REVIEWS


WILDERNESS RESERVE Suffolk, UK


LOCATION: In the middle of nowhere in Suffolk’s lush green countryside. The closest train station to Wilderness Reserve is Darsham, which can be reached from Liverpool Street station via Ipswich, and is a 10-minute drive away.


FIRST IMPRESSIONS: I was picked up from the station in i v Ìi «À«iÀÌ޽à >` ,ÛiÀÃ] ÜV Ü>à wi` ÜÌ wine and beers that had been ordered to meet our group’s beverage requests. This personalised approach is something Wilderness takes pride in, and it’s required as guests book the brand’s half a dozen houses on an exclusive-use basis and pay a premium for exemplary service. My home was the eight-bedroom Walled Garden (shared with a group of agents and our host, luxury operator Eden Luxury Travel) – and on arriving I felt like I’d jumped into a scene from my favourite V`` w The Secret Garden. This house is extremely private making it a perfect escape for VIPs or discreet families. The secluded nature of the house, combined with epic indoor and outdoor dining areas and a games room, means this place is built for private parties. In fact, it has previously been dubbed the country’s best party house.


THE FACTS: The Walled Garden is one of the eight high- end homes that make up the Wilderness Reserve (with an additional six currently being built). The collection, which ranges from the intimate one-bedroom Hex House to the grand 14-bedroom Sibton Park, is owned by Jon Hunt, who previously owned Foxtons estate agents but sold the LÕÃiÃà ÕÃÌ LivÀi Ìi w>V> VÀ>Ã  ÓääÇ° /i iÃÌ>Ìi >à > ÕÌ`À ÃÜ} « >` Ó]äÓä iVÌ>Àià vÀ }ÕiÃÌà Ì À> >ÀÕ`  vÌ À ÕÃ} Ìi yiiÌ v *>ÃiÞ Lið


EXPLORE: There’s countless experiences on offer at 7`iÀiÃà vÀ ViÀÞ V>ÃÃià >` yÀ> `iÃ} Ì >Ýi and knife throwing, and clay pigeon shooting. Many come at a charge, but complimentary options include rowing and paddleboarding. During my stay we did a scavenger hunt around the grounds, something I’d recommend for all group bookings. For those keen to explore the Suffolk surroundings,


122 ASPIRE SEPTEMBER 2019


head to the nearby quaint coastal town of Southwold where ÞÕ½ w` Ìi Ƃ`>à LÀiÜiÀÞ° 6iÌÕÀi ÃÕÌ Ì Ì V>ÃÌ> ÌÜ Ƃ`iLÕÀ} vÀ Ãi `iVÕà wÃ >` V«Ã°


WOW: The food is outstanding, with the onsite chefs serving good, hearty dishes. Clients can choose to wake up to a hamper of delicacies or a prepared meal. There’s also the option of hiring chefs to cook in your home’s kitchen.


BOOK IT: 7iii`Ã  Ìi 7>i`  Ü Ãi>Ã >` ËÇ]ä{ä  } Ãi>Ã°


WILDERNESSRESERVE.COM Hollie-Rae Brader


aspiretravelclub.co.uk >À`i i>`  >Ì Ëx]£Óä


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