Welcome to another edition of our "Escape with 100 Acres series" where we chat with our favourite friends and creatives to spill their secrets on the very best countryside escape.
This time, we caught up with the wonderful Birdie, founder of the eponymous “Birdie Fortescue” - an online treasure trove of curated, beautifully unique furniture and homewares from around the globe.
Based in beautiful Norfolk, read on to discover Birdie's perfect English countryside escape...
Birdie, hi!
So imagine it's Friday evening and you're about to spend a weekend frolicking through the countryside. Where are you heading and where are you staying?
I used to go to Cornwall every summer for a holiday, so it’s always a treat to revisit those childhood memories. I particularly love the area around Constantine Bay - the Trevose Headland features a beautiful coastal walking route, but every inch of the Cornish coastline is worth exploring, with its rocky coves, wide sandy beaches and charming villages. A day trip to St Ives, where you can wander around the art galleries and enjoy the general art scene and a delicious lunch, is always a highlight. I’ve stayed in several places, but I always choose somewhere dog-friendly, luxurious yet low-key, with the beach closeby.
That sounds heavenly. And your three essentials for a countryside escape?
- A soft and sumptuous cashmere scarf from Johnstons of Elgin - perfect for a blustery walk along the coast!
- 100 Acres' Beautiful Body Wash - I just love how long the scent lasts and it smells wonderful.
- My Azulejo Notebook from Birdie Fortescue. This decorative and useful notebook has tactile hand-milled paper, and I use it for everything - from taking notes on inspiration to creating my daily shopping list
- And this wonderful 4 in 1 game set - really useful and essential for holidays as well as being a great design
Your top three favourite spots in the whole of the British countryside - any secret ones?!
The North Norfolk coast, of course, although this is no secret! Holkham Beach is my favourite, with such wide, expansive sands it never feels busy and the dogs can run wild! I also love walking from Wells to Burnham Overy Staithe with a pit stop at The Hero for a drink, followed by a walk back through the woodland.
Mull in Scotland is a completely idyllic island with stunning scenery and incredibly peaceful. You’ll be lucky if you catch it on a sunny day, but it's a magical setting in any weather.
I was brought up in the Cotswolds so this is an area close to my heart. The countryside and architecture is so unique and even though it has been taken over by the masses, there are still many hidden spots.
Cut to Monday morning and you're back in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. What are your tips for keeping a touch of countryside peace with you, even on the business of days?
I always have some 100 Acres Hand Cream close by - I just love 100 Acres scents, they are so uplifting. Another top tip if you are working from home is to have your desk close to a window with a view - the nearest thing to being outside. Always keep a multitude of fresh flowers or potted plants around your house and this will lift your spirit even on the dullest of days!
And if you had a hundred acres anywhere in the world - where would it be, why, and what would you do with it?
Italy - 100 Acres in Tuscany would be a dream come true! A charming villa surrounded by cypress trees, lavender and olive groves is the ultimate dream!
And finally (purely because we're nosy and are obsessed with all things to do with botanicals and fragrance), if you could design a perfect scent to have at home - made purely from herbs, flowers and fruits - what would be in it?
I just love geraniums and rosemary, and know that these two scents work well together. Exploring variations of these would be exciting, perhaps with something citrusy for freshness, or lavender for relaxation.
If you're yet to discover Birdie Fortescue, you can find their beautiful website here and they've kindly shared an exclusive discount code for our 100 Acres customers. Use the code ACRES15 to receive 15% off their website until the end of November.
You can also read our Q&A conversation with Birdie all about 100 Acres here.
Ellea
Co-Founder
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