estates with their own parkland, there are places to suit all tastes.

Review copies of all three titles are expected in March so let me know if you have any features planned or would like to discuss extracts or giveaways.

Favourite British Hotel or Inn, Favourite British B&B, Greenest B&B or Hotel, Best Breakfast, Favourite British Self Catering Place and Favourite French B&B.

The winners will each be presented with a beautiful, hand-crafted award not to mention a very warm glow from knowing that they have been chosen by guests from over 5,000 very special places to stay.

How the shortlist was drawn up:
The categories for the Awards were sent out via the Sawday monthly newsletter. The readers were invited to send in their favourites in a completely random fashion. Here then are the results:

Favourite British Hotel or Inn
Winner: Augill Castle, Cumbria, www.stayinacastle.com
Simon & Wendy Bennett, +44 (0)17683 41937
Sawday’s say, “A folly castle built in 1841. Outside, five acres of lush gardens are patrolled by a family of free-range hens, whose eggs are served at breakfast each morning. Inside, grand interiors come properly furnished: chesterfield sofas in a vast hall, a grand piano in the music room, an honesty bar in the drawing room, ribbed ceilings, open fires, fine arched windows. Perfect for house parties and small weddings. “
Runners Up:
Heasley House, Devon www.heasley-house.co.uk
Boskerris Hotel, Cornwall, www.boskerrishotel.co.uk

Favourite British B&B
Winner 2009 and 2010: Middle Cottage, Middlesex, www.middlecottage.org
Jonathan & Sarah Barker +44(0)7775 803 664
Sawday’s say “What a find! A terrific spot right next to the Thames: Jonathan and Sarah have an eye for detail and do things well; you have your own, very private space in one half of their early Victorian cottages. Your light, upstairs sitting room has a dazzling collection of art and sculpture, chunky glass shelves full of design magazines and a soft grey sofa for reading”
Runners Up:
West Colwell Farm, Devon, www.westcolwell.co.uk
Strete Barton House, Dartmouth, Devon, www.stretebarton.co.uk

Greenest B&B or Hotel
Winner: The Mill at Gordleton, Hampshire, www.themillatgordleton.co.uk
Liz Cottingham, +44 (0)1590 682219
Sawday’s say, “A 400-year-old listed mill; plans are afoot to reactivate the wheel in order to draw electricity from it. It’s an idyllic spot, the terrace perfect for summer suppers with the stream brushing past below. Inside, low ceilings, warm colours and wonky walls give the feel of cottage life. A fire roars in reception, a panelled bar serves pre-dinner drinks.”
Runners Up:
The Scarlet, Cornwall, www.scarlethotel.co.uk
Buttervilla Farm, Cornwall, www.buttervilla.com

Best Breakfast
Winner: West Colwell Farm, Devon, www.westcolwell.co.uk
Frank & Carol Hayes, +44 (0)1404 831130
Sawday’s say, “Devon lanes, pheasants, bluebell walks and sparkling B&B. The Hayes clearly love what they do; ex-TV producers, they have converted this 18th-century farmhouse and barns into a cosy, warm and stylish place to stay. Bedrooms feel self-contained, two have terraces overlooking the wooded valley and the most cosy is tucked under the roof. Linen is luxurious, showers are huge and breakfasts (Frank’s pancakes, lovely bacon, eggs from next door) are totally flexible. Bliss.”
Runners Up:
Woodlands Country House, Cornwall www.woodlands-padstow.co.uk
Mallard Grange, Yorkshire, www.mallardgrange.co.uk

Favourite British Self Catering Place
Winner: Mazzard Farm, Devon, www.mazzardfarm.com
Ruud Jansen Venneboer, +44 (0)1404 815492
Sawday’s say, “Seven miles from sleepy Sidmouth, at the foot of East Hill, are 17 acres of old apple farm, now populated with tipis, hens, farmhouse, gardens, play areas, a large courtyard with picnic tables and six super cottages. It’s heaven for children and relaxing for grown-ups, what with pampering treatments and heaps to do.“
Runners Up:
Prides Cottage, Dorset, www.pridescottage.co.uk
The Gatehouse, Monmouthshire, www.welshgatehouse.com

Favourite French B&B
Winner: Logis de Bresdon, Charente-Maritime, www.logis-de-bresdon.com
Sawday’s say, “Immerse yourself in a secluded 19th-century manor house in ‘the sunniest region of France.’ Kathy is a marvellous cook and serves locally sourced dinners in her chic dining room – and in the meditation garden under the stars. The gardens are well-kept, the views are stunning and you’ll sleep blissfully in smart, light bedrooms with the smoothest linen and lovely antiques.“
Runners Up:
Château de Vaulx, Saône-et-Loire, www.chateaudevaulx.fr
Château de Pasredon, Puy-de-Dôme, +33 (0)4 73 71 00 67, no website

The Natural Wedding Book (edition 1)

• Publication date: October 2010
• £19.99

A full-colour coffee table book filled with ideas for an eco-conscious and stylish wedding whether you want a traditional do or a more handmade celebration. Vintage gowns, organic cakes, seasonal food and flowers and honeymoons that won’t cost the earth. Louise Moon, author and eco wedding designer, suggests simple how-tos and insider tips to make your day truly unique. Conveniently compiled into bite sized chapters for each topic, it’s a pleasure to dip into.

Louise is happy to be interviewed so do email if you would like to be put in touch.

Foreword by Jo Wood

Buy the book for £12.99 (rrp £19.99) plus p&p

Like to read more? Download our press release and sample spread (411KB download)

Go Slow England & Wales (edition 1)

• Publication date: November 2010
• £19.99

Special Places to stay, slow travel and slow food

Go Slow England, the first title in Sawday’s ‘Slow’ series of guides, has been a runaway success selling over 25,000 copies. This edition, now including Wales, has plenty of new entries from B&Bs, hotels, inns and self-catering places run by an eclectic bunch of owners who treasure the traditional, embrace the eco-friendly and value community.
Regional guides pinpoint the way to tea gardens, farmers’ markets, pick-your-own farms, county fairs, historic and unusual places to visit and all manner of ‘slow’ spots nearby.

Like to read more? Download our press release and sample spread (491KB download)

British B&B (edition 15)

• Publication date: September 2010
• £14.99

B&Bs are not what they were. The greasy fry-ups, creaky old beds dressed in lemon nylon and a chilly walk to the shared bathroom are, thankfully, things of the past. The new breed offer beautifully turned out rooms, roll-top baths, antiques, designer potions and lotions and delicious breakfasts that will have you skipping down in the morning. But you will need a trusted source to guide you to the best and here it is bigger and swisher than ever .

Like to read more? Download our press release and sample spread (411KB download)

Like to read more? Download our press release and sample spread (400KB download)