Set on an organic smallholding near the Mourne Mountains, this gorgeous and secluded off-grid cottage is entirely solar and wind powered. There’s a wood-burning stove and solar-powered hot water (which also provides underfloor heating), with plenty of scenic walks and local pubs, restaurants and shops to explore. The owners, who live on the farm, run courses and open days focused around sustainable living, from growing your own food to going off-grid. Stays at one-bedroom Birch Cottage cost from £80 per night.
Always wanted to run away with the circus? Give it a whirl with a stay onboard Dolly, a good-looking former circus wagon near Cardigan Bay. She's got an oak-walled parlour area (with cosy armchairs, a wood-burning stove and a TV), a cute kitchen and a suitably flamboyant bedroom. Outside, there's a decking area, while a little shepherd's hut houses a fabulous bathroom and dressing room. The wagon also makes a great creative retreat, with a writing desk should the urge strike. It's available by the week from £338, so a night's stay works out at just £48.
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The owners describe Windmill Campersite as “one of the quirkiest campsites on the Isle of Wight”. But this seems something of an understatement given its wacky collection of glamping options. The family-run campsite has shepherd's huts, VW campervans, a wooden shack and a helicopter among others. The facilities are out-of-the-ordinary too – showers at the Showershack come with a sound system and disco lights, while guests can cook up a storm on the bizarre Big Bertha BBQ and Spudomatic potato oven. There’s even a silent disco area, communal fire pit, cinema and honesty shop to boot. Shepherd's huts start at £55 per night, while the VW and Caravan Sarra costs £195 for four nights, working out at £48.75 per night.
The perfect retreat for keen walkers, this cute wooden cabin sits on a hillside above a tumbling stream, and is set within the grounds of a working farm just below Mount Snowdon. It’s lovely and light inside with a comfy double bed, a cosy lounge with dining area and a small kitchen with a microwave and fridge. There's a toilet inside but no shower – communal facilities are a short stroll away in the campsite. Prices start at £194 for three nights, which works out as just under £65 per night.
Finding affordable family accommodation in Cornwall can be challenging, let alone somewhere as adorable and stylish as this shepherd's hut on Pencuke Farm near Bude. Outside it has a hot tub and fire pit, while inside it’s a cosy scene thanks to the underfloor heating and wood burner. There’s a fab little kitchen, large king-size bed with bunks above for two children, and a bathroom with a powerful shower. Activities like egg collecting, feeding the pigs and alpaca spotting make it every inch the country escape. Stays start at £100 per night.
Sleep soundly aboard a boat with no chance of sea sickness: this converted narrowboat is now moored up inland on Middlemoor Farm near Alnwick. It sleeps two in a double bed, and there’s also a galley kitchen and a bathroom, with views across to Lindisfarne Castle from the porthole. There’s no chance of cabin fever, either, since it's got a lovely decking area where you can enjoy panoramas as you cook up a campfire feast – logs and marshmallows are provided. Cost is from £100 per night, with a minimum two-night stay.
When it opened in 2000, this quirky hotel on Brighton’s seafront was a pioneer in the hip B&B scene. Today Hotel Pelirocco still hits the mark with 18 unashamedly kitsch rooms (and one more opening 23 February 2023), each with a different theme. At the cheaper end for double rooms are Lord Vader's Quarters, Star Wars-themed bunks kitted out with a Darth Vader costume, lightsabers and DVDs. Single rooms like Do Knit Disturb start at £59 while doubles like Lord Vader’s Quarters start from £84 (both including breakfast).
Situated on The Leas promenade, this four-star boutique hotel is perfect for couples, with en-suite bathrooms and sea views across all 44 bedrooms. The property also features The Cliffe Restaurant & Bar so after a day spent exploring the nearby Leas Cliff Hall or at the beach, you can hunker down for hearty food and drink. For longer or more intimate stays, book one of their ground-floor apartments, which come with two bedrooms and a private living/dining room with kitchenette. Stays start at £99 per night.
This historic hideaway is available for hire from The Landmark Trust. Sitting above a little square in central Lancaster, it's thought to have been built in around 1730 as a garden pavilion for a wealthy lawyer's residence. Long since detached from the house, the Music Room has an exceptional Baroque interior that was painstakingly restored by the building preservation charity. Now guests can marvel at the extraordinary plasterwork as they sleep in a four-poster bed. There's also a baby grand piano and a roof terrace with incredible views over the castle and historic city. Four nights cost from £320, which is £80 a night.
This bottom-of-the-garden abode is a delightful place to hide away alone or with a loved one for a few days. Set among fruit trees and rows of vegetables in a kitchen garden near Bradford on Avon, it has its own hot tub and private al fresco dining area. Inside, the studio-style space has a little wood burner, plus a range-style cooker, velvet sofa and snug double bed. There's a projector for cosy movie nights too. Stays start at £75 per night with a two-night minimum stay.
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Howgills Hideaway’s cute Hobbit-esque huts are bound to charm even the most reluctant glampers. Set on an organic farm that’s surrounded by the dramatic landscape of the Howgills Fells, they’re a great base for walkers. The timber-framed pods sleep up to four in a double and small sofa bed and come with a little kitchen and outside deck area, while a communal shower and toilet block is nearby. Pods start at £45 per night.
It’s first-class all the way for guests aboard this elegant 19th-century steam railway carriage, which has found a new home in Suffolk farmland. Styled into a homely hideaway for four, it has two bedrooms located off the original carriage hallway, a kitchen and living area, and a large bathroom with a roll-top bath. The carriage is under the shelter of a large pitched roof, so al fresco aperitifs on the "platform" are always on the timetable. Longer stays work out cheaper; a seven-night stay starts from £83 per night.
Retreat to this private clifftop farm, set along the hilly coastline of northeast Aberdeenshire, where you can stay in hideaway huts, a vintage railway carriage (pictured) or a refurbished 18th-century cottage. The wooden camping pods sleep between two to four guests and come with beds, crockery, cutlery, a kettle, fridge, microwave and TV, while outside you can enjoy your own dining and cooking area. Spend your day winding through the great Scottish countryside with coastal views – you might even spot a dolphin or two – and by night relax by the fire pit. Communal bathroom facilities consist of a shower room while the award-winning toilet is housed in a disused whisky barrel. Hideaway huts start from £65 per night.
River views, stylish interiors, a community ethos and affordable pricing: this floating hotel in London’s Royal Victoria Docks ticks all the boxes for a city break. Originally from Amsterdam, the floating accommodation platform was towed across the North Sea and transformed into a hotel with a minimalist Dutch design, communal areas and a focus on sustainability. As part of the Good Hotel Group, it has a commitment to helping long-term unemployed people build a career in hospitality and all profits are reinvested into good causes, many local. Rooms start at £59.
There’s a distinct nest-like quality to this glamping dome set high in private woodland near Ludlow in Shropshire. The open-plan retreat has a large four-poster bed, dining table, comfy sitting area with a TV plus a wood burner for keeping the chill at bay. You can spot birds and badgers from the private balcony, which commands splendid views over the forest. There’s a hot tub too that can be fired up for an additional fee. Stays start at £100 per night.
With an idyllic setting by the Boondreigh River, this larch-clad stilted treehouse makes for a dreamy getaway for two (with room for a couple of little ones on the sofa bed). As a former artist’s studio, the light and views are incredible. Inside the open-plan cabin is snug and stylish with a wood burner and bijou kitchen. There’s also an outside eating area with a fire pit you can cook on. Kids will love spotting ducks on the pond and sheep in the fields of this five-acre estate, which lies on the rolling Lammermuir Hills on the edge of the Scottish Borders. A three-night stay costs from £273, which works out as £91 per night.
Once an unremarkable agricultural outbuilding, the Little Barn near Richmond has been transformed into an enchanting country escape set deep within some of Yorkshire’s best rambling landscapes. It's quite small, but high ceilings and lots of windows ensure the cottage has a light and airy feel. As well as all the expected home comforts such as local history books and fluffy towels, the little stone cottage comes with a coffee machine and wood-fired pizza oven outside. Stays start at £95 per night, with a two-night minimum stay.
This stylishly converted 1960s bus can be found parked up in a gorgeous garden near Hay-on-Wye, a quaint market town close to the England-Wales border. You'll find plenty of home comforts once onboard, from a wood burner to a plush double sofa bed. Outside there is a fire pit and wood-fired hot tub that up to five people can slip into. A stay here starts at £90 per night, based on two sharing.
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Affectionately known as Boris, this glamping pod began life as a military trailer – but today the camouflaged shell is the only real nod to his former gig. His insides have been transformed into a comfy place to spend the night, with a compact kitchen and two single or one king-size double bed. A sky light ensures there's plenty of natural light too. Set in the mountainous landscape of Kylerhea, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the views are sensational and you can see the best-known locations on a vintage Jeep tour. A stay here starts from £100 per night.
This converted Grade II-listed mill enjoys a top spot on Haddiscoe Island, an inland island just west of Yarmouth, and is surrounded by marshland. The four-floor abode offers guests plenty of home comforts (board games, books and a lovely big bath) and commands lovely views across the marshes (especially from the top floor). The wildlife spotting opportunities are endless – from hares and deer to marsh harriers, herons, geese and owls. A stay here costs £92 per night (based on six sharing for a week).
It's not the prettiest of properties from the outside, but it's certainly a stay with a difference. This observation tower at RAF Wainfleet, a former weapons range, dates right back to the 1890s. Spread over five floors, you can book the properties individually or together for up to 22 guests. Alternatively you can stay at former RAF bunkers and helicopters which have recently been converted into more unique accommodation. The Helipods start from £66.55 per night.
A stay at The Church of St Mary the Virgin really does put the glam in champing™ (camping in historic churches). Not only are you doing your bit for charity by protecting at-risk historic churches, but you’re tucked away in England’s tiniest town of Fordwich. Just three miles from Canterbury, the property sleeps up to eight guests with fold-out camping beds and is also dog-friendly. You’ll need to bring your own bedding but you’ll have exclusive use of this Norman church, which comes with hot chocolate, hammocks, and all the basic kitchen supplies. A stay starts from £49 per person per night.
Landlubbers need not apply to stay at this eccentric boat-shaped property in the little village of Middleton-on-Sea, which is close to Bognor Regis. The nautical theme continues inside with blue and white finishes, and a deck that overlooks the ocean, the perfect spot for a sundowner. Prices start from £80 per night, based on a week’s stay.
Ideally situated on the North East 250 (a popular 250-mile circular driving route), this family-run farm offers glamping pods and caravan and camping pitches, with the historic Craigmin Bridge just a short stroll away. Each wood-pannelled pod sleeps up to four adults with a double bedroom and sofa bed. There’s a wet room with an electric shower, compact kitchen and L-shaped sofa facing the neat dining table. Prices start from £80 per night, or £90 if you need sofa bedding.
Law-abiding citizens can stay in this prison-themed spot in Margate. It's set up in a former cold store in an attractive Georgian house, and the attention to detail is impressive: think bars on the windows, bolts on the doors and an optional mugshot on arrival. It's built for comfort, though, with bunk beds and bundles of blankets. And at £95 per night, the price isn't too punishing either.
Is Tŷ Milford Waterfront the ultimate bargain with a view? Have a cwtch (hug) on the king-size double bed while watching the flat-screen TV or wander down to the hotel’s Fitness Suite, which you have complimentary access to. The swish, slick rooms are bright and airy and are equipped with an en-suite bathroom, kettle, towels and iron. A one-night stay in a king room with a waterfront view costs £82 (breakfast excluded), while a one-night stay in their king room with breakfast included is just £89.
This secluded spot (excluding the roaming chickens, that is) is set in the quiet village of Dinnington, situated at the end of the driveway of the property it sits on. You have your own parking and entrance to this handbuilt shepherd’s hut, which sleeps two guests in the double bed. The tightly-packed bolthole includes a kitchen, bedroom and bathroom, with outside furniture in your own private space. Cosy additions like a logburner, books and games make this quirky hut all the more reason to stay. It costs around £90 for a one-night stay.
This luxury boutique hotel is set within a Grade II-listed building, and while there are nods to its history (like the hallway's chandelier and elegant staircase), today it’s been fully renovated with a modern feel. Most of the rooms offer views of Leicester Cathedral and it’s just a short walk from the King Richard III Visitor Centre (the English king found buried beneath a car park). The spacious rooms are set in muted blue tones and are equipped with a Nespresso coffee machine, mini fridge and flat-screen TV. There’s also free on-site parking and electric vehicle charging points. A one-night stay in a standard double room costs around £95 per night.
Dotted around a Sussex countryside setting just near Bodiam Castle are The Original Hut Company's nine eco huts. Each one is built entirely from recycled materials and electricity-free. Lighting is solar-powered and heat comes from a gas heater. There is a four-burner gas hob and a communal wash hut has hot water. With a secluded and peaceful location too, it’s a good spot for a digital detox. Prices start from £99 per night (based on a two-night stay) and the huts sleeps up to five guests.
You’re guaranteed a stylish stay at this boutique hotel: think subtle glam with all the silver trimmings. Situated in the picturesque Oulton Broad in Lowestoft, all rooms are en-suite while downstairs you can sit at the bar and order a sumptuous cocktail or two. Rates start from £75 per night.
This airy lodge started life rather prosaically – it used to be a railway signal box. Previously overlooking Wymondham Station, it was moved to its current lush location in the Norfolk countryside back in 2000. Set over two floors, it's large and light-filled with an open-plan dining area and a spacious bedroom. Costing from £524 for a week, a stay here works out at less than £75 per night.
This cute, family-run inn started life in the 16th century as a coach house, but today it’s best-known amongst locals for its cask beers, traditional grub and as great base for exploring nature and wildlife. There are only two rooms here – a double and standard twin room – both of which come with en-suite bathrooms, landmark views and breakfast. This only adds to its splendid English charm. Rooms cost roughly £96 through Booking.com.
This is the ultimate in luxury camping: a spacious yurt made entirely from local materials with plenty of lavish soft furnishings. Outdoorsy types will enjoy its location next to Dartmoor National Park, while others will be content to sip wine on the deck, or lay on the plush bed and gaze out of the skylight. Stays here cost from £100 per night, with a three-night minimum stay.
This refurbished bijou hotel near Llanelli is the perfect setting for exploring the wider Carmarthenshire area and neighbouring Swansea Bay. The old manor house offers five themed rooms from Cariad (Love) to Cwsg (Sleep) and all except one are en-suite. The Cwtch room features an inviting fireplace while Cariad overlooks the heart-shaped lawn. Topped with a lounge bar, terrace and restaurant, the Llwyn Country House is a great base for exploring or simply bunking down. A one-night stay costs around £73 per night or from £88 for two people.
This built-for-purpose holiday rental in a gorgeous wooded campsite in north Norfolk was inspired by a shepherd's hut – but in a break with tradition it includes a large TV and microwave oven. The inside is intimate with a comfy dining area and kitchenette (you'll need to bring your own bedding), and a wood-burner for curling up by if you're visiting out of season. Prices start from £75.
Parked up on leafy Inshriach Estate in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, this cleverly converted 1954 Commer fire service lorry truck comes complete with a Victorian-era double bed and a little living area. Renovations have included raising the roof to allow guests to stand inside and chic oak flooring. The sides fall down so guests can enjoy plenty of fresh air and wonderful views. Nearby is the award-winning Walter’s gin distillery. You can stay for £70 per night.
Glampers will adore these charming new timber-framed roundhouses and luxury Jumbo Pods set on a country park campsite within the gorgeous North York Moors countryside. Designed to blend in with the surrounding woodland, the pods sleep up to four and come with a wood-burning stove and lovely deck for alfresco eating. Meanwhile the roundhouses also sleep four, have electric heaters for chilly nights and decks with barbecues. Handily there is an on-site shop that sells all the camping essentials you need. While they haven’t announced their 2023 opening dates just yet, round houses and jumbo pods typically start from £170 for two nights, or £85 a night.
Enter through the pastel-green door and you’ll see The Coach House is a bit of a tight fit – but that makes it all the more charming. The double room leads out onto the flower-lined patio (complete with table and chairs) while the second room (single or double) offers quaint garden views and its own private bathroom. Sleeping up to four guests, breakfast is also included in the price. A night here starts at £80.
Set in the ancient market town of Tregaron, The Stables offers a countryside setting with mountain views to boot. Furnished in a modern style, on the ground floor there’s an open kitchen, living and dining room space, complete with a coffee machine and TV (Netflix included). Upstairs, the spacious double room features a sofa-bed that can sleep one more guest, a dressing table, chest of drawers and private bathroom. A one-night stay costs from £100.
Nestled in the Moors Valley Country Park & Forest, this red shepherd’s hut comes with an equipped kitchenette including a fridge and microwave. There's also a bathroom, flat-screen TV and outdoor patio area. A double bed is tucked into the corner of the white-walled bedroom with a small table and two comfy chairs beside it. The outdoor patio area is perfect for listening to morning birdsong with a cup of coffee, while by night there are twinkling fairylights overhead. A night’s stay costs around £95 and there’s a slightly smaller one-bedroom hut available too.