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5 min read, Be Curious

The Start of our Curious Journey

16th May 2017
Alastair Sawday's founding story

The First Steps on the Sawday’s Journey

The story of how Sawday’s began explains a lot. Two decades ago, Alastair Sawday was a walking guide in France, exploring the country and getting to know its secrets and its characters. Inspired by meetings with old winemakers, Parisian ladies with a taste for Scottish sword dancing and multi-tasking fishwives, he eventually turned his scruffy notes on unusual French places to stay into a simply designed book, so that people could avoid standardised, soulless accommodation and find these amazing things for themselves. Everything that followed sprang from that simple purpose and 20 years on, it’s still what we do. We meet people, we find special places and we share them with everyone looking for something that breaks the bland mould which so much modern accommodation seems to be printed from.  Continue Reading…

5 min read, britain, Pubs

Five of our favourite pubs for seafood

2nd May 2017
Great seafood in fantastic pubs - sawdays

Most pubs can manage a decent fish & chips or a good salmon fillet, but we like the sort of places who go the extra fathom to make their seafood something special. Here, we’ve picked out a handful of pubs that don’t just show creativity in the kitchen, but have a deep connection to their local waters that comes out in the delicious dishes they create.

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5 min read, france, opinion

Four French B&Bs for cycling enthusiasts

21st April 2017


“The thing about France is that the French aren’t great at building bike routes, but they don’t need to be because there are endless stunning roads with no traffic – and what little traffic there is, is considerate towards cyclists.”

Peter, Owner of Le Cheval Blanc

France is a dream for cycling, after all, it is where the Tour De France was born. With its wealth of virtually car-less backroads, the option of a challenging climb for the sports enthusiasts or a gentle pootle between pretty villages for the more laid-back, freewheeling in France is a joy.

Purpose-built routes allow you to cycle the length of the Loire all the way to the Atlantic, making it irresistibly tempting to hop on a bike and discover a different perspective to this beautiful country. But it’s the locals that really know how to work this wonderful landscape and create epic cycle-routes that show off historical sites and jaw-dropping views. We asked four of our Owners to share with us their favourite routes leaving straight from their front door.

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5 min read, britain, food & drink, Pubs

Six sensational spring walks straight from the pub door

16th March 2017

We invite pubs to join Sawday’s when they are interesting, imaginative and hospitable. We look for authenticity, laughter, a vibrant sense of community and gastronomy deeply rooted in the soil. So if you’re a pub person, we think you’ll love these six, chosen because they make perfect starting (and finishing) points for exploring beautiful spring-transformed landscapes. Wander through hidden valleys, pretty villages and picture-perfect hills to finish at a gorgeous inn and reward yourself with the freshest food. Because the best kind of walk is a pub walk. Continue Reading…

2 min read, inspiration, KIND, opinion, READ TIME

Exciting Easter escapes and inspiration from the team

23rd February 2017

Being pioneers of Special Places, the Sawday’s office is always full of chatter about weekend plans and wanderlust. With the Easter bank holiday looming, we asked for some inspiration on where to escape – being an eclectic bunch this post takes you from Edinburgh to Milan so buckle up your seatbelt (or tighten your walking boots) and get some inspiration for your next adventure…

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2 min read, britain, inspiration, we love

8 brilliant stargazing spots in Britain

10th November 2016
Brilliant stargazing spots in Britain

Venture out to these brilliant stargazing spots in Britain for a stunning natural light show. It’s a proven fact, everyone benefits from time spent in nature. Whether it’s climbing a lonely mountain, walking wild coastal paths or even hugging a tree, taking time out to reconnect with the great outdoors gives a boost of mental wellness. Continue Reading…

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