Our Story
The story behind
Gentle Escapes
"One person who genuinely cares about getting it right."
Hi, I'm Mike
I started Gentle Escapes because of my dad.
He's retired, independent and perfectly capable of getting himself anywhere he wants to go. But a couple of years ago he spent weeks trying to organise a three day trip to Snowdon — researching accommodation, comparing options, working out what was nearby, making sure everything fitted together.
By the time he'd finally sorted it all, the excitement had gone. The planning had worn him out before he'd even packed a bag.
Watching that happen made me think. How many people are in exactly the same position? How many trips never happen at all because the process is just too much trouble?
That thought became Gentle Escapes.
How many trips never happen?
There are millions of retired people with the money, the desire and the time to travel — but finding the process so overwhelming that they simply stop going.
They don't know a service like this exists. But they would pay for it without hesitation if they did.
My dad would have. And that told me everything I needed to know.
What Gentle Escapes does differently.
We're not a booking website. We're not a comparison engine. We're one person who listens carefully, does the research properly and puts together a trip that's built entirely around you.
When you call Gentle Escapes, you speak to me. When your itinerary arrives, I researched every part of it. That's not something any big company can offer.
I genuinely love this country.
The UK is seriously underestimated. I've seen it with my own eyes — coastlines with water so clear and blue it stops you in your tracks, ancient woodland that feels completely untouched, history around every corner that most people drive straight past without knowing it's there.
There are places in this country that would take your breath away — and most people have never heard of them. That's not something I read in a brochure. It's something I know from being there.
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Scotland & the Highlands
Dramatic landscapes, ancient history and some of the most breath-taking scenery in the world.
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Wales & Snowdonia
Ancient castles, mountain railways and a warmth of welcome that stays with you long after you leave.
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The Cornish Coast
Crystal clear waters, hidden coves and a pace of life that makes everything slow down beautifully.
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The Cotswolds
Honey-stone villages, rolling countryside and the kind of quintessential England that still takes your breath away.
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The Lake District
Timeless valleys, mirror-still lakes and walks to suit every pace from gentle strolls to rewarding climbs.
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Norfolk & Suffolk
Wide open skies, peaceful Broads and coastlines that feel a world away from everything.
" There are places in this country that would take your breath away — and most people have never heard of them. That's not something I read in a brochure. It's something I know from being there. "
My Promise to You
I also know how much the practical details matter.
The most beautiful destination in the world is spoiled by the wrong accommodation. Somewhere that looks perfect on a map but puts you on the outskirts of everything, an hour's drive from the places you actually want to see. A bed that isn't comfortable. Somewhere with nowhere decent to eat within walking distance.
These are the things that travel websites never ask about — but they're the things that make or break a trip.
So when I research for a Gentle Escapes customer, I'm not just looking at star ratings and photos. I'm thinking about where a place actually sits in relation to everything else. What the journey there feels like, what's nearby, what's realistic for that particular person on that particular trip.
Whether you love the coast or prefer to be inland, whether you want a packed itinerary or a slower, gentler pace — there is always something worth finding. And I won't stop looking until I find the right one for you.
Mike
Founder, Gentle Escapes
Ready to plan your next trip?
No obligation, no pressure — just a friendly conversation about where you'd love to go.