Claire Luxton’s Ideal Weekend Travel Plans

13 hours ago

A perfect 48 hours for nature-inspired artist Claire Luxton involves the Cotswolds and Nyetimber

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Claire Luxton builds the perfect weekend getaway – plus, her pick of the best hidden galleries in the UK.

The Weekender With Claire Luxton

First of all, where is it?

We’d head to the Cotswolds, around the Broadway area, pausing en-route at Bibury. William Morris once described Bibury as ‘the most beautiful village in England’ and in my mind it is the perfect version of the Cotswolds – all 17th century houses sloping along hills.

Solo trip?

I would be travelling with my husband, Scott. We adore a staycation and have explored a lot of the UK. I am mainly the driver and he is in charge of the playlist and car snacks.

Big or small hotel?

We love a luxury boutique hotel – all the home comforts with great interior design and service, service, service. If I could check in anywhere, it’d be Dormy House on the Farncombe Estate, again in the Cotswolds.

How do you like your eggs?

Fried over easy, please.

And your coffee?

In spring/summer an iced latte, and in colder months a cappuccino.

How do you like to discover a place you’re staying in?

I am type A when it comes to planning trips: I like to fully research the hotels, the area, the restaurants, and things to do. My husband and I have a league table for all the places we visit. Our scoring system rates the hotels out of ten across service, ambience (including amenities), and food. We rarely give a 30 out of 30; Dormy House is a full marks stay.

Dormy House

Does your ideal Saturday night away involve dancing?

This type of weekend escape wouldn’t – it’s all about the pamper, nature, food, and relaxation. But one of my favourite nights of all time in the UK was dancing at the Secret Cinema Bridgerton Experience. My husband and I wholeheartedly embraced the theme and I ended up being presented to the queen as a potential ‘diamond’ of the season.

What’s your cocktail order?

Either a Pornstar or Espresso Martini.

And if you’re staying in?

A fantastic meal with an equally good bottle of wine: a New Zealand sauvignon blanc or an English sparkling, like Nyetimber.

If you go for a walk, where will you go?

Walking in the Cotswolds is so beautiful. We have done many hikes in the UK – from Ben Nevis to the South Downs – but on this trip, we would take a nice walk up to Broadway Tower and enjoy a coffee and cake in the village before the walk back.

Will you be doing any exercise?

If the weather is nice enough we might go kayaking, or take a workout and swim in the hotel.

What are you reading?

Something escapist. When I’m away, I want pure easy-read fantasy. Currently, that is Sunrise On The Reaping by Suzanne Collins

What are you watching?

This type of trip would involve no TV. The only viewing option would be if we found a pop-up outdoor film screening, like Luna Cinema.

Anything else that would make the weekend perfect?

If the British weather would be kind and give us some beautiful sun it would make the weekend 10/10.

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