Country weekend breaks near London
Plotting a romantic 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 Shropshire to the South Downs, are all within two to three hours’ drive from 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 two to 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 Cinders
Lyndhurst, New Forest, Hampshire, UK
Offering a peaceful escape in the wilds of the New Forest, spend days wandering beneath the trees, spotting wildlife and fully relaxing into the sound of nature.
Sleeps: Up to 6 guests
From: £2,195 per week, £1,695 per short break
Alternative Group Option: Up to 4 & Up to 2 guests
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Distance: Approx. 79 miles from central London as the crow flies
Forestkeepers
Fordingbridge, New Forest, Hampshire, UK
A bespoke treehouse, zip wire and outdoor swimming pool await discovery within the grounds, while a garden gate leads straight into the New Forest, tempting picnics in woodland glades, wild swimming and Gruffalo hunting.
Sleeps: Up to 12 guests (8 adults and 4 children)
From: £3,850 per week, £2,895 per short break
Alternative Group Option: Up to 6 guests
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome, or three on prior request
Features: Heated outdoor swimming pool (available from the end of March to mid-October), treehouse, zipwire, trampoline, football goals, netball hoop, games room with air hockey and arcade machine, cinema room
Distance: Approx. 82 miles from central London as the crow flies
The Sorting Office
Fordingbridge, New Forest, Hampshire, UK
A gingerbread house with thatched roof set on the fringes of the New Forest which, from the outside, could very easily have been plucked from the pages of Hansel and Gretel.
Sleeps: Up to 4 guests
From: £1,550 per week, £1,195 per short break
Alternative Group Option: Up to 2 guests
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Distance: Approx. 83 miles from central London as the crow flies
Pepper Shack
Keyhaven, Lymington, Hampshire, UK
A charcoal briquette that could replace the winter cave of even the most highfalutin hibernator, Pepper Shack is a liquorice-hued hideaway made for couples seeking a romantic hot tub retreat in Jane Austen’s county.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,895 per week, £1,495 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: There is a hot tub, Kadai fire pit, outdoor pizza oven and two cruiser bikes
Distance: Approx. 83 miles from central London as the crow flies
The Sanctuary
Keyhaven, Lymington, Hampshire, UK
Bordering the New Forest in the idyllic Lymore Valley, this industrial-inspired retreat comes complete with a huge lawn for morning yoga, hot tub, fire pit and his'n'hers cruiser bikes for peddling down to the beach.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,895 per week, £1,495 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Jacuzzi hot tub, Kadai fire pit, cruiser bikes, powerboat charter can be arranged on prior request
Distance: Approx. 83 miles from central London as the crow flies
Cabin Tapio
Woodland hideaway meets mid-century modern design at Cabin Tapio on the edge of Cranborne Chase AONB near Salisbury, where the gentle trickle of the River Allen and splash of jumping Blue Trout wash away any remnants of city living.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,295 per week, £995 per short break
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Features: Hot tub and fire pit
Distance: Approx. 85 miles from central London as the crow flies
