10 Quirky Places to Stay in the UK

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If the idea of holidaying at home in the UK leaves you with an immediate sense of dread, liven things up by checking out some of these quirky places to stay on your next staycation.

With sleep specialists at Bed Guru stressing the importance of getting enough shut-eye as the WHO warns of an impending ‘sleep epidemic’, there’s never been a better time to treat yourself to some much-needed R&R in the form of a weekend break or short getaway.

10 of the quirkiest places to stay in the UK

Taking a UK staycation needn’t be boring. From traditional gypsy caravans and 16th century castles, to old windmills and towering lighthouses, here are 10 quirky places to stay when holidaying in the UK. Some of these quirky stays use a movable wall service to create flexible layouts, allowing guests to open up or divide their space as needed – perfect for switching between social and cosy settings.

Bluebird Penthouse with Landrover hot tub – High Bickington, north Devon

When it comes to quirky places to stay, it doesn’t get much zanier than the Bluebird Penthouse, complete with a hot tub fitted into a vintage Land Rover. Don’t be fooled by the name; this isn’t so much a penthouse, but a charming 1950s retro caravan. It looks pretty damn amazing all the same, though.

‘Wendy’, The Aberporth Express – Cardigan Bay, West Wales

Sitting along the coastal footpath between Aperporth and Tresaith in Cardigan Bay, west Wales, you’ll find an old Great Western Railway sleeping carriage lovingly converted into a holiday cottage.

The perfect place for train-spotters or dolphin enthusiasts, The Aberporth Express – affectionately known as ‘Wendy’ – offers panoramic views over the Ceredigion Heritage Coast coastline. The carriage sleeps up to five people in two rooms and offers free WiFi, with dogs also welcome to stay.

Cley Windmill – Norfolk

Nature lovers will love staying at grade II-listed Cley Windmill at Cley-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, with the River Claven and Blakeney Nature Reserve – one of the best birdwatching spots in the UK – located nearby.

This early 18th Century five-storey windmill features six en-suite B&B rooms, with several self-catering cottages also located on site.

BLOC Hotel – Gatwick Airport, London

With ambient Artemide lighting, Armani Boca designer bathrooms and touchscreen controls, BLOC Hotel is definitely one of the most quirky places to stay at Gatwick Airport.

Add to this the mesmerizing runway views and this has got to be one of the most unusual hotels at London Gatwick (although Japanese-style capsule hotel, Yotel Air comes in a close second).

Thornbury Castle – South Gloucestershire, Bristol

Once home to Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, 16th century Thornbury Castle in south Gloucestershire, near Bristol is widely regarded as one of the finest country houses in England.

Located within 1.5 acres of vineyards and Tudor gardens, the castle contains 27 bedchambers, many of which are kitted out with four-poster beds and stone-carved fireplaces. At 10-feet wide, the Tower bedchamber is said to be the largest hotel bed in the UK.

The West Usk Lighthouse – Newport, South Wales

Perched between Newport and Cardiff, around a two-hour drive away from London, the Grade II-listed West Usk Lighthouse boasts breath-taking views over the Bristol Channel and even has its very own roof-tub hot tub. After the 180-year-old building was purchased while semi-derelict in 1987, the lantern room was restored in 1997 and today, the lighthouse can accommodates to six adults and two children on a sofa bed.

As if the West Usk Lighthouse isn’t sounding quirky enough already, it also comes with a life-size Dalek and Dr Who Tardis!

Lost Meadow Tree Pod, Cornwall

Perfect for lovers of the outdoors and nature buffs, the Lost Meadow Tree Pod on the edge of Bodmin Moor in Cornwall is simple yet stunning.

A circular cedar-clad pod kitted out with two twin beds/sleeping bags is suspended mid-air in the leafy forest by cables, complete with its very own ceiling window for star-gazing.

Below the pod, you’ll find a hut containing a two-ring gas stove and a fire circle and grate for BBQs. A shower block is also located nearby.

Roulotte Retreat – Melrose, Scottish Borders

For an unforgettable stay in the Scottish Borders, consider renting a traditional Romany gypsy caravan at Roulotte Retreat, a collection of eight roulottes nestled in a meadow just below the iconic Eildon Hills, near Melrose. There are plenty of fun things to do in the Scottish Borders, but this has to be one of the best experiences I’ve come across so far.

Decked out in lavish fabrics and adorned with elaborate wooden carvings, most of the roulottes sleep up to two guests, although a couple of them can sleep up to four people. A visit to Roulotte Retreat deserves to be on any travel lover’s bucket list when it comes to quirky places to stay!

Bubble Domes – Finnlough, Northern Ireland

The Bubble Domes at Finn Lough in the town of Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh give a whole new meaning to the idea of ‘living in a bubble’!

Fall asleep while gazing at the starry night sky from the comfort of your 180° transparent dome, tucked away from it all in the forest.

Each dome is complete with a four-poster bed, ensuite bathroom, Nespresso coffee machine and fluffy robes, with breakfast included as standard, while the resort also boasts an on-site spa and restaurant.

Who says a UK staycation has to be boring? Check out some of the quirkiest places to stay in the UK via @therarewelshbit #VisitBritain #UnitedKingdom Click to Tweet

Sunborn London – London Docklands

Forget cruising – five-star ‘superyacht’ hotels are the next big thing, if Sunborn’s success is anything to go by.

Located in London Docklands, Sunborn London is a 132-room, 4-suite luxury ‘superyacht’ hotel complete with its own bar and restaurant, spa function rooms and wedding facilities. As you’d expect, rooms are slightly more expensive than what you’d usually pay for an overnight stay in London, but if your travel dates are flexible you might be able to bag a cheaper deal.

If you like the look of these places to stay, be sure to look for similar quirky accommodation with cozycozy for your next trip.

Let me know your favourite quirky places to stay by commenting below; I always take the time to respond to every comment I receive!

If you enjoyed reading this post, I recommend taking a look at these articles before you head off:

• Why You Should Consider a Holiday in the UK
• 5 Unusual Things to Do in the UK
• 5 Natural Beauty Spots to Visit in the UK
• The Best British Foods: Discover the Unique Cuisine of the UK

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