There are times when an ordinary hotel just isn’t interesting enough – and resorts and rental providers are coming up with increasingly out-there options to satisfy our appetite for quirky places to stay. People can sleep among the canopies in a treehouse, take up residence in a shepherd's hut or even spend the night in a former military helicopter. Here's our pick of the best alternative accommodation options around the UK, from a former coastguard's lookout to a converted military chopper.
On a working sheep farm in Romney Marsh, Kent you’ll find not one but two gorgeous shepherd huts. The duck-egg blue huts, ‘Lookerer’ and ‘Rumwold’ offer home comforts in the countryside with a double bed, a kitchen with a two-burner hob and a toilet and shower. The Kent Marsh is packed with idyllic walks and there are craft activities on offer too. But you might just prefer to kick back with a bottle of local wine and dinner provided by Kentish Home Feasts and watch the friendly sheep frolic in the fields.
Roger Moore himself once owned this James Bond-themed windmill on the Norfolk Broads, which comes complete with its own private mooring and sleeps up to seven guests. Inside the 300-year old property has been beautifully kitted out with a circular kitchen, wood-burner and a telescope for stargazing. It’s a peaceful spot though so expect rest and relaxation rather than being shaken and stirred.
While this property technically isn't in London's British Museum, it's probably as close as you can get – and just as packed with curios as its neighbour. Spread across three floors, the penthouse sleeps up to 10 and has two outside spaces: an alfresco dining area off the kitchen and a rooftop balcony from which you can spy the museum. Like its location, the interior is anything but boring, with eclectic artwork and objects throughout.
In some ways Coombe Abbey Hotel looks like your typical country manor, but this upscale hotel is actually a converted 12th-century Cistercian abbey. The elegant building is the centrepiece of 500 acres of lushly landscaped land a short distance from Coventry and the interior decor is equally glorious with period features and antique furniture. The property also specialises in themed events, like murder mysteries, ghost tours, tribute nights and medieval banquets – see the dedicated events page for details.
Nestled on the biggest of the Scilly Isles, St Mary’s, the Star Castle Hotel gets its name from the stunning star-blanketed night skies the area is known for – and of course the 16th-century castle it occupies. Rooms within the fortress are suitably grand, with plush king-sized beds, period details and sloping walls in keeping with the original features of the castle. The island itself is only around six square miles (15.5sq km), with the rest of the archipelago reachable via boat.
The Witchery by the Castle is an unabashedly lavish celebration of Gothic opulence, with delightfully over-the-top decor and an atmosphere that encourages guests to relax and indulge. This is escapism in the most wonderful sense. From breakfast hampers delivered to the door to the four-poster beds and velvet-lined walls, the nine suites take opulence to dramatic new levels. The location is incredible too – it’s right by Edinburgh Castle, as the name suggests, with all the Old Town attractions nearby.
The Bus Stop is a two-bedroom converted bus permanently parked on a working farm near the postcard-worthy village of Gifford. But the quirkiness doesn’t stop there. This place really packs in the lovely little details that make it a truly special place to spend a few nights. A glass roof has been added for stargazing from the snuggly bed, while the decked patio area has a hot tub, wood-burning stove and BBQ.
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Sleeping in an old toilet may not sound all that appealing. But this is no ordinary loo. The cheekily named Wee Retreat in Sheringham, on the North Norfolk coast, has some of the best coastal views in the country. It’s perched right on the seafront, with unobstructed views of the blue-grey water and just a few steps between the property and the broad sandy beach. There’s not a whiff of its former life as a former Victorian toilet, either. The interior has been chicly converted with two bright, breezy bedrooms, two bathrooms, an open-plan lounge and a sleek kitchen – all with those unbelievable views.
This 1982 Xray Zulu 676 Helicopter is the genuine article, and has been thoughtfully transformed into one of the UK’s quirkiest places to stay. There’s a double bed tucked into the tail and another pull-out bunk in the lounge, and the chopper somehow manages to pack in a small kitchen and seating area. The attached outdoor deck adds extra space too. There’s no toilet or bath in the helicopter, unsurprisingly, but guests can usually use the nearby toilet and shower block.
Occupying the site of an old sawmill, this retro Airstream resides in the woodlands on the Glen Dye estate in Aberdeenshire, northeast Scotland. And this is just the bedroom. The generous private site also has a separate lounge and kitchen in a 1920s seed store cabin that’s been stylishly converted into a cool, relaxing living space. Even better are the outdoor amenities, including a Big Green Egg barbecue, fire pit and Swedish wood-fired bath. Nearby pleasures include wild swimming in the River Dye, whisky tasting at local distilleries and exploring Balmoral Castle.
This quirky cabin in the Cairngorms milks its theme for all its worth. The Dairy at Denend is based on 1920s mobile milking systems and is filled with playful nods to that part of agricultural history. There’s a chandelier crafted from collection jars, seats fashioned from milk churns and a hot tub designed to resemble a milk tank. There are also retro touches from other eras, such as a cocktail bar in a vintage larder cupboard and a record player, while floor-to-ceiling glass windows make the most of the woodland views.
Bothies are traditionally basic huts or shelters in the Scottish countryside, usually left unlocked and free to use by anyone travelling through. Wardhill Castle Hideaway Bothy is a rather different beast. The refurbished stone bothy is tucked in the woods of a Scottish estate and is far from basic. The interior has been transformed with a grand bed, bath and opulent furnishings. It’s wonderfully secluded too, with the only passers-by likely to be Shetland ponies, deer, squirrels and badgers.
A small package filled with good things, The Rambleshack in Coldingham manages to feel both medieval and futuristic thanks to its unusual Hobbit-house-meets-spacecraft shape. The cute and quirky pod sleeps two with sofas that convert into a cosy double bed at night. There’s also a DVD player, satellite TV and internet access. The beach at Coldingham Bay and the pretty fishing village of St Abb are both nearby too.
This striking shepherd’s hut, named Justin, has been lovingly crafted using tin and reclaimed materials found on the Leicestershire farm it resides on. It’s just as beautiful inside too, with wooden worktops, a king-sized bed strewn with cosy blankets, heated floors and bathroom. It also packs in a slide-out single bed and an open-air canopy, so people can use the pizza oven or soak in the hot tub whatever the weather. The small village of Plungar and stately Belvoir Castle are nearby too.
There’s something otherworldly about the bubble domes at Finn Lough Resort. At the same time, the futuristic design is really all about getting back to nature and soaking up the magical surroundings – the domes are tucked in the forest on the banks of Lough Erne and with all-encompassing views of the star-filled night skies. This wild beauty comes with a little luxury too, as the domes pack in four-poster beds, waterfall showers, vintage record players and telescopes.
This 1958 Airstream transports guests right back to the glory days of the British seaside. It’s parked up at Swallows’ Flight, just outside the picturesque village of Chillington, and sleeps up to two adults and four children within its silver-bullet shell. The caravan has a custom-built wood galley kitchen with a sink, fridge and oven. There’s a tiny toilet and shower room onboard but guests can also use the facilities in the nearby granary barn. The outdoor wood-fired hot tub is a gorgeous extra.
The self-catering cottage of Hywel Sele Lodge is certainly striking, in both looks and backstory. This was the scene of a royal murder in the 15th century, when nobleman Hywel Sele attempted to assassinate his cousin, Owain Glyndŵr, Prince of Wales – who survived his arrow and killed Sele in retaliation. The surroundings are a little less macabre. The Tudor Gothic-style lodge, sleeping up to three, is in the heart of Snowdonia National Park and close to the seaside town of Dolgellau. It’s quite a sight itself with its fairy-tale turret, natural stonework and grand archway.
Titanic obsessives should sleep soundly on this Titanic Boat, which has zero chance of hitting an iceberg. Located in Liverpool Marina and sleeping up to nine people, the boat-turned-apartment has been painstakingly designed to resemble the famous Titanic ship. Once (or perhaps if) guests tire of pretending to be Jack or Rose or warbling to Celine Dion, the boat is within walking distance of city landmarks like The Beatles Museum and cobbled Mathew Street.
This former railway carriage is now a cosy countryside hideaway. Sleeping up to four people, the carriage offers everything required to warm up winter evenings: lanterns, a log-burning stove, a comfy sofa and double bunk beds. Outside, there are deckchairs and a campfire for toasting marshmallows. The owner also offers yoga, massages and meditation sessions.
This colourful and quirky building is divine in all kinds of ways. The Mission, an old tin tabernacle – meeting place for worship – was originally built in 1895 and the conversion has incorporated details that pay homage to its past. The Sunday school annexe has a double bedroom and bunk beds plus a huge, walk-in shower, while the gorgeous bathroom has a sunken bath that used to be baptismal font. There are two further bedrooms on a mezzanine in the roof space, while the kitchen bursts with charming 1950s style.
People can seek shelter for the night in this Second World War bunker in the southeast Wales countryside. Its name comes from its fascinating history: watchmen here scoured the skies for signs of air raids and lit decoy fires in nearby fires in an attempt to trick the Luftwaffe. Now the shelter, whose turfed roof melts it into the green landscape, has been refurbished into a cosy home and the perfect base to explore rural Monmouthshire, with the stunning ruins of Tintern Abbey nearby.
The Corn Bin is the brilliant name that’s been given to this converted former grain store in rural Sedlescombe. The cylindrical property comes with a huge master bedroom with a king bed, an even bigger open-plan lounge and dining room (with a sofa bed for extra guests) and two bathrooms. Windows on the top floor make the most of the surrounding countryside, or guests can sit on the outside patio and watch planes take off from the nearby private airfield.
Blackberry Wood has long been a favourite camping spot for many, with tent sites and fire pits nestled among native woodland. In recent years, though, some unique structures have popped up on the site, from full-sized helicopters to beautifully painted gypsy wagons. Guests staying in this treehouse – which sleeps up to two adults and three children and is indeed higgledy-piggledy – can drift off to the scent of pine trees and wake to the sound of birdsong.
This former military wagon may look a little intimidating, but the inside is anything but. The vehicle has been converted into a unique holiday stay delightfully named Boris the Military Pod. The interior is compact and cosy with a skylight and breezy, blue-and-white decor that contrasts strikingly with the exterior. Boris can sleep two and includes an en suite shower, kitchen and lounge/dining room. Guests can also pair a stay in the pod with jeep tours around Skye.
A night in this owl-themed treehouse is guaranteed to be a hoot. Nestled in the lovely woodland of Chorleywood, Owl’s Lookout is almost as quirky on the inside, with cool circular rooms including a children's bedroom, a living room and a kitchen fully stocked with complimentary soft drinks. The fabulous treehouse also has a fire pit, perfect for marshmallow toasting, and is just a short drive from the famous Harry Potter Studios.
The Old Smock Mill was a working mill right up until the Second World War, when it was taken over as a gunner’s outlook. It was neglected for years until being lovingly restored as an elegant, quirky place to stay. The mill sleeps two people with living space arranged over three floors, with chic modern decor complementing original timber beams, cogs, wheels and pulleys. The surrounding deck enjoys 360-degree views of the Kent countryside.
This amazing four-storey building should be on every seaside lover’s radar. The Coastguard Lookout was formerly an HM Coastguard radar monitoring station that would detect and track ships in the English Channel. Now, the 1950s tower has been converted into beautiful accommodation for up to five people. The interior is gorgeously elegant but the two balconies, with sweeping views over Dungeness, sometimes known as 'the UK’s only desert', are among the most fabulous features.
We wouldn’t usually suggest anyone should deliberately get themselves locked up, but this particular prison cell is a salubrious exception to the rule. Penny Rope, in the heart of hip seaside town Margate, takes a night in the cells to luxurious new levels. However, it’s never been an actual jail cell. The individual quarters, in the cellar of a Grade II-listed Georgian property, have been done up by the owners with a quirky and quite realistic prison theme. The en suite room comes with bunk beds and a private garden (with full yard privileges).
There’s something of the Flintstones about this incredible rock house. The historic Rockhouse Retreat was hand sculpted more than 700 years ago from a Triassic sandstone escarpment and provided shelter for centuries until it was abandoned during the 1960s. It was eventually restored and now the unconventional home has a king-sized bed and a fire pit alongside centuries-old features such as the inglenook fireplace.
This spaceship-style pod is just one of the unusual craft that can be found at UFO-themed Apple Camping. The futuristic style flows inside too, with bright-white furniture, transparent chairs and silver beds as well as eight round windows overlooking the lush green grounds. The pod sleeps up to four people and even includes a 1980s gaming monitor and an escape hatch in case of emergency landings.
Talk about an unusual space. This one appears to have crash-landed from Outer Space, albeit with some pretty cool decor and a private hot tub. With colour-changing lights and cool lightsabers, Spodnic UFO has been thoughtfully and geekily designed to recall every sci-fi classic ever made, with fabulous details from walls insulated with space blankets to astronaut helmets and a hydraulic door that makes a brilliant whooshing sound.
History buffs will love spending the night in this iconic tower. During the Second World War, the RAF Wainfleet was a military firing range and was later used by NATO’s top warplanes for practice. The tower, near the seaside resort of Skegness, sleeps up to six people in three impressive king-sized en suite bedrooms. On the top floor, there's a pretty glass observatory that offers idyllic views over sand flats and marshes to the North Norfolk coastline.
There’s something magical about being surrounded by trees and especially so when it’s in an Enid Blyton-esque tree lodge. The enchanting timber lodges at Swinton Bivouac can sleep up to seven people, with beds arranged over three tiers that can be accessed by ladders. With gorgeous views of rolling meadows and no electricity, this place is all about switching off and enjoying the natural environment.
Sleeping in a woodland 360° clear unidome at Camp Kátur is a little like discovering a spaceship that’s been cosied up with blankets and twinkly lights. It’s ethereal and unique, with its woodland surrounds making it feel even more tucked away. It needs to be, as the dome enclosure is completely transparent – but that means guests can star (and treetop) gaze without leaving the plush bed. The site also has larger domes, safari tents, tipis and hobbit pods.
Railway enthusiasts will adore Platform 1, Castle Howard Station, a former train station and Grade II-listed building that’s now an apartment right by the tracks. Pretty much everyone else will fall in love with it too. The building, which once welcomed Queen Victoria as she arrived to take a train journey, can sleep a family of four (extra beds on request) with plenty of warm, cosy living space and a well-kept enclosed garden.
It’s hard to imagine a better way to enjoy the beauty of the Lake District than by sleeping right at the water's edge. The Boathouse at Storrs Hall is tucked among private woodland and sits by the shores of Lake Windermere for gorgeous views and a beautifully peaceful stay. The inside is all about modern creature comforts, with a huge spa shower and steam room, underfloor heating and a mood-lighting and sound system controlled via iPad. There’s also a hot tub and fire pit for use, depending on availability.
Ducking through the door of the adorable one-bed Bowber Head Roundhouse feels like travelling back in time. It’s been impeccably designed using millennia-old building techniques to mimic the style of iron-age roundhouses and, from the rolling hills and fells surrounding it to the handcrafted wooden furniture inside, it’s all about simple pleasures. Its location is incredible too, being on the northern edge of Yorkshire Dales National Park and close to the Lake District.
The Red Alert is a former fire engine tucked amid farmland in the gloriously green Lake District. It takes its theme seriously, with kids’ firefighter costumes and hosepipe, two fire-engine beds and even a pole between the bedroom and living area. With a backdrop of Blencathra hill and only sheep for near-neighbours, it’s also beautifully secluded. And the attached sauna is everything after long walks exploring the area.
This Martello tower (small defensive fort) was originally built to defend from Napoleonic forces in the 19th century but today its interior is more akin to a five-star hotel. The Found, standing alone on a serene stretch of Suffolk coast, is beautifully designed with a circular snug area at the entrance and a striking staircase leading to a floor with three luxurious bedrooms and two bathrooms before spiralling up to a rooftop with 360-degree views of the shores.
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This converted 1981 Leyland Atlantean double-decker bus – charmingly named Betsy Blue – takes glamping to a new level. Or two levels, maybe. Its height means guests get gorgeous views across the Stretton Hills as well as easy access to medieval Shrewsbury. The bus – one of three available to book at Pigeon Door – is pretty cosy inside too. It sleeps up to five people in three comfy bedrooms and there’s also a fully equipped kitchen, seating area, wood-burner and a hot tub outside.
Gypsy wagons make wonderful glamping retreats. Stick two together and add an underground bothy that’s straight from The Hobbit and they become something truly special. Tinker is an apt name for this mischievous property, which looks like a collection of different properties from the outside but is actually all one delightful place to stay. The conjoined wagons house the cosy bedrooms and bathroom, while a secret passageway leads to the bothy – a 17th-century building carved into the hillside – with lounge and kitchen. The meadow-style garden and two-person hot tub sprinkle on some extra magic.
A dream come true for nature lovers, this small spherical treepod is like a treehouse crossed with a giant beehive or nest. The cedar-clad sphere is suspended from the trees in a Cornish forest on the edge of Bodmin Moor and every detail is about making the most of the surroundings. There’s a ceiling window for stargazing, for example, and a separate kitchen hut where guests can prepare an alfresco breakfast while scouring the river for kingfishers. It’s surprisingly cosy too, and the only noises likely to drift in are the soft hoots of nearby owls.
How many rentals can claim to come with their own private island? The Island is a quirky property nestled amid the greenery at the top of a rocky islet above Newquay’s Towan Beach. A private suspension footbridge links the house to the popular surfing beach and harbour, but the home itself is nestled in a world of its own – one with swaying palm trees and even its own flag. There are three stylish bedrooms and pretty much everything anyone would need to hunker down for a few days.
This ingeniously designed off-grid cabin in Kudhva, an abandoned slate quarry in the north Cornish wilderness, has walls that slide and fold back to joyously welcome the outdoors in (and slide back to keep it out again, when required). It sleeps four in bunk beds and two single sofa beds and is surrounded by glorious nature. Waterfalls, a reservoir and trails that meander their way to the medieval Tintagel Castle – perched spectacularly by the sea – are all nearby. The cabin comes with a compost loo and fire pit, while showers and a shared kitchen are a short walk away.
There’s no need to be a Lord of the Rings fan to fall for this adorable Hobbit-style house. A short distance from Northumberland’s Kielder Water and Forest Park, the wonderfully secluded, curved-roof lodge has two bedrooms and an open-plan living area and kitchen filled with cosy, vintage-style furnishings and carpentry that could be the work of a talented hobbit. The enclosed garden has a fire pit and BBQ with pizza oven. For those who are fans of the epic Middle Earth fantasy, there’s a full DVD boxset too.
There’s no phone signal and no Wi-Fi at Wild Northumbrian, a secluded getaway surrounded by fields and woodland near Hexham. Instead, there’s birdsong, red squirrels – and some adorable glamping options. Each yurt is tucked in its own patch of land and this treehouse yurt, named Houlet, is elevated among the canopies. The inside is wonderfully cosy while there’s also outdoor seating, a fire pit and a special stargazing platform to make the most of the area’s dark skies.
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Guests might feel like they're at sea when spending the night in this delightfully eclectic suite at South Causey Inn, which prides itself on its quirky accommodation options. Inspired by the legendary British explorer, Captain Cook’s Cabin is nautical but nice with sailing-themed paraphernalia strewn around the room. There are ropes, nets, illustrations of famous ships, compasses, portholes and a diving helmet. There’s even a helm at the end of the huge bed and a rowing boat coffee table. There’s also an outdoor deck with a hot tub.
People can’t sleep inside former royal residence Hampton Court Palace, once home to Henry VIII, but they can stay in its old kitchens. The Georgian House was built in 1719 to house the palace’s kitchens and is now a picturesque cottage. It’s pretty grand itself, with a walled garden, five bedrooms and plenty of living space across three floors. Guests can also roam the elegant grounds and explore areas including the Rose Gardens and Henry VIII’s Real Tennis Court.
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One of the UK's first vineyard treehouses, this high-perched cabin combines some of our favourite things: glamping, treehouses and wine. It’s one of four striking units that jut above rows of vines on Fullerton Farm. Every detail of the decor, from the cosy bed gazing over the vines to the parquet floors and furniture made from locally sourced materials, is glorious. Best of all is the enormous outdoor bath, perched on the deck so you can drink in the vineyard views.
Rapunzel would feel right at home in this fairy-tale tower in Truro. The Victorian Water Tower has been converted into the perfect place for guests to let their hair down too, with an isolated stay away from the rest of the world. With four storeys, each with one circular room, it sleeps two people with one double bedroom, a lounge, kitchen/dining room and bathroom with whirlpool tub. Beyond the magical building, there are 300 acres of countryside, plus a nearby beach and the banks of the River Fal to explore.
Nuzzled into the Welsh countryside this hobbit house also looks like it’s straight from the pages of The Lord of the Rings. Sleeping two, the roundhouse is set on a four-acre smallholding with chickens, an orchard and views of the River Severn, while the nearby town of Llanidloes offers cafés and pubs. Expect a small kitchen, your own garden and a private loo and shower. However, a hooded cloak and rings are not included in your stay…
On the grounds of a working farm in rural Worcestershire, Eathelin is a thatched treehouse with the thick trunk of the tree growing up through its centre. On stilts, the cute two-floor lodge has a wraparound balcony and a private Jacuzzi under the stars. Inside, there's a free-standing bath in the bedroom, a plush shower room and a modern kitchen. Loads of windows let the light flood in.
This state-of-the-art copper conker is next-level bonkers in the best possible way. Located on an 80-acre conservation estate in a remote Welsh valley, Red Kite Conker – named for the resident birds that can often be spotted overhead – looks like it may have tumbled from a giant’s horse chestnut tree. With an emphasis on eco-conscious living, the conker features a Scandi-style log-cabin bathroom with countryside views, a Swedish-style composting loo and a wood-fired pizza oven.