Bucks &amp; Oxon

I admit it, I have a thing for the West Country. I spend a lot of time looking at the Muddy Instagram accounts for these beautiful coastal counties and it&#8217;s where I automatically look to escape when being landlocked starts to feel constricting, particularly at this time of year.
If you&#8217;ve ever tried to book a self-catering place in Cornwall, Devon or Somerset you&#8217;ll know that the internet is literally riddled with holiday let sites, but save yourself a whole load of fruitless googling and go straight to <a href="https://www.perfectstays.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Perfect Stays</a> &#8211; their properties are absolutely gorgeous (perfect in fact, it&#8217;s no exaggeration).
But what they also do so well is think about the holistic and nurturing extras that lift your stay beyond the ordinary. In a month like January, where Wellbeing is top of our agenda on Muddy, it&#8217;s the perfect excuse to book a break that does more than give you four walls away from your home. Want some inspo? You got it, lady.
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FOR WATER LOVERS
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-100492" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Beachfront-Perfect-Stays-ext.png" alt="" width="1000" height="608" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Beachfront-Perfect-Stays-ext.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Beachfront-Perfect-Stays-ext-150x91.png 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Beachfront-Perfect-Stays-ext-300x182.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Beachfront-Perfect-Stays-ext-720x438.png 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
<a href="https://www.perfectstays.co.uk/property/beachfront/">Beachfront</a>, sleeps 8-10
Where: Right on the goddam beach in Bigbury-on-Sea.
Deets: An open plan living area encased in glass gives you amazing views out across the water. Four bedrooms (two twins at the back perfect for kids) and a sofa bed if you need more space.
Nearby: Bigbury on Sea is joined by a causeway to the iconic Burgh Island &#8211; go over on the iconic sea tractor! Other gorgeous beaches in the area include Bantham, Thurlestone, Hope Cove and South Milton. You&#8217;re close to harbour towns like Dartmouth and Salcombe. <a href="https://sharpham.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sharpham Vineyard</a> a 40 minute trundle in the car, is worth a trip.
Wellbeing extra: Ready to surf? Bigbury-on-Sea has several fantastic local surf schools, as well as other watersports such as kayaking, windsurfing or SUP to get the blood pumping. Slip out of bed, walk to the beach and off you go. There are dozens of beautiful coastal walks from your front door if you want the endorphins but prefer to stay dry.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-100477" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Beachfront-Perfect-Stays-5.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="667" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Beachfront-Perfect-Stays-5.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Beachfront-Perfect-Stays-5-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Beachfront-Perfect-Stays-5-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Beachfront-Perfect-Stays-5-720x480.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
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FOR YOGIS
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-100478" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/The-Nook-Perfect-Stays-4.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="650" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/The-Nook-Perfect-Stays-4.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/The-Nook-Perfect-Stays-4-150x98.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/The-Nook-Perfect-Stays-4-300x195.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/The-Nook-Perfect-Stays-4-720x468.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
<a href="https://www.perfectstays.co.uk/property/the-nook/">The Nook,</a> sleeps 2
Where: Set in rolling hillside and equidistant from Polzeath and Rock, this is ideal as a romantic hideaway with plenty of home comforts (wish my house looked this good, just saying).
Deets: Scandi-cool single level property, with open plan kitchen and living area, large master bedroom and bifold doors out onto the garden.
Nearby: The stunning beaches of Polzeath and Daymer Bay are both within a 10 minute drive. Rock and the foodie thrills of Padstow are both deliciously close too.
Wellbeing extra: 
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-100469" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/The-Nook-Perfect-Stays-1.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="667" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/The-Nook-Perfect-Stays-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/The-Nook-Perfect-Stays-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/The-Nook-Perfect-Stays-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/The-Nook-Perfect-Stays-1-720x480.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
You can book in-house one-to-one yoga sessions here. The instructor will bring along all equipment needed and will tailor the class to your ability. Nip 10 metres to the kitchen for a green tea (and sneaky biscuit) once you&#8217;re done.
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FOR SPA LOVERS
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-100471" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Salubrious-House-Perfect-Stays-1.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="667" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Salubrious-House-Perfect-Stays-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Salubrious-House-Perfect-Stays-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Salubrious-House-Perfect-Stays-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Salubrious-House-Perfect-Stays-1-720x480.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
<a href="https://www.perfectstays.co.uk/property/salubrious-house/">Salubrious House</a>, sleeps 9
Where: St Ives &#8211; the artiest district in Cornwall. The property itself was once home to artist Douglas Portway and was a big party house of its time, visited by Barbara Hepworth. Tate St Ives is just down the road.
Deets: Er, have you clocked the view from the dining room?! Bang in the heart of the town, Salubrious House has an upside-down design with the first three bedrooms on the ground floor so you can get the best of the views. Unusually for St Ives there&#8217;s a large garden &#8211; plus you&#8217;ll find <a href="https://www.bsjwtrust.co.uk/artists/douglas-portway/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Douglas Portway&#8217;s artist studio</a> at the bottom!
Wellbeing extra: Fancy a beauty treatment or three? The concierge team will arrange for a mobile therapist to visit the house, or if you fancy visiting a spa (our tip is for Una St Ives), consider it sorted.
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FOR FOODIES
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-100482" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Nightjar-Perfect-Stays-3.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="667" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Nightjar-Perfect-Stays-3.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Nightjar-Perfect-Stays-3-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Nightjar-Perfect-Stays-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Nightjar-Perfect-Stays-3-720x480.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
<a href="https://www.perfectstays.co.uk/property/nightjar/">Nightjar</a>, Sleeps 8
Where: A beautiful barn conversion in Dulverton, bang in Exmoor National Park and ideal for exploring both Devon and Somerset.
Deets: Awesome for two family groups as there&#8217;s a huge open plan kitchen and living space on a single level with two bedrooms at either end of the property. Particularly lovely for equestrian fans &#8211; you can bring up to three of your own horses as there&#8217;s stabling on site.
Nearby: The National Trust&#8217;s <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunster-castle" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dunster Castle</a> is less than half an hour’s drive. Kids will love Exmoor&#8217;s <a href="https://www.exmoorowlhawkcentre.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Owl and Hawk Centre</a> (12 miles away from the property).
Wellbeing extra:
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-100481" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Nightjar-Perfect-Stays-2.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="668" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Nightjar-Perfect-Stays-2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Nightjar-Perfect-Stays-2-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Nightjar-Perfect-Stays-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Nightjar-Perfect-Stays-2-720x481.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
Step away from the kitchen! Organise a private chef to step in and take care of the foodie stuff so you can focus on eating it outside with these views (above). Either bespoke meals or chef-prepared meals delivered &#8211; gotta say, I&#8217;m loving that idea &#8211; including vegan recipes.
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FOR WINE BUFFS
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-100485" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Pentyak-Perfect-Stays-2.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="625" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Pentyak-Perfect-Stays-2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Pentyak-Perfect-Stays-2-150x94.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Pentyak-Perfect-Stays-2-300x188.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Pentyak-Perfect-Stays-2-720x450.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
<a href="https://www.perfectstays.co.uk/property/pentyak/">Pentyak</a>, Sleeps 12 &#8211; 14
Where: Harlyn Bay, with its gorgeous horse-shoe white sand beach. Close to Constantine Bay and Padstow.
Deets: A family party house for sure. For kids, a sunken trampoline and treehouse in the garden plus a den inside, for adults stupendous views across to the beach from this Grand Design-style house.
Nearby: Beaches galore of course but plenty of great food options too. Five minutes away is <a href="https://www.raffertyscafewinebar.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Rafferty’s restaurant</a> (think relaxed tapas). In Padstow you can eat your weight in seafood at <a href="https://www.rickstein.com/eat-with-us/the-seafood-restaurant/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Rick Stein&#8217;s Seafood Restaurant</a>, <a href="https://www.paul-ainsworth.co.uk/number6/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Paul Ainsworth (No 6)</a> and <a href="https://www.rickstein.com/eat-with-us/st-petrocs-bistro/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">St Petroc’s Bistro</a>.
Wellbeing extra: 
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-100487" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Pentyak-Perfect-Stays-4.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="668" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Pentyak-Perfect-Stays-4.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Pentyak-Perfect-Stays-4-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Pentyak-Perfect-Stays-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Pentyak-Perfect-Stays-4-720x481.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
It&#8217;s official, drinking is good for you! Arrange for a bespoke wine tasting at the property, or the concierge team can arrange tours and tastings in local vineyards including Camel Valley or the super-local Trevibban Mill.
<a href="http://perfectstays.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">perfectstays.co.uk</a>
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5 West Country wellbeing stays

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