Country weekend breaks near London
Plotting a couples' escape or a big group gathering away from the city? Luxury country weekend breaks near London have never been so get-at-able; these private homes, from Norfolk to the South Downs, are all within a three hour drive of the Big Smoke.
In a couple of hours, you could be reclining on the veranda of your very own beach house, rosé on ice, sea salt on your lips, and fondue melting on the Aga. The luxury private homes that form this collection of country weekend breaks near London have all been hand-picked, nitpicking-ly examined, and granted the Unique Homestays stamp of approval, meaning a swift self-catering escape from the city has never been so carefree. If the London Underground is your go-to mode of transport, we can arrange the hire of a 4x4 or country-ready convertible, so you can fill the trunk with ensembles and pull up to your weekend abode in style. You handle the spontaneity, we'll handle the spadework.
A city trend's astir. As the crowds shuffle in for their weekend revelries, London locals are slyly departing. From gathering with all the family in lavish mansions with swimming pools, to holing up with their beaus in romantic cottages where Champagne and real fires reign, city-escapers (often with dogs in tow) are turning to out-of-towners in as little as three hours. Go big with indoor bowling alleys, at-home cinemas, and secret gardens, or take the hygge highway to hot tubs and fire-charred marshmallows. With oak doors aflung, baguettes in the hamper, and lavender-scented bubbles in the copper tub, the most luxurious self-catering homes in the UK are just a click away. The coast and country are calling.
The Ruby Barn
Sandford St Martin, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, The Cotswolds, UK
Bringing a touch of Californian chicness to the Oxfordshire countryside, this luxury Cotswold stone barn conversion has been fashioned with soul.
Sleeps: Up to 6 guests
Alternative Group Option: Up to 2 guests
From: £2,150 per week, £1,595 per short break
Pets: Two well behaved small dogs are welcome
Features: Children´s play area with slide
Distance: Approx. 62 miles from central London as the crow flies
Inkwell Cottage
Burford, Oxfordshire, The Cotswolds, UK
Handcrafted, atelier in style and ever-so fun, this self-catering home in Burford is a pocketful of luxury throwing all conventionality out of its mullion window
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,250 per week, £995 per short break
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Distance: Approx. 68 miles from central London as the crow flies
Atticus
Burford, Oxfordshire, The Cotswolds, UK
Made of treacle-toned Cotswolds stone, with antique doors that hint at its history, Atticus is a luxury period townhouse at the end of a golden high street in Burford, Oxfordshire.
Sleeps: Up to 8 guests
From: £3,395 per week, £2,550 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Baby Grand Piano and fire pit
Distance: Approx. 68 miles from central London as the crow flies
The Aviary
Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, UK
A luxury Cotswolds manor made from traditional stone, The Aviary is a farmhouse retreat in Moreton-in-Marsh with utterly chic interiors, a heated pool, and a highbrow tennis court.
Sleeps: Up to 12 guests (10 adults and 2 children)
From: £5,995 per week, £4,495 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Outdoor heated swimming pool and hot tub (May - September), tennis court, cinema room and playing fields with football goals
Distance: Approx. 74 miles from central London as the crow flies
Nocturne
Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, UK
A period home with a movie room and hot tub in Stow-on-the-Wold, Nocturne is a tincture for the kinetic whirl of city life, a luxury Cotswolds townhouse with a story to tell.
Sleeps: Up to 12 guests
Alternative Group Option: Up to 8 guests
From: £3,550 per week, £2,650 per short break
Pets: Three well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: William Holland hot tub, cinema room, games room
Distance: Approx. 74 miles from central London as the crow flies
The Flower Press
Bibury, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, UK
Emerald green in spring, fire red in autumn; luxury cottage The Flower Press is a French countryside-inspired home and garden in the quintessentially Cotswolds village of Bibury.
Sleeps: Up to 4 guests
Alternative Group Option: Up to 2 guests
From: £2,295 per week, £1,750 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs over the age of 12 months are welcome
Distance: Approx. 76 miles from central London as the crow flies
The Studio
Upper Slaughter, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, UK
In the heart of Upper Slaughter, one of England’s “doubly-thankful” villages, The Studio is a luxury Cotswolds barn that wouldn’t be out of place in New York's artsy Tribeca.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,595 per week, £1,195 per short break
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Features: Pizza oven and fire pits
Distance: Approx. 76 miles from central London as the crow flies
Four Hundred Summers
Ablington, Bibury, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, UK
With an ashlar chimney that sends smoke signals curling above the gable roof, Four Hundred Summer is a luxury Cotswolds cottage with a hot tub that brings Nordic clout to Ablington.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,695 per week, £1,250 per short break
Features: Wood-fired hot tub
Distance: Approx. 76 miles from central London as the crow flies
The Palladian
Ampney Crucis, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, UK
Georgian in style and grand in nature, this self-catering Cotswold manor offers a true countryside escape perfect for multi-generational groups.
Sleeps: Up to 12 guests (6 adults and 6 children)
From: £4,795 per week, £3,450 per short break
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Features: Outdoor heated swimming pool and hot tub (both May - September), gym, tennis court, trampoline and small football pitch
Distance: Approx. 78 miles from central London as the crow flies
Filly Island
Cirencester, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, UK
Blending tiny proportions with a big dose of style, Filly Island is a luxury cottage in the Cotswolds; find it on a little island accessed by a humpback bridge near Cirencester.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £950 per week, £795 per short break
Pets: Two small well-behaved dogs are welcome
Distance: Approx. 79 miles from central London as the crow flies
Weddings at Anthology Farm
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, UK
An 18th century barn designed with love-filled celebrations and grand gatherings in mind, Anthology Farm is nestled in an ancient Cotswolds valley on the outskirts of Cheltenham. A venue as idyllic for summer marquee weddings as winter celebrations.
Sleeps: Up to 18
Alternative Group Option: Up to 60 & Up to 30 guests
From: £22,395 per week, £19,895 per short break
Pets: Pets are considered on prior agreement
Features: Wedding barn, heated indoor swimming pool, tennis court and electric car charging point
Distance: Approx. 84 miles from central London as the crow flies
Anthology Farm
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, UK
With an indoor pool, tennis court, and yoga studio, members-only health club Anthology Farm is a luxury country estate made for family gatherings near Cheltenham in the Cotswolds.
Sleeps: Up to 18 guests
Alternative Group Option: Up to 10 guests
From: £9,450 per week, £7,550 per short break
Pets: Pets are considered on prior agreement
Features: Heated indoor swimming pool, cinema room, tennis court, table tennis, gym equipment, purpose built yoga studio and electric car charging point
Distance: Approx. 85 miles from central London as the crow flies
Gulliver´s Hall
Bisley, Stroud, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, UK
Playful, elegant, and ancestral, Gulliver's Hall is a luxury country manor in the beating heart of the Cotswolds; a family spa near Bisley with a heated pool, sauna, and tennis court.
Sleeps: Up to 21 guests
Alternative Group Option: Up to 15 & Up to 6 guests
From: £7,795 per week, £5,895 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome on prior request
Features: Outdoor heated swimming pool (April-October), sunken spa bath, sauna, steam room, outdoor shower, outdoor kitchen with pizza oven, paella burner, games and cinema room, tennis court, croquet lawn
Distance: Approx. 89 miles from central London as the crow flies
Weddings at Gulliver´s Hall
Bisley, Stroud, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, UK
Modern bohemians, lovestruck eccentrics, and pairs of playful classicists, meet Gulliver’s Hall: a made-to-measure luxury wedding venue available for exclusive hire in the Cotswolds.
Sleeps: Up to 21 guests
Alternative Group Option: Up to 40 & Up to 21 guests
From: £16,150 per week, £13,750 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome on prior request
Features: Outdoor heated swimming pool (April-October), sunken spa bath, sauna, steam room, outdoor shower, outdoor kitchen with pizza oven, paella burner, games and cinema room, tennis court, croquet lawn
Distance: Approx. 89 miles from central London as the crow flies
The Find
Cranham, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, UK
A dynamic pairing of luxury Cotswolds homes in Cranham, The Find is an old stone cottage and architect-designed glass extension in a beautifully secluded valley near Cheltenham.
Sleeps: Up to 12 guests
From: £15,895 per week, £11,950 per short break
Pets: Two dogs are welcome
Features: Trampoline, hot tub hire is available (please enquire for details)
Distance: Approx. 89 miles from central London as the crow flies
Evania
Bentham, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, UK
Inspired by the colours and countryside of the Mediterranean, this Gloucestershire home with heated outdoor swimming pool and hot tub, is the perfect family retreat.
Sleeps: Up to 10 guests
Alternative Group Option: Up to 6 & Up to 4 guests
From: £4,995 per week, £3,950 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome, or three on prior request
Features: Outdoor heated swimming pool (May - September), hot tub, outdoor kitchen area with built-in gas barbecue, games room with table football, pool table, table tennis and television
Distance: Approx. 89 miles from central London as the crow flies
The Knapp
Slad, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, UK
Settle yourself within the pages of Laurie Lee's Cider with Rosie at The Knapp, where the magic of a Slad Valley childhood meets the Cotswolds of the 21st century.
Sleeps: Up to 8 guests
Alternative Group Option: Up to 4 guests
From: £3,250 per week, £2,450 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Cinema, games room and outdoor kitchen
Distance: Approx. 90 miles from central London as the crow flies
The Marlings
Standish, Stroud, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, UK
Made up of five beautiful dwellings in Standish near Stroud, The Marlings is a luxury family resort in the Cotswolds with a heated pool, hot tub, playground, and tennis court.
Sleeps: Up to 25 guests (20 adults and 5 children)
Alternative Group Option: Up to 12 guests
From: £7,795 per week, £5,895 per short break
Pets: Three well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Heated outdoor pool (available April to October) with pool house, hot tub, tennis court, wooden playpark
Distance: Approx. 94 miles from central London as the crow flies
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)
Distance: Approx. 97 miles from central London as the crow flies
