With a heatwave potentially creeping up in the next few weeks and travel to the continent still less certain than in previous years, here at Not In The Guidebooks we thought it was high time that we shone a spotlight on some unusual places to stay in England.
A land of green rolling hills, rugged mountains, vast swathes of deep pine forest and sun-dappled woodlands, crystal clear lakes and bubbling streams running through picturesque villages, getting off the beaten track for an activity holiday in England can be as rewarding as any location on earth.
So with that in mind, let’s take a look at some unusual places to stay in England, some of the unique, quirky accommodation we have sourced from around the region to help get you off-grid right here in the UK, and immersed in the stunning natural landscape that England has to offer.
Unique Woodland Yurt Retreat in Chichester
Within easy reach of London, but feeling like a million miles away, this secluded corner of woodland hides a lovingly designed boutique glamping site that allows you to truly switch off from the outside world for a short time.
The solar powered site has a number of hugely comfortable yurts, with individual tents equipped with log burning stoves for cosy nights in and barrel BBQs outside for those long, sun-soaked summer evenings.
Spend your days on long walks through the surrounding woodlands, stumbling across picturesque villages and cosy little pubs, exploring the magnificent South Downs, or simply relaxing in the wood-fired hot tub and listening to the sounds of nature. A truly off-grid holiday in the UK and a great opportunity to escape the rush of everyday life.
Log Cabin with a Hot Tub in Somerset
Escape to Somerset for a short UK break in a simple, yet highly luxurious log cabin. Sleeping up to 6 in extreme comfort, it’s the perfect place to take the family or a small group of friends looking for an unusual place to stay, and a holiday location slightly further off the beaten track.
Situated on a site with sweeping views of the surrounding countryside and the River Brue, you can let days of relaxation drift by on the outdoor decking or in the private hot tub, or head out hiking, beach hopping or kayaking.
As the site has a number of pods, lodges and cabins, it represents a wonderful opportunity to get a few families together, or a large group of friends, and book out a couple of properties for a holiday you are sure never to forget.
Unusual Places to Stay in England
Shropshire
Quirky Artist’s Cottage in Shropshire
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England
Unique Woodland Yurt Retreat in Chichester
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Devon and Cornwall
The Old Granary in Devon
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England
Teal House in Lyme Regis
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The Old Granary in Devon
Bursting with character and painstakingly converted, this old granary building on an old Devon farm is now a comfortable cottage with bright, airy interiors and many of the original farm building features that give it a truly unique feel.
With a log-burner for cold, star-studded winter nights in, and a private enclosed patio area for enjoying a cold drink in the sun, the cottage is the perfect place to stay for a retreat in any UK season.
There’s also an indoor swimming pool, sauna and gym on the complex, which you’ll share with guests in the other cottages and get access to for two one hour slots throughout the day. Of course, like with the cabins in Somerset, if you take a group large enough to book out the entire site, it’s yours all day every day!
The Teale House in Lyme Regis
Get a taste of seaside life in beautiful Lyme Regis, in this gorgeous little house just tucked away along one of the quiet back streets, and only a three minute walk away from the beach.
There aren’t many places in the UK that you can sip your morning coffee on the lawn, overlooking glimpses of the ocean from the back of your little townhouse, but in this wonderfully refurbished house that sleeps up to 8, that’s exactly how you’ll start every morning.
Pet friendly and brilliantly located in the very centre of Lyme Regis, you are within easy reach of the many shops, restaurants, pubs and cafes that make Lyme Regis the ‘pearl of Dorset’, as well as the Jurassic Coast and the dramatic coastline of long beaches and plunging sea cliffs.
Quirky Artist’s Cottage in Shropshire
You’d be hard pushed to find a quirkier accommodation, or a more unusual place to stay in England, than in this quite spectacular cottage in the market town of Bridgenorth, Shropshire. Whilst it may look unassuming and quite in place with the rest of the town from the street, once inside things change dramatically.
Once home to the artist Anthony Dracup, the cottage is a maze of quirky rooms and hidden corners all painstakingly designed over 20 years by the artist himself. From the medieval dungeon carved out of the hillside out the back of the house to the art room containing a 360 degree mural of Bridgenorth, there is so much to explore in this house-sized work of art.
Sleeping up to 4 people, it epitomises an unusual place to stay in England and is a unique place to stay and escape from reality for a little while, on a break you are sure to remember.
Here at Not In The Guidebooks, we work hard to find unusual places to stay and unique accommodation in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and beyond. By seeking out eco-retreats, off-grid escapes and places to stay that are just that little bit different to your average holiday, we’re hoping to bring you opportunities to explore further and come home with memories that last a lifetime.
02/07/2021 
