Revealed: the quirkiest places to stay in the UK

REVEALED: THE QUIRKIEST PLACES TO STAY IN THE UK

Research by South Western Railway reveals the most unique places to stay in the UK

• The Windmill in Suffolk receives the title for the most unique place to stay in the UK, followed by Cantick Head Lighthouse in Orkney Islands and Wolf Wood Treehouses in Devon
• The South West is home to seven of the top 20 quirky places to stay in the UK – that’s more than any other area
• The Alysham Windmill in Norfolk has been calculated to be the cheapest quirky overnight stay for one night, for those looking for something a little different on a budget

As overseas holiday destinations keep moving between red, amber, and green lists for travel, a staycation in the UK looks to be the best option this summer. While many may be dreaming of a holiday abroad right now, there are plenty of wonderfully unique places to stay right here in the UK with no need to get on a plane.

To find the ultimate staycation destination that is picture perfect and a little different to the usual, South Western Railway analysed over 2,600 listings on HostUnusual.com to reveal the quirkiest places to stay in the UK. Each listing was ranked based on the Google rating, the number of Google reviews and was given a ‘unique-ness’ score as decided by a panel of experts. The rail company also calculated the cost of each stay per night for comparisons.

The top 20 most unique places to stay in the UK are:

The Windmill in Suffolk has been crowned the most unique place to stay in the UK. In this adult-only getaway, visitors get the whole building to themselves. With the original blades of the windmill removed, this historic building has been restored with a modern twist. While it is the third most expensive stay in the top 20 at £325 per night, its unique charm and viewing balcony with magnificent views of the Suffolk countryside mean it’s one not to miss.

For a remote getaway, The Cantick Head Lighthouse Cottage on the Orkney Islands is the second quirkiest place to stay, according to the research. Set on a 115-foot cliff with nothing but the sea and scenery for miles, the active lighthouse offers a stunning landscape to escape the everyday hustle and bustle. While there is still wi-fi and TV for everyone’s home comforts, the site also boasts a hot tub and a sauna. What’s more – prices start from a reasonable £120 a night.

To reconnect with nature, the unusual stay that takes third place in the list is The Wolf Wood Treehouses in Devon. Surrounded by acres of woodland and nestled above the treetops, visitors can stay in their own secluded treehouse with a wood burner and an outdoor jacuzzi – perfect whatever the weather. Local footpaths lead to picturesque views of Dartmoor and a stream nearby leads to the River Wolf for some wildlife-spotting.

The most expensive stay calculated per night is The Beach House Smugglers Cove in Cornwall. For £550 per night, this luxurious eight-sleeper holiday home sits right on the beach. With the sand less than a stone’s throw away, this sunny retreat offers an outdoor fire pit and hot tub with sea views. Not only does this beach getaway offer four bedrooms and four bathrooms, but it also has a cinema den for cosy nights in.

On the other end of the scale, The Alysham Windmill in Norfolk is the cheapest at just £78 per night. This countryside escape used to be a working flour mill but has now been converted to a scenic holiday home that can sleep up to six people. Far away from the Majorcan beaches of traditional summer holidays, this stay boasts local walking routes, cycling trails and historic sights to explore.

Paul Bright, Head of Marketing at South Western Railways says, “The UK is home to so many beautiful towns and cities, we want to highlight the most unique places to stay for a staycation this year. It’s been an unusual year for us all so why not push the boat out with a quirky place to stay too? From Romani caravans, to windmills, to authentic American trailers, there’s so many more possibilities than a traditional hotel.

With several of these locations situated in the South West – such as Wolf Wood Treehouses in Bratton Clovelly and The Houseboat in Hamworthy – we’re pleased to be championing the unique stays local to our network and showcasing the impressive nature of our local businesses.”

Find more information about the most unique places to stay in the UK here.

Credit for Research: https://www.southwesternrailway.com/where-next/day-trips-and-breaks/quirkiest-places-to-stay