A collection of family cottages at The Tawny

This spring, The Tawny Hotel launches its collection of brand-new family escapes, The Owlets – a cluster of historic farm buildings redesigned as five distinct hideaways, with a shared heated swimming pool, private alfresco dining with BBQs, and fun garden games and activities to enjoy.

Tucked away on The Tawny’s Basford Estate – a beautifully rewilded landscape also home to its Fledgling self-catering houses – the new cottages offer one-to-four bedroom stays, each individually designed with heritage features and a sense of nostalgic charm. In celebration of their proximity to the RSPB Consall Nature Park, which boasts 740 acres of woodland and rich biodiversity, each cottage has been uniquely named after British butterflies: Meadowfold, Silverleaf, Duskhollow, Bluebell, and Amberwing.

Meadowfold Farmhouse, 4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Silverleaf Stables, 3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Duskhollow View, 2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bluebell Rise, 2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Amberwing Cottage, 1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

Far from a typical self-catering experience, guests can enjoy the wonderful combination of privacy and space, while also benefiting from The Tawny’s luxury hotel amenities and newly-awarded 3 AA Rosette restaurant on the neighbouring Consall Hall Estate. With added touches such as curated family experiences and elevated design details throughout, each stay feels thoughtfully considered and truly special.

The Owlets

The Owlets were once part of Basford Hall Farm, with the oldest building, The Farmhouse – now known as Meadowfold – dating back to the 17th century.

Now transformed with Louise Platt Interiors, the five escapes offer a lovely mix of historic charm and modern luxury. Designed to bring the outdoors in, there are soft, nature-inspired palettes, stone and terracotta tiles and ceramics, and botanical touches such as floral patterns and hand-painted chinoiserie murals of blooming branches and birds.

A strong sense of heritage craftsmanship runs through each space, from Ca’pietra tiles and handmade cabinetry to antique accents, luxurious copper freestanding baths, and stylish Coralie basins from The London Basin Company.

Outside, each cottage enjoys its own private garden complete with BBQ and alfresco dining area, as well as The Tawny’s signature outdoor William Holland Jacuzzi spa bath – perfect for unwinding in the heart of nature.

At the centre of the Owlets, a year-round heated swimming pool is set within beautifully manicured gardens and winding pathways, together with a shared courtyard designed for family fun, with outdoor games and activities, including a giant chess board.

Butterflies, Pottery, and Movie Nights

To celebrate the launch of the Owlets, The Tawny has introduced new ‘Little Gardener Kits’, designed to inspire children to explore and connect with the surrounding natural landscape.

In keeping with the cottages’ butterfly-inspired names, each kit follows a nature theme and includes fact sheets, a wooden butterfly house to build, sticker books, pens, and packets of wildflower seeds. Nearby flowerbeds have also been thoughtfully planted with butterfly-friendly perennials, such as lavender, alongside insect hotels - perfect for curious young explorers and a spot of bug hunting.

Back at the cottages, families will also love all the little extra experiences on offer, including a brand-new in-cottage pottery throwing workshop with Wedgewood, and movie night hampers, complete with hot chocolate with marshmallows, and popcorn.

Restoration and Sustainability

A wildlife haven, The Tawny and its two estates have been thoughtfully created to show off the area’s natural beauty while offering guests the chance to reconnect with nature.

Sustainability sits at the heart of the experience, from the materials used in the Wingspan collection to The Tawny’s work with conservation architects, ensuring buildings are sensitively restored and designed with longevity in mind. The Owlets – along with the nearby Fledgling properties – are heated using biomass boilers, some of which use wood chips sourced from the estate itself.

The Tawny has also taken a significant step forward in its sustainability journey with the introduction of solar energy earlier this year. This initiative is expected to reduce energy-related emissions by nearly half, saving approximately 33.96 tonnes of CO₂ annually – the equivalent of planting around 1,560 trees.

Adventures beyond the stays

The Owlets remain fully connected to the wider Tawny experience, with easy access to the Consall Hall Estate for dining at The Plumicorn – recently awarded 3 AA Rosettes – countryside walks and spa treatments in its Thatched Cottage.

Families will love spending their days exploring the two estates by foot or bike, setting off on the folly trail with their family adventure packs, and picking up some steam on the nearby Churnet Valley Railway. The Peak District and its wild open spaces, Trentham Monkey Forest, and Alton Towers are also just a stone’s throw away.

Stays start from £350/night for a 1-bedroom cottage (min. 2 nights)

To book, visit www.thetawny.co.uk‍ ‍

For more information, please contact team@jessyharrisonpr.com