Newsletters and press releases
Peruse the latest updates from Unique Homestays HQ in our Newsletter and Press Release Archive.
Homes for the bank holidays
The bank holidays offer moments to pause, gather and slip away. Easter marks a return to the outdoors, with garden breakfasts and bluebell walks. Early May brings gentle spring days, made for picnics and pools. By late May, summer is close enough to touch – al fresco dinners linger long into the night. And then August: shaped by tides and trails, barbecues and beaches. Our homes are made for these moments, where memories take root. With long weekends the first to be snapped up, planning ahead ensures you won’t miss out.
A private chef just for you?
Time is the greatest luxury of all, so thank you for choosing to spend it with us this year. With your dates confirmed and your home secured, there’s just one more way to make your stay a little more relaxing: your own private chef.
Retreats for the Easter holidays
Easter: the first time in the year when outdoor living feels within reach, when mornings stretch and evenings linger. Discover gardens ready for play and pause, surrounding landscapes that invite exploration, and interiors that connect seamlessly with their environment – offering plenty of options to keep families entertained.
Footsteps through folklore
Where granite tors brood beneath mist, islands rise from silvered seas, and stone circles hold sentinel – a sense of ancient magic is woven through Britain and Ireland. Oral histories, enduring tales and centuries-old rituals continue to give meaning to the land, interpreting the marks left by those from long before. A renewed interest in folk culture reflects a desire to slow down and reconnect with the rhythms of nature in a digitally dominated world.
Romantic homes for Valentine´s day
Not all lovers holiday in the same way. Some wake at dawn to chase waves and a sunrise. Others discover romance in a long lie-in, a good book, total silence and nowhere to be.
Inside the home of our founder, Sarah
This month marks the beginning of a year of celebration, as we honour 25 years of Unique Homestays. In recognition of this milestone, our founder Sarah invites us into her Cornish country house, Coswarth. With all the hallmarks of a quintessential English manor, yet deeply rooted in family and authenticity, Coswarth embodies the personal experiences that have been key to shaping both Sarah’s business and home.
Rest, renewal, retreat
Consider this an invitation to cultivate what makes you feel most alive and connected. In recent years, the definition of wellness has expanded beyond its focus on fitness, favouring something more holistic for both body and mind.
Did you spot us on TV?
This evening, Unique Homestays featured on Channel 4´s Inside the World´s Most Luxurious Escapes. The episode gives a rare insight behind the scenes, taking a tour of Amaia in Cornwall; a luxury beach house with far-reaching sea views, an outdoor hot tub and private beach access.
2026 interior design trends shaping our homes
As another new year unfolds, with it comes a new wave of interior design trends shaping our personal spaces. From past era furniture comebacks to expression through objets d´art, here is our list of predictions influencing the look and feel of our homes this year.
New arrival: Ember
Built in 1852 as a rectory in the Gothic style, Ember fuses historic grandeur with modern, family-focused design. When its current owners arrived, the house was a flicker of its former flame; every corner then stoked back to brilliance over a three-year renovation. Now, honeyed, earthy interiors evoke warmth; and an indoor pool, hot tub, gym, games room and gardens encourage play or pause amidst the rolling Wiltshire countryside.
Unique Homestays turns 25
Happy New Year! 2026 is set to be an important time of reflection, celebration and appreciation for us, as we mark 25 years since Unique Homestays was created. A quarter-century adventure combing our brilliant British Isles in search of the most extraordinary rental homes.
Wedding venue arrival: The Milk Wood
We´re delighted to welcome The Milk Wood to our wedding collection – a private riverfront estate in rural Pembrokeshire. This coastal-countryside venue features a Nordic-inspired wedding barn, four guest cottages and sweeping grounds set within a clearing of ancient sessile oak wood. Whether you´re planning an intimate elopement for up to 35 guests or a celebration of up to 70, The Milk Wood offers an organic canvas for a bespoke day.
New arrival: Saxon
This sweeping Cotswolds manor, as though plucked from the pages of a classic, has a thousand-year history just as impressive. The meticulously rejuvenated manor fuses heritage with modern comforts, including a cinema snug and games room. Bright, open-plan living spaces are enhanced by antique furniture and a curated art collection, while upstairs, six luxury bedrooms entice deep slumber. Outdoors, verdant gardens invite you to sit and take in views across the valley and Cotswold hills.
Merry Christmas from Unique Homestays
As another year passes, we´d like to pause and say thank you – to everyone who has stayed with us, partnered with us or followed along.
New arrival: The Ark
This modern Somerset home takes its cues from the values of its wildlife conservationist owners. Designed with Passivhaus principles for a low environmental footprint, its predominantly glazed interiors are filled with contemporary art and expansive spaces closely connected to the landscape. Outside, topiary animals play to the concept of the house as a modern-day ark – objects to marvel at from the sauna or plunge pool.
Family farmhouse to maximalist manor
Driving through the bucolic setting, bounding down the dusty farm track, and seeing Gulliver´s Hall emerge in her honeyed Cotswolds beauty, you´re lulled into a state of tranquillity. But, behind this quintessential farmhouse façade, awaits a very different home brimming with quirks and personality – shaped by a family who´ve lovingly called it home for over five decades.
New arrival: Nightjar
Where the tawny Cotswolds unfold in gentle hills and honeyed stone, Nightjar stands luminescent: a contemporary interpretation of centuries-old craft. The home’s three interconnected volumes – a soaring double-height living house, a cocooning sleeping house, and a discreet service house – shape a luxurious cadence of rural living. With a heated pool, sauna, private cinema and games room to boot.
The biggest travel trends for 2026
Next year, relaxation is no longer enough for the woke and wellness seeking traveller – discerning visitors are in pursuit of transformation. Whether it´s grounding on a stately farmstay, picking up a niche new hobby or unplugging in a stone cabin on the remote Welsh coast, the common thread is intentional disconnection from digital chaos and reconnection with something more elemental.
Coming soon: Modern Beach House
In the early 1920s, a retired sea captain acquired a two-acre plot on which he built a modest bungalow. His aim was to frame the soul-stirring Atlantic views that it commanded. A century on, the house has expanded skyward, reimagined as an energy-efficient coastal sanctuary that honours his original vision. Think minimalist interiors that frame the view from every vantage point, an infinity pool mirroring the sky, and a secret garden where tropical plants thrive in south-east Cornwall´s microclimate.
The land of salt and stars
In winter, the elements take over. It’s a time of retreat, reflection, replenishment and transformation. But it’s also a time of alchemy, when the world takes on a stripped-back beauty. Discover homes between rock and water, across the entirety of the British Isles, where you can shed the skin you´ve developed over the last year, embrace winter, and begin anew.
Romantic cottages made for a winter proposal
When the air bites and the days draw short, we lean towards intimacy: slow evenings beside the fire, hours spent cooking a loved one´s favourite supper and hand-in-hand strolls in nature. If you´re planning a winter proposal, discover five romantic cottages – from Cornwall to the Cotswolds – where the opportunities to ask the question are as endless as they are romantic.
Win: A seaside sauna sleepover in Devon
Following the wilderness sauna series with our friends and sauna craftsfolk Out of the Valley this year, there´s one final opportunity to enjoy the partnership. We´re giving away a restorative winter´s stay at Devon seaside cottage Ivy Cove for a lucky four.
Merry Christmas, love Sarah
With just one month until Christmas Day, and with Unique Homestays’ 25th birthday on the horizon, this festive season feels especially reflective for me.
Our pocket guide to Scotland
Scotland is renowned for its natural beauty, from the wild peaks of the Cairngorms and the bonny banks of Loch Lomond to Harris’s sugar-fine sands. Its cities, meanwhile, hum with creativity: Glasgow is a UNESCO City of Music, and Edinburgh hosts the world’s largest arts festival, the Fringe. Across the country, chefs are celebrating Scotland’s larder – think field-to-fork dining in the Highlands and island bounty on Skye – while makers and designers are drawing inspiration from their heritage. Here is our guide to the best places to stay, shop, eat and explore.
Celestial living
Divine timing came into play when property owner Ceri and her husband were on the hunt for a mountain hideaway of their own in their beloved Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog). “For us, this area is a perfect location; wild and rugged but very accessible from places like London.” So, when they happened upon Celestia – with its sublime setting, enchanting farmhouse exterior and magazine-worthy interiors – the opportunity was too good to refuse.
In conversation with: Dr Darren Clarke
In rural Sussex, Charleston was once home to central figures of the Bloomsbury Group. For artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant, its interiors became a canvas for artistic and social experimentation. A testament to how creativity can flourish beyond the frame, it features vibrant murals, hand-painted furniture, intriguing textiles, ceramics and artworks. We spoke with Dr Darren Clarke, Head of Collections, Research and Exhibitions about the house, the people who made it extraordinary, and its enduring influence on artists and designers.
New arrival: Lantern House
Set in the barley-blonde Cotswolds village of Fifield, Lantern House dates back to the 1700s and has gradually evolved across three centuries. Today, it stands as both a celebration of heritage and sustainable modern design. It´s a home shaped for family life – from the bright breakfast room to the sitting room whose vast glass doors open onto a wildlife-rich garden with a hot tub and cold plunge. Beyond the garden gate, pastoral scenery and a constellation of historic villages call for exploration.
Disconnect to reconnect
As winter settles its silvered cloak across Britain and Ireland´s wild corners, we find ourselves craving distance from the familiar noise of city life. If a starlit sanctuary in Scotland´s Outer Hebrides speaks to your soul, or nothing calls quite like an off-grid retreat in the Cambrian Mountains, our wildest winter hideaways provide a chance to remember who you are when the world isn´t watching.
Wrap-up Christmas plans early
With half term behind us, thoughts turn to the next chance to gather with the folk we love. This year, there´s a newfound freedom in how long you can stay over Christmas and New Year.We encourage merriment to last as long as possible, but we also appreciate it’s not always easy to get away for a full seven days. So, many of our owners are now offering more flexible stays over the festive period to meet your unique needs. Perhaps you yearn for a long weekend cocooned beneath the mistletoe, or a grand five-night reunion in a sprawling country manor to toast the year ahead. Discover space for celebration, suited to your schedule.
Our pocket guide to Suffolk
Suffolk has long stirred the imaginations of artists and writers. It´s also a siren call to weekend explorers looking to escape the city, with its pastoral landscapes, waterways, Wool Towns and flaxen shores. In Constable Country, there may be fields of barley, but there are also Michelin-starred gastropubs, independent art galleries and shops lauded in House & Garden. From the market town of Woodbridge to the seaside haunts of Southwold and Aldeburgh, Suffolk offers the finest of coast and country. Here is our guide to the best places to stay, eat, explore and shop.
Homes inspired by iconic Christmas films
The ceremonial decorating of the tree, festive pyjamas on, and a mug of marshmallow-topped cocoa at the ready – now all that´s left is to choose which Christmas film should kick off the season this year.
In conversation with: Paul Ainsworth
As we drift into the months of hibernation, we turn to comfort and indulgence to bring pleasure. And where better to start than at our tables? We recently met with Paul Ainsworth – one of the UK´s most celebrated chefs. Here, he shares his love of good food, and how he set about creating his empire of restaurants in Cornwall.
A folkloric folly
Amidst 200 acres of Shropshire woodland resides a pink cottage seemingly lifted from folklore. In this owner chronicle, Eliza, Viscountess Newport, tells us how she transformed a long-forgotten space into a living fairytale. Originally built in 1886, Charlotte´s Folly is part of the Bradford Estate, which has been owned by her husband’s family for over a thousand years. Working in collaboration with interior designer Emma Ainscough, the couple have created a unique home full of magic, beauty and wonder.
New arrival: The Shearling
Cradled in the gentle Rutland countryside, The Shearling is a place where the boundary between inside and out dissolves. Once a shelter for grazing animals, it has been lovingly transformed into a sanctuary of calm, understated luxury: organic hues, curated British art and vast glass doors that frame views stretching to Eyebrook Reservoir. In the garden, designed by Chelsea Flower Show judge Bunny Guinness, a heated infinity pool appears to flow into the horizon and an outdoor kitchen invites al fresco feasts. Here, life moves at a softer rhythm.
Celebration homes for New Year´s Eve
As the year draws to a close, a quiet excitement begins to brew over how this year’s celebrations might unfold.
From field to fork
There´s magic in the moment a seed sprouts. It´s there again when hand cultivated herbs infuse oils, and when a knife meets freshly gathered produce on a rustic countertop. Discover hideaways that reclaim the enduring pleasure of field-to-fork living, where lovingly tended gardens, abundant seasonal harvests and unique kitchens forge a tangible link between landscape and plate.
Embracing the ´ber season
1st October – a marker of the cosy season for many. Where green leaves turn golden, sandals are exchanged for slippers, and homes lie warmed by crackling fires and scented with apple pie.
In partnership with Biscuiteers
To commemorate the start of cosy season, we´re gifting a three-night stay at our very own ´gingerbread house´, Hansa in Shropshire, along with a year´s biscuit subscription from our friends at Biscuiteers.
The art of romance
From proposal, to wedding (intimate or grand), to honeymoon and beyond, our destinations - where striking architecture meets breathtaking settings - offer the ultimate backdrop for a lifetime of romantic memories.
Come on in, the water´s fine
Summer may be slipping away, but pool days are staying a little longer – as many of our homeowners with outdoor pools will be keeping them open until the end of October. From heated pools tucked in walled gardens to those with soul-stirring sea views, autumn swims hold a distinct magic come rain or shine. Cool air, warm water, and the fiery hues of turning leaves make every dip feel cinematic.
A beachside oasis
Flanked by the sand dunes of Holywell Bay and close to the tropical biome where an iconic James Bond scene was filmed, The Limit is a luxury beach hut in an extraordinary location. In this owner chronicle, we speak to homeowners Rebecca and Steve, who transformed a forgotten 1930s beach hut, once tangled in brambles and ivy, into a relaxing coastal bolthole. Complete with ocean views to rival any Malibu retreat, a sandy path to the sea and a hot tub, The Limit feels like a tonic for the soul.
Book your Christmas escape
Christmas is a time of expression: of love, gratitude and celebration. And our homes are often at the heart of it all; places where treasured holiday traditions unfold under one merry roof.
A cultural immersion
Picture exploring Capability Brown landscapes at dawn or gazing at the same Atlantic views that inspired St Ives´ artistic revolution. Imagine staying at a retreat whose muse lies in the enigmatic world of Soviet sci-fi cinema. With the keys to these remarkable homes, access to cultural treasures comes as standard.
Half-term hideaways
A season for lovers and poets. A “season of mists and mellow fruitfulness” as Keats once wrote. No words better capture the magic of autumn in Britain. This October, experience it for yourself in a homestay that’s anything but ordinary. Family walks beneath canopies of golden leaves, cinnamon buns in a country kitchen, sinking into a wood-fired hot tub beneath a soft amber sky - summer holidays may be over, but half-term will come around soon enough.
End summer in style
As the bank holiday begins, the meteorological gods are seemingly conspiring in our favour. The BBC´s weather desk reports south-easterly winds carrying continental warmth across the British isles in the coming days, while September sees children return to school and crystalline coasts comparably empty. All languid afternoons and soft evening light: this is late summer as it should be.
New arrival: Drift Farmhouse
In the Irish countryside, where time slows and the light moves with intent, a family has made a home – and a living – for 160 years. Set within an undulating landscape shaped by glacial flow, this recently renovated farmhouse near Castleblayney has carved space not only for light and air, but for the owner’s passion for wellness – of body and of mind. With a gym, yoga studio, sauna, hot tub and indoor Endless Pool, Drift Farmhouse is a meditation on presence that affords the ultimate luxury: clarity of thought.
New Arrival: The Counterpoint
In lesser-known Cornwall, an artist and a musician have created the most significant work of their lives. The exterior is inspired by postminimalist artist Richard Serra, all charred Japanese larch, corten steel and copper. But inside, through every carefully selected object, this retreat tells the story of a life together. The Counterpoint isn’t just a house. It’s a home.
A RIBA award-winner
Enveloped by the meadows, woodlands and streams that inspired Thomas Gainsborough and John Constable, it´s perhaps hard to believe that Elberta Barn is only an hour and a half from London. In this owner chronicle, we speak with homeowner Joanne, a gallery and museum curator turned landscape designer, who reimagined an untouched 18th century threshing barn on the Suffolk–Essex border into a unique residence.
In conversation with Tess Newall
Decorative artist Tess Newall is known for her hand-painted murals and distinctive wallpapers, which infuse classic country homes and modern interiors alike with a sense of reverie. Influenced by a background in theatre and film, as well as a love of nature and historic spaces, Tess creates story-like scenes that turn walls into works of art. We caught up with Tess to talk process, projects, and the quiet magic of murals in everyday life.
New arrival: The Outpost
In Snowdonia’s Conwy Valley, The Outpost is a former servicemen’s convalescence lodge reimagined as a frontier-style cabin for two. Reached by a private bridge and encircled by trees, this retreat invites you to disconnect from routine and recharge. Inside, interiors nod to the American West and an open-plan layout draws in light. Outside, a woodfired hot tub and pergola offer stargazing spots beneath some of Britain’s darkest skies.
Sustainable retreats to tread softly with
Sustainable design reveals itself in the smallest, most deliberate of details. A building orientated precisely to capture summer solstice light. Spring water flowing through copper pipes. Salvaged timber bearing the subtle marks of its previous life. Rooms insulated by the earth. These homes stand as evidence that low-impact design and exceptional hospitality need not be mutually exclusive.
New arrival: Morse
What may, at first glance, appear an unassuming green mound camouflaged into this corner of West Cornwall is a home blending an important past, clever design and fortunate position just moments from Cornwall´s most heralded stretch of coast. Now out of hiding, Morse is a WWII bunker like never seen before.
School´s out, summer´s in
The joy of throwing open those school doors and running into the summertime bliss: where days of the week get lost in the haze of beach swims, picnics on daisy-strewn lawns and jam tart-making around granny´s kitchen table. Settle into a home-away-from-home this summer. There´s still time to book that family trip to the coast or countryside that you´ve been dreaming about.
Holidays by design: award-winning architectural escapes
With RIBA accolades and LABC Building Excellence awards, these properties represent the pinnacle of architectural innovation. From a Napoleonic fortress to an unassuming barn (on the outside, at least), visionary designers have reimagined these spaces while honouring their heritage. They demonstrate that a building can be both practical in purpose, yet exceptional in execution.
Unique Homestays x Out of the Valley
Unique Homestays joins forces with Out of the Valley to launch a wilderness sauna series at some of their most nature-embracing homes.
New arrival: Riverstone Mill
Slow living enthusiasts, meet Riverstone Mill. A converted watermill that has sat silently between the trees in Cornwall´s rural heart, until now. Sunshine-filled rooms blend seamlessly with eight acres of magical grounds that encircle. A river, cottage garden and orchard await exploration; while an outdoor pool and wellness deck with hot tub, sauna and plunge pool promise restorative summer days. Worlds away from city life, but within touching distance of some of Cornwall´s finest countryside and coast – this, surely, is paradise found. Hurry, there´s just nine weeks to snap up.
An architectural beach house
A restorative oasis on the north Cornwall coast, Senara is an architectural beach house with sweeping sea views towards Gwithian beach. In this owner chronicle, we speak with homeowner Melanie, who transformed a blank canvas into a ‘coastal-boho’ retreat with the help of local designers Tigah Interiors. There’s strength in its simplicity, with clean lines and calming hues that contrast with the wild stretch of coast on which it sits.
In partnership with Abigail Ahern
This summer, we’re partnering with Abigail Ahern – interior designer, author, and founder of the eponymous homeware brand – for an exclusive giveaway. In our recent journal, she discusses her journey, design philosophy, and how to create multi-sensory spaces that stir emotion. The winner will be gifted a three-night stay at The Signal Station on Cornwall’s dramatic Lizard Peninsula, along with a £1,000 voucher to spend on Abigail’s homeware collection.
Sun-drenched style
The British summertime often arrives unannounced, a sudden shift in a country where grey skies typically outnumber blue. As a nation more prepared for rain than heatwaves, we invite you to discover spaces that welcome the sunshine with open doors. Living areas aligned to catch the breeze like a sail, stone floors that feel cool beneath bare feet, lofty ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling windows that fold back onto gardens and glassy pools.
What a May!
Spring 2025 in the UK has been the warmest documented in a century. From dining al fresco to swimming in natural pools, pruning fragrant roses to lounging in hammocks, we´ve relished in our glorious gardens for weeks on end. So, now´s the time to book your secret garden stay to enjoy them at their very best.
Summer escapes to book now
Ah, the great British summer. Whether you’re looking to flee to the seaside, or drop off the radar amidst rolling green hills – when the sun is shining, summer holidays don’t get much better than on home soil.
A floating world
Ukiyo (meaning “floating world” in Japanese) denotes the concept of living in the moment, detached from life´s stresses. In this owner chronicle, we speak with property owner Simon about how his Cornish cliffside hideaway, reimagined with a modernist twist by Grand Designs´ Kathryn Tyler, embodies its namesake.
New Arrival: The Slate Path
Gazing over Trebarwith Strand and the glinting silhouette of Gull Rock, The Slate Path is a coastal sanctuary where barefoot days unfold in rhythm with the tides. Light-filled interiors echo the landscape in soft pastels and salty whites, while bedroom balconies and wraparound decking offer front-row seats to an ever-changing seascape. Here, mornings begin with bracing ocean swims and end in the hot tub under a canopy of stars.
New Arrival: Silva
On the southern edge of Loch Tay, Silva is a modern Highland sanctuary that blends eco-technology with Japanese restraint. A sense of calm envelopes the home, with floor-to-ceiling windows that capture the cinematic sweep from loch to Munros. Outdoors, rewilded terrain dissolves boundaries between sleek interiors and Scotland´s elemental beauty. Whether kayaking on the loch or cold water swimming, Silva offers a tranquil escape into nature.
Lendwithcare and Children’s Hospice South West
In 2025, we are proud to support Lendwithcare and Children’s Hospice South West, two causes that embody what we value: entrepreneurship and family.
It´s Back: Wishbone
Wishbone is back. Sold in 2023, this characterful property returns to our collection after a few years with its new owners, who have entrusted us to guide its next chapter.
New Arrival: Selkie
Surrounded by the wild beauty of the Isle of Skye, Selkie is an eco-conscious retreat designed for immersive connection with nature. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame views of Loch Harport and the Black Cuillin mountains, flooding minimalist interiors with light. Outdoors, a yoga deck and sauna offer perfect vantage points for wildlife spotting and stargazing. Whether kayaking, hiking or resting, Skye weaves an old magic that uplifts and recharges.
Paradise found in South Devon
After years between New York and Central America, Jennie Montgomery´s family found their forever home at The Lost Music Hall. This chapel-like structure by Thomas Lyon sits tucked in a secluded valley, peaceful yet close to Totnes. Built for Arthur Graham, both socialite and recluse, the property hosted lavish parties while providing a space for contemplation. Today, Jennie and her daughter gather flowers for guests from beautifully restored gardens, continuing the estate´s legacy of hospitality in their tranquil Devon sanctuary.
A South West Coast Path adventure
Next month, The Salt Path takes to the big screen. We head to the 630-mile stretch of South West Coast Path – where the story sets its scene – to follow in Winn’s footsteps, discovering 22 of our hidden gem coastal homes peppered along the route.
Farm and forest
As urbanites seek respite from digital overwhelm, nature´s embrace offers a nourishing alternative to coastal getaways. These rural retreats blend contemporary design with the soul of their surroundings, inviting guests to forage, ground and reconnect with the terrain. On the edge of Winnie-the-Pooh´s Ashdown Forest, Henry VIII´s hunting granary now hosts families beneath its vaulted ceiling, while a reimagined Cotswolds grain store vibrates with weekend gatherings. This month, we invite you to discover the analogue wonders of both the farm and the forest.
Ready to party, old sport?
A century ago, F. Scott Fitzgerald introduced the shimmering world of The Great Gatsby, a novel that still captivates with its glamour. To honour the milestone, we’ve curated a selection of celebration homes across the UK, perfect for channeling the spirit of the Roaring Twenties.
In conversation with Amy Brock Morgan
Artist Amy Brock Morgan´s story is woven with memories of sea air and the South West´s windswept shores. In our latest guest chronicle, she reveals how childhood lessons of repairing rather than replacing shaped her creative ethos. Today, her commissioned wall hangings, including a striking piece created for Penny Black in Devon, capture her commitment to sustainability alongside her role leading Finisterre´s ´Lived and Loved´ team.
Revamped Arrival: Penny Black
You may recognise this iconic cottage as long-standing Unique Homestay, The Riddle, which has recently undergone a thoughtful overhaul by our interior design team, alongside its new owners. Now going under the name of Penny Black, the home takes its namesake from its history as a post office on WH Smith´s family estate, where letters and parcels once passed through its doors, carrying stories from near and far.
The Irish cottages time forgot
In County Kerry, Brian and Catherine have transformed abandoned dwellings into soulful havens. Brian´s Lost Cottage preserves historical elements with minimalist white interiors; six miles away, sister Catherine´s Limehouse Cottage reveals its agrarian past through original stone and sustainable materials. Both homes meld into the landscape, from mountains to Atlantic shores, each offering an authentic connection to Ireland´s dramatic countryside.
The Easter edit
As bluebells carpet ancient woodlands and coastal paths burst with yellow gorse, our homes await your Easter traditions. This year, embrace flexibility with four-day breaks and customisable stays. From hedge mazes perfect for egg hunts to cottages with saunas and herb gardens where rosemary and wild garlic bloom, browse our Easter availability to secure the last remaining spring dates.
Designer insider: Emma Ainscough
Renowned for her playful and whimsical style, London-based interior designer Emma Ainscough brought her signature touch to Charlotte’s Folly – a fairytale cottage on the Bradford Estates. A thoughtful mix of colour, pattern and antique finds give this home a folkloric feel. With its striking red-and-white checkerboard kitchen and “granny-core” bedrooms, it´s a bold yet inviting retreat. Emma describes Charlotte’s Folly as “an exciting space full of subtle elements of surprise, to delight and inspire.”
Young hearts run free
Easter mornings hum with tradition and playful anarchy – egg hunts mapped with military precision, hot-cross-bun rivalries in full swing, and adventures that blur the years between generations. From Somerset to the Cotswolds, where pools are a morning ritual and trampolines send laughter skyward, these homes shape-shift with the day, hosting pancake feasts at dawn, lawn races come noon, and cinema screenings late into the night.
Owner Chronicles: Tincture
Hidden in the wild embrace of the Cambrian Mountains, Tincture is the off-grid sanctuary where James and Raffaella swapped city life for nature’s rhythm. They transformed the remote 17th-century farmhouse with a vision of simplicity – celebrating natural materials, craftsmanship and the verdant landscape. A place to recharge and reconnect, Tincture embodies their belief in thoughtful living, where creativity thrives and time slows.
Traitors-style escapes
People from all corners of the nation have been captivated by BBC One´s The Traitors. With season three drawing to a dramatic close, the much-anticipated betrayal and mischief is still playing out at the iconic Scottish highlands castle thanks to the US series. Here, we round up eight unique homes across the UK where you can live out your Traitors murder-mystery fantasies.
Secure your summer escape
With the sun lingering longer by the day, it won’t be long before the hazy days of summer land, and Met Office predictions suggest that this year will be one of the UK’s warmest on record. Browse our handpicked collection of family-friendly homes. From design-led boltholes by the sea to countryside manors with swimming pools and croquet lawns, secure your summer sanctuary before the weeks get snapped up.
Two´s company
This month we´re celebrating the UK´s most romantic retreats. A 12th-century folly restored to former grandeur watches over the Menai Strait, while amid Romney Marsh, a charming cabin blends English and prairie style. Stargaze from bed in a glass-roofed bolthole on Bodmin Moor, or revel in Lake Como glamour at an Italian-inspired boathouse near Oakham.
Happy Valentine´s weekend
Valentine´s Day fortuitously falls on a Friday this year – meaning romantic celebrations can lace their way through the entire weekend. However you choose to celebrate next month; be it sipping blush Brut in a beachside hot tub with your beau, or sprawled out on the sofa with your girlfriends for ´Galentine´s,´ we´ve got a luxury love nest to matchmake you with.
New Arrival: House on the Strand
Nearly a century ago, architect John Campbell´s serendipitous wanderings led to the creation of this remarkable home. Standing proudly on a private headland between Mevagissey and Gorran Haven, House on the Strand is a Grade II-listed sanctuary that featured in Daphne du Maurier´s eponymous novel. The architectural masterpiece harmoniously blends Arts and Crafts heritage with simple luxury, offering its own beach for family gatherings in one of Cornwall´s most coveted locations.
Wellness journeys
In a world obsessed with wellness routines and rituals, we often overlook something fundamental: the importance of place. The spaces we inhabit shape how deeply we breathe, how well we sleep, how fully we unwind. From heated pools in Sussex to woodland saunas in Wales, our escapes break free from typical retreat clichés. In these homes, vitality springs from remarkable surroundings, and each offers its own path to renewal.
The homes setting the scene for 2025
As thoughts turn to the year ahead, January is peak season for travel planning, and our homes are filling their 2025 calendars fast. The architect-designed coastal sanctuaries where summer feasts will be shared, period manor houses where fires crackle in centuries-old hearths, and RIBA award-winners with shimmering indoor pools. Give yourself something to look forward to by booking a stay in one of these retreats before they get snapped up.
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