It’s official – it’s time to ignore the siren’s call of distant shores and tropical paradises. The staycation is the up-and-coming trend for the season.
Forget yoga retreats, urban escapes and beach resorts: the staycation is quickly gaining traction as people realise that some of the best luxury properties and experiences can be found without the need to pack a passport. So, with that firmly in mind, LUXlife took the time to spotlight some of the very best, one-of-a-kind luxury properties available around the UK through Holidaycottages.co.uk.
Based in the idyllic market town of Ross-on-Wye, this delightfully restored barn is quintessentially British. It is both wholeheartedly traditional, boasting a whole host of original features that add that perfect homely touch, and eclectic, experimenting with the expected. It’s an unusual combination, but one that works wonders here. In much the same way, the property is a juxtaposition between modernity and the archaic. Hand crafted furniture meets an elegant, modern kitchen. A heated outdoor pool melts away into picturesque English countryside – with 60 acres of verdant fields nestled in its own private valley.
More unusual still is the exotic animal sanctuary with zebra, meerkats, and a coatimundi on-site offering just another reason to visit.
The unusual theme continues with this property just outside of the Worcestershire town of Tenbury Wells. Despite being sympathetically and sustainably created, the Vivianna is the very definition of a luxury property, leaving a lasting impression on those that stay within its walls. The central ash tree, which the cottage was built around, makes the perfect statement piece, lovingly incorporated into the rooms of the structure. A hand-crafted kitchen, cosy bedrooms, log fire and private hot tub complete the image, offering a relaxing home-base after a day spent exploring. It is, fundamentally, the ideal place to spend a long weekend: a magical hideaway far from civilisation.
York is a historic delight, enchanting tourists from all over the world with its dedication to restoration and preservation. Perhaps nothing captures that spirit more than this 700-year old Grade I listed tower, situated in the very heart of the city. Though its location is certainly a natural draw for those seeking convenience above all else, this property has far more tricks up its sleeve.
Period features are peppered throughout this truly exceptional building, seemingly perfectly at ease with the more contemporary additions: Four poster beds, meet deep red chesterfields, meet a stylishly designed kitchen in Lendal Tower, and yet none of its feels out of place. A rooftop terrace with 360-degree views over York provides an almost ‘too-good-to-be-true’ finishing touch. Must-visit.
We go from a historic city to the wonders of the New Forest with this stunning waterside cottage close to the village of Beaulieu. More contemporary than the other properties featured on this list, the Beaulieu River View makes full use of its open plan spaces to invite in natural light. It’s cleanly designed, with all of the mod cons and amenities you would expect: 600 thread count Egyptian cotton bedsheets, WiFi, dishwasher, and Nespresso machine remain a couple of highlights.
More than that, Beaulieu River View is a must-stay location for boating enthusiasts with river mooring and visiting yachts more than welcome. Bird-watchers too will find something special to enjoy here, with a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) close by.
Then, we return to the quirky for one final property that takes the idea of eco-building to new heights. Custom-built from the ground up, this spaceship-shaped cottage overlooks Loch Leven and the surrounding landscape from its enviable elevated position. Spacious in every way, this property can sleep seven people comfortably across its supersized bedrooms, with room to spare.
The interiors are as ‘new age’ as the cottage’s exterior, with a decidedly contemporary feel throughout. A warm colour palette, panoramic views, wood burner, and private hot tub act to seal the deal, making this an impeccable, if somewhat unusual, property. Hikers will find Earth Ship especially enticing, with the Loch Leven heritage trail and Core Path both being within easy reach.
About Holidaycottages.co.uk
Established over 25 years ago, Holidaycottages.co.uk has one of the largest collections of high-end cottages, with over 5000 properties available across England, Scotland and Wales. Quality and choice are key to what they offer, with each cottage being personally inspected by their experienced and professional team. Of particular note is their collection of truly unique properties that really have the ‘wow’ factor. We’ve chosen to showcase just a few here but, if you want to see more, please visit: https://www.holidaycottages.co.uk/luxury
