A showcase of some of Britain’s quirkiest and most unique overnight stay destinations.
Staycations have become extremely popular over the past few years, but just because you’re holidaying within the UK doesn’t mean your trip has to be ordinary. Quite the opposite, in fact, as these stunning, somewhat strange and always memorable destinations show.
Trains
What better way to travel to Scotland than on the Caledonian Sleeper train? Romantic, luxurious and reliable, this one-of-a-kind voyage is almost too good to sleep through.
Winding its way from London’s Euston to some of the finest cities north of the Scottish border – including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness – this legendary locomotive has several accommodation options, offering either twin bunks or a luxurious double, as well as a dining car from which you can watch the world go by as you marvel at some of the greatest countryside in the world (daylight pending).
Planes
Fancy the thrill of flight without the faff of the airport? Look no further than The Jet Star. Tucked away in Redberth, Pembrokeshire, this little-known Welsh wonder was originally a first-class private plane from the Seventies that now sleeps up to four people.
Boasting a kitchenette, toilet and lit-up bar area, this is ideal for both aviation enthusiasts and children alike. It’s also a sure-fire way to spruce up your Instagram feed as you live the high life without ever leaving the ground.
Fields
Wherever you wish to roam in the British countryside, you are sure to be within reach of a wealth of quirky camping options, from yurts to treehouses and even the traditional shepherds’ hut.
Originally, these wooden structures were an essential place for farmhands to seek refuge from inclement weather, however the advent of the Airbnb revolution has seen them be transformed into cosy and sometimes luxurious boltholes, making them ideal locations from which you can bask in the beauty of nature without a tent in sight.
Boats
If you find yourself yearning for a stay by the water’s edge, there are plenty of options right here in the UK – from sumptuous superyachts moored in bustling marinas, to houseboats set adrift in silent lochs and even narrowboats in Little Venice right in the heart of London.
Many of these options will appeal to those who are drawn to water but don’t quite have their sea legs – and yet the Captain Ahabs among us can explore Britain’s waterways by commandeering a traditional canal boat.
The latter requires no previous experience as you receive all the training you need when picking up your vessel. So, whether you want to soak up the sun on a sedentary ship or cruise Britain’s great canals, there is sure to be something to float your boat.
Windmills, lighthouses and castles
History buffs will seize any opportunity to stay in a place that has interesting and lengthy heritage, and the UK has a delightful range of such options.
Whether it’s renovated windmills in the heart of the countryside, stunning lighthouse cottages perching on glorious sea cliffs or, the epitome of British decadence, an actual castle, these fair isles are bursting with brilliant places to stay.
However, if you still just fancy a weekend in a chalet at Butlins, we won’t judge you.
Image: shutterstock_489006871
