Category: Uncategorised

January is not a month that features on many, if anyone’s, list of favourite months!  Getting back into the routine of things after Christmas and New year is hard enough, without having to deal with dreary weather too!  But January is also the ideal time for reflection, planning, establishing healthy habits for the year ahead.  So, perhaps it should be a month that we embrace, rather than wish away!

 

Here are seven things to do this January to turn it from a month of deprivation and depression to one of joy and jubilation!

 

1 Book a holiday

Research shows that just the act of planning and anticipating your holiday will give you a boost in happiness.  Just imagine yourself with a drink in hand, sitting on a sofa, looking out onto rolling green fields, a tranquil lake and the sea in the distance.  Enjoy the awesome spectacle of the sun setting on the sea, followed by the twinkling of millions of stars, in the deepest dark night of one of the very few Dark Sky reserves in the world.  Listen to the fire crackling in the wood burner, the babbling of the stream below the lodge, the wind rustling the trees and not a single sound intrusion from the modern world: just Mother Nature’s pure, relaxing soundtrack.  Now quick, before we run out of availability, book your stay at Longlands!

 

2 Declutter

A good tidy and sort out is the best way to launch yourself into the new year.  Marie Kondo is a Japan’s expert declutterer and professional cleaner.  In her book “The life changing art of Tidying” she explains that the key to success is the order in which you tackle things.  Clothes first, in case you were wondering!  It’s a quick read with sensible advice and should inspire you to turn out your cupboards and get rid of all those things you really don’t want or need, but can’t bring yourself to part with.

 

3 Get Organised

Not just in terms of stuff in your house (Marie Kondo will take care of that – see above) but start to plan out the year ahead.  Map out a new weekly routine that builds in time for exercise, time to plan the meal’s for the week, time for friends and family, time for hobbies and interests, and most importantly some time to relax and unwind.

 

4 Ditch the Diet

Read Mimi Spencer’s “101 Things To do Before you Diet” and learn how dieting is the problem and not the solution.  Her fantastically entertaining and inspiring no-diet book is filled with tips on how to lose weight and feel better about yourself.  She teaches you how to stop judging and start living and covers topics such as: Eat more and weight less; Dress thin and look gorgeous; Change your mind to change your shape; Banish body blues and find body balance. How fantastic does that sound?

 

5 Get Active

Twenty minutes of heart pumping exercise will not only burn calories and help you get back into your jeans, but it will also release a whole host of lovely feel-good endorphins into your system that will make you feel on top of the world.  If you can find time in the morning you have the whole day to enjoy that happy feeling and the increase metabolic rate!

 

6 Learn about yourself

Where better to start than understanding about how your brain works? David Rock’s book “Your Brain at Work” explores strategies for overcoming distraction, regaining focus and working smarter all day long!  It might just change your life and not just how you work!  So far I have learnt why it is important to prioritise prioritising, simplify, do one thing at a time, remove distractions and clear your mind & find the right amount of stress for peak brain performance…and that’s just the first chapter!

 

7 Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the experience of paying close attention the present in an open and accepting way.  It is the practice of living “in the present”, of being aware of an experience as it occurs in real time and accepting what you see.  Research has shown that not only will it reduce stress and make you healthier, it will, quite literally, change how you see the world.  Whilst it isn’t difficult, the hard part is remembering to do it!  I am using “The Little Book of Mindfulness” by Dr Patrizia Collard to help me find 10 minutes each day for peace, calm, relaxation and brain training!

 

Wishing you a joyful January and a great start to 2017!  We do hope to see you at Longlands: take note of point 1!

 

At Longlands when we talk about Glamping we put far more emphasis on the Glamorous and very much less on the Camping than the name would imply! In fact, if there were a catchy way to say “Boutique Hotel with Canvas Sides” we would be using it!

Regardless of the terminology here are 10 reasons why we think you will love Longlands

1. Unplug from the Daily Rush

Enjoy a simpler way of life without compromising on comfort or luxury: a proper bed, a kitchen with plumbed in butlers sink, ensuite showers, a wood burning stove. We have gone to great lengths to ensure that you have everything that need for your stay. You should only have to bring clothes, your swimsuit, suntan lotions & perhaps rain coat & wellies – just in case!

2 Reconnect as a Family

Put down the gadgets and engage in conversation! Rediscover the fun of Monopoly, Scrabble and Uno. Enjoy a candlelit dinner as a family. Swap stories and share discoveries from the day. You may find your monosyllabic teenager is quite lovely away from his iPhone! You can even bring the dog!

3. Get close to nature

Paddle around the lake. Go bug hunting along the stream. Spot deer amongst the ancient beech trees. Build a den. Collect newly laid eggs from the chickens. Feed the fish. At Longlands you can immerse yourself in the countryside and nature but still enjoy all the creature comforts of home.

4. Go Gastro

Take time out from cooking. Let us do the Cooking for you! Just place your order in the Larder shop and collect the next day! Or try some of our favourite local pubs and restaurants. Alternatively get creative with your cooking. Add some herbs from the pot on the deck. Forage for some wild garlic, salad leaves or blackberries. Cook up a feast on the wood burner. Toast marshmallows over the BBQ. We have so many more options than you would if camping!

5. Admire the View

Sit back. Put your feet up. Pour a glass of wine. Watch the sun set on the sea. We have 17 acres of beautiful rolling countryside set in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural beauty on the western border of Exmoor National Park. There are few sites that can rival our stunning location and incredible views. Spot a shooting star. Admire the Milky Way. You will be amazed at what you can see in the night sky, particularly as we are in the Dark Sky Reserve in Europe. We even provide books to help identify the constellations!

6. Soak away your cares

An ensuite shower. A hot water boiler to warm the room. Natural aromatherapy products. Fluffy towels. No need to run miles to find a loo or fight your way to a shower in a communal block. This is Glamping Longlands style and not Tramping!

7. A great nights sleep

Snuggle into a warm bed and under a thick duvet. Enjoy the feel of luxurious White Company Egyptian Cotton bed linen. Not a sleeping bag or roll mat in sight! This is Glamorous Camping after all! Be lulled to sleep by the babble of the stream, the wind in the trees, or the patter of rain on the canvas roof. Hear the owls calling to each other. Breathe in that fresh air and sleep soundly. Sweet dreams!

8. Wake up revived

Listen to the chorus of birds and the lambs in the field. Fire up the stove. Put the kettle on. Pour yourself a mug of freshly ground coffee. Watch the world wake up! Pick up freshly cooked pastries from the Larder shop and some local jam. Leaf through the books on local walks and activities. Plan your adventures!

9. New adventures

So many adventures to be had. So many new places to explore. Secret gardens, picturesque villages, stunning views. Immerse yourself in North Devon & Exmoor and learn some of its history. Or get active! Walk, Cycle, Run, Surf, Kayak, SUP, rock climb, horse ride. Try something new! Feel the rush! Create lasting memories to take home.

10. Wonderful holiday whatever the weather

A wood burning stove to curl up in front of. Solar lamps, candles, & even electrical LED lamps to banish the dark. An ensuite shower heated by a wood burning boiler. Blankets and hot water bottles to keep you toast warm. When you stay at Longlands you can be sure to be snug, warm, dry whatever mood Mother Nature finds herself in!
With so much “Glamour” and a lot less “Camping” 2017 is definitely the year to give Glamping at Longlands a go! Even the most hardened anti-camper might find themselves to be a devout Longlands Glamper!

 

2017 Availability

Love Longlands?  To escape to Longlands in 2017 please book soon: we are already over 75% full!   The only school holiday we have available is for the October half term, and every weekend until September is fully booked with the exception of just four: the 17th to 20th March, 24th to 27th March, 28th April to 1st May and 2nd to 5th June.  Don’t delay: Book today!

 

2018 Bookings Now Open!

Love Longlands but cannot find a date to suit you in 2017?  We are now taking bookings for 2018.
We are already fully booked for May half term plus a number of weekends for special celebrations.
If you have stayed with us before, or have booked to stay with us in 2017 you can reserve your stay in 2018 without the need to pay a deposit until October 2017.

 

Take time out together.

Sit back & enjoy the aerial displays from the swallows & dragon flies! Cast a line from the jetty. Catch your supper. Float in a boat around the lake. Wander through ancient woods.

Walk hand in hand on golden sands.

Admire the stunning coastline & breathtaking views. Visit secret beaches.  Enjoy the peace & quiet.

Discover the magic of Exmoor.

Spot a stag. Meet an Exmoor pony. Admire the antics of the wild goats of Lynton. Indulge in a Devon cream tea!

Pick up supper from the Larder.

Put the champagne on ice. Watch the sun set on the sea.  Enjoy star filled skies & admire the milky way.  Be lulled to sleep by the babble of the stream.

Head out for new adventures!

Book for a mid week in May or June for just 2 of you (plus toddler or baby) and we will give you £100 discount making a 4 night mid week stay in May £495 and £525 in June.

Bookings can be made by phone, email, Direct Message through Facebook or via our website.  If booking through the website the discount will be applied to your balance payment.

If you haven’t yet read the wonderful write up we received from Country Mummy after her visit to Longlands, we would encourage you to do so. Not only did she have lots of lovely things to say about us she also took some magical photos.  Check out her blog on http://www.countrymummy.co.uk/blog/2015/07/06/adventures-at-longlands/