An Essex Wedding - May/June 2020 (Issue 92)

A After the emotional rollercoaster that is planning a wedding, a relaxing minimoon is just what the doctor ordered. With so many couples now bringing their dogs to their nuptials, why not continue this trend and take your fur baby away with you too? Bethnal&Bec welcomes your pet with open arms to its luxury self-catering retreats. Found in the idyllic village of Cottered in Hertfordshire, the two stable blocks have been reimagined into self-contained romantic boltholes, each with its own garden overlooking a wildflower-filled meadow. A COSY RETREAT I can’t tell you how excited I was to take my little dog, Twig, on her first holiday at the grand age of 14. My husband, Cal, and I packed our luggage and the dog into the car and arrived at the retreat with plenty of time to enjoy our stay. Our retreat, Bethnal, was brimming with character – think Insta-worthy features, vibrant colours and quirky styling. I adored the freestanding bath right by the window so you can look out across the surrounding countryside, while Cal was taken with the record player and vast collection of records. We were treated to the Just Married Package, which adds that extra bit of indulgence for newlyweds with chilled champagne, balloons and super-cute décor touches to set the scene. The modern styling and five-star luxuries are incredible, especially as this used to be a rural farm building. We could flick through Netflix on the TV, turn up the under-floor heating in the February chill, create the perfect atmosphere with iPad-controlled Google Nest lighting and luxuriate in the vast his-and-hers rainforest showers with Aromatherapy Associates products. Twig was treated too, with organic dog treats, snuggly blankets, and even paw-secco – bringing a whole new meaning to the term ‘pampered pooch’. ROOM SERVICE In the room, we found a fully stocked pantry including fresh ingredients for a full English breakfast. We couldn’t wait until the morning, so we cooked it up for dinner. There were plenty of other yummy options; you could treat yourself to pizza, curry, burgers, or if you’re feeling extra fancy, a personal chef can be arranged so you don’t have to lift a finger. Dinner was followed by a glass of bubbly in our hot tub, and we didn’t see another soul all evening. This was exactly what we wanted – the space to reconnect and actively do nothing. TIME TO EXPLORE Heading out may be the last thing on your mind, but it will most definitely be on your dog’s mind. After a few little whimpers we decided we’d best take Twig for a jaunt around the local area. We found a recommended walk in the retreat’s guide and headed out across fields and meadows to find The Jolly Waggoner pub (what a great name!) for a pint. Returning after a wintry walk to the warmth and comfort of Bethnal was wonderful, and having our beloved pet there made it all the more perfect. For more information, and to book your stay, visit www.bethnalandbec.com HONEYMOON 105 country Cosy up with your partner and your four-legged friend at Bethnal&Bec – the ultimate hideaway in the Hertfordshire countryside ESCAPE TO THE