Seeing the New Year in here at Host Unusual HQ doesn’tjust involve party poppers and kir royales; it’s also a chance for us toannounce yet more new properties to our growing collection. As you’d expect,our latest arrivals are an eclectic bunch, including a former magistrate’scourt and police station, an architect designed island retreat, a trio of vibrantconverted buses and an old ‘tin tabernacle’ transformed into a stylish retropad!
The Old Lockup
If you like your holiday spots to come with an added dose ofhistory and intrigue, you’d be hard pushed to find somewhere with more storiesthan The Old Lockup! This historically significant building in Derbyshirehas undergone various incarnations over the years, starting life as amagistrate’s court in 1845, before turning into a police station. It now offersaccommodation as a unique and characterful B&B with four ensuite rooms and evenboasts its own micro-brewery! Stay in The Magistrate’s Room, once home to themagistrate himself, The Solicitor’s Room, where the important legal talks tookplace, or even the former Coachman’s Room. Whichever room you choose you’llenjoy a privileged setting near the Peak District National Park with somerugged and breath-taking scenery to boot.
The Sett
For a UK beach holiday with an added touch of finesse andcreative design, head to The Sett on the gorgeous Isle of Wight. This isnot your standard holiday home. Masterminded by architects Dow Jones, this 2015RIBA award-winner is an utterly innovative space which deftly captures theoutdoors from the inside, with vast picture windows and glazed walls allowingswathes of natural light to flood in. The furnishing is all thoughtful andconsidered, with specially commissioned pieces. Then there’s the outdoor space,including a sunken 12-ft trampoline and pergola that will prove a big hit forthe young ones. The Sett is located just a short walk from the gorgeous sandycove of Totland Bay.
Pigeon Door
What happens to double decker buses when they go intoretirement? If Host Unusual has its way they become unique places tostay! At Pigeon Door you’ll get to hop on board buses that were in use inthe 1980s and 1990s, but now offer quirky holiday accommodation for families ofup to 6 (plus a four-legged friend). Original bus seats and stargaze-friendlyskylights add to the character and whether you choose Betsy Blue, Billie orBeetie, each comes with its own private garden area and a wood-fired hot tub,so you can enjoy views across the Stretton Hills whilst you are soaking yourcares away! Horse owners can bring their friends along too, as the smallholdinghas its own stabling.
The Mission
Take a late-Victorian corrugated iron tin tabernacle, giveit a completely modern refurb with a mezzanine design looking down on anincredible open-plan living space, fill it with fun and kitsch pieces,finishing touches and authentic vintage furniture. The result is The Mission. Examplesof its quirkiness include retro homewares, stained glass windows, a prettysummerhouse and a luxurious bath which was originally a baptismal font! Thegorgeous ‘English Rose’ 1950s kitchen is also swoon-worthy, and the giant wood-burningstove is the ultimate centrepiece. You’re close to the best scenery theisland has to offer on the South coast of the Isle of Wight, so be sure toventure out and explore.
