Holiday homes 2-3 hours from London
Plotting a romantic escape from the city? These luxury retreats within two to three hours’ drive of London are just the ticket. Kick heels off under the office desk, throw a weekend bag in the boot and roll the windows down – the coast and country are calling!
Picture it. It is Friday afternoon, deadlines loom but you find yourself bending paperclips at your desk in desperate search of inspiration. Now imagine this. Within two to three hours you could be reclining on the veranda of your very own beach house, ice cold rosé in hand, sea salt on your lips and not a care in the world. Why imagine? With a hand-picked collection of luxury holiday homes, each personally visited and granted the Unique Homestays stamp of approval, your swift self-catering escape from the city has never been easier. Luxury car hire is also available for those without their own transport, or wanting to try a shiny new set of wheels for the weekend. Rental company, The Out, will deliver a car to any doorstep or airport in the capital.
As the crowds pile into to London for the weekend in search of theatre and Soho nightlife, the clever ones are slyly departing. While the UK offers an array of luxury accommodation within two to three hours from London, self-catering homes are the perfect option for those wanting a little privacy. Choose from chic beach houses on the Kent coast, or hole-up with your loved one in a characterful country cottage where roll-tops and real fires come as standard. For big groups, gather the troops and burn down to a lavish country house in rolling Sussex countryside. Think indoor bowling alleys, at-home cinemas and outdoor swimming pools with not one novelty inflatable in sight. Waitrose delivery at the ready! We can even ask the housekeeper to pop the bubbly in the wine fridge prior to your arrival.
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: £2,095 per week, £1,595 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 8 guests (+ 4 children)
From: £3,650 per week, £2,750 per short break
Alternative Group Option: Up to 6 guests
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Heated outdoor swimming pool (available 4th March to end of 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: £1,495 per week, £1,150 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
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: £1,850 per week, £1,450 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Jacuzzi hot tub, Kadai fire pit and cruiser bikes
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: £1,450 per week, £1,095 per short break
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Features: Hot tub and fire pit
Distance: Approx. 85 miles from central London as the crow flies
