Best UK Staycations For 2023: From Devon To Cornwall
From Devon to the Cotswolds, here is a list of the best accomodation in the UK
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Travel might have had a topsy turvy ride over the last two years, but one thing's for sure - 2023 is going to be one hell of a year for travel, with holiday lovers looking to jet off to sunnier climates and enjoy the best of what Britain has to offer.
Of course, choosing a staycation in the UK is no small feat. After all, deciding on which holiday haven to stay in, from Devon and Cornwall, to Oxford and Edinburgh, is tricky business. There are plenty of tempting offers to make these decisions even harder when with some staycations in the UK offer spa treatments, fitness studios, cookery classes, outdoor baths and Michelin-star food. Holiday home operator Verdant Leisure has found from a survey of 1,000 of its customers that more than four in five (84%) say they are likely to go on a staycation in 2023.
Fear not though as we’ve done the hard work for you and whittled down our favourite UK staycations for all travellers. With many staycations just a drive away, we think 2023 is the best year to make a conscious effort to travel sustainably and celebrate all that the UK has to offer. If many of us are holidaying in the UK this year, we might as well do it with our eco caps on, right?
With that in mind, here is a list of the best UK staycations for 2023:
Kin House, Wiltshire
Kin House is quickly becoming one of our must-visit destinations in the UK for a short getaway. The property is a restored Georgian Manor, located in Wiltshire, and is the perfect place for a staycation, as well as a private party (it can host between 20 and 200 guests), retreat or wedding. The exclusive-use house itself features 12 cosy bedrooms, featuring plush cotton robes, rainforest showers (some come with freestanding bathtubs big enough for two!) and 'help yourself' mini bars. During your stay you can enjoy film nights, yoga, massages, croquet games, and wild cooking workshops, and even book to eat al fresco, while chefs cook your grub on an open fire in a private woodland.
Spinks Nest, Norfolk
If you’re in need of some R&R, then a staycation at Spinks Nest is a must. Located in the north of Norfolk, this former gardener’s cottage – which dates back to the 18th Century – has received a stunning renovation, mixing vintage and reclaimed materials to create an interiors haven that’s as cosy as it is luxurious and charming, and inspired by a British-cum-Japanese aesthetic to die for. Our favourite parts? The Instagrammable sunken micro-cement bath, Victorian loo and plush leather-upholstered armchairs – perfect for sinking into after opening a bottle or Merlot at candlelight. The cottage sleeps two adults (with room for a travel cot) and is dog-friendly.
Down the road you’ll find the local pub - The Hunworth Bell – and a short drive away you’ll be treated to the quaint town of Holt, Siding Bakery (we suggest you book for lunch), and fish and chips at Cromer. Trust us, once you've had a weekend at Spinks Nest, you'll never look back.
Rothay Manor, Lake District
Head up to the Lake District and you'll find this boutique Grade II-listed country house retreat in the middle of Ambleside. A recent refurbishment has seen the site open The Pavilion, a new building which features eight new luxury suites, some with their own private gardens and one with its own hot tub. The decor here is an interiors lover's dream (think olive-green wooden paneling on the walls and large reupholstered headboards), while the restaurant is run by head Chef Dan McGeorge (who was named the Champion of Champions of the 2021 series of the BBC Great British Menu). Oh, and did we mention it has several dog-friendly bedrooms?
Cottage on the river, Devon
If, like us, you thought the name of this property seems as though it could've been taken from an Enid Blyton novel, then you're in good company. This property sleeps six people and is situated in Widecombe in the Moor, Devon. The cottage is right next to a flowing river and features a hot tub and a an open fire outside for those who like to cosy up under the stars.
The Ned
How many times can you say you’ve stayed in a former bank in the heart of London? Well, after a stay at London’s The Ned, you can. Located in the former Midland Bank building in the City of London, The Ned has quickly become a party and food institution since its opening in 2017, and for very good reason. The site has 250 1920s-inspired boujee and glamorous bedrooms (stocked with Cowshed products and a tray or bar of cocktail ingredients), a staggering 10 restaurants (our favourite has to be Kaia), and three bars (one is a rooftop bar overlooking the City), a rooftop pool, the Ned Club gym, the Ned’s Club Spa, equipped with a pool, barbershop, parlour, hammam and remedy room.
Within The Ned is the members club, Ned’s Club, which gives access to the Art Deco-inspired Vault bar, the Ned’s Club gym and the rooftop. The site also offers the wider public nightly entertainment, drinks and dancing, as well as access to the spa, which means you can both sip on martinis in the main atrium, have a manicure and feel like an A-lister all at the same time.
East Thorne, Cornwall
Finding a pocket of Cornwall to call your own is pretty tough to do nowadays, so popular is the destination for sun, sand and seafood-seekers, alike. But you can rest assured that East Thorne in Cornwall has the ability to provide ample space, calm and serenity, whether you're in search of a site to catch up with friends over a bottle of wine, or curl up on the sofa with a loved one in bed. Located just a short drive away from the coastal town of Bude sits East Thorne Roundhouses – a glamping area like no other – which sleep from two to six people and boasts a community-like feel, providing guests with everything from hampers of locally-sourced goods and fire pits to roast marshmallows, to hot tubs, private gardens and an outdoor kitchen. Local visits can include a trip to the Eden Project, The Hidden Valley, Bocastle and Tintagel, while foodies are best heading to restaurants like Temple and The Coombe Barton Inn for scrumptious, locally-sourced food and roast dinners, respectively. One visit to East Thorne and you’ll be tempted never to leave.
Pontypinna, Herefordshire
If you’re in need of going completely off the grid and finding some well-deserved R&R, then let us usher you towards Pontypinna Hideaways.
Located in the Herefordshire hillside (quite literally), this six-person property, with its outdoor hot tub, seating area and private decking, has views that look across to the Black Mountains which make waking up in the morning with a hot mug of tea that much more of an enjoyable experience, trust us. Inside the property you’ll find three spacious bedrooms (two with double beds and one with bunk beds), as well as a large kitchen table for making brunch and warming suppers, a seating area primed for long conversations into the early hours over bottles of vino, and a large family-sized bathroom with a walk-in shower and double-ended bathtub.
During your stay, we suggest making a day trip to Hay on Wye – a small market town famous for its copious amounts of book shops, cafes, antique stores and the most beautiful homeware shop we've laid eyes on, Llewelyn & Company. Elsewhere lies the National Trust’s Weir Garden, Arthur’s Stone (yes, the one linked to King Arthur’s legend), and Zipworld – for the more adventurous of folk.
The perfect staycation spot for friends, family, and more. One night here and you'll never want to leave.
Lime Wood, New Forest
Herb House, the award-winning destination spa that oozes luxury, recently launched a new itinerary of re-wilding retreats, which makes booking a staycation at Lime Wood an essential for 2022 and beyond. Aimed to create a sense of calm while also celebrating the best of the great outdoors in Britain, the retreats – aptly named The Power Of Nature With Bamford, Wild Wanderings and Forest Fix – focus on a holistic sense of rest and regeneration, whether that’s enjoying a range of relaxing spa treatments, and a guided Forest immersion walk (led by Lindsey from Dorset Forest Bathing), or a delicious and fresh lunch in Herb House’s on-site restaurant Raw & Cured, meditation sessions, sun-rise yoga classes or a forest run and strength session, run by Head of Fitness Justin Pimm. At the end of the day, if you want to kick back and enjoy a bubble bath in your room with a glass or vino, or tuck into the restaurant Hartnett Holder & Co’s signature tiramisu before watching a film in bed, the choice is yours. Just take the moment to focus on yourself because you're worth it.
Secret Treehouse, Herefordshire
This is a dream staycation like no other. Located in Herefordshire, this treehouse sleeps between two and four people and offers total seclusion for those wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. We love the outdoor rainforest shower, hot tub, stripey bed covers, small Smeg fridge and woodland path.
The Pandy House, Wales
Accessed by way of a private bridge crossing the Afon Roe, you’d think this restored mill was something out of a fairytale given its eccentricity and beauty. Located near the hills and valleys of Snowdonia, this is the prefect house for a large group of mates to gather and enjoy its wonder, whether it’s as a result of the William Morris wallpaper, glass wall overlooking the Tay y Fan peak or animal-printed bedrooms walls. Outside, there’s a summerhouse, hot tub and a river you can bathe in during the summer and, if you dare, the winter months.
Fernden Lane, Surrey
A house of dreams, Fernden is a Grade II-listed, 16th century farmhouse which is half covered by flowers and greenery and is an interior lover’s dream if you’re all about solid oak floors, inglenook fireplaces, a cast iron, rolltop bathtub and soft furnishings. The spot itself is located close to Valewood Park and Black Dog Corpse where you can overlook Surrey’s beauty. Our favourite part of the house has to be the dining room with patio doors overlooking the luscious green lawn.
The Zen Garden, Kent
Modernity meets traditionalism here at this Garden of England, 15th century-located barn, wits its timber beams, high ceilings and contrasting grey and white-hued walls. While the bedrooms and open-plan spaces aren’t to be ignored, the pièce-de-résistance of this property has to be its outdoor kitchen and swimming pool. Oh, and there’s also an aquarium, Koi pond and Bonsai trees galore. Your stay will include a welcome hamper of local produce, a sports package in the cinema room, freshly cut flowers and more.
Clementine House, Essex
This is a delicious property, if we do say so ourselves. Clementine House is the kind of place you dream of owning as a child, with its bright blue front door, Victorian-style glass pool house, heated outdoor pool and chandelier. You’ll immediately feel the country vibes on stepping inside this property, thanks to its Aga, rolltop bathtubs and inviting bedrooms with plush cushions. Warning: You’ll love it so much, you might never want to leave.
Cottage In The Wood, Malvern
As if it’s from a fairy tale, the Cottage In The Wood is located high above Malvern in eight acres of woodland overlooking the Cotswolds. With 32 bedrooms and an award-winning restaurant, you won’t struggle to find something to quench your staycation thirst. On the subject of thirst, you might also want to take a tour of the Friday Beer Company Brewery based in Malvern, founded by three scientists, or the local vineyards.
Charlotte Street Hotel, London
A stone's throw away from the capital's bustling Oxford Circus lies one of our favourite hotels in Bloomsbury. Previously a dental warehouse, this hotel has 52 individually designed bedrooms and suites, two drawing rooms (featuring an 'honesty bar' for late night tipples), Oscar brasserie (serving exquisite cocktails, modern English food run by Head Chef Bradd Johns), a gym and private screening room. One of the defining features of Charlotte Street is its artwork, which is dotted throughout its corridors and inspired by the Bloomsbury set of 20th century artists. Better yet, the hotel is situated around the corner from Radiance London salon – offering facials, massages and manicures etc –, Saco Hair for a last-minute blow dry before a night out, and Michelin-star awarded restaurant Hakkasan Hanway Place which serves unparalleled Cantonese cuisine inside a dimly-lit and oh so romantic setting.
Pentire Penthouse, Newquay
A circular penthouse with 360-degree views over the beaches and coastal cliffs in Newquay? Where do we sign? With its eight-person hot tub outside, four bedrooms with monsoon showers and Fistral Beach (one of the best in Cornwall, in our book) just a 15-minute walk away, we think this is a must-book, ASAP.
Home House, London
A private members’ club with 18th century inspired interiors is what you’ll find at the Marylebone hot spot. If the fact it was designed by George III’s architect, James Wyatt, isn’t enough to have you clicking ‘book’, wait until you find out that in addition to its restaurants, bars, garden and gym it boasts three Georgian townhouses and 23 super luxe bedrooms that will have you feeling like a queen in no time.
Better yet, each bathroom has its own uniquely designed interiors, from the Lady Islington (which has the same marble used in in the centre of the dome in St. Paul’s Cathedral) to the Duke of Atholl’s suite’s regal bath tub (made for His Highness Say Aji Rao III, Maharajah Gaekwad of Baroda in the 1800s). Luxury staycations don't get any better than this.
At The Chapel, Bristol
A restored chapel in Bristol, this medieval spot has eight bedrooms, high ceilings, church candles, and is the ideal staycation for families, couples and groups of friends alike. With Tracey Emin and Turner Prize winner Martin Creed’s artwork lining the walls, as well as a wood-fired oven in the on-site bakery, we think this south of England spot is truly divine.
Croft 103, Durness
Head to the very tip of Scotland, to the northwesterly town of Durness, and you’ll find this absolutely stunning site. A five to six-hour car drive from Edinburgh and Glasgow, this staycation has views over mountains and seas, and is completely secluded from the busy streets of the UK’s cities. Comprising of two cottages, Shore Cottage is the closest to the water while Hill Cottage offers incomparable views of the surrounding area.
With Caithness stone bathrooms, cool wood-burners, two clawfoot baths (one inside and one outside, offering the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights in winter), we wouldn’t be surprised that after a weekend here, you might never want to come home.
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