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The loveliest remote hotels, huts and castles in the UK for a road trip
Staying in the UK this summer? There are ample opportunities to take in the wonderful landscapes, diverse wildlife and striking coastlines with a UK 'staycation'. The UK has always been a hub of wonderful holiday opportunities. In the 1950s, seaside spots became known as a fun-filled family vacation destinations, perfumed with fresh fish and chips and lit up by lively arcades. At that time only around 2% of Brits holidayed outside of the UK. More affordable and accessible flight travel meant European holidays became popular from the 1960s and 70s onwards. But in recent years, with a focus on local, we've seen a significant return to the UK ‘staycation.’
Seaside holidays remain popular, and the Kent coastline and certain parts of Cornwall are often heaving on hot summer days. City breaks aren't hard to come by either, whether London's calling or the up-and-coming art scene of Glasgow is more ‘you.’
But what about those of us who are looking for more secluded spots to retreat to? Whether up peaty hills, down dusty tracks, nestled in a quaint far-flung village or isolated in a spectacular valley, there are plenty of beautiful houses, hotels, huts and castles available for the introverted holiday-goer. From a secluded Scottish hideaway on the banks of Cally Loch to a Balancing Barn in Suffolk, here's a guide to the best places to hike the hills or hideaway with a book.
1/17Marhamchurch, Cornwall
This secluded holiday home sits amongst two-hundred-year-old oak trees in the Cornish countryside. The coastal town of Bude is an hour’s walk down a beautiful canal for those looking to stretch their legs, but you can happily spend a weekend in the cosy cottage too. Inside, there's a cosy open fire in the living room and a roll-top bathtub in the bathroom. Outside, guests can spend their evening sipping wine on the rocking chairs on the private patio or having a soak in the spacious hot tub. Prices from £227 a night; Moonshine Era Liquor Shack
Airbnb2/17Boutique Cottage Argyll, Furnace
This cottage, featured as one of our best Airbnbs in Scotland, is how to do a rustic retreat in style. Looking out over Loch Fyne – the views are best enjoyed from the outdoor hot tub, terrace or roll top bath – Ploughman’s Cottage has sympathetic interiors that give a country feel but ample space, with a vast bedroom and bathroom, as well as generous living spaces. It’s a real find. Prices from £225 per night; Boutique Cottage for Two in Argyll
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Traquair House, Peeblesshire
Dating back to 1107, Traquair House in Peeblesshire makes claims to be the oldest house in Scotland. It was taken over by the royal house of Stuart in the 1490s, who used it as their hunting lodge. Although converted into a BnB, it is still in part occupied by descendants of the Stuart Maxwell lineage. Traquair’s storybook good looks – it was built as a fortified mansion – make it a worthwhile day destination. Yet if that doesn’t feel like enough history, then consider reserving a room. The charmingly titled Pink, Blue and White Rooms are tastefully chintzy. With a view over the garden maze, the former is where Lord Traquair slept – although whether he painted the walls pink is another question. Prices from
£175 for a single room; Traquair House 
Alexander James4/17Cabins by HÁM Interiors, Cove Valley
Hopi, Ukai and Chatan, three self sufficient, luxury lodgings buried in the Devon Hills, each packed full of space-saving design tricks. Dreamed up by the Cove Valley team, the cabins were built to provide a base from which guests could explore some of their 300-acre rewilding site, where beavers beaver away and deer roam freely. After a fortuitous meeting during a cold water retreat on an estate in the Scottish Highlands, Tom Cox of HÁM Interiors was called upon to bring the dream to life. Prices from £500 for a two night stay; covevalley.co.uk
Finn Beales, Alexander Baxter5/17Secluded Scottish hideaway, Cally Loch
Five smart new cabins, carefully designed to blend in with their wooded location on the Atholl Estates in Perthshire, make a stylish base from which to explore the meandering rivers, trails and towns of this historic Scottish region. Prices for a one-night stay in a one-bedroom woodland cabin from £175 and one night in a two-bedroom luxury eco cabin from £200; atholl-estates.co.uk
Lee Searle6/17Thornbury Castle, Gloucestershire
Thornbury Castle in Gloucestershire’s handsome façade is matched by its impressive curriculum vitae. The Tudor castle was built as a residence for Edward Stafford in 1511, a rival of King Henry VIII. The monarch did not appreciate Stafford’s display of wealth, and in response, beheaded him for treason and took the castle for himself. In 1535, King Henry is supposed to have come here with Anne Boleyn on a (romantic) ten-day break. The Howard family took over the castle in the early 19th century when it fell into disrepair, and now a member of the Relais & Châteaux luxury group, the Castle is an atmospheric hotel that combines contemporary conveniences with courtly detailing – look out for the Tudor roses on the carpets, or, if you’re feeling brave, the ghost that allegedly haunts the massage room. Prices from £299 for a double room; Thornbury Castle - A Relais & Chateaux Hotel
7/17Aldourie Castle, Loch Ness
Aldourie Castle is, quite simply, glorious. It's a crenellated beauty, full of sumptuously-decorated bedrooms, living rooms and some of the nicest bathrooms you're likely to languish in. It has been incredibly well preserved and the decoration befits its history and status, plus it's large enough to sleep 24 guests and there are plentiful activities you can arrange for your stay, from fishing and shooting, to archery and canoeing on Loch Ness itself. There are no monsters here, simply wonderful interiors and grounds. POA; aldouriecastle.co.uk
8/17Balancing Barn, Suffolk
Taking a break from the traditional cottage vernacular, Balancing Barn in Suffolk offers solitude and contemporary architecture combined. Designed by Dutch architectural practice, MVRDV, this extended 15-metre long, cabin-style house, clad with reflective steel tiles, cantilevers over the landscape. Interiors are pared-back and elegant offering four en-suite bedrooms while panoramic windows capture the view across six acres of private garden which, in turn, are surrounded by a further 138 acres of Suffolk Wildlife Trust Land.; Aldeburgh, Walberswick and the coast are a short drive away.
Prices from £1,100 for four nights; living-architecture.co.uk
9/17Blagdon Lower Barn, Dorset
On the ridge behind Blagdon Lower Barn stands the monument to Thomas Hardy – not the author but the celebrated Vice-Admiral from the Battle of Trafalgar. From here are far reaching views of the Dorset coast – including the six-mile stretch of Chesil Beach - and a rolling landscape of rural farmland in the midst of which sits this secluded barn, accessed by a long track from the main road connecting to the nearest village of Martinstown. The barn sleeps six, has a large garden and network of footpaths right on the doorstep.
From £850 for a minimum three-night stay; ruralretreats.co.uk
10/17Frenchman’s Creek, Cornwall
Frenchman’s Creek is not just a famous novel, it’s also a secluded cottage owned by The Landmark Trust, the conservation charity that restores castles, forts, towers and cottages for self-catering holidays. This cottage, tucked away in woodlands at the head of creek where it merges with the Helford River in Cornwall, sleeps four and offers full immersion into nature. Walk through the woods, hire a boat or tuck up with Daphne du Maurier in peaceful isolation.
From £304 for a four night stay; landmarktrust.org.uk
11/17The Beach Hut, Devon
Park the car at Carswell Farm, walk 15 minutes down a steep cliff path and you’ll find yourselves at The Beach Hut, a truly secluded retreat nestled into the rocks of a tiny South Devon cove. The hut sleeps two and comes with a fire pit, a wood-fired hot tub and hammock chairs from which to drink in the seascape. Hampers can be ordered in advance from the local farm shop if the uphill climb seems too much of a bother; otherwise swim and walk to your heart’s content in blissful isolation.
From £348 per night; canopyandstars.co.uk; 0117 204 7830
12/17The Little Barn, North Yorkshire
Like several properties listed here, The Little Barn in the moorlands of North Yorkshire, has no mobile signal or wifi, but that’s part of the point in seeking out remote hideaways. The cottage has been converted from an old, single-storey agricultural building and has a well-designed interior with plenty of creature comforts and a small garden and terrace. The walking is spectacular or take a bike to explore the surrounding countryside. The cottage sleeps two.
From £95 per night for a minimum two-night stay; coolstays.com
13/17The Snuggery, Kent
Small and sweet is how you might describe The Snuggery, a tiny retreat for two down a farm track in deepest rural Kent. The cottage is surrounded by lawns and fruit trees, and the North Downs Way, for wonderful walking, runs right past the front gate. The only other house nearby belongs to the owner, who provides logs for the wood burner and lets guests help themselves from her veg patch. Local shops are a mile away.
From £120 per night; sawdays.co.uk; 07834 077960
14/17The Wilds, Powys, Wales
Deep within the Black Mountains and at the end of a long lane, The Wilds is a traditional Welsh farmhouse with accommodation for up to 12 guests divided between the main house and a barn conversion in the courtyard. As an ideal spot for a multi-generational family reunion, the property comes with a sunny conservatory, a hot tub, an outdoor pizza oven and spectacular views of mountains and valleys. The small town of Crickhowell is a short drive away.
From £2,250 per week (short breaks available, too); uniquehomestays.com; 01637 355777
15/17Isle of Skye Retreat, Skye, Scotland
Kip Hideaways (which requires a £10 annual membership for bookings) has just 60 holiday homes on its books, each personally vetted. Few retreats come more remote than this former crofters cottage on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, which sleeps two and is a hop, skip and a jump from Camastianavig Bay. The surrounding landscape is wild and rugged, perfectly counterbalanced by Scandi-style, minimalist interiors – think whitewashed walls, pale grey panelling and a woodburning stove to cosy up to.
From £100 per night; kiphideaways.com
16/17Eilean Shona, Argyll, Scotland
Eilean Shona, a privately-owned tidal island at the entrance to Loch Moidart on the west coast of Scotland, styles itself as ‘Neverland Found’. And in many ways, this is just what it is. Days of camp fires, fishing, wild swimming and hiking in a picture-perfect, car-free wilderness. There are eight self-catering cottages sleeping between two and eight guests, and the main house which sleeps 16. All have been exquisitely decorated. Four-bedroom Tioram Cottage, shown here, has stunning views of the loch and its own private bay area.
Cottages from £750-£1600 per week; eileanshona.com; 01967 431 249
17/17Woodlands Cottage, West Sussex
The National Trust has more than 400 cottages to rent throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland, all affiliated to the houses, gardens, countryside and coastline which the charity owns and protects. At Woodlands Cottage in West Sussex, you’d be hard pushed to know that London was barely more than an hour away. This two-bedroom former game keeper’s cottage, reached via a half-mile single track, sits deep in woodland near the beautiful gardens and ruined house of Nymans.
£680 for a minimum three-night stay; national.trust.org.uk
