Luxurious Private Holiday Rentals For UK Staycations
By Fiona Duncan
1 year ago
Secluded getaways for those who prefer privacy
Craving a staycation with the family? Looking for your own space? A private holiday rental may be the perfect answer, and with hundreds all over the country, there’s bound to be one just right for you. From coastal retreats to idyllic Highland getaways, central city stays to countryside boltholes, these are the best private houses in the UK right now.
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Best Private Houses in the UK
Some reviews are taken from this year’s Great British & Irish Hotels Guide. You can read the full reviews online or purchase your print Hotels Guide here.
Bibury Farm Barns, Gloucestershire
In 2017, fourth generation farmer George Phillips and his wife Polly converted five of their ancient stone barns into a self-catering rural retreat. The result is a series of gorgeous hideaways suitable for everyone, from young families to large gatherings. Each barn – the largest sleeps 10, while the smallest sleeps six – combines contemporary style with rustic character: wood-beamed kitchens, open-plan living spaces with log burners, and private courtyards for al fresco dining. Barns can be booked individually or together, and anything from a fully stocked fridge to chef-cooked dinners can be arranged through the concierge service. Located between Burford and Cirencester, this is an ideal base from which to explore the Cotswolds.
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Two Bare Feet, Winchester, Hampshire
Hannah McIntyre, the owner of this quirkily designed and utterly unique holiday rental in Hampshire, has a knack for finding properties that feel a little lost and turning them into modern hospitality spaces. Two Bare Feet was an office before Hannah beautifully refurbished it with her eye for splashes of colour amid serene spaces, and respect for the building’s original charm. Now a state-of-the-art self-catered property, it makes a perfect base for exploring Winchester’s picturesque cathedral city. Hire the whole place and make use of the excellently equipped kitchen for a family weekend away.
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Kin House – Wiltshire
For the ultimate hotel experience in the privacy of your own company, head to the Grade II listed Kin House on the edge of the pretty Kington Langley village in Wiltshire. Tailored exclusively for private events – from whole house takeovers to birthday dinners, wellness retreats and weddings – Kin House is super-luxe, with 12 bedrooms, a dressing room and speakeasy-style barber shop, three lounge spaces, walled gardens, private woodland and interiors led by Lucy Barlow. The comprehensively equipped Fitz Bar – named after Kington Langley’s original Medieval alias, Langley Fitzurse – is open as long as you wish, and there’s also a talented team of chefs on hand to create menus (or entire feasts) for any occasion.
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Cornish Gems, Cornwall
Make your next staycation booking simple: Cornish Gems has over 200 luxury holiday cottages and large houses across the county ready for you to fall in love with. Recently shortlisted for the ‘Carbon Neutral’ award at the Cornwall Sustainability Awards, and winner of the internationally recognised Green Tourism Silver award, Cornish Gems’ sustainability credentials set them apart. They also go above and beyond for their customers: once you’re booked, a team of local travel advisors can help t arrange private dining experiences, luxury pamper packages and culinary adventures, ensuring an utterly memorable break. From romantic nooks for two people to grand homes that sleep up to 20, Cornish Gems will have a property that ticks all of your staycation boxes.
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Rutland Retreats, Oakham, Rutland
Hidden among nature within a green and leafy gated estate are Rutland Retreats’ stunning, eco-built timber- and cedar-clad two and three-bedroom holiday rental cottages. With log burners, sedum roofs and smart finishes, the Retreats are ideal staycation accommodation for families. Each one has open plan living and dining spaces, master bedrooms with French doors that open onto the garden and a patio – perfect for sunlit morning coffee. Dine out at the adjacent Barnsdale Lodge Hotel, where fresh, locally sourced produce goes into the restaurant’s sumptuous dishes, cooked by Executive Chef, David Bukowicki.
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Kip Hideaway (Across The UK)
Looking for a unique weekend away? We’ve got exactly the thing for you. Kip Hideaways offers a curation of beautiful, boutique escapes across the country, all handpicked by travel experts and offering unforgettable experiences. Hunker down in a classic Airstream with incredible panoramic views in Skye – or book the family-friendly Acorn Cabin in Devon, a gorgeous riverside location that sleeps two adults and two children, and offers private fishing. Wherever you end up booking, you can count on an under-the-radar, totally unique and memorable stay. Kip Hideaways works on a membership system, meaning special offers, gifts, exclusive discounts, content and recommendations will help you get the most out of your stay, wherever that may be.
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The Lakes by Yoo, Lechlade, Gloucestershire
Discover a slice of bucolic bliss in the heart of Gloucestershire. Nestled among 850 acres of rolling meadows, farmland and woodland, The Lakes is a delightful, secluded and secure holiday destination – ideal for families and couples to properly unwind. Choose from a selection of cabins, apartments or houses, all with serene lakeside locations and unbeatable views – some even come with their own rowing boats, paddleboards and canoes. Just want to chill out? Head to the Spa, with its gym, 17-metre heated pool, indulgent treatments and wellness centre. For dining, there’s a lakeside café, bespoke private dining options, or the dedicated Guest Services team will fill up your fridge for a home-cooked feast.
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Honeybridge Estate, South Downs National Park, Sussex
Honeybridge Estate has been under private family ownership for over 40 years, and is now open as a holiday rental to discerning travellers to create their own memories. With 17 acres of blissfully secluded grounds, it overlooks the South Downs National Park boasting a fishing lake, all-weather tennis court, cricket pitch, zipwire, treehouse and a games room. The House calls to mind a Bridgerton set with an eclectic art collection spanning four centuries. Its interiors are country house-chic and the indoor spa features a breath-taking 14’ infinity pool, jacuzzi and sauna.
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Sand & Stone Escapes (Across the UK)
If you’re after a staycation with the ‘wow’ factor, then Sand & Stone Escapes has you covered. Born out of a passion for design, quality and unique holiday stays, the brand’s impressive portfolio of coast and country hideaways and houses can be found across the UK, from the Cotswolds to the Isle of Skye. The flagship property, Black Moon, is a decadent, oceanfront, two-person bolthole on the shores of St Ives – perfect for romantic breaks. Or try The Tree House in the Cotswolds – a real-life treetop cabin nestled in a pretty wooded valley, with a woodburning stove and a freestanding bath in front of bifold doors, which can be pushed back for an incredible bathing experience amid the leaves. There’s a unique selection of escapes for your next weekend away.
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Dun Aluinn, Aberfeldy, Perthshire
Looking for an unforgettable Highland experience? Find it at Dun Aluinn. An exquisitely stylish private house accommodating up to 18 guests across nine individually designed bedrooms, this dreamy holiday rental is perched on a hill overlooking the lively town of Aberfeldy in Perthshire. The sweeping views from the five-plus acre estate encompass the River Tay and the snow-capped peak of Schiehallion. These are best taken in from the wood-fired hot tub outside or from the terrace, which comes complete with a fire pit and comfortable outdoor seating.
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Sawcliffe Manor, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire
Tucked away in beautiful Lincolnshire, Sawcliffe Manor is a real find. Listed in the Domesday Book, the property hosts groups of up to 46 people across the manor house, three charming cottages, and a glamping yurt – an ideal destination for any kind of celebration. There’s plenty to do: relaxed evenings in the manor’s spa, complete with a wooden hot tub, ice bucket and copper milk baths; wildlife spotting in the nearby 400-acre nature reserve; archery and axe-throwing lessons; wine tastings and bonfires under the stars. If you are planning a wedding, there is a number of unique venues to choose from, including a magical 15th-century chapel. As for food, expect a warm northern welcome, with delicious local produce from nearby butchers and bakers, for everything from a farmhouse breakfast to a wedding feast.
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Holly House, Worstead, Norfolk
A tree-lined driveway is a suitable fanfare to the 300 acres of 16th century estate of Worstead Park in Norfolk. With its own working farm and online farm shop, the vast swathes of this holiday rental’s estate’s magnificent private grounds are criss-crossed with quaint footpaths and bridleways to explore on foot or horseback. In the heart of it all is eight-bedroom Holly House, a short drive from the wedding venue and the estate’s pièce de résistance. The fresh interiors nod to Worstead’s Georgian roots, along with rooms decked out in a heritage palette which lead into a spectacular walled garden, complete with its own hot tub.
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Temple Guiting Manor & Barns, Gloucestershire
Old English charm combines with romantic Provençal style at Temple Guiting Manor & Barns, a Grade I-listed house built with golden Cotswold stone. The Tudor manor – which has five bedrooms with original features like panelling and mullioned windows – makes a memorable home-from-home for your next holiday rental escape. It sits in 14.5 acres of gardens, hosting an all-weather tennis court, suntrap courtyard with a heated pool, wild swimming and boating lake, hot tub, play area and games barn. The estate can host parties of up to 34 adults and two children, with a five-bedroom barn, a three-bedroom granary, and two idyllic one-bedroom hideaways all on the grounds as well as the manor. For food, you’ll be well looked after: ta team of skilled chefs are ready to whip up everything, from tasting menus to family barbecues.
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Featured image: Honeybridge Estate
