When you plan your trip to the UK, where you stay can be just as memorable as what you see.
After five years of living here and traveling extensively around the country, I’ve found that some of my favorite trips came down to how much I loved the place I stayed. After all, with so many incredible things to see, why wouldn’t you want to start from the moment you wake up?
From castle hotels and countryside estates to treehouses and even a home to wild wallabies, I’ve pulled together some of the most unique and unusual places to stay in the UK that go far beyond the standard hotel room.
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Know Before You Go: Unique UK Stays
✈️ Hotel Booking: I rely on Booking.com to find the best and quirkiest places to stay in the UK.
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🚆 Train Booking: Check train routes, ticket prices, and get your tickets directly through Omio.
Unique City Stays in the UK
When I’m helping plan a UK vacation, cities are always on the agenda. But exploring a city like London or Edinburgh doesn’t mean you have to settle for a boring beige hotel. These city stays will make sure your accommodations are as memorable as the rest of your trip.
The Royal Horseguards Hotel
👉 Best for: First-time London visitors who want to embrace British charm
Set in a grand Victorian building right on the Thames, this is one of those rare London hotels that actually feels British.
The Royal Horseguards Hotel offers historic charm from the moment you step in the door. It’s also perfectly located for exploring major London tourist sights, making it an easy choice if you want something both unique and convenient.
↳ Book your stay at the Royal Horseguards Hotel
Treehouse Hotel London
👉 Best for: Creatives looking for a fun, design-led stay
Treehouse Hotel London is within an easy walk of Oxford Circus and Soho, right on the edge of Marylebone and Fitzrovia. This is already a great central London neighborhood for first-time visitors, but inside you’ll also find a treehouse-inspired design in the heart of the city.
With cozy, nature-inspired interiors and panoramic city views, it’s one of the most distinctive places to stay in the capital. I particularly like this option for when you’re tired of traditional hotel aesthetics but still want top hotel amenities.
↳ Book your stay at Treehouse Hotel London
Fingal Hotel
👉 Best for: A one-of-a-kind stay you wouldn’t expect in a city
For something truly unforgettable, you can actually stay on a luxury floating hotel just outside Edinburgh.
Travel Tip: While not located in central Edinburgh, it would still be easy to follow my 2 day Edinburgh itinerary from here.
Housed in a former lighthouse ship, Fingal Hotel combines maritime history with elegant, art deco interiors. It’s docked in Leith, just outside the city center, and offers a completely different experience from a standard hotel stay.
↳ Book your stay at Fingal Hotel
Middletons
👉 Best for: Setting the scene in one of the UK’s most atmospheric cities
Located in the heart of York, Middletons is a collection of historic buildings arranged around a peaceful courtyard garden. The hotel is charming and just outside York’s famous medieval city walls. From here you can easily follow my 2 days in York itinerary to see all of the best sights.
Travel Tip: You can add a stay in York to my 7 day London and Edinburgh itinerary by simply breaking your train journey when you reach York train station. Trains from London to Edinburgh all stop here.
Middletons is also a great example of a stay that is unique without being over-the-top expensive.
↳ Book your stay at Middletons
Castle Stays in the UK
Who doesn’t immediately think about staying in a castle when visiting the United Kingdom? These spots don’t skimp on the turrets.
Amberley Castle
👉 Best for: A classic castle stay that’s easy to reach from London
Amberley Castle dates back over 900 years and still retains many of its original features, including a portcullis and stone walls. Inside, the rooms also look historic, while maintaining modern comfort. A stay here gives a castle atmosphere without any drafty windows.
The castle’s location in the South Downs is also a major draw. It’s perfect for taking walks in this stunning national park. If you want to double down on castle time, you’ll be close to my favorite castle day trip from London in Arundel.
↳ Book your stay at Amberley Castle
This is the easiest castle stay to add to a London visit, as it’s only a bit more than an hour away by train.
Travel Tip: Pre-book a taxi from the train station if you want to enjoy this castle stay without any driving. Amberley station is small and does not have a taxi rank on site.
Thornbury Castle
👉 Best for: History lovers and visitors that want to focus their UK visit on England
Thornbury Castle is best known for once hosting Henry VIII and still maintains plenty of Tudor charm. Today, the hotel offers four-poster beds and the type of scenery that makes its popularity as a wedding venue a no-brainer.
The castle is located just north of Bristol, making it a good addition to an England itinerary that spends some time in nearby Bath or the Cotswolds. You can reach it in around 2- 2.5 hours from London by car.
↳ Book your stay at Thornbury Castle
Tregenna Castle
👉 Best for: A relaxed coastal escape with a castle twist
A castle overlooking the Cornish coast? Yes, please.
Tregenna Castle is surrounded by acres of gardens and woodlands, perfect for a relaxing stroll. Wander a bit farther and you will find yourself at one of Cornwall’s gorgeous beaches.
If you don’t fancy leaving, you can find plenty to do at the castle. Try one of the many on-site amenities or on-site dining. The castle is also ideally located for exploring St. Ives and the surrounding coastline.
In addition to castle hotel rooms, the expansive grounds host self catering apartments and cottages that are large enough to host group trips or families.
↳ Book your stay at Tregenna Castle
Bovey Castle
👉 Best for: A splurge-worthy countryside retreat
Set within Dartmoor National Park, Bovey Castle is a luxury countryside estate that could be straight out of a period drama. In fact, it’s been helping city dwellers escape the hustle for nearly a century. Great Western Railway opened it as a hotel and golf resort in 1930.
The castle grounds are a massive 275 acres, so you are all set for English countryside walks without ever leaving the hotel. With on-site activities like falconry, archery, and spa treatments, you really don’t need to leave at all.
↳ Book your stay at Bovey Castle
UK Countryside & Nature Escapes
Whether your perfect picture of a UK countryside escape features storybook Cotswold villages or wild Scottish hills, these stays will place you right in the daydream. Keep your eyes open though, as you never know what kind of surprises the forest might hold.
The Fish Hotel
👉 Best for: Romantic getaways in the countryside
If you’ve ever dreamed of staying in a treehouse in the English countryside, this is the place.
The Fish Hotel offers a collection of three treehouses tucked into the Cotswolds landscape, many with outdoor bathtubs and sweeping views.
The hotel also has a range of romantic rooms across the property’s stables and coach house. It’s peaceful, romantic, and just far enough from London to feel like a true country escape.
↳ Book your stay at The Fish Hotel
Leonardslee House
👉 Best for: A unique countryside stay with a twist
Set inside the beautiful Leonardslee Gardens, this manor house hotel has a quirky secret. You might think it’s the contemporary sculpture art dotted through the gardens, but it’s actually the wallabies.
Yes, really. Leonardslee is home to a colony of wallabies that trace their roots to a long ago gift to the local landowner. Turns out wallabies can thrive in West Sussex.
In addition to breeding pairs you can visit in the gardens, there are an unknown number of wild wallabies that wander the surrounding countryside. I’ve spotted them myself and it is indeed surreal and a bit magical when you come across them.
Leonardslee House is peaceful, a little eccentric, and a great choice if you want a countryside escape that’s anything but ordinary.
↳ Book your stay at Leonardslee House
Schloss Roxburghe
👉 Best for: A romantic Scottish countryside escape
Sounds German, but this 5-star countryside manor estate is actually located in the borders area of Scotland. The manor house holds traditionally decorated hotel rooms, or you can book one of the cottages on the estate for more space.
Schloss Roxburghe is a whole resort experience, with on-site dining, spa, golf, and many more activities available. I think a stay here would make an incredible Scottish romantic escape. For such an incredible space, this one can be surprisingly affordable too.
↳ Book your stay at Schloss Roxburghe
Coastal Stays
It’s a mistake to overlook the UK coastline. While heading to the beach isn’t often top of the must-do tourist lists, locals know that seaside escapes can provide a healing break after exploring the cities. These two stays are perfect whether you want an all-out resort near some of the UK’s most beautiful beaches or a cozy boutique in a quaint seaside village.
St. Moritz Hotel
👉 Best for: A perfect Cornwall getaway base
St. Moritz Hotel is set on Cornwall’s beautiful north coast with sweeping views and beach access a short walk away. If you want to plan a Cornwall trip into your UK itinerary without changing hotels every day, this would be a great base.
From here, you can explore the home of the King Arthur legend at Tintagel Castle, or grab a bite in the foodie heaven of Padstow.
The hotel itself is a full resort, with indoor and outdoor pools, an on-site spa, and a wide range of daily activities. There are also multiple dining options at the resort, so you can take a full day off touring to enjoy the resort’s offerings and stunning surroundings.
↳ Book your stay at St. Moritz Hotel
The Rose
👉 Best for: A low-key coastal escape within easy reach of London
If your idea of a seaside escape involves a stylish boutique hotel (and a good restaurant downstairs), then The Rose is one to know.
Located in the charming coastal town of Deal, The Rose is well-kept without feeling fussy. It’s a perfect little bolthole for when you want to hop off the tourist track and stay somewhere more homely.
Deal itself is a bit of a hidden gem, with a long pebble beach, a historic pier, and an easygoing atmosphere that makes it perfect for slowing down after time in London.
And the best part? You can get here in about 90 minutes from the city, which makes it an incredibly easy add-on to a London itinerary.
The Most Unique & Unusual Stays in the UK
Now we’re getting into our most quirky options. If you want to stay somewhere that’s the first thing you describe when telling friends back home about your trip, these are the places to consider.
The Boathouse London
👉 Best for: A quirky way to pair adventurous lodging with central London
If you’ve ever walked along London’s Little Venice canals and thought, “could you actually live on one of those?”, this is your chance to find out.
Parked in a quiet cove not far from Paddington station, The Boathouse is indeed a canal boat that’s been fitted with the modern conveniences you need for a stay that’s as comfortable as it is quirky. Book early as this place is truly a one and only.
↳ Book your stay at The Boathouse
The Isle of Eriska
👉 Best for: A remote and romantic stay that is unlike anywhere else
If you’ve ever wanted to stay on your own private island, this is about as close as it gets in the UK.
The Isle of Eriska is a small island off Scotland’s west coast, owned and occupied by a luxury hotel that is surrounded by the island’s wild landscapes and sea views.
While it is an island, you reach the hotel by crossing a bridge from the mainland. The easily seasick will be relieved to hear that no boat journey is required to get here.
↳ Book your stay at the Isle of Eriska
Bodmin Jail Hotel
👉 Best for: A one-of-a-kind stay with a bit of creepy history
We’ve saved the weirdest for last. Set inside a former 18th-century prison, Bodmin Jail Hotel is now a surprisingly luxurious place to stay. The original stone walls remain, but rooms have been created by combining former cells so it’s not as claustrophobic as you might expect.
The hotel leans into its past just enough to make the experience interesting (and yes, a little eerie), without sacrificing comfort.
↳ Book your stay at Bodmin Jail Hotel
More Unique Places to Stay in the UK
If you’re looking for even more unusual accommodation in the UK, a few other ideas to explore include:
- A lighthouse stay along the coast
- A glamping dome in the countryside
- A shepherd’s hut or farm stay for a rural escape
- A converted chapel
Choosing the Right Unique Stay
One of the best things about traveling in the UK is the sheer variety of places you can stay.
Whether you’re looking for:
- a romantic countryside escape
- a historic castle experience
- or something one-of-a-kind like a floating hotel or wallaby garden
…there’s truly something for every type of trip.
If you’re planning your itinerary, I’d recommend choosing at least one standout stay like this to sprinkle in your trip. A memorable place to stay often ends up being the part you remember most.
Planning Your Trip Next?
If you’re building out your UK itinerary, these guides will help:
- One perfect week in London itinerary
- A 7-day Scotland itinerary starting from Edinburgh
- A guide to visiting Cornwall in any season
- 25 unique things to do in London
- Best day trips from London
- Best day trips from Edinburgh
Save This for Later
Planning a UK trip? Save this post so you can come back when you’re ready to book. Keep in mind that these places tend to fill up quickly, especially in spring and summer.
