The UK has some seriously special settings to host visitors from home or away on holidays and long weekends.
Be it enjoying remote spots amid centuries-old woodlands or direct access to an isolated stretch of beach, there is an array of impressive escapes to experience the Great Outdoors first-hand. Think cosy chalet interiors, budget log cabins ideal for families trying to cut costs and luxury romantic retreats in home-from-home lodges.
And it isn’t just in the summer months that you can escape to the country, despite the predictably unpredictable British weather. Chalets, lodges and log cabins are often fitted with hot tubs, sun decks, wood-burning fires and BBQs to accommodate every season.
If you’re looking for a place to spend a bank holiday with friends or to celebrate a big birthday with the whole family, check out these stylish lodges, cabins and shepherds’ huts that are on par with any country cottage stay.
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Herston Log Cabins, Swanage, England
Best for: Adventures with the family
This rustic log cabin site has a relaxed yet adventurous atmosphere ideal for a family staycation. Overlooking the rolling Purbeck Hills and the Jurassic Coast, self-catering cabins, lodges and cottages boast modern interiors, hot tubs and sheltered outdoor spaces — and you can leave the car behind. Families staying at Herston can stroll down to the seaside town centre and blue flag Swanage beaches to enjoy water sports, restaurants and arcades.
The site’s children’s play area and proximity to the Swanage steam train to Corfe Castle are a bonus for a family day out. That’s not to say this site neglects its adults. There’s an on-site bar, The Old Mess Room, for parents to try local ales, an entertainment programme including karaoke and a restaurant that honours the age-old tradition of a Sunday roast. Cancel the dog sitter and bring your pet along for £5 per night.
Log cabins from £660 for a three-night stay sleeping up to seven.
Pantglas Hall Holiday Lodges, Camarthen, Wales
Best for: Budget chalets
The woodlands of Carmarthenshire are a sight to behold from Pantglas Hall Holiday Lodge, where 25 self-catering log chalets blend in with their green surroundings. Most interiors in the well-equipped one-to-three-bedroom holiday homes are made cosy with fireplaces and feature verandas to take in scenic views of the sprawling country estate.
Avid walkers or cyclists can explore its hills and spacious open fields from the doorstep of the rural hideaways; Carmarthenshire is known as the National Botanic Garden of Wales, after all, and cycling trails are plentiful.
Couples can relax in the on-site leisure facilities with a dip in the hot tub or pool before heating up in the sauna or split the price among friends for an idyllic budget getaway in the heart of Wales.
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Rates provided by Booking.com
Cameron Lodges, Loch Lomond, Scotland
Best for: Luxury living
Set above Loch Lomond’s tranquil landscape, these lodges make for the ideal intimate and indulgent Scottish break. Whether on a spa break, country getaway or simple escape from reality, kick your feet up and unwind in the expansive living spaces of the home-from-home rooms. Private terraces also offer the chance to enjoy al fresco dining while taking in the view.
Just 25 minutes from Glasgow Airport, the freshwater loch and its surroundings are home to tiny islands, steep mountains and enchanting forests spread over 400 acres. Luxuries include five-star facilities such as the Thermal Experience at the Cameron Spa and dining across four restaurants and bars for those nights when you just can’t be bothered to cook.
From £1,122 for four adults to enjoy a three-night stay.
Shepherd’s Hut Scarborough, Yorkshire, England
Best for: Remote escapes
Lose yourself in the North Yorkshire countryside with a remote stay in your own slice of Stepney Hill Farm. The compact Shepherd’s Hut studio room sleeps two and features a cosy wood-burning stove, a private external bathroom and a kitchen and dining area.
With a picnic bench outside for summer BBQs, facilitated by the on-site butchers, and the addition of a hut-side hot tub, switch off and embrace the secluded spot with distant views of the coast and working farm fields. Not far from two sandy beaches, the isolated escape enjoys peace and quiet – bar the flock of sheep – with the option to take a long lunch at the farm’s tearoom if you fancy a change of scenery.
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Rates provided by Booking.com
Hinterland Cabin, Snowdonia, Wales
Best for: Romantic retreats
A short drive from Anglesey, Hinterland Cabin screams (or, rather, croons) idyllic romance for couples who want to enjoy a retreat for two to Snowdonia. The luxury retreat in Conwy, a medieval market town, is set in enchanting woodlands overlooking the valley and cliffsides below. Inside, fresh flowers and fluffy bathrobes await your arrival at the North Wales staycation spot. Chic interior furnishings include oak beams, gold-accent decor and a spacious walk-in shower. Welcome hampers come with authentic Welsh produce, such as Snowdonia cheese and local cider.
Outside, revel in the cabin’s construction from the old slate and railway sleepers of the Conwy Valley line. Couples can enjoy a sauna, yoga deck and hot tub or take a walk around the nearby fishing lake, all from the comfort of the self-catered cabin.
From £1,695 for two adults to enjoy a seven-night stay.
Barend Holiday Lodges, Dalbeattie, Scotland
Best for: Quirky architecture
The striking Scandinavian-style architecture of Barend Holiday Village’s impressive chalets is enhanced by great balcony views – a dream for long or short UK holidays. Nestled in Dalbeattie’s forests in the Dumfries and Galloway region, the quirky family-run holiday homes comfortably sleep two to eight people.
Free swimming in a heated pool, a sauna and access to golf services at Craigieknowes Golf Club’s nine-hole course create a great setting for getting active in the Great Outdoors. Barend offers a range of great walks for dog owners, – most chalets are pet-friendly – ramblers and families looking to take a light stroll down to the beach at Sandyhills Bay.
Six person lodges from £578 per three-night stay.
Read more: Best UK hotels: Where to stay for a luxury or affordable break
