Discover the top self-catering properties to visit in the UK this season from breathtaking countryside retreats to opulent city-centre apartments, these unique accommodations offer the perfect blend of comfort and convenience. Say goodbye to cramped hotel rooms and hello to your own private kitchen and dining area. Whether you’re seeking a romantic getaway or fun-filled family staycation, there’s something for everyone at these lavish escapes.
Senara, Gwithian Beach, Cornwall
Scandi-chic comes to the West Country at this beach house, a mile from Gwithian’s sandy dunes, with views over St Ives Bay. Wall-to-wall white décor lies within the barn-like living areas with floor-to-ceiling windows, and six bedrooms in the main house. An additional bedroom is in the annex, perfect for grandparents wanting a bit of peace. On sunny days, the beach beckons, while back at the ranch, you can wallow in the pool, and hit the hot tub and sauna. The house also has a gym and a yoga deck.
It’s yours from £4,995 a week, for 12 people, → uniquehomestays.com
West Barsham Estate, Norfolk
The bevy of barns that makes up this estate is now looking super stylish after a colourful makeover by interior designer Flora Soames. With on-site beer tasting and a monthly street-food event, the barns make a great base for exploring North Norfolk’s magical coastline.
Sleeping from four to 14, they cost from £550–£2,650 for a three-night stay, → barshambarns.co.uk
The Mole Resort, Devon
Forget mole holes: these lodges in Devon near the River Mole are the height of luxury. Sleeping up to eight people, with a balcony deck, a hot tub and a fully equipped kitchen, the lodges will be joined in the summer by a refurbished hotel. On-site activities include swimming, tennis, pickleball and trout fishing.
Three nights for eight from £1,752, → themoleresort.co.uk
Lion Lodges at West Midland Safari Park
Book now to stay within a whisker of the big cats in four lodges opening here in July. The lions are on show through the floor-to-ceiling windows in the living area and from the two bedrooms.
From £790 for two, including breakfast, dinner, and two days’ park admission, → safari-lodges.co.uk
Daylesford Village, The Cotswolds
Celebrating a special event? You can now take over a whole Cotswolds village. The 15 stone cottages at Daylesford village, on a 2,500-acre estate, were recently launched by Carole Bamford. Her farm shop is just down the road, offering cookery classes, floristry workshops, winetastings and the use of the Bamford Wellness Spa. And if you don’t want to cook, it’s just a short walk to the two pubs in Bamford’s empire: The Fox at Oddington and The Wild Rabbit. It’s price on application, which means it’s expensive, but you can rent the cottages individually from £375 a night for two.
Driftwood Lodge
The beach at Rhosneigr is a beauty, and this self-catering annex attached to a six-room guesthouse is just a short walk away. Enjoy your own privacy, plus a fully fitted kitchenette and room for three, then set off to explore the 120-mile island coastland, with plenty of rural trails.
A night for three is from £190, → rhosneigr.co.uk
The Bugle, Southampton, Hampshire
When you hire this Grade-II-listed townhouse on Bugle Street overlooking Southampton’s Royal Pier, you can customise it to any event, picking your own decorations and caterer. Whether you want a cocktail party or a seated wedding for 104 guests, an events coordinator helps you iron out any details. In stripped-back style, it opened in January and is the first of three properties from The Wonder House Group. The 5-storey house comes with a fully stocked basement bar and eight rooms; it is also available for exclusive-use homestays for 16 people.
Two nights costs from £2,750, or venue hire is from £2,500, → thebugle.house
Tresithney, North Cornwall
For those looking for a coastal retreat for the family, this five-bedroom dog-friendly property situated in the heart of Rock village is in walking distance of the beach and oozes luxury. It has a games room with pool, ping pong and board games. It also comes with its own cinema room and heated swimming pool with large terrace.
From £4,500 for seven nights, → shorestays.co.uk
Blackton Grange, North Pennines
You’d never know this place was a former youth hostel. Forget dormitories and cheap furnishings: the exclusive-hire house now has five en-suite bedrooms, plus its own cinema room, a swish cocktail lounge, and a hot tub overlooking the rolling hills. Not far from Barnard Castle, it sleeps up to 17 people.
From £2,300 for two nights, → blacktongrange.co.uk
Kin House, Wiltshire
An exclusive-hire venue with its own barbers for a spot of pre-dinner grooming? Yes, and a dressing room kitted out with hair-washing sinks, hairdryers and tongs. They’ve done everything possible to make this Georgian manor the ultimate in private hire, whether you want to hold a big birthday, a wellness retreat or a wedding. A team of inhouse chefs can please the most particular of palates, while in the bar the staff love to whip up their signature burnt orange negronis. As for the 12 bedrooms, they have rolltop baths and minibars.
From £12,500 for 24-hour hire, → kinhouse.co.uk
Edgar House, Cheshire
Right by Chester’s city walls, this Regency property, that in a previous incarnation operated as a small hotel, is now available for private hire. It still has the look of an upmarket boutique hotel, with a cinema, a games room, and space for 16 guests, but there’s also a large open-plan kitchen you can use.
Three nights from £3,271, → daisyjoy.co.uk
Words | Jane Knight
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