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), while the toilet is a composting one. 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 £90 per night. 

Always wanted to run away with the circus? Give it a whirl with a stay on board 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 £476, so a night's stay works out at just £68.

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 £245 for four nights.

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 sitting room for resting in after a day exploring the hills, and a small kitchen with a microwave. There's a toilet inside but no shower – communal facilities are a short stroll away in the campsite. 

Here are 30 more reasons to love Wales

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, king-size bed with bunks above for two children, and a bathroom with a 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 19 unashamedly kitsch rooms, each with a different theme. At the cheaper end are Lord Vader's Quarters, Star Wars-themed bunks kitted out with a Darth Vader costume, lightsabers and DVDs. For Americana kitsch, opt for the Dollywould double which comes styled as Dolly Parton’s country cabin. Lord Vader bunks start from £84 and small doubles from £99 with breakfast included for direct bookings. 

Explore the bountiful garden of England, using this sweet and stylish one-bed garden studio as your base. Set down a country lane, just outside the quaint village of Benenden and overlooking orchards, it has cool, contemporary interiors, plus a little kitchen ideal for rustling up meals using all of that delicious Kentish produce you'll discover (the free-range hens should keep you with a good supply of eggs). Failing that, the local inn is a short stroll away. Stays start at £100 per night. 

Love this? Follow our Facebook page for more travel inspiration

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 £259, which is £64.75 a night.

This bottom-of-the-garden abode is a delightful place to hideaway 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 £100 per night.

Discover the UK's most spectacular Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

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. A communal shower and toilet block is nearby and an honesty shop stocks eggs, candles and local treats. 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. Set within the Stour Valley, Coppins Farm also has two converted fairground wagons. Two nights start at £225.

Handcrafted from Siberian larch, this cluster of little shepherd's huts are a delight. Sleeping two in inviting king-size beds, they each have a lovely kitchen, roomy bathroom and outdoor copper bath tub, perfect for soaking in the pretty scenery. The huts, which are located near Gatehouse of Fleet and Galloway Forest, have gorgeous views of the sea at the front and rolling fields at the back. A stay starts at £100 per night, with a two-night minimum.

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. 

Explore more of London with our guide

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 elevated deck area, which commands splendid views over the forest. There’s a hot tub too that can be fired up for with 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.

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 a wood burner, 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 on board, 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.

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 bijou kitchen and two single beds. 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 it’s dog-friendly to boot. The first night costs £95, with subsequent nights priced at £65. 

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 £87 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. Today it is available for self-catering, sleeping six with three double bedrooms and a spacious living room. As you can imagine there’s not a bad view in the house (you can see across the marsh to The Wash and onto the north Norfolk coast) while a private hot tub adds a touch of glamour. Four-night stays here start from £729, which works out at just over £60 per room per night.

The well-appointed cabins and yurts of Kits Coty near Maidstone really do put the glam in glamping. Especially, the star property: the Gretel Cabin, an airy fairy-tale-esque wooden chalet that can sleep a family of four. Just on the edge of the North Downs, the site also has several luxury bell tents, complete with double beds and all with colourful rugs and cushions galore. Tents and huts start from £100 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 £85 per night, based on a week’s stay. 

Here are more unusual places to stay in the UK

A clutch of Romany-style caravans on a private estate in the Scottish Borders, Roulotte Retreat is an oasis of calm. Soak in the wood-fired hot tubs, explore woodland and river trails, and gather around the communal fire pit at night. Nightly fees for a roulotte start at £95 and you'll need to stay for at least two nights.

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 a 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. 

Beginning life as a transit lorry, "Lottie" has now been lovingly up-cycled into a cosy country retreat that is permanently parked up on St David’s Peninsula. Her interior boasts a double bed and kitchenette with everything you need to cook up a storm. Set in a gorgeous countryside setting, the picturesque Pembrokeshire coast is just a stone’s throw away. A stay here starts at £65 per night.

This converted railway carriage can be found hidden behind a hedgerow in Somerset's rolling Mendip Hills – you can see Glastonbury Tor from its pitch. Small, snug and gloriously kitsch, the inside is all floral cushions and tasselled curtains. The large wood-burner comes in handy during the cooler months while the outdoor kitchen is a delight if you're here in summer. Prices start from only £60 per night. 

These lovely timber lodgings in the Leicestershire countryside have a distinct "gingerbread house" feel about them, all wood panelling and sloping roofs within a woodland location. The hot tub right outside only adds to the sweetness. A stay here starts at £395 for a week in a one-bed cabin.

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 wood-burning fire. There is a 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 £84 per night and the huts sleep four to five. 

See the world's most secluded hotels here

You're guaranteed to be a happy camper at this old-school RV camp just near Saxmundham in Suffolk. The sleek Airstreams are finished with suitably retro camping kit, from stripy deck chairs to floral bunting. There's a fleet of seven vintage vans in total (sleeping from two to five) and each is lovingly named (Dee Dee and Gloria to introduce just a few). Fire pits out front add to the idyllic scene, and it'll set you back just £70 per night (for a minimum of two nights).

This airy lodge started life rather prosaically – it was 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 £489 for a week, a stay here works out at less than £70 per night.

Check out the UK's most beautiful train stations

This colourful little chapel is tucked into woodland within the grounds of Walcot Hall, an elegant estate in the Shropshire Hills. It was due to be demolished, but thankfully the owners had a change of heart and decided to convert it into a characterful holiday hideaway instead. Inside, it's surprisingly spacious, sleeping four, with wooden furnishings, stained glass, an Aga and a striking spiral staircase. The price per night is £100 and it sleeps four.

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 up out of the skylight. Stays here cost from £85 per night, with a three-night minimum stay. 

This purple pagoda-style yurt is tucked in among the trees within the boundaries of Brecon Beacons National Park. Its hand-crafted with a design inspired by a Japanese teahouse and a spacious interior dominated by a big comfy bed. Guests can make use of the private ‘yurt mobile’ outside. Topped with the roof of a Japanese teahouse, it has a kitchen (complete with gas oven, microwave and fridge/freezer) and bathroom. Two people can stay here for £75 per night.

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 a 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 £60

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. You can stay for £74 per night. The estate also has a bothy, yurt and shepherd’s hut. 

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. While 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. Round houses and jumbo pods start from £170 for two nights. 

This Sussex geodome is as sleek inside as it is out. It sits within the historic farmland of Glottenham Castle and has one of the most secluded spots on the site. The dome has been kitted out very stylishly and the meadow views from its wide bay window are dreamy. It has two compost loos of its own, there’s a barbecue, fire pit and pizza oven for cooking up a campsite feast while a wood-burning stove keeps things cosy. A night here starts at £97. 

If you’ve a hankering to get back to basics, One Cat Farm is just the place. You’ll find four turf-roofed “dens” (and one resident cat) at this special spot in a wooded valley in Ceredigion – each one is kitted out with a double bed and two singles and are supplied with firewood and freshly baked bread courtesy of the site’s owners. Fresh flowers are another lovely touch. Campers have use of the communal kitchen in the old Pigshed which also has sofas, books and board games. For those after an outdoorsy adventure, the wild Cambrian Mountains are just a 30-minute drive away. Cabins cost from £170 for two nights.

A purpose-built eco-friendly holiday home set within woodland by a large pond within the grounds of a country house, the Tack Barn is a charming rural escape. It's chic and inviting on the inside and there is lots of outdoor space, including a table and chairs on the jetty for dining with a view. There's plenty of logs for keeping the wood-burner and fire pit ablaze and guests find a generous starter pack when they arrive. Hampers of local Sussex goodies can also be arranged. Stays start at £100. 

Now discover the world's most expensive hotel suites