Autumn suits properties with a strong sense of place, whether that means watching Ullswater from a private balcony or sinking into a hot tub beside a remote Welsh hillside. Coolstays has selected 10 unusual UK escapes in varied UK landscapes.
The collection ranges from romantic hideaways for two to a four-bedroom water tower sleeping eight. Nightly prices start at £125, while the Cairngorms gatehouse costs from £950 for three nights. The list is not ranked, and all prices are starting rates that may change with dates and availability.
The properties featured here were supplied by Coolstays for autumn and winter coverage. Check the individual listing for current prices, minimum stays, access information and booking conditions.
1. Tower O’Ess, Cairngorms
Set beside the River Tanar in Cairngorms National Park, Tower O’Ess is a listed Victorian gatehouse guarding the entrance to the 25,000-acre Glen Tanar Estate. The building dates from the 1870s and became an operational gatehouse by 1918.
Inside, the rich interiors include a super-king bed, double-ended slipper bath, walk-in shower and wood-burning stove. An outdoor hot tub and deck provide a private place to unwind after walking through Caledonian pine forest or climbing Mount Keen, Scotland’s most easterly Munro.
The gatehouse sleeps two and welcomes dogs. Its remote position makes a car essential, while fishing and wildlife photography sessions must be arranged separately with the estate. Prices start at £950 for three nights.
2. Duke of Portland Boathouse, Lake District
Standing directly beside Ullswater, the Duke of Portland Boathouse is an 18th-century stone retreat with a first-floor balcony extending over the lake. Once owned by an 18th-century prime minister, it now offers one of the collection’s most romantic waterside settings.
Oak floors, exposed beams, underfloor heating and a wood-burning stove bring warmth to the open-plan interior. The bedroom has a roll-top bath, while the balcony looks towards mountains in the south and gentler hills to the north.
Guests also have a private jetty, fishing rights and access to a quarter-mile stretch of lakeshore. The Ullswater Way runs for 20 miles around the lake, and the 21-metre Aira Force waterfall is nearby. This adults-only stay sleeps two, does not accept pets and starts at £450 a night.
3. TreeDwellers, Cotswolds
Raised several metres above ancient woodland in Cornbury Park, TreeDwellers comprises seven curved treehouses designed to settle quietly among the canopy. Five have one bedroom, while two have two bedrooms and accommodate up to four guests.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the woodland, while free-standing baths, king-size beds, underfloor heating and wood-burning stoves suit autumn stays. Fully equipped kitchens, Sonos speakers and fast Wi-Fi make the treehouses practical for longer stays as well as short weekends.
Natural and recyclable materials feature throughout the design. Guests can follow local stretches of the River Windrush or Cotswold Way, with Blenheim Palace, Bibury, Stow-on-the-Wold and Westonbirt Arboretum among the wider area’s attractions. Prices start at £249 a night. Pets are not permitted, and children under eight must stay in Treehouse Liberty.
4. Belle Tout Lighthouse, Eastbourne
Perched on Beachy Head and directly connected to the South Downs Way, Belle Tout Lighthouse is an adults-only B&B with panoramic views across the English Channel and Seven Sisters. Built in 1832, the lighthouse was decommissioned in 1902 and later moved inland to save it from coastal erosion.
Six compact bedrooms occupy the original structure, with details varying from exposed brickwork and fireplaces to double-aspect windows. Above them, the blue-lit lamp room has a telescope for taking in the coastline and sunset.
Breakfast choices include a full English and Eggs Benedict, but lunch and dinner are not served. Nearby alternatives include the Beachy Head pub, East Dean and Eastbourne. Rooms start at £125 a night and sleep two each. Guests should expect steps throughout the building, with no lift available.
5. The Burrow, Mid Wales
Built into a grassy hillside on a working farm in Powys, The Burrow is a contemporary holiday home designed to merge with the surrounding fields. Its grass-covered roof keeps the exterior understated, while folding glass doors fill the open-plan living space with countryside views.
The main bedroom has a copper bath, and a separate bunk room sleeps up to three people. A wood-burning fireplace anchors the living area, while the private garden contains a hot tub and firepit for evenings outside.
Walking trails begin at the property, with chances to see deer, foxes, badgers and local birdlife. Ludlow is around 30 minutes away by car, while the closest pub is 11 miles from the house. The Burrow sleeps five, does not accept pets and starts at £150 a night. A car is strongly advised for the remote track leading to the farm.
6. Humble Bee, Devon
Close to Okehampton and the edge of Dartmoor, Humble Bee is a compact, beehive-shaped hideaway created for two adults. The distinctive retreat has previously appeared on Channel 4’s George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces.
A twisting staircase connects the multi-level interior, where dark timber, reclaimed crates, fur throws and bee-inspired details create a cosy atmosphere. The king-size bed sits beside a circular window, while the kitchen provides everything needed for a self-contained stay.
Outside, guests can use an unusual bath with heated walls and a cedar hot tub beneath an oak tree. The hot tub is shared with a small number of neighbouring guests. Humble Bee has mobile reception but no Wi-Fi, and its staircase makes it unsuitable for people with mobility issues. Children and pets are not permitted. Prices start at £150 a night.
7. The Silos, Lincolnshire
Created from two grain silos on a former working farm, The Silos is a round, adults-only retreat near Stamford. The 1970s agricultural structures retain their cylindrical forms, now softened by high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling glazing.
The interior includes a king-size bed with Egyptian-cotton linen, underfloor heating, a rainfall shower and curved living spaces shaped by the original buildings. Outside, a patio provides a barbecue and open-air bath, with tame chickens and a goose living on the farm.
Stamford’s independent shops and restaurants are within easy reach, while Burghley House is about a mile away as the crow flies. Rutland Water provides another option for a day outdoors. The Silos sleeps two, does not accept pets and starts at £165 a night. Travellers without a car can take a train to Stamford followed by a taxi of around 10 minutes.
8. Skoolie Stays, near the South Downs
Parked in a private meadow below the South Downs, Skoolie Stays converts an American school bus from Florida into an off-grid stay. Original cab controls and repurposed bus seats remain part of the hand-built interior.
A king-size bed occupies the rear bedroom, while foldaway bunks accommodate two children or adults up to 5ft 8. The kitchen has a gas hob, fridge, large sink and copper penny worktop, alongside diner-style seating fashioned from the bus’s original seats.
The off-grid setup uses solar power, insulation made from sheep’s wool and water-saving equipment, and includes a composting toilet. Outside are a wood-fired hot tub, shaded deck, firepit and triple hammock area overlooking fields and woodland. The bus sleeps four, does not accept dogs and starts at £125 a night.
9. House of Fun, Brighton
Hidden within a private garden near central Brighton, House of Fun is a colourful retreat created by artist Sarah Arnett. It combines original artwork with playful spaces, including a handmade copper kitchen drawing inspiration from Brighton’s Royal Pavilion.
The two-level garden includes an infrared sauna, an outdoor shower, a covered pergola and a secret gate into St Ann’s Well Gardens. Indoors, guests will find a Raj tent-inspired bedroom, velvet sofa beds, a colouring area and a small art shop featuring pieces available to buy.
Brighton beach, cafés, restaurants and the city centre are around a 15-minute walk away. It sleeps four and welcomes children and dogs. Prices start at £175 a night, and quiet hours begin at 10pm.
10. The Water Tower, West Yorkshire
Rising above Flockton between Huddersfield and Wakefield, The Water Tower is a converted industrial structure with curved rooms and 360-degree countryside views. The three-storey property sleeps eight, making it the largest retreat in this selection.
Four bedrooms each have an en-suite bathroom and walk-in power shower. Two living areas provide space for a group to spread out, while the main level has a sleek kitchen and curved dining table seating 10 beside floor-to-ceiling windows.
Yorkshire Sculpture Park and the Hepworth Wakefield are within reach for art-focused days out. Off-road parking accommodates up to six cars, and dogs may be considered by prior arrangement with the hosts. The tower starts at £425 a night.
Access is the main consideration: its spiral staircase has 60 steps, making the property unsuitable for guests with mobility limitations or very young children. Parties are not permitted.
