“It’s OK, we won’t have a summer holiday this year.”
Words like these are easy to mumble in January or February, when you’ve forgotten what sunshine looks like. The kids can play in the garden, or out with friends while you get on with whatever needs doing… no matter where you are, the sun just makes everything feel better, doesn’t it?
Then your friends and family start telling you about the lovely summer trips they’re taking. Suddenly you find yourself thinking: “I wish I’d booked somewhere!”
But by now it’s July, and you’ve left your holiday plans far too late.
Or have you?
These incredible retreats all have availability during that glorious stretch of school summer holiday-time (Friday 21st July to Monday 4th September) and are UK-based so you won’t have to worry about passports and currency-changing.
Prefer a romantic break? No problem: we’ve included a mix of adults-only and family-friendly havens for you to choose from.
(Oh, and because these retreats are all so delightfully unusual, you could even inspire envy from those who booked earlier, for something far blander!)
There’s just one thing left to say: since availability can’t be guaranteed, we recommend you snap your favourite retreat up nice and quick.
(PS: You can view part two, with yet more availability for summer here!)
Author: Nina Jervis
Main image: East Thorne Family Roundhouses | Devon
Margate, Kent, England
A self-contained ‘time capsule' apartment covering the entire top floor of a townhouse in the heart of Margate, with fabulous views of Dreamland and the beach.
Available August 7-10th, 21-24th, 27-29th
Weston Longville, Norfolk, England
Come and unwind with luxury eco-friendly glamping, set in 20 beautifully serene acres of Norfolk countryside.
Bedrooms: 1 per yurt
Sleeps:
Good summer availability!
Kirkby Mallory, Leicestershire, England
A welcoming, family-owned glamping haven in rural Leicestershire, with dog-friendly cabins and romantic roundhouses that each feature a private, scenery-showcasing hot tub.
Bedrooms: 1 per unit
Sleeps: 2 or 2 (+2) per unit
Good summer availability!
Bridport, Dorset, England
Peaceful, private havens for couples and small families, set on a 600-acre family farm that's teeming with wildlife and golden sunflowers, surrounded by Dorset's most magnificent hills.
Bedrooms: Open plan
Sleeps: 2 (+2) per unit
5 nights available in the very popular Little Coppet Landpod from Monday 28th August – Friday 1st September.
Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, England
A former Cold War army trailer, lovingly transformed into a warm and welcoming shepherd's hut, complete with a wood-fired hot tub for off-grid comfort in rural Worcestershire.
Quiet child-free break! - availability 19th July to 10th August and 15th to 17th August.
Kingswear, Devon, England
Hidden in 12 acres of private Devon woodland, this striking 1960s architect-designed butterfly roof house has been modernised as a luxury B&B.
Bedrooms: 4
Sleeps: 2 per room
Adults only - August B&B breaks available, with outdoor pool!
Wroxham, Norfolk, England
A timber framed, architect-designed scenic haven that provides total immersion in the serene beauty of the Norfolk Broads.
3 night stay available from 25th August £2,650
Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland
An award-winning, eco-friendly haven that's rich in home comforts and attention to detail, with breathtaking views of the Hebridean Isle of Lewis.
22 July – 5 August, 12 – 19 August and 26 August to 2nd September… a week for £2200 so held at 2022 prices for 5-star island luxury! Short breaks, min 4 nights, as well as full week or longer stays.
Doune, Perthshire, Scotland
Five sumptuous, eco-friendly tree-treats with idyllic riverside views and a woodland sauna, magically nestled on the borders of the Trossachs National Park.
Bedrooms: Open plan
Sleeps: 2 (+2) per treehouse
Various July/August availability
Axbridge, Somerset, England
A stylishly converted Georgian coaching inn with its own art deco 36-seater cinema.
Availability in the first few weeks of August for an amazing Somerset getaway! Discounts for longer stays, lots do in both the house and the surrounding area - perfect for a family holiday.
Hope, Derbyshire, England
Tucked away at the end of a country lane on a tranquil Derbyshire farm is Haddy's Hut - an exquisite, hand-crafted shepherd's hut in the heart of the Peak District.
Good summer availability!
Bratton Clovelly, Devon, England
Come and live the high life, in a luxury hand-built treehouse, beautifully nestled amongst soothing Devon woodland.
Bedrooms: 1 per treehouse
Sleeps: 2 per treehouse
Availability in The Lookout Treehouse (couples and small families 2 adults and up to 2 children): 31st July 2-nights * 9th August 2 or 5-nights * 11th August 3-nights * 18th August 3-nights * 23rd August 2-nights * 30th August 2-nights *
Brecon, Powys, Wales
Reconnect with nature and enjoy breathtaking views in eco-friendly luxury, set against a stunning backdrop of the Brecon Beacons.
From
£275 (3 night w/e or 4 night midweek)
Good summer availability!
Calstock, Cornwall, England
Beauty, peace and calm combine in two romantic Cornish riverside retreats: the former Smithy and Captain's Office of a Victorian tin mine.
Bedrooms: 1 per cottage
Sleeps:
The Count House 4 nights from 28th August £469 (was £599) The Smithy 7 nights from 26th August £675 (was £969) The Smithy 6 nights from 2nd September £670 (was £899)
Ripon, Yorkshire, England
Wild luxury glamping at its most naturally breathtaking, in cosy wooden cabins nestled on a friendly, family-run farm in the Yorkshire Dales.
Bedrooms: Open plan
Sleeps: Up to 4 per cabin
Good summer availability!
Tiverton, Devon, England
Learn to appreciate nature again and relax in a lovingly handcrafted off-grid cabin, secluded in its own Devon woodland glade.
Good summer availability!
Stamford, Lincolnshire, England
A historic, lovingly converted riverside retreat on the edge of the Fens, filled with welcoming warmth and surrounded by wildlife-steeped countryside.
Good summer availability!
Bude, Cornwall, England
An original glamping concept, lovingly created by a family who fell in love with glamping and the Great Outdoors...and set about creating a luxury en-suite glamping alternative for their guests.
Some summer availability remains: short breaks with hot tub. 3 night weekends and 4 night mid weeks
Aberporth, Ceredigion, Wales
A unique, award-winning architect designed ‘boat house' that's ideal for an adventure-packed beach break, next to the invigorating Welsh Coast Path.
Bedrooms: 3
Sleeps: 12 (or 4 per cabin)
Various summer dates available, enquire now. 20% discount offer!
Pagham, West Sussex, England
A soothing coastal retreat with a Victorian railway carriage at its heart, perfect for families and friends and opening straight onto Pagham Beach.
Two or three night stay remaining this summer from Saturday 2 September
Brixham, Devon, England
An impossibly charming 'glam-boat' with picture-postcard sea-and-harbour views of the colourful Brixham harbour on The English Riviera.
Good summer availability!
Bodiam, Sussex, England
A time-capsule railway carriage from the 1960s, beautifully styled and perfectly positioned in the unspoilt Rother Valley, with outstanding 14th century castle views.
Availability: 1-5 August and 21-25 August. No pets or children under 12 years due to the proximity of a working steam railway.
Malton, North Yorkshire, England
Shipping containers creatively transformed into stylish cabins nestled on the scenic edge of the North York Moors, close to the ‘foodie capital' town of Malton.
Bedrooms: 1 per cabin
Sleeps: 2 (+2) per cabin
Various summer holiday dates available.
Drymen, Stirling, Scotland
Two sumptuous, sustainably crafted cabins, packed with romantic luxuries and nestled amongst magical woodland near Loch Lomond.
Bedrooms: 1 per cabin
Sleeps: 2 per cabin
Various summer holiday dates available.
Ballingham, Herefordshire, England
A luxurious collection of family and dog-friendly canvas cottages with private hot tubs, beautifully nestled amongst rolling Herefordshire countryside with soothing views of the River Wye.
Bedrooms: 3 per tent
Sleeps:
Mon 31st July - Fri 4th Aug * Mon 28th Aug - Fri 1st Sep available
Market Harborough, Leicestershire, England
Explore the Leicestershire waterways at your own gentle pace, aboard your choice of luxurious ‘hotel suite’-style canal boat for couples.
Availability on all three Boutique Narrowboats for summer
Barnstaple, Devon, England
A sustainable sanctuary nestled amongst woodland and meadow on the scenic edge of Exmoor National Park, with the sweeping North Devon coast practically on the doorstep.
Bedrooms: Open plan
Sleeps: 2 per tipi
Adults only! Availability in the newly launched Superior Collection (Crazy Bear & Moon Dance) between Fri July 21 to Mon 4 September. Launch offer for new tipis only: stay 2-nights get £30 discount, stay 3-nights get £60 discount. Availability in August and September in the Distinguished Collection (Dancing Deer & Sitting Bull).
Cilgerran, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Simplicity, adventure, and beautiful outdoor living - that's what you'll find at fforest farm.
Bedrooms: Varies
Sleeps: Varies
Availability 21st July, 3 night breaks * 28th August, 4 night breaks *
Arthog, Gwynedd, Wales
A wild and wondrous glamping site, with eclectic, dog-friendly accommodation beautifully set within 45 private acres of Snowdonia National Park.
Bedrooms: Varies (8 units)
Sleeps: 1-5 guests
Various summer availability!
Dunsford, Devon, England
Two cosy former bunk-rooms for slow, sustainable living, peacefully secluded amongst ancient, wildlife-steeped woodland on the edge of Dartmoor National Park.
Bedrooms: Open plan
Sleeps: 2 or 2 (+2) per unit
Various summer availability!
Pembrokeshire, Wales
The Long Barn is divided in to two stylish and sustainably-crafted retreats for fun family escapes, dog-friendly and perfectly positioned on a ten-acre smallholding that’s a perfect base for exploring Pembrokeshire.
Bedrooms: 2 or 3
Sleeps: 6
The Long Barn – Zinc (sleeps 6) 31st July to 7th August and 26th August to 4th September * The Long Barn – Cedar (sleeps 4) 18th August to 21st August and 29th August to 1st September
Raglan, Monmouthshire, Wales
A bespoke-crafted shepherd's hut, luxuriously nestled amongst the captivating Monmouthshire countryside.
Various summer availability!
