Stay in a Gin Distillery in London, Southeast England
Portobello Road Gin spans four floors, featuring a working distillery, a bar, a visitor centre, and hotel rooms, all styled after a Victorian gin palace.
- Stay in a Gin Distillery in London, Southeast England
- Beach Hut Stay in Devon, Southwest England
- Stargazing Retreat in Yorkshire, Northern England
- Stay in a Giant Pineapple in Scotland
- Sleep Next to Lions in London, Southeast England
- Seaside Lighthouse Stay in Wales
- Sleep in the Clouds in Suffolk, Eastern England
- Stay in a WWII Lookout Tower in the Channel Islands
- Shipwrecked Escape in Newquay, Southwest England
- Stay in a Converted Train Carriage in Yorkshire, Northern England
- Sleep in a Sea Fort off England’s South Coast
At the Resting Room pub, you can sample spirits served straight from barrels above the bar, while the gin itself is crafted in 400-litre stills in the basement. Join a tasting tour to discover everything about botanicals at the ‘Ginstitue,’ then unwind in one of the cosy hotel rooms after a day of sipping.
How to get to Portobello Road Gin: The hotel is a ten-minute walk from Ladbroke Grove underground station.
Beach Hut Stay in Devon, Southwest England
Experience the coastline to the fullest by spending the night in a classic beach hut at the Cary Arms, an exclusive property overlooking Babbacombe Bay in South Devon. Opened in June 2016, these charming white-and-blue cabins come with a private terrace and loungers, offering panoramic views along the coast from Devon to Dorset. Unique touches include Smeg fridges, porthole windows, and seaside rock candy.
How to reach Babbacombe Bay: About a four-hour drive from London. The nearest train station is in Torquay, ten minutes away by car.
Stargazing Retreat in Yorkshire, Northern England
Set between York and Beverley in Yorkshire, the North Star Club is a stunning woodland getaway inspired by American Great Camps. Across 200 hectares, just eight luxurious suites are nestled among the trees—each with two bedrooms (sleeping up to six), a wood-burning stove, rainforest shower, and freestanding bathtub. The romantic Star Suite features a rustic four-poster bed, copper tub, and sauna. Enjoy tea and homemade cake in the communal Woodshed lounge or relax by an indoor fire.
How to get to North Star Club: Forty-minute drive from York; the nearest rail station is Beverley, twenty minutes away by car.
Stay in a Giant Pineapple in Scotland
What better way to experience British eccentricity than sleeping in a giant pineapple-shaped house in the Scottish countryside? Built in the 18th century as a summer residence for the fourth Earl of Dunmore on his return from America, this quirky building now offers a two-bedroom retreat with a private garden. It is located near the protected village of Dunmore, between Falkirk and Stirling, and is managed by the National Trust for Scotland.
How to get there: Dunmore is a fifteen-minute drive from both Stirling and Falkirk, and less than an hour from Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Sleep Next to Lions in London, Southeast England
If you love animals and adventure, you can sleep close to the lions at ZSL London Zoo in safari-style cabins. Opened in May 2016, the Gir Lion Lodge consists of nine colourful cabins inspired by India’s Gir Forest, home to the lions. The stay includes breakfast, dinner, zoo entry, and exclusive tours such as sunset walks and torchlit excursions. Children under five are not allowed.
How to reach London Zoo: Located in Regent’s Park, a short walk from Camden Town.
Seaside Lighthouse Stay in Wales
On the tip of the Severn Estuary, just south of Newport, the West Usk Lighthouse is a beautifully restored, remote hideaway. Built in 1821, this lighthouse is wider than it is tall and features a central stone spiral staircase. Once used as a lookout in WWII, the lighthouse now promises breathtaking views of the Bristol Channel—especially at sunrise and sunset. This Grade II listed building offers four guest rooms, including one with a waterbed and another with a canopy bed, plus an outdoor hot tub.
How to reach West Usk Lighthouse: It’s a fifteen-minute drive from Newport, South Wales.
Sleep in the Clouds in Suffolk, Eastern England
The House in the Clouds, located on the Suffolk Heritage Coast between Aldeburgh and Southwold, was originally a water tower before being converted into an eccentric holiday home in the 1920s. Perfect for family escapes, it offers five bedrooms, three bathrooms, and several lounges—plus a unique room more than 21 metres high with panoramic views of the countryside and coastline. Younger guests will love the ping-pong table and private tennis court on the four-hectare estate.
How to reach House in the Clouds: About a 45-minute drive from Ipswich.
Stay in a WWII Lookout Tower in the Channel Islands
Built by German occupying forces as a WWII observation post, this unusual cliff-top accommodation overlooks the Le Corbière lighthouse, a 19th-century beacon on the southern tip of the Bailiwick of Jersey. The tower sleeps up to six in three bedrooms and is ideal for families or groups. Concrete steps wind through the estate, and a wooden spiral staircase leads to the observation deck for 360-degree views.
How to reach the Bailiwick of Jersey: About one hour by flight from London, four hours by ferry from Poole. The tower is a 15-minute drive from the capital, Saint Helier.
Shipwrecked Escape in Newquay, Southwest England
Ever dreamed of being stranded on a deserted island? Head to remote Newquay and stay at The Island, an elegant retreat perched above Towan Beach—accessed only by a private footbridge. Sleeping up to six with a kitchen area, this New England–inspired hideaway is ideal for parties thanks to its own bar, barbecue terrace, master suite with four-poster bed, and breathtaking Atlantic Ocean views all around.
How to reach Towan Beach: Just a two-minute walk from Newquay train station.
Stay in a Converted Train Carriage in Yorkshire, Northern England
The Old Station, at the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors, redefines sleeper cars. On the site of a former Forge Valley Line station, three first-class 1960s carriages have been transformed into self-catering units. These luxury conversions, set in an almost one-hectare estate, retain their original seats and tables but now offer central heating and kitchenettes. Each carriage has its own picnic table and barbecue, and guests are free to explore the grounds.
How to reach The Old Station: A 40-minute drive from York, 25 minutes from Scarborough.
Sleep in a Sea Fort off England’s South Coast
Built between 1856 and 1880 to protect England’s southern coast, No Man’s Fort is now a luxury hotel set in the centre of the Solent channel. Opened in 2015, this unique fortress hotel features 22 nautically themed rooms, rooftop hot tubs, a champagne bar, a French restaurant, and even a driving range for hitting biodegradable balls into the sea. For sweeping 360-degree views, climb to the lighthouse and look out across Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight. There’s also a helipad for dramatic arrivals.
How to reach No Man’s Fort: A small ferry connects the fort with Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth.
