Settle, Norfolk
A cluster of restored railway carriages and a handcrafted lakeside cabin, Settle is situated in 30 acres of private parkland on the edge of Thetford Forest. Hosts Jo and John have clad the interiors in a palette of warm raw materials that reflect the natural surroundings. From the contents of the local breakfast basket to the handmade rustic side plates, every item is available to purchase and has been sourced from UK-based, independent producers with sound ethical standards. There is also an enticing onsite shop for guests to ransack, as well as an online version, too.
Carriages from £200 per night, settlenorfolk.co.uk
The Castle of Trematon, Cornwall
The design studio House of Hackney has been a frontrunner in maximalist interiors for more than a decade. Now customers can try before they buy by booking a room, cabin or lodge at the Castle of Trematon – an “immersive brand experience” in the grounds of a former Norman stronghold on the Tamar estuary. The rooms are decorated in House of Hackney prints, featuring floral motifs, animals and exotic birdlife and are intended to act as a “miniature museum for irreverent British design”. Everything you see is available to buy and take home or purchase via the website.
From £150 a night, houseofhackney.com
Kindred House, Margate, Kent
Host Natasha Lawless has transformed this elegant, Victorian townhouse into a restful retreat inspired by the shore along which it sits. As well as offering creative weekend workshops such as natural dyeing, wood carving and soap making, Lawless sells “soulful items for the home” including vintage glassware, natural beeswax candles and shapely ceramic vases. There are also plans to use the house as a showroom for local designers and makers. There are currently two serene double rooms available – the upper rooms are still a work in progress.
From £120 a night, including breakfast. Workshop attendees receive 15% discount on their stay, kindred-house.com
Hawthbush Farm, East Sussex
At the foot of the South Downs is an organic farm where you will find the Gun Brewery and Amly botanical skincare, both of which make use of the mineral-rich springwater 60m beneath the farm’s wildflower meadows. Guests can stay in one of three self-catering cottages with shared access to a cedar hot tub and games barn. A new tap room opens in December, while Amly products can be pre-ordered and left for guests on arrival. The farm also hosts artists in residence who make and sell pieces inspired by their surroundings.
From £900 for a long weekend, hawthbushfarm.co.uk
Old Town Haus, Hastings, East Sussex
This Georgian guest house in Hastings Old Town opened in May having been painstakingly restored by a photographer and designer duo who live on the lower floors. Lime plaster walls and exposed timber ceilings provide the backdrop for “modern rustic” curiosities. Most objects in the rooms are available to buy online, along with an eclectic range of selectively sourced artwork, furniture and homeware, including statement-making concrete planters, abstract canvases, huge Hungarian dough bowls, Bauhaus-inspired furniture and rare photo books.
From £110 per night, including breakfast, oldtownhaus.com
Spot House Farm, Warehorne, Kent
This off-grid, micro-campsite in the low weald of Kent is run by textile designer Gemma Shepherd. There are just two bell tents (with woodburners) in a meadow on the edge of a 500-acre woodland. Each has with natural jute flooring, crisp white linen and hand-crafted wooden furniture. Shepherd’s lamb’s wool textiles are handmade in the neighbouring studio. Campers can take home a hand-stamped merino wool cushion, turmeric-toned bolster or De Stijl-inspired blanket to remind them of their stay.
Two bell tents (sleeping 6-7 people) are available from £350 per night, shepherdengland.com
The Farmer’s Loft, Spark Bridge, Ulverston
The Farmer’s Loft is a three-bedroom self-catering apartment on the top floor of The Farmer’s Arms – a historic inn overlooking the Crake Valley. The inn has recently been brought back to life by Grizedale Arts after a successful crowdfunding campaign. Upstairs, the loft has retro furnishings and brightly patterned textiles. An area downstairs is being transformed into a community arts centre offering craft classes, exhibition space andwith a shop showcasing local artists.
From £1,200 for a seven-night break, lakedistrictfarmersarms.com
Mole Cottage, Presteigne, Powys
Heated slate floors, lime plaster walls and reclaimed materials characterise this diminutive holiday cottage in the Welsh border town of Presteigne. The owner is Justine Cook – a designer and collector of beautiful objects. Cook has recently made her own brand of “detailed minimalism” available to purchase via a monthly online brocante. Items include a collection of natural ephemera (Baobab seed pods, structural dried stems), vintage lighting and fabrics, studio pottery and furniture from the cottage. Sign-up for the monthly newsletter or follow @harpstudio_curatedcupboard for details of the next sale.
From £250 for two nights, harp-studio.com
The Curator’s Apartment, Bath
This is an elegant, art-filled holiday apartment in the centre of Bath. “I based the furnishing concept on someone who loves a mixture of the old and the new,” says the owner, Tina Liu, “and would have more traditional forms of art hanging on the walls as well as more gallery-like installations.” Work by contemporary artists Lawrence Calver and David Hardy are on display and, this autumn, the artist Mimi Robson will be in residence. (Liu rents the apartment free of charge to artists who leave a piece of work behind.) All work is available to buy, with prices starting at £180.
From £145 per night, thecuratorsapartment.com
The Barrel Store, Cirencester
This 14-room hostel is housed inside a honey-coloured stone building, where guests will encounter a range of local craftsmanship. The metal bunk beds have been designed and welded by a local smithy, the blankets have been woven in the nearby village of Filkins and the bespoke glass pendant lampshades were blown in New Brewery Arts – a craft studio and exhibition space that’s just next door. Guests are encouraged to enrol on a creative course during their stay and take home some handmade items while they are there.
From £40 per night (single occupancy), thebarrelstore.co.uk.
