A Staycation at the Wilderness Reserve

It has to be said, staycations are wildly underrated. As much as I've loved chasing the sun across Europe this summer, it's been great to have the chance to discover some beautiful parts of the motherland too. There's something about the English countryside that is so peaceful and familiar, a weekend in the country has become my go-to when I need a little break from the city.

So naturally, when the lovely folks at Tenderstem invited me to a mini-break to the wonderful Wilderness Reserve last week I immediately said yes. I was joined at Kings Cross by Mel, Kristabel and Kate, where we embarked on the 3 hour drive deep into rural Suffolk. Pastel cottages and farm animals a plenty, I was instantly excited about what this little corner of the country had to offer.

Wilderness Reserve certainly didn't disappoint. We were staying in the beautiful and brand new Walled Garden part of the estate, where everyone was greeted with a delicious afternoon tea – complete with tasty Tenderstem elements of course. After settling into our rooms, each of which complete with gorgeous mix of modern decor and traditional heritage details – think free standing copper baths and cosy wool woven blankets, we had some free time to explore.

Mel, Kristabel and I grabbed our cameras and three push bikes from the main house and spent the afternoon having a nosey around the grounds. From a Georgian manor to cute cottages and the most perfectly pink farm house, the reserve has so many beautiful different locations ideal for a break with a large group of friends or family (see them all here). Cycling through the grounds was so much fun, from sheep spotting (there's lots around the estate and they're so adorable) to navigating uneven paths and stopping for several photo ops we had such a laugh exploring the estate. 

Before dinner I had some free time, so instead of catching up on some admin, I decided to treat myself and went looking for the outdoor pool. Set in the woods and deep into the ground down a spiraling path, it's a pretty surreal but beautiful setting. Add to that I headed down at dusk, it was quite a magical experience – swimming alone, in the woods, in the semi-dark, I felt very at one with nature!

Come dinner time, we were spoilt with a three course menu. To start I had Tenderstem with feta and Morroccan cous cous followed by a main course of Guniea Fowl teamed with steamed Tenderstem dauphinoise potatoes with a flourless chocolate torte for dessert. It was all as mouth-wateringly delicious as it sounds. As someone who regularly cooks with Tenderstem, it was great to get some fresh inspiration of different ways to use it in meals – we even tried it as part of an eggs benny dish in the morning!

Thanks so much to Tenderstem and the Wilderness Reserve for the lovliest little staycation.

I'm wearing: Allsaints shirt (similar), Dorothy Perkins jeans, Missoma horn necklace & mini fang necklace, Glamorous neck tie blouse & silver knit, Asos belt, Zara shoes (similar), Tularosa x Rock Barnes swimsuit, and Forever 21 bag.

It has to be said, staycations are wildly underrated. As much as I've loved chasing the sun across Europe this summer, it's been great to have the chance to discover some beautiful parts of the motherland too. There's something about the English countryside that is so peaceful and familiar, a weekend in the country has become my go-to when I need a little break from the city.

So naturally, when the lovely folks at Tenderstem invited me to a mini-break to the wonderful Wilderness Reserve last week I immediately said yes. I was joined at Kings Cross by Mel, Kristabel and Kate, where we embarked on the 3 hour drive deep into rural Suffolk. Pastel cottages and farm animals a plenty, I was instantly excited about what this little corner of the country had to offer.

Wilderness Reserve certainly didn't disappoint. We were staying in the beautiful and brand new Walled Garden part of the estate, where everyone was greeted with a delicious afternoon tea – complete with tasty Tenderstem elements of course. After settling into our rooms, each of which complete with gorgeous mix of modern decor and traditional heritage details – think free standing copper baths and cosy wool woven blankets, we had some free time to explore.

Mel, Kristabel and I grabbed our cameras and three push bikes from the main house and spent the afternoon having a nosey around the grounds. From a Georgian manor to cute cottages and the most perfectly pink farm house, the reserve has so many beautiful different locations ideal for a break with a large group of friends or family (see them all here). Cycling through the grounds was so much fun, from sheep spotting (there's lots around the estate and they're so adorable) to navigating uneven paths and stopping for several photo ops we had such a laugh exploring the estate. 

Before dinner I had some free time, so instead of catching up on some admin, I decided to treat myself and went looking for the outdoor pool. Set in the woods and deep into the ground down a spiraling path, it's a pretty surreal but beautiful setting. Add to that I headed down at dusk, it was quite a magical experience – swimming alone, in the woods, in the semi-dark, I felt very at one with nature!

Come dinner time, we were spoilt with a three course menu. To start I had Tenderstem with feta and Morroccan cous cous followed by a main course of Guniea Fowl teamed with steamed Tenderstem dauphinoise potatoes with a flourless chocolate torte for dessert. It was all as mouth-wateringly delicious as it sounds. As someone who regularly cooks with Tenderstem, it was great to get some fresh inspiration of different ways to use it in meals – we even tried it as part of an eggs benny dish in the morning!

Thanks so much to Tenderstem and the Wilderness Reserve for the lovliest little staycation.

I'm wearing: Allsaints shirt (similar), Dorothy Perkins jeans, Missoma horn necklace & mini fang necklace, Glamorous neck tie blouse & silver knit, Asos belt, Zara shoes (similar), Tularosa x Rock Barnes swimsuit, and Forever 21 bag.