Elegantly restored for luxurious group trips and newly available to rent, we have unearthed our favourite period holiday homes across the UK. By Rosalind Sack
THE GRAND LIVING ROOM AT THE STALLS IN DORSET. AVAILABLE TO BOOK WITH KIP HIDEAWAYS
Travelling in a large group needn’t mean compromising on the quality of your accommodation. Quite the opposite. These beautiful, design-led holiday homes in some of the most desirable locations across the UK are bursting with history and character and can accommodate groups with ease.
The common thread weaving throughout all of these newly listed UK holiday homes is the quality of the restoration and the level of detail in their interior design and service. If you’re planning a memorable getaway to mark a milestone celebration or reconnect with those you love, these historic homes from home really take some beating.
Read on for our favourites…
IMAGES: SUSIE LOWE STUDIO
The Old Rectory, Slaggyford, Northumberland
We adore the fresh and elegantly layered interiors of this handsome old rectory, designed by interior design practise Fantoush. Paired with its idyllic location on the banks of the South Tyne River on the borders of Northumberland and Cumbria, this six-bedroom holiday home is rather irresistible. The recent transformation of the home was overseen by Nick Parkinson (acclaimed restaurateur and son of Michael Parkinson) and Pilates instructor Roz Parkinson, who manage the property and also run the neighbouring farm-to-fork Kirkstyle Inn. They can even arrange for indulgent breakfasts and delicious home-cooked meals to be delivered to your door.
Prices from £4,750 for 7 nights, £3,325 for 3 nights. Sleeps 12. Launching late May 2023. To book, visit www.crabtreeandcrabtree.com or call 01573 226711.
Margot’s Townhouse, Bradford-upon-Avon, Wiltshire
This sensitively restored 18th century former clothmaker’s house and workshop in Bradford-upon-Avon near Bath tells a story at every turn. Narrow, winding staircases, bare stone walls, vaulted ceilings and open fireplaces speak of the building’s past, while its elegant furnishings, well-considered materials and paired-back palette project a sense of calm and luxury. Suitable for babes-in-arms and children aged eight and above, this three-bedroomed house can also host a (well-behaved!) dog. We especially love the light-filled lush green kitchen that echoes the garden beyond.
Prices from £2,250 for 7 nights, £1,695 per short break. Sleeps 6. To book visit www.uniquehomestays.com or call 01637 881183
The Stalls, Wimborne St Giles, Dorset
A stay at this 17th century converted stable in the grounds of a 500-acre country estate in Dorset is sure to live long in the memory. Following a sensitive and award-winning restoration – think exposed brick, timber beams, stripped wooden floors and an abundance of original features – the stables can now host up to 16 people. Some beds are nestled among the original stall dividers and iron feeders with en-suite bathrooms on mezzanines above. Yet rest assured that all the modern comforts have been thought of here, including underfloor heating, kingsize beds and fluffy robes. There is also plenty of communal space, including a grand lounge with a billiards table and bar, rustic dining room and a garden where you can raise a toast around the fire pit.
Prices from £1,800 – £2,500 per night (minimum stay 2 nights). Sleeps 16. To book, visit kiphideaways.com
The Old Stout House, Rye, East Sussex
Built in the 1700s, this timber-framed black-clad building in the heart of pretty Rye was originally a public house – so hospitality is in its bones. Spread over four storeys, and framed by charmingly wonky floors and walls, this newly renovated home is brimming with colour and eclectic vintage treasures. Four bedrooms, a huge sitting room, atmospheric dining room (once the old pub scullery) and a beautiful decked garden strung with festoon lights make for a welcoming and sociable space packed with character.
Prices from £250 to £380 per night (minimum stay 2 – 4 nights). Sleeps 8. To book visit cabinsandcastles.co.uk or call 01730 239852.
Atlanta Trevone, near Padstow, Cornwall
Mere steps from a private beach and a natural bathing pool, this Victorian clifftop terrace built in 1899 is home to Atlanta Trevone; a collection of five beautifully designed holiday homes. If you can tear yourself away from the windows and one of the finest views in North Cornwall, the interiors are equally worthy of attention. Designed by the wonderful HÁM interiors, they are influenced by maritime history and folklore, taking their cue from the surrounding dramatic landscape. The homes vary in size; from Atlanta House and the Penthouse which both sleep eight, to The Net Loft – the newest addition to Atlanta – which sleeps four guests and a toddler and is available to book from July. This detached home boasts a statement timber-clad captain’s bed, an outdoor copper bath, a cinema room and a private courtyard.
Prices from £1,400 for 7 nights, £1,000 for short breaks, available off season. To book, visit www.atlantatrevonebay.com or call 01841 521175.
Daylesford Village, The Cotswolds, Gloucestershire
Tucked between the trees in the beautiful 2,500-acre Daylesford estate, this hamlet of 15 Cotswold cottages is steeped in history. Rebuilt in 1868 using stone from the local limestone quarries, the cottages are heavily influenced by the Tudor Gothic style and each self-contained home has its own distinct character. The beautifully soothing interiors and lush green views from every window, not to mention the electric AGAs and kitchens brimming with Daylesford Organic kitchenware, make these cottages truly dreamy homes from home. Ranging in size from the one-bed Wisteria Cottage to the spacious four-bed Old School House, multiple properties can be booked together and the whole village can even be booked on an exclusive basis.
Prices from £375 per night for Wisteria Cottage (sleeps 2), to £750 per night for Old School House (sleeps 8). Minimum 4-night stay. To book, visit thewildrabbit.co.uk or call 01608 658389.
Argyll Castle, Kilmartin, Argyll
Wonderfully original, this 16th century Scottish castle is a playful base for a spirited knees up with friends. This is about as far from a stuffy relic as you can get with interiors that will lift the mood and get you talking. Eclectic treasures such as the vintage neon sign from a bingo hall in Newcastle and the portrait of a bearded lady from a Parisian nightclub sit happily amid the thick stone walls and flagstone slabs. Inside you’ll find five double bedrooms, a grand dining hall, enormous lounge, well-appointed kitchen, even a whisky snug! While outside you can kick back around the sunken fire pit, explore the kitchen garden, fire up the pizza oven or take a dip in the wild swimming pond.
Prices from £1,000 – £1,200 per night (stays of 3,4 or 7 nights). Sleeps 10. To book, visit kiphideaways.com
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