For the past few decades, holidays abroad and city breaks across Europe and even transatlantic trips had become the norm. Mainly due to cheap air travel and the pull of better weather. I love travelling, I really do (although not so much the flying part!), but in recent years as my concerns over climate change have grown, taking multiple flights per year for my own gratification has started to feel less and less comfortable.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, we all suddenly had to become more at home with being at home – and not just during the lockdowns but for a time when we could travel, it was confined to our own island. Our eyes were opened to what these isles had to offer – stunning scenery to walk and adventure in, excellent cultural venues, a fabulous food and drink scene, and of course, as our previous book highlighted, a plethora of top notch independent shops.
The other element of travel in the UK is the high quality of holiday accommodation that is dotted across the country. So, in this, the second book in our PLACES series, I wanted to highlight some of the best holiday lets you’ll find in the UK. PLACES TO STAY: The most stylish accommodation across the UK focusses mainly on independently run accommodation, while a few that are run by bigger companies are in there due to their design and eco credentials. Most are run by individuals who simply want to offer a beautiful place to stay while you explore Britain.
The format is exactly the same as PLACES TO SHOP, where I have categorised the book into regions, with a selection of holiday rentals featuring in each section. I’ve tried to include a mix of types of accommodation – from tiny cabins for two in the wilderness to large houses perfect for family gatherings, or chic hotels in the city to the more unusual!
While I sadly didn’t get to travel the country testing out every place personally, our team carried out in-depth research and took recommendations with the aim to list some of the best accommodation available, from Cornwall to the Scottish Isles and everywhere in between. There are a total of 77 holiday lets listed in the book, with a further 36 mentioned at the back, and a handful of websites that provide a curation of accommodation too.
I really hope the book is one you will refer to every time you decide to travel the UK, and with the beautiful photography and inspiring interiors within the pages, I’m sure you will find yourself reaching for it when you need some ideas for your home decor, too!