Unusual Places to Stay in the UK for Families

Today we are sharing some of our favourite unusual places to stay in the UK.

This summer we’ve planned some long-haul travel to Canada for a road trip, and we’ve just got back from Copenhagen. But before summer arrives, that I’d love to book in some shorter trips closer to home.

However, we don’t just want a typical caravan or cottage this time. We’re looking for the best unusual places to stay in the UK to make some really special memories.

Some of the top destinations that offer unusual places to stay in the UK on our wish-list are listed below – including a REALLY cool special offer if you book a Medieval-style luxury break at Warwick Castle before the end of the month!

Warwick Castle Medieval Lodges (with a 10% discount!)

warwick castle medieval lodges

We’re big fans of Warwick Castle already. There are always great demonstrations and activities here – far too much to fit into a day, really. Last time we visited, with LEGO, we had the most gorgeous day.

swords soldiers warwick castle

So how exciting that from this summer, you can stay overnight at Warwick Castle in one of these medieval-style lodges?

These one and two-storey lodges offer all mod-cons in a gorgeous, historic setting. For around £200 per night, per lodge, you’ll get wet rooms, TV, central heating and more. You’ll also have a hearty breakfast in the banqueting hall, 2 days access to the Castle itself, and evening entertainment. It’s certainly one of the more unusual places to stay this summer!

warwick castle medieval lodges discount

And I’ve got details of a special offer – if you book a 2016 stay at the “Knight’s Village” before the end of March, then you can save a whopping 10% off the total booking cost – just visit the website here (www.Warwick-Castle.com/SpringOffer) for more details and full T&Cs.

ZSL Lookout Lodges, Whipsnade

zsl sleepover lodges

Last summer I was invited to sleep at one of these gorgeous lodges at Whipsnade Zoo but we were already booked to go on holiday – I’m not sure who was more disappointed, me or Flea! This summer, ZSL Whipsnade is definitely on our shortlist of unusual places to stay.

Each lodge sleeps up to 2 adults and 2 children (aged 5 and over, only) and your booking includes two days entry to the zoo, a sunset tour of the zoo with the keepers, a two-course dinner and  – OMG – a torch-lit walk through the zoo. How perfect is that? Lodges aren’t cheap, costing from £300 upwards per night, but this feels like a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Retallack Resort, Cornwall

We first visited Retallack Resort two years ago on a family break with a friend and her daughter.

Sadly, our trip was cut short by an emergency at home, but the short time we spent there was enough to be truly impressed by the top-quality cuisine, on-site watersports and gorgeous countryside. But this summer, Retallack has gone one step further in the journey to awesome – check out this inflatable water park!

retallack water park

How completely awesome does this look? I’ve tried (and mostly failed) to conquer one of these babies in Jamaica, and it was some of the best fun I’ve ever had.

Chewton Glen, Hampshire

I’ve always had a thing about tree houses. When I was a kid, my Dad built a tree house in the back garden and being allowed to sleep there was basically my number one life goal.

A couple of decades later *cough* and I still hanker after sleeping in a tree house – it’s top of my list of unusual places to stay in the UK!

chewton glen treehouse luxury

Only this time I want my tree house to look like these luxury models at Chewton Glen in Hampshire, with floor to ceiling windows offering gorgeous light and views over a forest. And there’s a wood burner. It definitely ticks the “unusual places to stay” box but also ticks the “looks REALLY lush” box!

Seriously, who doesn’t want to curl up in front of that, in a luxury tree-top den, after a long day’s exploring?

The Scout Hall, Isle of Wight.

We absolutely LOVE the Isle of Wight, it always feels like stepping into a quieter, kinder version of England, somehow, with village greens and white beaches, and quiet, winding roads (providing you don’t drive into Cowes during mid-summer, of course!). We’ve previously stayed at a yurt in an apple orchard on the island, and also at the rather lush West Bay Club, but this summer, I have my eye on The Scout Hut, which is available for rent via Vintage Vacations.

unusual places to stay UK

I love the quirky styling and what’s not to love about the location, in an area of outstanding natural beauty, with views over the green towards the ocean? Perfection.

the scout hall interior

What unusual places to stay in the UK are your UK wish list this year? I’d love to know your recommendations! 

 

13 thoughts on “Unusual Places to Stay in the UK for Families”

  1. Great suggestions! We love the Featherdown Farm breaks but also (and perhaps surprisingly) we’ve had several brilliant breaks with Hoseasons! We tend to go for their small and high end lodges – hot tub at the lodge – and onsite pool a necessity. Their go active sites are super too and they’re all set in super locations for exploring. We’ve enjoyed their cheddar woods site, Knighton Wales, Matlock Derbyshire, Hastings and also warmwell in Dorset with its on site ski slope! A great base from which to explore.

    This year we’re trying ones in chard (lux two story lodge with cathedral Windows!) and another in derbyshire near Alton Towers. They really are great for long weekends away with our parents who come along for some family fun too.

    Then we are off to Florida in the summer – excited muchly!

  2. OMG I nearly just fainted looking at the cost on the ZSL page – that’s per person… definitely once in a lifetime 😀 Love the idea of doing something a bit different though, and am definitely thinking Isle of Wight this summer….

  3. Oh Retallack is on my wish list! The lookout lodges are ace – amazing fun for the kids. We have a tree house booked for a weekend this summer too and I’m way more excited than I ought to be about sleeping in a tree!

  4. All of those are on my list Sally! I tried to book Warwick castle glamping last year, but left it too late. Retallack looks fantastic too and I’d love to try Lookout Lodge.

    I’d like to try a night at the Science or Natural History Museum this year and can second Feather Down Farm as being awesome too.

  5. I LOVE the look of those medieval lodges, definitely going to look into booking that. I think we’re going to go to Scotland this summer (or as I’ve christened it – the Iceland we can afford to visit). Although we live in a city and wouldn’t change that, I do like a bit of remoteness on holiday. As long as there’s wifi.

    1. hahaha – Scotland was where we went on hols every year when I was young. It’s a tad warmer than Iceland. A tad. But beautiful, though, and just what you need when you live in a city.

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