Impulse escapes
Car keys, travel bag, a quick booking and you're all set to head to golden sands or deep woodland: a last-minute cottage break is so much better than a weekend in the city, right?
There's nothing quite like slinging a few items in a weekend bag then running to the train station to adopt a new hometown. We all need to escape the rat race – especially for a last minute holiday. Impulse escapes are the very watchword in hedonism, leaving us free of all responsibilities; that dash of much-needed spontaneity is often all that's needed to recharge the batteries. Here at Unique Homestays, we've sourced luxury homes in the wilds of rural England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales to offer country cottages that will have you striding out on long walks in no time, tucking into a fireside pub supper at the end of the route, or plunging into a hot tub with a cool sea breeze washing over your cheeks. These one-of-a-kind homes are available for a 3-night stay within the next fortnight, so take advantage of a rare free weekend; throw caution to the wind and book one of our last minute luxury holiday cottages, lodges, or coastal castaways, where you can be free to indulge in some serious down time. Out of office, officially on.
Little Bear
Billingshurst, West Sussex, UK
Acres upon acres of bluebell-swathed woodland provides the heart-stirring backdrop for this enchanted hideaway in the heart of the Weald Downlands in West Sussex. Lovebirds will find the wood-fired cedar hot tub a magical way to reconnect and revivify.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Features: Wood-fired eco hot tub (April - October inclusive)
The Hide
Callestick, Perranporth, Cornwall, UK
An unexpected discovery at the end of a Cornish country lane, this luxury self-catering hideaway near Perranporth beach combines rusticity with contemporary clean-line appeal.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Hot tub, fire pit and yoga deck
Ten
An extrovert’s playroom shrieking ‘style’ down to the last detail, Ten is a luxury self-catering house fit for superstars and style-savvy travellers on a sought-after West London street.
Sleeps: Up to 6 guests
Pets: Sorry, no pets
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
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Baby Grand Piano and fire pit
Wool Merchant´s House
Beckington, Frome, Somerset, UK
Classic and tasteful in style, with pops of modern artwork, a heated outdoor swimming pool and immaculate attention to detail, this Frome country home is an exquisite Somerset retreat.
Sleeps: Up to 10 guests
Alternative Group Option: Up to 6 guests
Pets: One well-behaved dog is welcome
Features: Heated outdoor swimming pool (May - October inclusive)
Barton Blanc
Occupying a secluded spot above mid-Devon's River Tor is this sprawling rural retreat. Look forward to walled gardens in 30 acres of bluebell woods, chesterfields set around roaring open fires and beautiful monastic simplicity.
Sleeps: Up to 10 guests
Alternative Group Option: Up to 6 guests
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Hot tub, games room with bar billiards, pool table and table tennis
The Polo Farm
Cirencester, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, UK
Within a scene of tumbling hills, patchwork countryside and bluebell woods, this luxury self-catering homestay near Cirencester offers a picture-perfect escape in the rolling Cotswolds.
Sleeps: Up to 10 guests
Alternative Group Option: Up to 6 guests
Pets: Two small well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Cinema den, table tennis
Ever After
Chiddingstone, High Weald, Kent, UK
Once home to the family of Roger Hargreaves (of Mr. Men fame), Ever After affords families the chance to shape their own stories within 57 private acres of rural Kent's High Weald AONB.
Sleeps: Up to 10 guests
Alternative Group Option: Up to 6 guests
Pets: One well-behaved dog is welcome
Features: Hot tub, outdoor heated pool (May - September), multi-function games table, playhouse, putting green
Castle Trinity
A luxury self-catering homestay for extended families and large parties, Castle Trinity is an exclusive kingdom of ritzy indulgence near the Peak District.
Sleeps: Sleeps up to 10 (+2)
Alternative Group Option: Up to 6 & Up to 2 guests
Pets: Two medium well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Heated indoor swimming pool, steam room, wellness and yoga room, outdoor hot tub, gym, pool table and piano
Maberly
Chillington, Kingsbridge, Devon, UK
Simple and elegant, this large South Hams self-catering house near Kingsbridge offers the most peaceful of countryside getaways.
Sleeps: Up to 12 guests (with two or more children)
Alternative Group Option: Up to 8 guests
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome on prior request.
The Parsonage
A beautifully designed Grade-II listed old parsonage with stunning gardens, set on the outskirts of Ombersley in the rolling green Abberley Hills.
Sleeps: Up to 12 guests
Alternative Group Option: Up to 8 & Up to 4 guests
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Features: Tundra hot tub
The Palladian
Ampney Crucis, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, UK
Georgian in style and grand in nature, this self-catering Cotswold manor offers a true countryside escape perfect for multi-generational groups.
Sleeps: Up to 12 guests (6 adults and 6 children)
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Features: Outdoor heated swimming pool and hot tub (both May - September), gym, tennis court, trampoline, small football pitch, table tennis and tree house
The Tapestry
Witney, Oxford, Oxfordshire, The Cotswolds, UK
Muted greens and blues, thick drapes and stone floors, this Oxfordshire farmhouse oozes tranquility, with all the luxurious home comforts a weekender could wish for.
Sleeps: Up to 12 guests
Alternative Group Option: Up to 8 guests
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome on prior arrangement
Features: Television room and trampoline
The Botanist
Just a 20-minute stroll from the heart of Fowey, The Botanist is wonderfully placed for exploring the south coast of Cornwall.
Sleeps: Up to 12 guests
Alternative Group Option: Up to 6 guests
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Hot tub and games room
Kingfisher Farm
Long Bredy, Burton Bradstock, Dorset, UK
Surrounded by a wild meadow and with far-reaching rural views, this luxury self-catering farmhouse near Hive Beach in Dorset is the family holiday location of dreams.
Sleeps: Up to 14 guests
Alternative Group Option: Up to 8 & Up to 6 guests
Features: Table tennis, badminton, lawn croquet, bowls
Florin
Aberaeron, Ceredigion, Wales, UK
A beautifully-appointed stylish large country house set in five acres of magical gardens near Aberaeron, Ceredigion. A luxury home for family celebrations with plenty of space for several generations to unwind.
Sleeps: Up to 14 guests
Alternative Group Option: Up to 10 & Up to 8 guests
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Hot tub, treehouse for children, library with pool table, modern garden house with pizza oven
Northcott Beach House
Northcott Mouth, Bude, Cornwall, UK
A breathtaking cliff-top large self-catering beach house in north Cornwall offering large luxury accommodation near Bude in north Cornwall for up to 16 guests.
Sleeps: Up to 16 guests
Alternative Group Option: Up to 10 & Up to 8 guests
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Bohème
Luxury self-catering boho farmhouse blends original features with stylish interior design in the most fashionable modern-rustic manner, all wrapped up in 100 acres of pastoral paradise.
Sleeps: Up to 20 guests
Alternative Group Option: Up to 10 guests
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: 15 metre heated indoor pool, Tesla electric car charger, universal electric car charger, table tennis, pool table, fire pit, entertainment room with cinema projector
Scarlet Hall
Warm and welcoming, grand and rural, this luxury self-catering former farmstead offers the perfect spot for long family holidays and reunions.
Sleeps: Up to 22 guests
Alternative Group Option: Up to 12 & Up to 6 guests
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Indoor heated pool, sauna, games room, snooker table, cinema room, badminton hall, boules, golf, table tennis, croquet
Weddings at Scarlet Hall
Festooned with greenery and surrounded by sweeping lawns, Scarlet Hall is a magical exclusive-use venue for the dream country wedding.
Sleeps: Up to 22, with 58 wedding guests
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Wedding barn, indoor heated pool, sauna, games room, cinema room, table tennis and croquet
Weddings at Florin
Aberaeron, Ceredigion, Wales, UK
A striking country home with flamboyant decor offers a unique wedding venue for those wanting to tie the knot in Wales.
Sleeps: Up to 14 and accommodates up to 250 day guests
Alternative Group Option: Up to 150 & Up to 50 guests
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Hot tub, treehouse, library with pool table, garden house with facilities
