UK

Quirky places to stay in the UK with kids

Last updated 14th July 2022

Discover unusual places in the UK to visit for a unique family holiday you’ll never forget.

Dome garden gloucestershire

1/10  Dome Garden, Gloucestershire

Located in the heart of the Forest of Dean, the Dome Garden is the ultimate in family glamping: each geodesic dome is an oasis of loveliness with super comfy beds, en-suite wet-rooms, a wood burner and seriously stylish furnishings. Each dome sleeps up to six (with children in hanging pods). Between the domes is a grand communal garden area with a central firepit  – your own little Eden Project.

Location: Edge End Rd, Mile End; 19 miles west of Gloucester and 15 miles north of the Old Severn Bridge river crossing.

Price: From £545 for four nights for a family of four.

 

Wild luxury norfolk

2/10  Wild Luxury, Norfolk

Wild Luxury offers savanna-style camping without the wild animals. Located in Thornham Bay, it has picturesque countryside, beautiful empty beaches and friendly locals. The lodges can sleep up to six adults and children (with an additional cot) and have wood-burning stoves, gas hobs and monster cool boxes to store fresh food, not to mention power showers. The campsite is a car-free zone but you can hire bikes on site.

Location: Thornham Bay is located at Drove Orchards just off the Norfolk Coast road; 3 hours drive from London.

Price: From £695 for a weekend in a six-bed luxury safari lodge.

 

Pany y march snowdonia

3/10  Pant y March, Snowdonia

Overlooking the beautiful Lake Bala, Wales’s largest natural lake, residents of Pant y March never tire of the spectacular views. Feather Down Farms has spacious and comfortable tents equipped with all the essentials and access to miles of walking trails and masses of watersports including windsurfing, white water rafting and kayaking. If the weather is good, it’s the perfect location for active outdoor families.

Location: The farm is located in Snowdonia National Park (LL23 7BY); approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes drive from London.

Price: From £725 for a three night mid-week stay in a six-person tent.

 

Wriggles brook hereford

4/10  Wriggles Brook, Hereford

We’ve all wondered about life in a beautiful Romany caravan and now Wriggles Brook lets you live out the dream. There are two caravans, which sleep two, so a family of four has the whole place to themselves. These beautifully restored gypsy wagons are over 100 years old and each comes with a wood-burning stove. The best bit? The arrival of a cooked breakfast in the morning.

Location:Wriggles Brook Romany Caravans are located in Hoarwithy, Herefordshire (HR2 6QJ); approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes drive from London.

Price: From £125 a night for a Showmans Wagon, which sleeps four people.

 

5. SCALES PLANTATION, CUMBRIA

Scales plantation cumbria

5/10  Scales Plantation, Cumbria

The plain exteriors of these traditional shepherd huts disguise wonderfully warm and welcoming interiors – whitewashed walls, feather-down duvets, sheepskin rugs and a warming wood-burner. A delightful kitchen is located next to your hut and a forest shelter has an alternative bath. Local, seasonal produce can be pre-ordered for your arrival. Located in a woodland clearing, these three shepherd huts have stunning views of the Lake District fells.

Location:The Scales Plantation Shepherd Huts are located in the northeast corner of the Lake District (CA11 0XE); 5 hours drive from London.

Price: From £75 a night for four people.

 

Hobbit roundhouse cornwall

6/10  Hobbit Roundhouse, Cornwall

No need to travel to Middle-earth to stay in this beautiful eco roundhouse. The Hobbit Roundhouse effortlessly combines glamping with a back-to-nature way of life. It’s as charming as it is unusual: made from cordwood and cob with a turf roof (complete with stargazing roof light). Equipped with comfy beds, rugs and wood-burning stove: although with the campfire outside, you may decide to impress your offspring with your boy scout or girl guide skills.

Location: The Plan-it Earth Eco Project is located in Chy Ena, Sancreed (TR20 8QS); 5 hours and 10 minutes drive from London.

Price: From £99 a night for a family of four (minimum five-night booking)

 

Lake district yurts

7/10  Lake District Yurts, Cumbria

These Lake District Yurts are close to spectacular waterfalls and plunge pools. It takes a little effort to get to them (no vehicle access and it’s an uphill climb to your yurt) but once there, the views are stunning. The yurt interiors are very comfortable, with proper beds and furnishings with wooden floors, and a wood-burning stove keeps it toastie, whatever the weather outside. The site includes an adventure playground and there’s kayaking, wild swimming and walking.

Location: The yurts are located in Rydal, in the heart of the Lake District (LA22 9LR); approximately 4 hours and 45 minutes drive from London.

Price: From £369 a night for a six-person yurt.

 

Treehouse snowdonia

8/10  Treehouses, Snowdonia

Located on the edge of Snowdonia, these four elevated eco pods are situated in over 300 acres. A wooden spiral staircase leads you up to your home in the trees, where the Livingroom Treehouses have wood-burners and are equipped with comfy beds and furnishings. Feel the movement of your home in the breeze and listen to the leaves rustling as you lie in bed. If your children have ever enjoyed playing in tree or Wendy houses, they’ll love this treetop adventure.

Location: The Livingroom Treehouses are located in Machynlleth, mid-Wales (SY20 8EB); approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes drive from London.

Price: From £399 for a family of four for three days and two nights.

 

Eco holiday lodge scotland

9/10  Eco Holiday Lodge, Scotland

The Brockloch bothy eco build is situated on a working farm in Scotland and offers real escapism. This contemporary light, bright home is made of sustainable timber and insulated with sheep wool. One wall is virtually floor to ceiling glass enabling guests to look out over the black-faced sheep, deer and red kites in residence. Comfy beds and sink-into sofas make it a pretty cool contemporary box. Each lodge sleeps four.

Location: Brockloch Bothy is situated in the heart of southwest Scotland (DG7 3HU); approximately 5 hours and 45 minutes drive from London.

Price: From £645 for seven nights for a family of four.

 

Retro vacations glouchestershire

10/10  Retro Vacations, Dorset

The kids will love staying in these funky Happy Days Airstreams. Beautifully restored to retain the original wood veneer interiors with a dining area that turns into a double bed plus two single beds,  kitchen area and toilet. An external awning, outdoor table and chairs expand your living area considerably on a nice day. The campsite is close to the New Forest and coast so there are plenty of excursion opportunities on the doorstep.

Location: The airstream campers are located on Meadow View Campsite in Wimborne, Dorset (BH21 7JH); approximately 2 hours drive from London.

Price: From £310 for four nights for a four-berth Airstream.