“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.”
– Albert Camus
Who says entering October needs to symbolise the end of holidays? We certainly don’t here at Host Unusual, where we continue to add an eclectic array of unique escapes to be enjoyed and marvelled over whatever the weather.
Think architect-designed homes where you can lose hours swooning over details, uniquely converted carriages with a nod to the past and set right on a working line, opulent gold-styled barn conversions and stunning hand-crafted treehouses with private hot tub to add the icing on an enviable cake.
Who’s in?
Fancy a family or group break in sheer opulence and style? Copper Pot Barn is a perfect choice. Styled for complete indulgence, this luxury barn conversion is set in the rural heart of England in Warwickshire. A shining two-storey and three bedroom haven of metallic luxury, superb attention to detail reigns supreme here, filled with lustrous gold, silver, copper and brass styling throughout.Discover lampshades lovingly crafted from antique brass pans and copper pots, and bedside lamps created from gold watering cans, while the grand, galleried entrance hall is ornamented with twinkling lights and historic artefacts that provide an intriguing hint of the barn’s original farm life.
Evoke romantic vintage railway journeys with a stay in a converted carriage for two, the GWR ‘TOAD’ Brake Van at the already established and highly popular Railway Retreats near Bodiam in East Sussex. Originally constructed in 1940 by Great Western Railway, the van spent many faithful years as a safety brake for goods trains, complete with a guard to ensure no wagons were left behind. These days, the charming carriage has been beautifully converted in clean-lined vintage style for a couple looking for a romantic railside escape, and is set within Northiam Steam Railway Station, a working station on the scenic Kent and East Sussex steam railway line.
A stunning new addition to our Architect Designed collection, this timber-framed scenic haven provides total immersion in the serene beauty of the Norfolk Broads. Beautifully located on a private lagoon and gently raised above the waterline, Backwater (above and main picture) was designed by Platform 5 Architects. The result is an elegant four bedroomed home that perfectly complements its natural surroundings. The pitched roof bays and shingle cladding pay homage to the local boatsheds, offering stunning views of the ever-changing lagoon, while the sheltered outdoor area, connected with the living and dining spaces, means you can enjoy al fresco drinks at any time of year – the perfect antidote to your busy life back home!
A newly created adults-only treehouse and glamping idyll set in a peaceful hamlet in the rurally beautiful heart of Mid-Wales, you’ll find every last detail has been carefully thought out at Oaklands. Bespoke-crafted Heartwood Treehouse is an ideal escape for couples who want to leave dull everyday life firmly on the ground. Beautifully constructed by hand and set within the trees with a private wood-fired hot tub, there is plenty of intricate detail to cast your eyes upon as you ascend the grand staircase into your romantic retreat. Meanwhile, Bluebell and Foxglove are two cosy safari lodges sleeping up to four, named after the flourishing flowers vividly strewn across the site.
Created by Matt Robinson Architecture, Pentreath (Cornish for ‘head of the beach’) is a luxurious and elegantly spacious home for up to seven people. So if you’ve been looking for an excuse to spirit your favourite people away for a well-deserved coastal break, you’ve just found it. Blissfully set on a private lane, Pentreath overlooks a beautiful valley that leads down to the beach at Maenporth, set in the sheltered bay and just three miles from the harbour town of Falmouth. And if morning sea views are your thing, stake your claim early on the master Penthouse bedroom! The balcony and frameless glass balustrade make for an ideal morning and wave-watching coffee spot.
