Top 40 UNIQUE PLACES TO STAY IN THE UK

Alternative accommodation is now one of the biggest growing areas in the tourism industry and this sees the rise of unique and out of the ordinary places for visitors to sleep for the night.

Why stay in a standard hotel when you can stay in a renovated bus shelter or a treehouse? Here is our selection of the top quirkiest places to stay in the UK.

Unique places to stay in Dorset

1.Explorer’s Carriage, Charmouth – a converted old railway carriage which has been transformed to a cosy cabin that exuberates Victorian charm. Just a few miles away from the Dorset coastline, you’ll wake up to that beautiful seaview on your doorstep.

2.Roy’s Retreat Shepherd’s Hut, West Lulworth- a hand-built shepherd’s hut in its own private garden with stunning views overlooking the countryside. A fifteen-minute walk away from Lulworth cove makes this place ideal for south-coast explorers.

3. Floating Tree Views, Sturminster Marshall- entwined between the trees, this treehouse is the perfect destination for those looking for a rural escape. With no Wi-Fi or electricity, you will be able to take in the beautiful nature around you and switch off from everyday life.

4. Bull Horn’s Shepherd’s Hut, Corfe Castle – you can fully relax and unwind in this hand-crafted hut right in the heart of the Jurassic coastline. Fully equipped with outdoor seating and a fire pit, you will be able to snuggle up in the evening outside with the abundance of local wildlife.

5. Magic Bus near Durdle Door, Owermoigne- if you have problems sleeping in public transport, your mind might be changed here. The bus has all you need for a comfortable stay including cooking supplies and a communal garden and perfectly situated on the grounds of Moignes Court, a 13th-century manor house.

Unique places to stay in Hampshire

6. Yurt with sunrise views, Newport – spend the night in the uniquely Indian inspired yurt, nestled in a garden lit with fairy lights between the yachting towns of Cowes and Newport. Perfect for cyclers and walkers with a river-running track only a stone’s throw away.

7. Wagon and Wigwam Hot Tub, Medstead – here you can choose to relax underneath the stars with the upstairs star lounge or put your feet up in the private sunken hot tub, fully complete with underwater lights and heated with a log burner so you can watch the flames flicker. Enjoy a camp fire and BBQ in this gorgeous country retreat.

8. Bramley Pod, Kingsley – spend the night in a snug wooden pod, kept cosy with underfloor heating. Lounge in the secluded ‘LovTub’ or chill out on the outside veranda and enjoy the evening sunset. Close to the village of Kingsley, Bramley Pod has everything you need for a comfortable and luxurious stay.

 

 

9. The Pigsty, Winchester – less than 2 miles away from the historic centre of Winchester, the Pigsty is the first luxury woodland hideaway in the city. The cosy, open plan living space and decking areas mean you can enjoy your dinner with sunset views and although the Pigsty is situated on a working farm, the secluded corner and positioning means there will be minimal disturbance for a truly peaceful stay.

10. Isle of Wight Treehouses – explore the beautiful Isle of Wight in unique treehouse accommodation. With the choice of different sized cabins and styles, there is something for everyone, all just moments away from the lovely old-fashioned towns such as Newport and Cowes that populate the island.

11. Stable Loft, Stonehenge – discover this hidden gem near the iconic Stonehenge landmark. Set on the working Scotland Lodge Farm, the self-contained studio flat is ideal for country explorers and animal lovers. Grazing and stables are provided for those who wish to bring their own horse and explore the gorgeous countryside on horseback.

Unique places to stay in Bath

12. Bath Narrowboats – if you want to experience Bath in a unique way, Bath Narrowboats offers accommodation on board a boutique ‘boatel’, centrally in a historic waterside location, Sydney Wharf Boatyard, only a short walk away from the buzzing Bath centre. The boats are fully equipped with cooking and entertainment amenities however, so you might not want to leave!

13. Hunkydory Canal Boat- this houseboat sits just outside Bath and cruises along the Kennet and Avon Canal, one of the most beautiful stretches of UK inland waterways. The boat comes with everything you need for a romantic getaway and is easy to moor and handle for those who have never boated before.

14. Strawbale Lodge Cabin – nestled on top of a hill outside Bath, this lodge is the ideal secret getaway for people to escape city life. The house is built from strawbales, creating a delightful natural warmth and the clever positioning of the windows make this an ideal spot for star-gazers.

15. Wossnem Bell Tent – lovingly furnished with homemade cushions and blankets, the bell tents at The Farm Camp have the extra touch to make your holiday that little more special. The camp is all off-grid but a gentle stroll leads you to an indoor heated pool and games room where you can mix and mingle with the other visitors.

16. Bramblewood Yurt – hand-built by a couple for their wedding ceremony, Bramblewood Yurt now stands as a gorgeous getaway for couples to enjoy. Peace and quiet, but still near enough to the cultural hub of Bath, the yurt is the ideal combination of nature and comfort.

17. Oakdown Treehouse – a slice of luxury amidst the rural bliss. Hear the farmyard animals gently pass by whilst relaxing in the Egyptian cotton-clad king size bed. Enjoy homegrown food sitting out on the balcony, or a glass of prosecco in the tub, both with the beautiful backdrop of country hills.

18. Campervan hire – with Red Hatch Campers, you have five unique classic VW campervans to pick from, each specifically styled to complement their individual personality. The engines are new or fully rebuilt to ensure reliability for you UK exploration.

19. Timberdoodle Geodome – a dome with a view, nestled in the gorgeous countryside between Bath and the Cotsworlds. Fully equipped with a generous decking area with a gas BBQ and fire-pit area, this geodome is the perfect location to enjoy nature’s tranquillity.

20. Mendip Molly Wagon – a 1949 retired showman’s wagon with a fantastic transformation to create the perfect holiday getaway. Three main areas include a cosy living room, bedroom and bathroom with outdoor space being made up of the ‘Basha tent’, a gorgeous array of colours to open up the wagon and brighten up your stay. Reserve the BBQ hut for the summer days or stroll down to the local pub in the cooler seasons.

21. Apple Treehouse, Taunton – situated in Halse near Taunton, the log cabin can sleep up to 6 in its 3 bedrooms, all equipped with underfloor heating. A private hot tub to relax in, as well as an indoor heated swimming poor available for you to use means that you are your canines will be well looked after.

22. Walton Castle, Clevedon – live like a royal in the glorious Waldon Castle. An indoor heated pool situated under the castle, 8 double bedrooms and 2 large turrets make for a luxurious escape in the 17th-century beautiful architecture, all while enjoying the views of over 5 different counties from the castle windows.

23. Secret Valley Camping, Bridgewater – nestled within the Quantock Hills, you can stay in one of the unique and sumptuous wigwams, yurts, belle tents or shepherd’s huts. All fully complete with a wood-fired hot tub, these secluded hideouts are perfect all-year-round for a relaxing escape.

24. Moon Shadow, St Ives –an intricately designed one-bedroom house styled to ooze personality from ocean-inspired and beach tranquillity. The one-bedroom is surprisingly spacious, even with its 6foot king-sized bed and only moments away from Porthmeor beach, this is the perfect private and romantic couples’ getaway.

25. The Windmill, Wendover – a stunning former working mill, this 1800 building hosts 5 unique octagonal floors with breath-taking views over Chiltern Hills. Full of character with its beautiful beamed ceilings and wooden flooring, the windmill creates the ideal location for your holidaying needs.

26. Pigeon Door Doubledecker Bus, Ryton – choose to stay in a delightfully different type of accommodation. Situated in the heart of the countryside, you can base your getaway in a beautifully decorated double-decker bus. With heated bedrooms and a private hot tub, it will be a bus journey like no other.

27. Cary Arms and Spa Beach Huts, Devon – secluded in the wonder that is Babbacombe Bay, these luxurious boutique beach huts are a special addition to the Cary Arms Hotel. A lavish mezzanine double bedroom looking out onto the sea, paired with the sumptuous walk-in waterfall shower make for the most opulent of beach getaways.

Unique places to stay in the New Forest

28. Sopley Lake Yurt Camp – ideally situated in the beauty of the New Forest countryside and only 15 minutes away from the beach, the camp is the perfect getaway for those looking to explore the wonders of the south coast. The authentic Mongolian yurts are exotically and colourfully decorated to create an authentic yet welcoming environment for your stay.

29. Little Gate House – an idyllic cabin offering the perfect retreat for couples, burrowed in the heart of the glorious New Forest countryside. A large open-plan living room/kitchen with a wood-burning stove, fully finished with French doors opening to a south-facing balcony creates the perfect space to relax and feel nature’s tranquillity.

30. The Tower, Sway – the 14-storey iconic Sway Tower, near to the charming New Forest town of Lymington is now open for visitors to come and experience a long weekend in one of the king-size double ensuite bedrooms. The interior is designed inspired from travels in India, and this colourful décor combined with the indoor swimming pool and tennis courts, make for a truly decadent stay.

31. Rosie the Gypsy Wagon – stay in a gyspy wagon situated behind Vinegar Hill Pottery in the quaint seaside village of Milford on Sea on the edge of the New Forest. ‘Rosie’ is their 1885 Showman’s gypsy wagon and offers a unique glamping experience with a chic interior, fully complete with thick velvet custom-made curtains and hand cut glass doorknobs.

32. Riverside Lodge – spend a relaxing break, away from the hustle and bustle of city life in a cedar-clad lodge on the bank of the River Avon. Perfect for bird-watchers and situated in a prime location for fishing, the Riverside Lodge is ideal for those wanting to cosy up with a wood burner and watch the world go by.

33. Butser – this ‘wriggly tin’ in the New Forest is the idyllic place to snuggle up with the wood-fired hot tub. The cosy cabin is super space-efficient and will make the two-person hut stretch out to be able to fulfil all your needs for the perfect holiday.

Unique places to stay with children

34. Lydcott Glamping, Cornwall – go to bed and wake up with glorious views of Seaton Bay and the Eddystone Lighthouse. With a fully equipped kitchen and a huge family sun lounger on the private outside terrace, you will have no reason to leave this bubble of bliss.

35. Crabbers’ Wharf Chief’s Suite, Portland – with views across Portland Harbour and a ten-minute walk away from the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, this little self-catering hideaway is an ideal escape for water sports fans. Easy access to the historic sites of Portland and the seaside town of Weymouth means that pub lunches and oceanside views are never off the cards.

36. Wall Eden Farm, Somerset – treat yourself to staying in a quirky glamping pod, luxurious yurt or wooden cabin alongside the beautiful River Brue in Somerset. There’s lots of activities to keep the kids busy, from meeting the animals around the farm, to archery and axe throwing! For those looking more for some peace and quiet, there’s an onsite hot tub and sauna for ultimate tranquillity.

37. Rail Holiday, Cornwall – think about trains in a whole new way through spending your night in one of Railholiday’s rescued derelict carriages. All with Wi-Fi and cooking facilities, this holiday won’t be like any train journey you’ve ever been on! Explore the range of carriages to find your perfect fit.

38. The Treehouse Lavender Hill, Somerset – if you are looking for a luxury space to unwind deep amidst the rural bliss of a tranquil farm, the Lavender Hill Treehouse is the perfect answer. A rustic cedar-wood hot tub, underfloor heating, and a sumptuous six-foot bed make this treehouse a haven of relaxation, all in the heart of nature.

39. Heavenly River Houseboat, Surrey – popular in America, but a truly unique find in the UK, this floating home residing near Hampton Court Palace on the River Thames is an alternative form of escape for your getaway. A hot tub and a roof garden, as well as a fully equipped bathroom and kitchen to make your floating experience truly magical.

40. Alum Chine Log Cabin – as seen on UKTV’s Fantasy Homes by the Sea, this luxury cabin really lives up to its name by being the perfect spot of paradise right on the doorstep of Bournemouth’s 7-mile award-winning beach. Its positioning in the slopes of Alum Chine sheltered by trees make the most out of the gorgeous sunshine and use the natural light to create a peaceful, beautiful station for relaxation.

You’ve been inspired by some quirky accommodation, now you just have the choice of where to go! Luckily, we’ve got your transport to the UK covered, click here to have a look at our ferry journeys to the UK and let your adventures begin.