luxury fantastical castles, towers and follies
Curious travellers seeking exotica and escapism need venture no further than these fair green isles, where mysterious dwellings hide down sweeping drives and await your grand arrival.
Time travel back to the era of English Romanticism, when creative spirit soared and formal traditions went by the wayside, and take up residence in a building designed for aesthetic pleasure. In this wonderland of eccentricity, ornamental 'follies' (a word stolen from the French language meaning 'foolishness') manifest as towers within the grounds of stately homes, or crumbling castles in miniature.
For those who seek historical grandeur, Britain's Napoleonic forts have been reimagined, Poldarkian stack houses and glamorous old castles breathed new life into. This may be the ultimate fairytale collection, but Arabian horses and shining knights can steer clear for there'll be no rescuing required here. In fact, you'll want to turn the lock and throw the key in the moat.
Aria
Crowcombe, The Quantock Hills, Somerset, UK
A cubic zinc build at the edge of Somerset's Quantock Hills, Aria is a luxury architectural home with a curated edge and woodfired hot tub set between olive trees in Crowcombe.
Sleeps: Up to 8 guests
Alternative Group Option: Up to 6 & Up to 2 guests
From: £3,150 per week, £2,395 per short break
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Features: Wood-fired hot tub
The Walled Garden
Dyrham, Bath, The Cotswolds, UK
Perhaps the most ornate vegetable store in all of England, The Walled Garden began life as a potato house for Dyrham Park in Bath before becoming a luxury Cotswolds garden stay.
Sleeps: Up to 4 guests
Alternative Group Option: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,895 per week, £1,395 per short break
Pets: One small well-behaved dog is welcome
Features: Fire pit, use of the owners´ tennis court and use of the owners´ natural outdoor pool (pool available between 8am and midday, outside of these times available on prior agreement)
Thornemead Castle
Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, UK
Be Lord of the Manor at this 240-year-old gothic castle set within manicured lawns and wildflower meadows within walking distance of the Somerset coast.
Sleeps: Up to 10 guests (+3 children)
Alternative Group Option: Up to 6 guests
From: £3,395 per week, £2,550 per short break
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Features: Hot tub hire is available (please enquire for details), billiard table, football table, lawn for croquet, badminton and volley ball, outdoor tennis table, library, Kadai fire bowl and pizza oven.
