The Tawny, synonymous with romantic hotel stays, is expanding its one-of-a-kind countryside experience with the launch of new self-catering properties on its Basford Estate – a growing destination for design-focused group stays and family getaways.

The latest and most spectacular addition is Bath House, part of The Tawny’s Fledglings: luxury serviced holiday homes that offer the freedom of self-catering without compromising on the brand’s signature style, service, and attention to detail. Also set to open later this year on the expansive Basford Estate is the Owlets, a charming collection of cottages designed for flexible and elegant group accommodation.

These launches mark a significant evolution of The Tawny, which continues to delight guests with its distinctive deconstructed design, sumptuous interiors, and thoughtful approach to sustainability. All Fledglings and Owlets use biomass energy, a renewable source powered by the estate’s own organic matter, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to eco-conscious luxury.

Located just a stone’s throw from the Consall Estate – home to The Tawny’s Wingspan Collection of treehouses, boathouses, and shepherd’s huts known for romantic retreats – the Basford Estate offers a fresh twist on the countryside escape. Here, self-catering doesn’t mean self-service. Guests enjoy privacy alongside tailored experiences, hotel concierge services, and elevated design, making the Basford properties ideal for reunions, celebrations, or multigenerational getaways.

Bath House, now open, is a beautiful new escape set within the Basford Estate’s parkland. This Grade II listed property, built in the 19th century in the style of a castle, features an outdoor heated pool with swim jet, a traditional sauna steam room, a cold immersion chill box, and a Big Green Egg BBQ – perfect for a private chef – all with views over rolling hills, a private lake, and cascading water. It's a haven for extended families, milestone celebrations, or reunions done right.

Lovingly restored, the interiors have been reimagined by Louise Platt Interiors, who has preserved original features while injecting warmth, colour, and personality into the whimsical Victorian folly. Inside, rich reds, deep greens, and bold blues set the tone, anchored by a show-stopping kitchen in Little Greene’s Córdoba with Foundry Green brick tiles and a traditional black range cooker – ideal for either home cooking or a catered feast. Guests can even enjoy an evening with their own bartender mixing up cocktails.

The living room and bar area are painted in the calming tones of Farrow & Ball’s Treron, with a chic checkerboard limestone floor and carefully chosen lighting. Each of the five ensuite bedrooms has been individually designed with charming touches. The hotel can also arrange a range of activities, from private yoga sessions and water aerobics to foraging adventures and foodie masterclasses. Guests can simply relax as well, with luxury hampers available for hearty breakfasts, BBQ favourites, Sunday roasts, or movie nights.

Launching in winter 2025, the Owlets will offer five beautifully restored cottages within the grounds of the Basford Estate. Ranging from a cosy one-bedroom retreat to a spacious four-bedroom home, the collection caters to different group sizes. Arranged around a shared courtyard, each cottage will be individually styled, with additional outdoor facilities and experiences currently in development.

The Consall and Basford Estates are just a 10-minute drive or a 90-minute walk apart, through one of the most beautiful parts of Staffordshire’s Churnet Valley. There’s no shortage of exploration opportunities either. Both estates border the RSPB Consall Woods Nature Park, which stretches over 479 acres. A heritage steam train runs alongside the estates, and the River Churnet and Caldon Canal provide picturesque waterways right on the doorstep.