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.
The Railway House
Crowcombe, The Quantock Hills, Somerset, UK
Emerging from beneath a railway bridge, one enters another world at The Railway House; a world where finesse, peace and leisurely days reign.
Sleeps: Up to 6 guests
From: £2,250 per week, £1,695 per short break
Alternative Group Option: Up to 2 guests
Pets: Sorry, no pets
The Walled Garden
Dyrham, Bath, The Cotswolds, UK
Perhaps the most ornate vegetable store in the whole of England, The Walled Garden began life as a potato house for Dyrham Park. This romantic retreat sits on the western edge of the Cotswolds, not far from Bath and all its gleaming treasures.
Sleeps: Up to 4 guests
From: £1,750 per week, £1,295 per short break
Alternative Group Option: Up to 2 guests
Pets: One small well-behaved dog is welcome
Features: Fire pit, use of the owners´ tennis court
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)
From: £3,795 per week, £2,995 per short break
Alternative Group Option: Up to 6 guests
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Features: Hot tub hire is available (please enquire for details), football table, badminton, volley ball, games room, outdoor tennis table, croquet lawn, library, Kadai fire bowl and pizza oven.
