17 Quirky & Unique UK Holiday Rentals

17 Quirky & Unique UK Holiday Rentals

One day, we will be able to go away with friends and family for the weekend again. When that day comes, why not book a holiday rental with a difference? From upturned boats to treehouses, windmills to wagons, here are the must-stay properties to add to your list…

Old Smock Windmill, Kent

This whimsical and romantic four storey windmill sleeps two, and is surrounded by picturesque Kent countryside. Enter the mill via the exterior oak staircase, where you’ll be greeted with exposed brick walls, wooden beams and the mill’s original spur wheel and sack hoist. The bedroom and living room are roomy, with a spiral staircase that leads to the bathroom, equipped with a roll top bathtub and underfloor heating. Outside, a large wooden balcony circles the mill, overlooking a well-kept lawn complete with a BBQ and sun loungers. For a day out, Camber Sands is only a short drive away. 

From £190 Per Night
Visit AirBnb.co.uk

The Upturned Boat, Cambridge

This beautifully converted boat is situated on a large reclaimed wooden deck and looks out over vast, privately owned, forest. The old boat acts as the bedroom, which can either incorporate a king sized bed or two singles, while the adjoining boat shack is home to the kitchen, bathroom and living area. All feature a contemporary, yet chic, interior which compliments the reclaimed oak beams and planking. Ouside you’ll find an al fresco dining area, and an antique roll top bath on the deck. An added bonus, The Upturned Boat runs entirely on renewable energy. 

From £125 Per Night
Visit AirBnb.co.uk

AirShip 2, Scotland

It doesn’t get much quirkier than this. AirShip 2 is a sustainable aluminum pod with large dragonfly windows at either end, as well as bolthole style windows along the walls, offering plenty of opportunities to gaze out over the Scottish highlands and drink in the Sound of Mull views. The inside of the pod is wood panelled, with a galley kitchen and wood burning stove to keep the property warm and cosy. With a comfy queen sized bed, this cool and unique rental comfortably sleeps two, while its prime spot on a private four acre plot means that there’s also room for a furry friend or two.  

From £150 Per Night
Visit AirBnb.co.uk

Holly, Northumberland

This enchanting chapel on wheels comes with everything you need for a romantic weekend away. It comprises a mezzanine style bedroom in the chapel’s roof, accessible via a wooden ladder, as well as a quaint open plan living area with wooden cladding, an elegant chandelier and a roll top copper bath. Adding to its charm, a pretty veranda comes complete with a telescope and star gazing kit, making it the perfect spot to while away the evening. Don’t forget to have a go roasting the complimentary marshmallows left for you by Holly’s owner, either. 

From £450 For A Long Weekend
Visit CanopyAndStars.co.uk

The Shepherds Huts Retreat, Somerset

These pretty shepherds huts can either be rented out individually or all together for a celebratory weekend with a large group. Each hut has a fully equipped kitchen and separate bathroom, as well as a double bed and country cottage-style decor. Surrounded by organic farmland and looking out over a spring lake, they’re all solar powered and made from local, responsibly sourced timber. Each comes with an outside seating area and a comfy hammock, as well as a designated space for a campfire come nightfall. 

From £338 For A Long Weekend
Visit TheShepherdsHutRetreat.co.uk

Hoots Treehouse, Mayfield

For a treetop adventure for the whole family, head to Hoots Treehouse, located near Mayfield on the south coast. Comfortably sleeping a family of four, there’s one queen sized bed in the main living area, and extra room for children in the treehouse loft, which is accessible via a ladder and hatch. Outside there are two large decked patios with plenty of seating, as well as a BBQ and hot tub. Clad in cedar wood and with a turreted roof, this woodland retreat is the perfect spot for a unique weekend away.

From £280 Per Night
Visit AirBnb.co.uk

The Floathouse, Cornwall

The Floathouse, located near Falmouth, is a light and airy floating cabin that sleeps six. Situated on the river Penryn, the cabin features floor to ceiling windows and French doors that lead to a waterside deck – the ideal spot to watch the sunset. Meanwhile, the ground floor is home to the open plan living area, with the basement housing three roomy bedrooms. As a bonus, The Floathouse has been made with repurposed ecological materials and also features biomass heating and a renewable electricity supply. 

From £125 Per Night
Visit CoolStays.com

Loft Treehouse, Devon

Loft Treehouse in Devon is an oval wood panelled cabin on stilts, set high above Pickwell Manor’s private forest. An ideal spot for a weekend for two, there’s a cosy Scandinavian style bedroom, complete with faux fur throws and earthy tone leather furniture, as well as an open plan living and dining area, with a galley kitchen and large windows to bring the forest landscape in. Spend the mornings enjoying a lazy breakfast out on the treetop deck and enjoy a drink in Loft Treehouse’s very own hot tub come evening.

From £790 For A Long Weekend
Visit CanopyAndStars.co.uk

The Signal Station, Cornwall

There is nothing ordinary about The Signal Station, which has stood on the cliffs of the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall since the late 1800s. Inside, the white and blue colour scheme reflects the property’s coastal location, complete with reclaimed vintage touches and antiques. There are three bedrooms on the first floor, all with sea views, as well as a bunk room for children in the lookout tower. The jewel in the crown is the vast roof terrace, complete with outdoor sofas and a BBQ, making it the perfect place to spend an evening stargazing and looking out over the ocean. Sleeps six. 

From £1,395 For A Long Weekend
Visit UniqueHomestays.com

The Den, Lake District

This quaint Scandivian style cabin is ideal for a rural, romantic getaway. The wood panelled hut has a large BBQ pit in the middle to keep you cosy on chilly evenings, surrounded by wooden benches topped with comfy cushions. Meanwhile, a large double bed can be found at the back of the den under a canopy of fairy lights. Outside, seating is set up next to the property for an al fresco evening drink, while the picturesque Lake Windermere is just an eight minute drive away if you fancy dinner out. Dogs are also welcome. 

From £58 Per Night
Visit AirBnb.co.uk

The Woodman's Treehouse, Dorset

Fancy a night sleeping up in the treetops? The Woodman’s Treehouse in Dorset sleeps two, with a bedroom window that looks out into the dense, magical forest. Accessible via a pretty robe bridge, outside you’ll find a large wooden deck with a hot tub, outdoor rain shower and hammock, as well as a spiral staircase that leads to the rooftop and sauna. Inside, a large wood-burner in the centre of the living area will keep you cosy, while floor to ceiling glass windows bring in the forest dappled sunlight. The treehouse has also been sustainably built, and is clad in wood to help it blend into its surroundings. 

From £1,485 For A Long Weekend
Visit CanopyAndStars.co.uk

The Stack House, Cornwall

The Stack House is located near Trelion in Cornwall and overlooks the stunning Fal Valley. Once a 19th century engine house, this unique building is bursting with architectural and interior design features. From wood burners in the snug-style lounge areas, to a cinema room in the basement and an al fresco kitchen, the Stack House has something for everyone. With two Moroccan style bedrooms and a loft room for children, this four floor building sleeps up to six guests, making it the perfect rental for a family or large group. 

From £1,295 For A Long Weekend
Visit UniqueHomestays.com

Stargazers Wagon, Herefordshire

Forgo the traditional holiday cottage and opt to stay in the unique Stargazers Wagon instead, with its scenic, panoramic views. Located in a glorious five-acre wild flower meadow, this large cabin on wheels features a Scandinavian-style chic and homey interior, with a king size bed and plush spa robes for guests. Outside, you’ll find a scenic dining area with a hot tub, while all guests can expect a pre-cooked homemade meal delivered by the host on arrival. Sleeps two.

From £450 For A Long Weekend
Visit CanopyAndStars.co.uk

Warwick Knight, Gloucestershire

This luxuriously converted aluminium home on wheels comfortably sleeps two adults and two children in quirky bunk pods. There’s no need to compromise on space: there’s a large and cosy seating area with a log burning fireplace, as well as a wood-fired shower. After a day of exploring the local countryside and chocolate-box villages, spend the evening relaxing on the grass topped roof terrace, with its selection of comfy outdoor furniture and colourful fairy lights. 

From £95 Per Night
Visit CanopyAndStars.co.uk

The Hide, Cornwall

For something breathtakingly beautiful with a modern architectural twist, book this minimalist haven for two, which mixes wood, glass and concrete to create a chic home away from home. From the peephole windows to its wall of bi-fold doors, as well as a yoga deck and concrete bathtub, everything about this rental is unique. It’s also eco-friendly, drawing most of its energy from an air source heat pump. 

From £895 For A Long Weekend
Visit UniqueHomestays.com

Prudence Wagon, Devon

Opt for an old gypsy wagon nestled in the heart of the Cornish countryside. Surrounded by spring meadows and an old flour mill, the pastel-coloured wagon transforms into your bedroom, with simple yet pretty decor and a wood burner to keep you cosy in the raised double bed. The kitchen is located in the outdoor shack, which houses all the cooking equipment, along with a decked dining area complete with a fire bowl for marshmallow toasting. Expect plenty of whimsical lanterns and fairy lights, too, as well as a woodland hammock and bunting. Sleeps four. 

From £85 Per Night
Visit CanopyAndStars.co.uk

Humble Bee, Devon

As the name suggests, this property has been designed to mimic the shape and style of a beehive. Inside, each floor takes on a contemporary, rustic design, with reclaimed wood and metal touches. On the top floor, there’s a king sized bed that sits under a canopy of wooden beams, while the middle floor, which is a mezzanine style landing, is home to plush sofas with a wood burning fireplace. Double doors open up on to the al fresco dining area, as well as an outdoor stone bath, making this the ideal choice for a romantic break for two. 

From £585 For A Long Weekend
Visit CanopyAndStars.co.uk

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