What makes an unusual stay even better?
For us, it’s sampling some of the area’s finest local produce – hands down.
Since you’re on holiday, it’s likely you’ll have plenty of opportunity to search around for hidden gems and popular haunts, like a bustling farm shop or an intriguing off-the-beaten-track café.
But what if the very best local produce was right on hand at your chosen retreat… without you having to lift so much as a finger to find it?
Browse our Host Unusual listings, and you’ll see that some retreats partner with much-loved local suppliers, to offer their guests a few (well-deserved!) extra treats.
And since mouth-watering local produce can be one of the absolute highlights of a stay, we asked some of our property owners to celebrate their favourite suppliers right here.
They’ve also been kind enough to give us a flavour of what’s on offer… think gooey artisan marshmallows, divine deli boxes, home-reared meats, and lovingly hand-made afternoon teas you’ll still be raving about after you’ve returned home!
So read on to whet your appetite for a holiday that’s not only unusual, but uniquely delicious.
Author: Nina Jervis
Main image: Local produce at Boutique Farm Bothies, Aberdeenshire
Edenbridge, Kent, England
Unique, year-round retreats with sumptuous furnishings, magnificent sunrises, and private stargazing hot tubs, beautifully positioned in the Garden of England.
Bedrooms: Open plan
Sleeps:
We provide food boxes using fresh and locally sourced produce through our local farm shop and events space Falconhurst Estate. They provide the most incredible fresh product and also have pop up caterers regulary throughout the year. They are based 1 mile from our site, so a quick drive or a nice walk.
Cottered, Hertfordshire, England
Sustainable, adults-only Hertfordshire hideaways with al fresco baths, where city style and indulgent sensory treats meet pure countryside tranquillity.
Bedrooms: 1 per unit
Sleeps: 2 per unit
Guests can order a Dine In box, with all produce provided by our local farm (meat, vegetables and fruit)
Strathdon, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Luxurious, hand-built hideaways (complete with al fresco baths!) nestled on a friendly family farm in the magnificent Cairngorms National Park, with magical views of Glen Nochty.
Bedrooms: Open plan
Sleeps: 2+2
We offer our guests at Ledmacoy Shepherds Huts the opportunity to have a turkey burger BBQ pack made with free range bronze turkeys reared on our farm. Guests are also welcome to enjoy a farm tour and see the turkeys up close.
Lauder, Scottish Borders, Scotland
An award-winning selection of five-star retreats with hot tubs, enticingly set amongst acres of scenic, wildlife-steeped farmland in the big-sky Scottish Borders.
Bedrooms: Varies
Sleeps: 2-10 per unit
At Airhouses we work with a number of local businesses including The Spotty Dog in Lauder who provide us with gorgeous Deli Boxes and Shaws of Lauder that provides us with local beautiful ethical meat products.
Drumblade, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Take a break from the strains of life at Boutique Farm Bothies in rural Aberdeenshire, comprising three hand-crafted, eco-friendly bothies and a charming farmhouse for large group holidays, set among spectacular rolling farmland.
Bedrooms: Varies
Sleeps: 2-8
We offer artisan marshmallows made on Orkney for toasting from Box’d Orkney Also the most divine hand made home made afternoon teas from the marvellous Morag from Heart of Homebaking!
Catsfield, East Sussex, England
Make your escape to a blissfully soothing farm retreat, gently secluded in an ancient East Sussex village where the pace is slow, and the woodland scenery is magical.
We have an on site farmshop and cafe where guests can order before or during their stay a wide range of local, organic, and homemade produce. We sell a BBQ box full of salad and meat to grill on the cabin fire pits, luxury picnic hampers to enjoy by the cabins or out in the nearby woodlands, and an Afternoon Tea and cake selection box from a selection of the cafe's famous daily baked cakes and scones.
Doncaster, Nottinghamshire, England
Two stylish and romantic couples' cabins, each with their own private hot tub, soothingly secluded on a magical Nottinghamshire woodland site that features a wood-burning sauna and a barbecue cabin.
Bedrooms: 1 per cabin
Sleeps: 2 per cabin
Local supplier Sammy the Chef at Chalet Girl Catering can provide couples with a private fine dining experience in our Yurt restaurant for 2.
Strangford, County Down, Northern Ireland
An award-winning conversion that blends cherished heritage and design-led luxury, for a captivating stay in a timeless Irish village.
In our welcome pack we always supply a packet of freshly roasted coffee from Strangford Coffee Roastery. They are a small family business based in our village and all their coffee is freshly roasted to order specifically for us, and they even customise the packaging with the Quarry Hill Church logo.
Nr St Briavels, Gloucestershire, England
An ultra-luxurious, design-led and TV-featured treehouse-for-two, deliciously secluded amongst private woodland in the beautiful Wye Valley.
We have amazing artisan food producers in the Wye Valley and Forest of dean area. We always try to #thinklocal first. We have cocktails from Silver Circle Distillery in our private Lookout Bar; local meat from Plump Hill and Cowshill farms in our BBQ packs and handmade chocolate truffles in our Romance Package from Little Batch.
Forestmill, Clackmannanshire, Scotland
A former forester's cottage, uniquely and lovingly transformed into a sustainable sanctuary on a vast, wildlife-steeped Clackmannanshire estate owned by descendants of Robert the Bruce.
A beautifully wrapped with ribbons and fresh flowers picnic hamper? Or maybe a charcuterie platter or afternoon tea with all the trimmings? Birthday cake, brunch box or dinner for 2 or more? Polly’s creativity knows no bounds with her delightfully prepared guest food that can be ordered for your arrival.
Hasketon, Suffolk, England
Unwind amongst wondrous wildlife and amazing accommodation luxuriously inspired by the Great Outdoors, with unspoilt Suffolk countryside as far as your eye can see.
Bedrooms: Varies
Sleeps: 8
Secret Meadows has a special onsite pantry shop full of products by some of the best local food producers. It’s stocked by Grange Farm Shop, nearby farm shop at Hasketon which also provides luxury food hampers to guests including a breakfast hamper and BBQ pack plus locally made stone-baked pizzas.
Launceston, Cornwall, England
Embrace the natural life and get some literary inspiration under clear starry skies, with the scenic backdrop of Cornwall's ‘Peaceful Valley' to keep you company.
Bedrooms: Varies
Sleeps: 2/4/8 per unit
Our bbq boxes are prepared to order by our next door neighbours West Country Premium Venison's onsite butcher. So literally no food miles! Their family has been farming their land since 1703 and currently rear sheep and deer. We love working with them as they are passionate about farming sustainably and having a positive impact on the environment. You might have recently seen them on Rick Stein's Cornwall. Their delicious products are served at top quality restaurants and our guests can choose from taster boxes, boxes for two and family boxes to have delivered to their pod. Our favourites are the venison haunch steaks and the lamb and cheese burgers!
