The staycation has become this year’s essential way to get a bit of much-needed R&R – and with a wealth of quirky places to stay locally, many in the middle of nowhere, you won’t even need to drive all that far ...
The Dugout, Orcop Hill
A hand-made holiday let sitting beside the House on the Hill, Ed and Rowena Waghorn’s unique home, which enjoys the distinction of being the longest running project ever filmed by Grand Designs, with Kevin McCloud keeping an eye on progress over a decade.
Extensive views across three counties will transport you from the stress of day to day life to a peaceful place in the country.
A hand made bed, a bath tub with bookcases below and a wealth of funky design touches await visitors at The DugOut.
Treeopia – Vivianna and Eathelin
Built around a mature ash tree giving a unique and elevated living space that works with the tree’s architecture.
Vivianna and Eathelin are set in four acres of beautiful and tranquil English countryside, each treehouse sits overlooking its own lake, brooks and surrounding woodland, abundant with wildlife.
Both treehouses have an open plan living area with a well-equipped bespoke kitchen by John Beavan, a renowned cabinet maker, bathrooms and bedrooms with super king divans, giving luxurious interior comfort, while outside there is a bbq/fire pit area for the outback cooks and lifestylers, you can lie back and relax in your own private hot tub and enjoy the surrounding wildlife or take a woodland walk with a picnic and relish the countryside
The Wagon Above the World, Orcop
The clue’s in the name - the wagon sits on a hilltop in front of a view of the Black Mountains you have to see to believe.
You can enjoy it any way you like, from sitting on the log seats or lazing in the hammock and deck chairs, to pulling the cover off the hot tub sunk into the deck and sliding into the steaming water.
Owners Isabelle and Alasdair have taken every care to preserve the glamour of the 50s wagon in the chandeliers, copper plate behind the wood-burner and burnished wood feel of the interior while adding a comfortable double bed and a more modern kitchen. Canopyandstars.co.uk
Green Lane Carriage, Eardisley
A vintage Victorian railway carriage renovated to a very high standard. Step back in time and enjoy this delightful holiday home nestling in the heart of the Herefordshire countryside, with lovely views towards the Black Mountains.
The carriage sleeps two adults and two children can be added in bunk beds.
Hiraeth, Blakemere
Come celebrate life and colour in a fabulously creative barn with a hot tub, a bicycle sink and plenty of charm.
This is upcycling like you’ve never seen it before, including the use of an actual cycle and an inverted antique bathtub, the latter used to make the hood over the oven.
The drawer and cupboard handles are made from old cutlery, there’s a carpenter’s workbench in the kitchen, another bathroom looks like a train carriage and even the cleaning closet is a vintage wardrobe.
The kitchen and bathrooms are all well-equipped and every inch of the space has been finished with a light-hearted, colourful charm. Canopyandstars.co.uk
Hedgehog Hall, Kingsland
One-of-a-kind, tubular pod, Hedgehog Hall is a joyful fusion of Nordic style, rustic country living and a completely unique creativity.
The beautifully carved doors unfold to reveal a space of pale wood and soft-toned fabrics lit up by the curved triangular window and warmed by the tall flue of the wood-burner.
But the pod itself is just the centre of your private wilderness home. Stroll across the grass to the camp kitchen, sit out by the firepit, wander down the short track to the compost loo, all without leaving the privacy of your space among the trees.
Last, but by no means least, is the wood-fired hot tub next to the pod.
Majestic Bus
As seen on George Clarkes’ Amazing Spaces, Channel 4. Majestic is a four berth, beautifully converted 1960s bus providing a warm and light space with a wood burner and solar lighting.
There are wooden floors throughout,a hand built kitchen fitted with oak worktops, a gas cooker and fridge and a cosy sitting room area furnished with beautiful Roger Oates fabrics and rugs.
Outside is a private garden with a wooden deck and a firepit for outside cooking and relaxing.
A separate cabin with a toilet and shower with its own woodburner is a few yards away.
Gertie, Brampton Abbotts
Gertie, a rare Cheltenham Gnu, is the biggest and oldest of Jo and Sacha’s three caravans, and shares a wildflower meadow with her two smaller sisters, Darcy and Elsie, plus big brother Monty.
She’s looking great for her age, with beautifully preserved features, including the original handmade oak furniture and gas lamps.
Set in the heart of the Wye Valley, there are miles of footpaths and beautiful walks in all directions, with the River Wye itself just a 15 minute walk away.
Plas Bach, near Hay-on-Wye
From the outside, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Plas Bach (little palace in Welsh) belonged to an old-world local Welsh shepherd with its black tin exterior and stained boards.
Even inside, Plas Bach still has a traditional feel with a green painted vintage dresser and other vintage furnishings.
If you look closely though, it’s actually a state of the art example of modern eco living, designed and built with features like sheep’s wool insulation in the walls, recycled spun glass insulation beneath, and triple-glazed, argon-filled windows.
It’s also indulgently fitted with oodles of modern luxury, from a flat screen TV and wifi to a spacious wet room with quality toiletries.
Plas Bach also has its own gravelled courtyard and elegant box garden separating it from the main house.
Goji the Tree Tent
Suspended between two ash and an oak in the mature blue bell wood at the top of Brook House Woods, and bearing a marked resemblance to a goji berry, this tree tent has two single beds that fold up to make sofas during the day, a wood burner, desk and loads of storage under the beds.
The roof is entirely glass so you can lie in bed stargazing or head out to the deckchairs to breakfast overlooking the Malvern Hills. Goji has a private compost toilet, shower with a view of the woods and private kitchen.
As you ascend the handcrafted wooden stairway and step off the raised decking, you enter a cocoon hanging 10ft off the ground.
The extensive woodlands and meadows make for endless exploration and if the frontier spirit takes you, your host Will can give you a crash course in green woodwork.
Unique Tin Shed
This unique Tin Shed has been designed using sustainable and recycled materials. Featuring original art from local artists and filled with natural light.
It is lined with wood creating a warm and natural ambiance and it also has a wood burner.
A compact, well equipped kitchen, living space, ground floor bathroom with power shower and WC.
Upstairs is a generous bedroom with superking or twin beds, and beautiful views of rolling countryside from a picture window. Outside is a patio and fire pit. Airbnb.com
The Nest, Much Birch
The Nest is a cosy, airy newly refurbished self-contained eco-studio apartment in a peaceful, rural setting.
Own separate entrance and self check-in. Wood-burning stove and en-suite shower room.
There is a unique craftsman-built sleeping platform with double bed, extra sofa bed on ground floor. Free parking.
Lovely views of the gentle rolling Herefordshire countryside, with the River Wye at the end of the road. Peaceful garden space.
Why not book a course at on-site pottery (all-year-round.org.uk) for a creative break?
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