But even better than the delicious dishes and the equally tasty surroundings (deep in the wilds of Norfolk) was the knowledge that my husband and I didn’t have to fear a public meltdown from any of our young and overtired children – Luke, seven, and four-year-old twins Sam and Grace.
But that’s the beauty of Forest Holidays, a company that offers weekend breaks and longer holidays in nine private and peaceful patches of pristine woodland across the country, including Sherwood Forest and the Forest of Dean.
We opted for a three-night break in Norfolk, at the Thorpe Forest resort, the newest property in the portfolio.
Hidden along the banks of the River Thet, close to where the Norfolk and Suffolk borders meet, the forest is a delicate patchwork of pines, heathland and broadleaf trees, and home to a rich variety of native British wildlife, including deer, squirrels, pheasants, woodlarks and nightjars.
We took it all in from the plush surroundings of our stylishly designed three-bedroom glass and silver birch timber cabin and its bubbling outdoor hot tub.
The weekend was spent enjoying barbecues on the terrace and exploring the surrounding area – the Georgian market town of Southwold and the seaside gem that is Aldeburgh.
Back inland, our cabin’s hot tub proved the perfect place to sooth our weary legs after a long and hot afternoon spent riding around the resort on our hired bikes (from £15 per day).
And it wasn’t long before chef Jonathan Gardiner arrived.
Through the huge window wall that looks into the modern open-plan living room and kitchen, I saw him set about his work creating a series of culinary masterpieces.
The nine-course tasting menu began with a delicate amuse-bouche of pistachio and rose water marshmallow with a cardamom wafer which was beyond divine.
Other delicious delights that followed included scallops with spicy chorizo and grilled artichoke and cured caper with roasted monkfish tail, all in the comfort of your own temporary home from home.
Our sweet tooth was satisfied with the white and dark chocolate ginger silk mousse with honey crumb crunch and Madagascan vanilla, blueberry and buttermilk brulee with warm almond sable crisps.
Sublime to say the least, although the sweetest bit of all was probably not having a pile of dirty dishes to deal with.
Jonathan – or Johno as we called him – chatted openly about his life working in some of the best restaurants in Europe as he diligently tidied everything away.
My husband and I retired to the sitting room to enjoy a final glass of wine on the corner sofa with the huge window overlooking the sleeping forest.
GETTING THERE
Forest Holidays (03330 110495/ forestholidays.co.uk) offer three nights in Thorpe Forest, Norfolk, from £565 (six sharing), self-catering in a cabin with a private hot tub. Norfolk tourism: visitnorfolk.co.uk
