Stand up paddle boarding, zip-lining, hiking, cold-water swimming, kayaking, climbing and lounging on beaches as the sun beats down, cerulean seas sparkling ahead; a staycation in the United Kingdom has enough to rival any far-flung travel.
Journey by boat to some of the UK’s wildest frontiers to dine on the freshest seafood across the land in Scotland; stargaze from Devon’s moorland hillocks and traverse lonely mountain passes with only the clouds for company in North Wales. On the Cornish coast it has to be pub lunches and midnight skinny dips from private bays and Herefordshire’s miles upon miles of countryside crossed with orchards call for autumnal cider tasting as the last of the year’s warm sun dips beneath the horizon.
The Artist’s Retreat
Between the moors and sea in mystical North Cornwall, this bohemian home is festooned in wisteria and filled with roaring fires and comforting nooks for delving into one of the 20,000 books stuffed into the many bookshelves. Huddle by granite tors with flasks of tea on Bodmin’s wild moors or flee to the coast, where picturesque fishing villages tumble down cliffs and sun-drenched coves invite fish and chip suppers in the late summer sun.
Huntlington House
A grand Jacobean hunting lodge designed with the hedonist in mind, this Worcestershire manor is both refined and playful, perfect for grand celebrations. Inside, glittered skulls and antler chandeliers confidently reside over enormous fireplaces and a music room (complete with drum kit) tempts late nights setting the world to rights over a bottle of single malt.
Pearl’s on Sea
Once owned by an artist who adorned the exterior of the shack with shells, Pearl’s on Sea has evolved from Winchelsea's community hub to fashion designer’s seaside escape. With a hot tub, al fresco pool and secret gardens dotted with sculptures, there really is no need to leave this boho home, however, if one must, the East Sussex shore is just a ten minute stroll away.
Heddwen
For those in search of untamed landscapes, Heddwen is deliciously set on the Snowdonia National Park coastline with sweeping seas spreading out in one direction and snowy mountain peaks in the other. Between its Welsh granite stone walls, a warm welcome awaits; think sink-into sofas, handmade chandeliers and crackling fires; when the weather is fair, sink into the outdoor tub with a bottle of fizz at the ready, nature’s show playing out all around.
The Hatch
Settled in the heart of Crantock village, The Hatch soaks up the best of this Cornish village’s lively community and is within skipping distance of lively pubs, stylish eateries and the rather charming village stores. Down the hill, Crantock Beach’s golden sands and turquoise waters offer rockpooling, sunbathing and surfing en masse for the whole family to enjoy. Back at your luxury self-catering thatch, the interiors the perfect mix of luxurious and calming, organic and tactile.
Isla Windmill
Sleeping up to four guests on a remote corner of the Anglesey coast, Isla Windmill’s circular form offers wholesome living with nature on view through every arching window. On the third floor, 240 degree-views bound the living room, commanding far-reaching ocean vistas, with Snowdonia National Park and it’s changeable weather in the distance. A hot tub sheltered within the confines of the walled garden is the perfect way to end any day on Wales’ largest island.
Little Inka
An unlikely couples’ retreat on the edge of the Cornish moors, Little Inka is filled with moody glamour in the midst of an alpaca farm. A shepherd’s hut and cabin join together with a spa-like shower room and an oxidized copper rolltop tub resides in the bedroom. In the sunken courtyard, watch the stars appear from the hot tub and slow cook supper on the fire pit.
Amaia
Seemingly floating above the ocean, Amaia flaunts timeless beach house elegance above Plaidy Beach on Cornwall's quiet south-east coast. Over an acre of sub-tropical gardens zig-zag down to the sea, while the al fresco dining area and hot tub enjoy kaleidoscopic sunsets. Sleeping up to ten guests, here is a home where families can embrace the Great British seaside holiday with fervour.
Limehouse Cottage
Hidden in a land where mountains and lakes collide, Limehouse Cottage is shrouded in Irish magic. A weather beaten exterior hides a whitewashed haven evocative of the rustic fincas found on sun-bleached Spanish islands. After days climbing the peaks of Macgillycuddy's Reeks, plunge into the lake for a refreshing dip or descend into the outdoor tub as dusk falls.
