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6 reasons to take a reviving Cotswold workation

Posted: Mon, 12th Oct 2020
Old Manse, Bolthole Retreats

Are you desperate to get away to the calm of the British countryside but still have work to do?

If you’ve been working from home since the lockdown, there’s every chance you’re fed up with the same four walls and feel a bit restless and even lacklustre. You are not alone. Happily, there’s a way to restore the shine to your working life… and there’s a growing band of people taking the same action.

One of the most popular post-lockdown travel trends is the rise in workations. What’s that? Simply put, a workation is a vacation from the workplace, not a vacation from work itself. It allows you to take a break from the normal workplace, and work remotely in a new area. Somewhere you can get some fresh air, go for a walk in the countryside during your lunchbreak and feel a sense of renewal and inspiration!

What do you need to make a workation actually work?

Top of the list is strong WiFi to provide the critical connection you’ll need with your office and work colleagues. Hot on WiFi’s heels is a comfortable place to sit and place your laptop or devices. For most, a desk or a table in a separate room or in an off-centre space is all that’s needed.

Some of the benefits of a workation

  1. The change of pace and surrounding will breathe some new life into your work and perhaps inspire you to think more creatively, ultimately benefitting your productivity and maybe your career too.
  2. If you plan your time properly, you’ll be able to get your work done and feel like you’re having a bit of a holiday.
  3. You’ll be able to take your coffee breaks and lunch breaks in a beautiful setting, giving you a proper energy boost to get through the rest of the workday.
  4. If you go with your family, you’ll be able to work knowing they are enjoying the change of scene too.
  5. No longer will you have to pretend you have a stunning countryside backdrop on your Zoom calls to the office… you will!
  6. If you’ve been thinking about becoming a digital nomad a workation will give you the chance to have a trial run.

The disadvantages

  1. It can take a while to settle into the new ‘office’, so get set up the day before you have to ‘go live’ with your remote office and work colleagues.
  2. If you’re doing a workation with family, your loved ones can be a bit of a distraction. But if you’re staying somewhere with lots of attractions there’s no excuse for them to stay in. So encourage them to make the most of it (and get out of your hair!), leaving you to concentrate on work, yet be ready to welcome them all back at the end of the day to a gorgeous home-from-home.
  3. Strong internet can be hard to find in rural areas of the UK, but not impossible…

And that’s where we come in. Bolthole Retreats has four gorgeous Cotswold holiday properties with ultra-fast WiFi, enabling you to stay connected with the office while enjoying the calm of the countryside:

 

Grindstone Mill (Alderley)

Grindstone Mill, Bolthole Retreats

Grindstone Mill is a stunning, three-story, 6-bedroom, 4-bathroom holiday home in a magical setting on the outskirts of the village of Alderley in the southern Cotswolds. Surrounded by a beautiful garden and untouched Cotswold countryside, with the original mill course running directly in front, Grindstone Mill is secluded but is only 6 miles from Badminton, 10 miles from Highgrove, 20 miles from Bath and 23 miles from Bristol. With two reception rooms (both with fireplaces), a study and a very spacious open-plan kitchen-dining room, Grindstone Mill is the ideal property for a group getaway or a family with support staff.

WiFi: Gigaclear Ultrafast 300Mbps (avg. download speed) with Smart Wifi

Work area: The study is furnished with a desk and office chair, armchair, shelving and small TV and has a lovely view towards the adjoining open countryside.

 

Oldbury Barn (Elkstone)

Oldbury Barn, Bolthole Retreats

Set behind private gates, this fabulous detached, 4-bedroom barn conversion in the rural hamlet of Elkstone, close to Cheltenham, is decorated and furnished to a very high standard with light and bright décor that enhances the beautiful period features to create a contemporary feel. Oldbury Barn sleeps 8+3 guests across two ground floor ensuite double rooms, while upstairs is one family room with two doubles and one double room, sharing a family bathroom. Outside there are stunning views across the countryside and a large garden and patio, including sofa, table and chairs and a BBQ, as well as a children’s slide/swing set and sand pit.

WiFi: Gigaclear Ultrafast 100Mbps (avg. download speed)

Work area: The extendable dining room table, comfortably separating work from play.

 

Pilgrim Cottage (Bourton-on-the-Hill)

Pilgrim Cottage, Bolthole Retreats

Pilgrim Cottage is a deceptively large Grade II Listed, 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom, Cotswold stone property, located in the heart of the village of Bourton-on-the-Hill near Moreton in Marsh. Enjoying an elevated position with outstanding views, the cottage has been lovingly restored with a wealth of character, including exposed beams, original flagstone floors, fireplaces, and it even features one of the last remaining Cruck barn frames in the UK.

WiFi: Gigaclear Ultrafast 300Mbps (avg. download speed) with Smart Wifi

Work area: The family room has a desk which is suitable for professional working, and there is also the long table in the kitchen-dining room.

 

Westerleigh (Cowley)

Westerleigh, Bolthole Retreats

A sumptuous and stylish family home sleeping 5+1 guests in 3 bedrooms with an additional pull-down wall bed, with 1 bathroom, 1 incredible en-suite and a downstairs WC. Perched on the side of a small grassy valley, this exquisite Cotswold stone cottage can only really be defined as country-luxe at its very best. With a wonderful enclosed garden, plenty of outdoor seating, rejuvenating countryside views and an elegant and sleek interior with just a touch of opulence – this property must be seen to be believed.

WiFi: Gigaclear Ultrafast 300Mbps (avg. download speed) with Smart Wifi

Work area: The pull-down wall bed in the sitting room can be set up as a desk. This area can be separated from the rest of the room thanks to a thick partition curtain, allowing privacy – the perfect hide-out for a workation.

 


 

So why not have a workation in the beautiful Cotswolds at one of our beautiful, well-connected retreats? You may find you return home feeling refreshed and inspired… without taking a single day’s holiday!

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