Hoseasons has launched a new range of woodland-breaks to offer “affordable back to nature escapes”.
The Wanderwood collection comprises six locations around the UK, with accommodation in self-catering lodges and an emphasis on walking, bug-hunting, fishing and bird-watching.
The new range, which was unveiled at this year’s Abta Convention, is now on sale, for January onwards, with three-night breaks from £205 for four people.
Sales director Sally Henry admitted “similarities” with the hugely-popular (and famously expensive) Centre Parcs concept, but insisted Wanderwood offers a different kind of experience.
“We can’t ignore that Centre Parcs is a hugely succesful business, and there are some similarities, but Wanderwood is less about being based in a complex and more about going out to a local gastropub,” she said.
The six initial locations are in Norfolk, Surrey, Somerset, Shropshire, the Lake District and the Northern Highlands, but Henry said she sees far bigger potential for the product.
“If the demand comes through then we could double the number of locations in year two; that’s the sort of growth we typically see in new specialist products,” she said.
She described the new product as “mid-range” in terms of budget. “Wanderwood is not as expensive as our Autograph range, but all the lodges will be of a very high standard, with wi-fi and hot-tubs.”
All lodges will also offer binoculars, umbrellas and guides to help guests enjoy bird-watching, bug hunting and star-gazing in the local area.
As a big fan of domestic tourism, it’s good to see Hoseasons making use of the many opportunities available in the UK to start focusing on experiences