A staple of many of our childhood school holidays, the UK break saw a forced resurgence in 2020 during the Covid pandemic. Three years on, it’s showing no signs of slowing down.
The rainy caravan and beach holidays of the past, though, might look a little different in 2023. Even the quickest of internet searches uncovers a wide range of quirky accommodation options, from sustainable treehouses to decommissioned lightships and the classic yellow American school bus.
If you are looking for a UK staycation destination with a difference this summer, look no further than your rundown of five of the best quirky accommodation options for a summer holiday with a difference.
1. LV14 SULA Lightship, Gloucester Docks
The floating lighthouse LV14 SULA – known as a lightship or lightvessel – protected mariners in the Humber Estuary for 26 years before it was decommissioned in 1985. It has now been lovingly restored and is all set to begin a new life as a boutique getaway destination with a difference.
Moored in the historic Gloucester Docks, in the Cotswolds, the lightvessel now sleeps four, with one king-size bedroom, one double bedroom, and a bathroom, all within a quirky and open-plan living space, accessed through the lightship’s original teak doors.
Perfect for a romantic break, you can watch the comings and goings in the docks, as well as marvel at the Gloucester cityscape as you enjoy a stay in the UK’s only lightship offering overnight stays.
2. Wolf Wood Treehouse, Devon
Located an hour’s drive east of Exeter, just north of Dartmoor National Park, Wolf Wood Treehouses sit within 13 acres of woodland named for the stream – a tributary of the River Wolf – that runs through the site.
Each treehouse was built from sustainable timber sourced within a 30-mile radius and constructed like a “giant Meccano”, before being hauled into the treetops.
There are four treehouses to choose from:
- Lookout
- Stargazer
- Black Wolf
- The Spa Treehouse
Between them, they boast rope ladder entranceways, large wooden decking complete with outdoor Jacuzzis, fully equipped kitchens, and king-size beds with incredible views over the woodland.
Once you’re up in the canopy you might not want to come down again, but if you do venture back to the ground, you’ll find plenty to do locally for adults and kids. Dartmoor is on your doorstep, while Bude is just a 30-minute drive to the northwest and Plymouth an hour to the south.
3. Onsen domes, Fforest Farm, Cardigan
Fforest has three sites near Cardigan in West Wales:
- Farm
- Coast
- Town
Each site has its own character and set of accommodation options.
Fforest Farm is located inland and away from the centre of Cardigan, just a 10-minute drive to the south.
The Farm site offers six main accommodation options from cabins to shacks and domes, but it is the Onsen Domes that might just top your list.
Named after the Japanese for “hot spring”, the geodesic domes have electricity, hot water, and a sunken tub in their own Japanese bath house.
The perfect place to relax and unwind in the middle of the rolling Welsh countryside, you’re also close enough to the coast and the historic town of Cardigan to keep the whole family entertained.
4. The Chapel, Lydbury North, Shropshire
The 30 acres of Walcot Hall sit within the Shropshire Hills area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB), just 20 miles northwest of Ludlow near the Welsh border.
The Chapel sits within the grounds of Walcot Hall, and as its name suggests, is a former chapel. Now lovingly restored, the project was featured on Channel 4’s George Clarke Amazing Spaces.
The 11th-century castle at Ludlow is nearby, while the Welsh town of Hay-on-Wye – the “town of books” – is just an hour to the south.
When you’ve finished exploring the beautiful countryside and local market towns, the Chapel itself sleeps four, with two double bedrooms situated on a mezzanine level overlooking an open-plan lounge. You’ll also find a gas cooker, wood burner, fridge, TV, and DVD player, as well as a downstairs bathroom and shower.
5. Field of Dreams, Melbourne Hall, Derbyshire
Comedian Johnny Vegas’s drunken purchase of a Maltese public bus turned into a restoration project filmed as Channel 4’s Carry on Glamping.
Since that series aired in 2021, the original Maltese bus has been joined by an American school bus, a boat, and even a helicopter. And the location has changed too, from Harrogate to the grounds of the 17th-century Melbourne Hall, in South Derbyshire.
You’ll find beautiful local walks to Staunton Harold Reservoir and the National Trust-owned Calke Abbey, as well as easy links to Derby, Nottingham, and Donnington Park racing circuit.
Perfect for a countryside getaway, why not treat yourself to a summer holiday with a difference?
Get in touch
If you’d like to ensure you can afford the staycation of your dreams, we’re always on hand to help answer any financial queries you have. Please email hello@globeifa.co.uk or call us on 020 8891 0711 to discuss how Globe IFA’s expert financial advisors can help you.
