Unique & Unusual Places to Stay in the UK
Once upon a time in the UK there were just hotels, B&Bs and campsites, and life was very dull. And then yurts, pods, tipis, shepherds' huts and all sorts of boutique and unusual accommodation options came on stream, and holidays and weekend breaks suddenly became more interesting. In the past few years the bar has been raised once again: you can still stay in a tipi, and shepherds huts are pretty much mainstream fare. But there are lots more unique and unusual places to stay all over the country, from historic castles and windmill stays to floating B&Bs and travelling circus wagons, even the odd shipping container or rocket ship.
Check out our exciting guide to the most unique places to stay in the UK: historic windmills, castles and forts, Victorian prisons, railway carriages and vintage buses – the choice is yours, just prepare to be amazed.
Unique and Unusual Places to Stay
The Windmill Suffolk, Lavenham Road, Cockfield, Near Lavenham, Suffolk IP30 0HX
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Suffolk
Holidays in Lavenham
Rustic and relaxed cabin, yurt and double-decker bus in a glorious Shropshire location on the Welsh Borders
Kinton Escapes , Kinton Court Farm, Rorrington, Chirbury, Shropshire SY15 6BU
Holidays in West Midlands
Holidays in Shropshire
Holidays in Church Stretton
Unique Shepherds Hut and Bell Tent glamping on a Kent nature reserve, with unbeatable views and wildlife aplenty.
Elmley Nature Reserve, Kingshill Farm, Elmley National Nature Reserve, Kent ME12 3RW
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Kent
Holidays in Isle of Sheppey
As remote and idyllic a Highlands hideaway as you will find: luxurious self-catering above Ullapool and Loch Broom
The Stonehouses, The Stonehouses, Hill Cottage, Mill Street, Ullapool IV26 2UN
Holidays in Highlands
Holidays in Ross-shire
Holidays in Ullapool
This unique Essex B&B is undoubtedly the most astounding place you will ever stay!
Talliston House & Gardens, Talliston Newton Green, Great Dunmow, Essex CM6 1DU
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Essex
Holidays in Great Dunmow
Self-catering stays with vintage charm at this Herefordshire heritage railway station
Rowden Mill Station, Bredenbury, Bromyard, Herefordshire HR7 4TG
Holidays in West Midlands
Holidays in Herefordshire
Holidays in Bromyard
A floating luxury retreat for two on the Devon-Cornwall borders
Blackbird, Blagdon Water, Holsworthy, Devon EX22 6NX
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Devon
Holidays in Holsworthy
This gorgeous converted windmill makes a spectacular place to stay on the North Norfolk Coast
Cley Windmill, The Quay Cley NR25 7RP
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Blakeney
Top-end treehouses and a converted cowshed in a wild valley in Devon
Sleepy Owl, Watermead, Hartland, Devon EX39 6BY
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Devon
Holidays in Hartland
A unique and luxurious self-catering option in the centre of Edinburgh.
The Four Sisters Boatel, Lochrin Basin, Edinburgh EH3 9QP
Holidays in South Scotland
Holidays in Lothian
Holidays in Edinburgh
A romantic lakeside bolthole for two on the shores of Ullswater
The Boathouse at Knotts End, The Boathouse at Knotts End, Lake Ullswater, near Watermillock, Cumbria, CA11 0JJ
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Ullswater
A luxury lodge built for total immersion in tranquil East Sussex woodland
Looking Glass Lodge, Grangewood, Battery Hill, Fairlight, Hastings, East Sussex TN35 4AL
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in East Sussex
Holidays in Hastings
A luxury house and beautiful self-contained cabins with sea views – just outside Southwold
Still Southwold, Easton Lane, Easton Bavents, Southwold, Suffolk IP18 6SU
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Suffolk
Holidays in Southwold
A unique selection of self-catering properties set in natural gardens and woodland in glorious Perthshire countryside
Craighead Howfs, Craighead Farm, Braco, Dunblane, Perthshire FK15 9LP
Holidays in Central Scotland
Holidays in Perthshire
Holidays in Dunblane
Two restored railway carriages for year-round glamping on the Norfolk-Suffolk border.
Choo Choo Moo, Low Ditch Road, Alburgh, Harleston, Norfolk IP20 0BX
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Harleston
Luxury glamping pods overlooking vineyards at a boutique Nottinghamshire Wolds winery
Wolds Wine Estate, Thurlby Lane, Stanton on the Wolds, Nottinghamshire NG12 5BS
Holidays in East Midlands
Holidays in Nottinghamshire
Holidays in Nottingham
Eco-responsible glamping away from the crowds, with sweeping views and immediate fell access
Once Upon a Fell, Whin Yeats Farm, Hutton Roof, South Lakes, Cumbria LA6 2PJ
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Kirkby Lonsdale
Adults-only wee caravans of love in the Scottish Borders
Roulotte Retreat, Roulotte Retreat, Bowden, Melrose, The Scottish Borders TD6 0SU
Holidays in South Scotland
Holidays in Scottish Borders
Holidays in Melrose
A fully crewed and catered luxury yacht cruising The Solent, South Coast, and Channel Islands
Magic Time , Port Hamble Marina, Satchell Lane, Hamble-le-Rice, Southampton, Hampshire SO31 4QD
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Hampshire
Holidays in Southampton
North Norfolk B&B rooms and chalets within a stone's throw of the beach
Norfolk B&B Rooms & Chalets with mYminibreak , 72B South Beach Road, Heacham, Kings Lynn, Norfolk PE31 7BB
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Hunstanton
Contemporary comfort for large groups inside this Grade II-listed, very stylish Peak District property
ARC Peaks, ARC Peaks, Wildboarclough, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK11 0BD
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cheshire
Holidays in Macclesfield
A unique and romantic countryside retreat for two– just an hour from London!
The Hobbity Treehouse, 8 Honey Hill, Blean, Near Canterbury, Kent CT2 9JP
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Kent
Holidays in Canterbury
This cosy, private and unique roundhouse on a South Lakeland farm boasts a wood-fired hot tub and views to the Lake District fells and Yorkshire Dales
Kelker Well Roundhouse, Kelker Well Barn, Newbiggin, Hutton Roof, Cumbria LA6 2PJ
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Kirkby Lonsdale
Ty Cwch Boathouse, Cwmtydu, Llwyndafydd, Llandysul, Ceredigion SA44 6LQ
Holidays in Mid Wales
Holidays in Ceredigion
Holidays in New Quay
Wow factor treehouses near Mayfield in leafy East Sussex
Hoots Treehouses, Doozes Farm, Witherenden Road, Mayfield, East Sussex TN20 6RS
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in East Sussex
Holidays in Mayfield
Cosy and comfortable floating pods and houseboats near Beccles in the Broads National Park
Hippersons Boatyard, Gillingham Dam, Beccles, Norfolk NR34 0EB
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Beccles
Luxury lodges in the middle of the Suffolk countryside
Blyth Rise Stays, Station Road, Laxfield, Suffolk IP13 8HF
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Suffolk
Holidays in Halesworth
A scenically-situated self-catering cabin for two on the wildlife-rich island of Canna, in the Inner Hebrides
Sanday Croft Cabin, Isle of Canna, Sanday PH44 4RS
Holidays in Scottish Isles
Holidays in Isle of Canna
Holidays in Sanday
It's hard to imagine a better spot for an extended break in Edinburgh than this luxury boat.
The Camillia Boatel, Lochrin Basin, Edinburgh EH3 9QP
Holidays in South Scotland
Holidays in Lothian
Holidays in Edinburgh
Nant yr Esgair, Ty Mawr, Mallwyd, Machynlleth, Powys SY20 9HS
Holidays in Mid Wales
Holidays in Powys
Holidays in Machynlleth
A rare chance to stay on a 60-foot luxury yacht – moored up in Poole Harbour, Dorset
Classic Yacht Nadine, Cobbs Quay Marina, Woodlands Avenue, Poole, Dorset BH15 4EL
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Dorset
Holidays in Poole
Super-stylish luxury treehouses with romantic outdoor bathtubs in Devon
Nymetwood Treehouses, Nymetwood, Thorne Lane, Spreyton, Crediton, Devon EX17 5AA
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Devon
Holidays in Crediton
One of the most secluded, eco-friendly glamping escapes in North Yorkshire
Rufus' Roost, Baxby Manor, Amplecarr/Low Street, Husthwaite, North Yorkshire YO61 4PW
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in North Yorkshire
Holidays in Thirsk
A remote backpackers hostel, six miles from the nearest car park, which sits majestically amongst some of the Lake District's highest peaks.
YHA Black Sail, Ennerdale Cumbria CA23 3AY
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Kirkby Lonsdale
A luxury log cabin with hot tub that's perfect exploring Canterbury and the North Kent Coast
Honey Tree Lodge, 8 Honey Hill, Blean, Canterbury, Kent CT2 9JP
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Kent
Holidays in Canterbury
Bed down for the night in a landmark Somerset church.
All Saints Church, The Hill, Langport, Somerset TA10 9QF
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Somerset
Holidays in Langport
This Buckinghamshire church makes the perfect base for exploring the Dunstable Downs.
St Mary's Church, Church End, Edelsborough, Dunstable, Buckinghamshire LU6 2EP
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Buckinghamshire
Holidays in Aylesbury
A luxurious and unique Gothic folly in the heart of Snowdonia
Brynkir Tower, Garndolbenmaen, Gwynedd LL51 9AQ
Holidays in North Wales
Holidays in Gwynedd
Holidays in Porthmadog
This quirky wooden property is a true Scottish gem, situated amidst the beauty of the Cairngorms National Park.
Signal Box, Newtonmore, Northern Highlands & Cairngorms National Park
Holidays in Highlands
Holidays in Inverness-shire
Holidays in Kingussie
A romantic treehouse hideaway for two close to Canterbury and the North Kent coast
Tree House Hideaway, 8 Honey Hill, Blean, Canterbury Kent CT2 9JP
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Kent
Holidays in Canterbury
Self-catering cottages with style on the Bolton Abbey Estate
Bolton Abbey Cottages, Bolton Abbey, North Yorkshire
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in North Yorkshire
Holidays in Skipton
A pair of magical luxurious treehouses in the Herefordshire countryside
One Acre Wood , One Acre Wood, Bishops Frome, Herefordshire WR6 5BY
Holidays in West Midlands
Holidays in Herefordshire
Holidays in Bromyard
One of the YHA's most atmospheric hostels, in an ancient castle on the edge of the Forest of Dean.
YHA St Briavels Castle, St Briavels Lydney Gloucestershire GL15 6RG
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Gloucestershire
Holidays in St Briavels
A stunning new hostel on Hadrian's Wall, set in fabulous Dark Sky country
YHA The Sill at Hadrian's Wall, Military Road, Bardon Mill, NE47 7AN
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in Northumberland
Holidays in Hexham
A cool Cornish hideaway for couples that’s as romantic as they come
Fallen Angel, Fallen Angel, Mousehole, Penzance, Cornwall TR19 6RL
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in Penzance
Heartwood Treehouse, Llangyniew, Welshpool, Powys SY21 9EJ
Holidays in Mid Wales
Holidays in Powys
Holidays in Welshpool
A state-of-the-art, glass-framed celebration home that is the grandest of all grand designs, just outside the charming Devon resort of Sidmouth
Woolbrook Reservoir, Woolbrook Reservoir, Sidmouth, Devon EX10 9EF
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Devon
Holidays in Sidmouth & Seaton
Boating holidays on the Norfolk Broads
Norfolk Broads Direct Boating Holidays, The Bridge, Wroxham, Norfolk, England, NR12 8RX
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Wroxham & Hoveton
