Mr & Mrs Smith
Mr & Mrs Smith have been tipping luxury travel lovers off to the best places to stay in the UK for the last 16 years. The site offers not only brilliant, on-the-point reviews of under-the-radar boutique hotels but also the smartest ‘big country houses’. If you book through the Mr & Mrs Smith site, you’ll also get ‘Smith Extras’ on arrival such as a picnic lunch, champagne or spa treatments, on the house.
Sawdays
Bristol-based Sawdays have 25 years experience of curating the very best British getaways under their belt – and what a selection. They offer everything from elegant city-centre Edinburgh apartments to wind-swept Cornish cottages for two and Cotswolds farmhouses for multi-generation getaways. What they all have in common is quirky, charming interiors in beautiful historic buildings. You’ll want to move in for good.
Cornish Horizons
Cornwall is the number two destination for us Brits when we’re booking a Staycation (the Lake District just pipped it to the post). For the most comprehensive portfolio of Cornish holiday cottages and unparalleled local knowledge of the South West county, Cornish Horizons have got you covered. With brilliant travel guides and a great mix of cosy fisherman’s cottages in seaside towns, to country retreats with space for all the family. You may be able to get to the Caribbean quicker than Cornwall in the school holidays but for the beaches, pasties and sea air – nothing beats it.
Dorset Coastal Cottages
If Cornwall is too far a jaunt and you’re looking for somewhere under three hours from London, Dorset Coastal Cottages offer a wide selection of characterful, self-catering cottages by the sea. From iconic Durdle Door to West Bay (one for Broadchurch fans) and foodie haven, Lyme Regis – sea views are guaranteed.
National Trust Holidays
Want to play lord of the manor for the weekend,without the hefty maintenance bill? Why not book into one of the National Trust’s self-catering cottages. What they lack in ‘frills’ they make up for in location, history and show-stopping beauty. A slice of English history, all of your very own.
Boutique Retreats
Want the feel of a boutique hotel but the privacy of self-catering accommodation? Look no further than Boutique Retreats. Imagine borrowing the country home of a generous friend with immaculate taste and you get the idea of the calibre of the 172 UK properties on their books. The crème de la crème of UK retreats.
Pets Pyjamas
Pets Pyjamas takes the hassle out of pet-friendly travel with their edit of the best accommodation for you and your pooch. You’d be forgiven for thinking you’d have to compromise on luxury with your pet in tow. Not so! From luxury manor house hotels and smart self-catering digs to choose from, they even share the best local walkies too.
Baby-friendly Boltholes
Sometimes it feels like travelling with under fives is a bit like moving a car-full of your possessions from one end of the country to the other and just doing your daily routine in someone else’s house. You might be right but if you book through Baby Friendly Boltholes, at least you can leave most the ‘baby paraphernalia’ at home. Their properties are designed for families, so you can expect toys, ‘baby-proofing’ and crucially, blackout blinds for that all elusive holiday lie-in.
Cool Camping
Want an escape under canvas? Check out Cool Camping’s listings for not just campsites but tipis, yurts and even campervan hire, too. We love the idea of a Shepherd’s Hut for two in Somerset, or taking off in a vintage VW van on a roadtrip of the British Isles. There are wild camping spots and even treehouses to choose from, too. If you’re looking for a break with a difference, look no further.
Oliver’s Travels
Oliver’s Travels have cornered the market in smart, family-friendly holiday accommodation – with a top-notch concierge service to match. We love the team’s honest, first-hand experience reviews on each property. It’s perfect if you are looking to rent somewhere for a ‘big celebration’ as there are large modern, architectural masterpieces and rambling rectories to choose from.
By Lydia Mansi
May 2019
Like this? You may like this:
Ten of the best treehouses in the UK
Ten best Architectural designed places to stay in the UK
Gorgeous Cottages: Book the best boltholes in Yorkshire