Our wanderlust-fuelled Take Me To series has journeyed from the Lake District to the North Norfolk coast, the honey-hued villages of the Cotswolds to the lively Hampshire maritime town of Lymington and beyond.
Now our tour of some of the most inspiring destinations in the British Isles (where you’ll also find the land&water collections) offers a fresh perspective – travelling from city to coastline and back again.
Read on for our pick of five coastal land&water locations within hours of a city, for the ultimate land > water experience, including the first Take Me To destination on foreign shores: Casa Rosa in Olhão, Portugal.
Another Place, The Machrie
40-minute flight from Glasgow
On the Isle of Islay – one of the easiest-to-reach Hebridean islands off the west coast of Scotland – Another Place, The Machrie is steeped in elemental awe.
Facing the Atlantic, with unbroken views of dunes, sea and sky, The Machrie boasts everything from a world-class golf links, a wild garden spa, two restaurants that expertly showcase local produce (think lobster, oysters and venison), to an impressive modern art collection.
Stargaze or watch out for a lucky glimpse of the Northern Lights from the beach deck. Take an invigorating dip in the pristine waters of Kilnaughton. Spot golden eagles, seal pups and dolphins on a wildlife boat trip. Ride one of The Machrie’s fatbikes along endless sands, or sink a “wee dram” at one of Islay’s famous whisky distilleries.
Dune House
1.5-hour drive from Norwich
As one of eight remarkable holiday homes in the innovative Living Architecture collection (each designed by leading architects and artists), Dune House paints a contemporary vision of coastal living.
Nestled within rolling Suffolk dunes and perched on the very edge of the sand, this striking building by Norwegian architects JVA feels part Scandinavian, part English. An informal, open-plan ground floor, lined entirely by glass, affords generous sea views and direct access to the beach for early morning swims. Upstairs, terraces, bedrooms and bathrooms open out onto further panoramic coastal vistas. Polished concrete floors, whitewashed ash walls and Arne Jacobsen lights all accentuate the building’s geometry, while the ‘floating’ roof structure, topped with golden sheets of steel, reflects passing clouds.
Watch the sun rise from bed, stroll along the shore to buy freshly caught fish for dinner, or soak in the views while using the land&water products in every bathroom. On cooler nights, gather round the open fire to read, swap stories and relax.
Casa Rosa Villa Olhão, Portugal
Three-hour flight from London to Faro
Travelling beyond British shores, a trip to Casa Rosa promises an authentic Portuguese coastal escape just three hours’ flight from London.
This nine-room bohemian-feel boutique retreat lies in the refreshingly untouristy Algarve port town of Olhão – famous for its bustling fish market, seafood restaurants and relaxed aura.
Inside Casa Rosa’s namesake pink walls, organic textures and an earthy colour palette cast a tranquil mood, while the tiled courtyard, pool and palm-dotted roof terrace invite laid-back days and nights overlooking Olhão.
Outside, island beaches and sandy-toed lunch spots beckon – easily reached by boat. Hire a bike to cycle across the flamingo-frequented salt pans and marvel at tidal lagoons, or wander the whitewashed streets of the Moorish town centre on foot, passing houses adorned with colourful Portuguese tiles and bougainvillaea blooms.
Discover Casa Rosa Villa Olhão
Taylor Made Salcombe
One hour’s drive from Plymouth
By the water, in the centre of town, or up high with sweeping estuary views that make the climb worthwhile? Taylor Made’s stylish retreats come with individual character, but all share the same magnetic coastal location: Salcombe, in South Devon – just one hour’s drive from the port city of Plymouth.
Known for its crystalline waters and golden sand beaches, Salcombe is a mecca for sailing and rowing, with a rich seafaring history. Nestled within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, rolling green hills border the town and dolphins visit its sheltered bays.
With land&water recipes brightening their sinks and bath sides, each unique property in the Taylor Made Salcombe collection offers something to elevate your stay, from outdoor kitchens to cinema rooms, sun-trap terraces to private gyms, waterside views to heated swimming pools.
Bridging “the gap between self-catered holiday home and boutique hotel,” every Taylor Made Salcombe stay also comes with a personal concierge service offering expert local knowledge and help shaping your ideal trip.
Shore Stays
1.5-2 hours’ drive from Plymouth or Exeter
Featuring some of the most covetable coastal holiday homes in North Cornwall – less than two hours’ drive from the city hubs of Exeter and Plymouth – the Shore Stays collection leaves you spoilt for choice.
Will you opt for the charming mix of old and new at the thoughtfully renovated Beach Cottage, where the bedroom terrace overlooks Porthcothan Bay and a garden path leads to a private spa room and sauna? Will the Scandi interiors and moments-from-the-surf location of the spacious Tregirls beach house – perched above the Atlantic, with panoramic views – call to you? Or will you take it slow at the peaceful countryside retreat of Meadowside, all sunlit open-plan spaces, lush garden views and indoor-outdoor living
Whether you’re looking for modern and design-led (see Mawgan Porth’s Arthouse) or homely and characterful (see the farmhouse kitchen and cottage garden of Calenick near Port Isaac), choose your Cornish sanctuary – then head out for days filled with coastal exploration and calm.
