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 Ruby Barn
Sandford St Martin, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, The Cotswolds, UK
Bringing a touch of Californian chicness to the Oxfordshire countryside, this luxury barn conversion has been fashioned with soul.
Sleeps: Up to 6 guests
From: £2,250 per week, £1,795 per short break
Alternative Group Option: Up to 2 guests
Pets: One small well behaved dog is welcome
Features: Children´s play area with slide
Distance: Approx. 62 miles from central London as the crow flies
Photoshoots at In Clover
Witney, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
A Cotswolds cottage encircled by two acres of ancient bluebell woods just four miles north of Witney, In Clover is a shoot location where piles of stylish books, roaring fires and Soho House furnishings come as standard.
Features: Hot tub, outdoor kitchen with gas barbecue, treehouse, mud kitchen
Distance: Approx. 63 miles from central London as the crow flies
Little Red Lock
Claydon, Banbury, Oxfordshire, UK
An English country home that truly embraces its idiosyncrasies, Little Red Lock's wooden picket fence and waterfront position on the Oxford canal oozes tranquillity, while inside its brick walls, a carnival of eclectic rustic charm awaits.
Sleeps: Up to 6 guests
From: £2,150 per week, £1,650 per short break
Alternative Group Option: Up to 2 guests
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Hot tub, fire pit, kayaks and life jackets for the canal
Distance: Approx. 68 miles from central London as the crow flies
Inkwell Cottage
Burford, Oxfordshire, The Cotswolds, UK
Handcrafted, atelier in style and ever-so fun, this self-catering home in Burford is a pocketful of luxury throwing all conventionality out of its mullion windows.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,095 per week, £850 per short break
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Distance: Approx. 68 miles from central London as the crow flies
Atticus
Burford, Oxfordshire, The Cotswolds, UK
Treacle-toned Cotswold stone, iron gates and heavy antique doors hint at this striking home’s colourful past. Once a court house and a later jail, Atticus can be found jostling amongst a row of fine period buildings at the end of Burfords' golden high street.
Sleeps: Up to 8 guests
From: £3,150 per week, £2,450 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Baby Grand Piano and fire pit
Distance: Approx. 68 miles from central London as the crow flies
Little Scarlet
Burford, Oxfordshire, The Cotswolds, UK
This luxury Cotswolds cottage is set in the heart of pretty Burford in Oxfordshire. Little Scarlet offers lovers a romantic retreat for stolen weekends and holidays in the rolling countryside, pottering between tea rooms and boutiques.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,650 per week, £1,195 per short break
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Distance: Approx. 68 miles from central London as the crow flies
