A break in a hotel is all very well, but who wouldn’t be tempted by a holiday in their own castle or stately home? If you’re looking for some vacation time that has a touch of luxury and indulgence about it, you’re in luck because many of the UK’s most historic and iconic buildings also function as fabulous accommodation. These elegant and imposing places are ideal for romantic breaks or as a base for exploring some gorgeous corners of the UK.
Here are seven of the UK’s most desirable historic buildings where you can have the stay of a lifetime.
Oxenford Gatehouse, Surrey
Designed by Augustus Pugin to emulate the style of the Middle Ages, the gatehouse is part of a series of buildings built in the 1840s to guard the entrance to the Peper Harrow estate. Today it’s part of a working farm, restored by the Landmark Trust and close to such attractions as Chessington Zoo.
Leeds Castle, Kent
Be surrounded by 900 years of history when you book a stay in the Stable Courtyard of spectacular Leeds Castle. You’ll even get free entry to the castle and grounds included in your stay. Imagine yourself as a 17th century aristocrat as you breakfast under the oak beams in Fairfax Hall and watch the peacocks wander through the extensive grounds.
Corsewall Lighthouse Hotel, Stranraer
A working lighthouse dating back to 1815, the Corsewall Lighthouse Hotel has been extensively restored to create luxury accommodation in an unusual place. Enjoy some extraordinary vistas of the Kintyre Peninsula and the distant coast of Ireland and, when darkness falls, look for the twinkling beams of other lighthouses.
Astley Castle, Warwickshire
Once crumbling into a forgotten past, Astley Castle has been restored. It is now a startling combination of ancient and modern, with superb accommodation incorporated into the ruins by a sympathetic design featuring all mod cons.
Thornbury Castle, Gloucestershire
The only Tudor castle operating as a hotel and restaurant in England, Thornbury Castle lets visitors walk in the regal footsteps of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, and carouse like medieval noblemen and women in front of roaring fires before retiring to sumptuous bedchambers and four-poster beds. This is a great spot for exploring the West Country.
Morpeth Castle, Northumberland
A castle has stood here since 1200, a buttress against the marauding Scots from north of the border, and while little remains of the original fortress except for the much-changed Gatehouse, today Morpeth Castle is a delightful stay for visitors keen to immerse themselves in one of Northumberland’s most historic locations.
Queen Anne’s Summerhouse, Bedfordshire
An early 18th century folly built on the Shuttleworth Estate, Queen Anne’s Summerhouse is an extraordinary and magical sight — a foursquare building glinting pink in the sunshine that was probably built in the Queen’s honour after she knighted the original owner of the estate. One of the modern accommodation’s more unusual features is a bath placed in the centre of the room and a patio roof where you can watch the local wildlife at play.
This article was provided by Chessington Holidays, the ticket providers for short stays at Chessington World of Adventures.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
