Saturday, May 18Sports. Travel. Events

15 very cool places to stay in the UK – for beach, outdoors and adventure

The Coolstays.com website has a collection of unique and unusual places to stay across the UK, Europe and worldwide. We pick out 15 very cool UK properties which have an active theme – options include by the sea, outdoors, wild swimming and more…

Nagden House | Image credit: Coolstays | Places to stay UK
Nagden House (Image credit: Coolstays.com)

Nagden House

  • Where: Faversham, Kent, England
  • About the property: “With stunning panoramic views across Graveney Marshes, Nagden House is a stylish and secluded rural retreat in Kent”
  • Ideal for: groups, dog friendly, wild swimming, families, boating
  • Details: sleeps 10, 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
  • Price: from £1,969-£4,245 per week
  • How to book: coolstays.com
The Lodge in the Loch | Image credit: Coolstays.com | Places to stay UK
The Lodge in the Loch (Image credit: Coolstays.com)

The Lodge in the Loch 

  • Where: Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland
  • About the property: “Luxurious fishing lodge on the water’s edge with breathtaking views across Loch Fada to the Old Man of Storr”
  • Ideal for: fishing, wild swimming, families, boating, outdoors 
  • Details: sleeps six, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
  • Price: from £2,900-£4,200 per week
  • How to book: coolstays.com
Dragonfly Cabin | Image credit: Coolstays | Places to stay UK
Dragonfly Cabin (Image credit: Coolstays.com)

Dragonfly Cabin 

  • Where: Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England
  • About the property: “Romantic cabin for two, overlooking a wild swimming pond, with firepit, and picture windows, five miles from Cambridge”
  • Ideal for: couples, lakes and rivers, wild swimming, outdoors
  • Details: sleeps two, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
  • Price: from £100-£120 per night
  • How to book: coolstays.com
Bliss Haus | Image credit: Coolstays.com | Places to stay UK
Bliss Haus (Image credit: Coolstays.com)

Bliss Haus

  • Where: West Coast, Scottish Highlands 
  • About the property: “Bliss Haus is a stylish coastal hideaway by the Atlantic ocean, perfect for the ultimate escape from the everyday”
  • Ideal for: lakes and rivers, mountains, wild swimming, families, by the sea
  • Details: sleeps 2-4, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
  • Price: from £1,365-£2,250 per week
  • How to book: coolstays.com
Hide Wales Cabans | Image credit: Coolstays.com | Places to stay UK
Hide Wales Cabans (Image credit: Coolstays.com)

Hide Wales Cabans 

  • Where: St Donats, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales
  • About the property: “All the peace and quiet you could want with the Welsh coast moments away – hide away in style in your cosy caban in St Donats”
  • Ideal for: adults only, glamping, short breaks, by the sea
  • Details: 2 per caban, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
  • Price: £100-£130 per night
  • How to book: coolstays.com
The Lighthouse - Gairloch | Image credit: Coolstays | Places to stay UK
The Lighthouse – Gairloch (Image credit: Coolstays.com)

The Lighthouse – Gairloch 

  • Where: Gairloch, Wester Ross, Scotland
  • About the property: “Enjoy having your own private haven in the spectacular Scottish Highlands at The Lighthouse in Gairloch”
  • Ideal for: architecture, families, by the sea, outdoors, walking
  • Details: sleeps 7, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
  • Price: £260-£300 per night
  • How to book: coolstays.com
The North Wing at Trevigue Farmhouse | Image credit: Coolstays.com | Places to stay UK
The North Wing at Trevigue Farmhouse (Image credit: Coolstays.com)

The North Wing at Trevigue Farmhouse 

  • Where: Bude, Cornwall, England
  • About the property: “Gorgeous farmhouse retreat for two near Cornwall’s north coast with bundles of rural charm, comfy furnishings and plenty of modern amenities”
  • Ideal for: couples, by the sea, outdoors, walking
  • Details: sleeps 2, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
  • Price: £150-£250 per night
  • How to book: coolstays.com
The Tin Sheds Skye | Image credit: Coolstays.com | Places to stay UK
The Tin Sheds Skye (Image credit: Coolstays.com)

The Tin Sheds Skye 

  • Where: Broadford, Isle of Skye, Scotland
  • About the property: “On the coastline of the beautiful Isle of Skye sit these two luxury and eco-friendly holiday homes with spectacular views”
  • Ideal for: lakes and rivers, wild swimming, families, by the sea, outdoors
  • Details: 6 people per shed, 3 beds per shed, 2 bathrooms per shed
  • Price: £325-£375 per night
  • How to book: coolstays.com
Crispie Lodge | Image credit: Coolstays.com | Places to stay UK
Crispie Lodge (Image credit: Coolstays.com)

Crispie Lodge 

  • Where: Tighnabruaich, Argyll, Scotland
  • About the property: “Secluded cottage for eight with hot tub, powerboat, and stunning views across Loch Fyne”
  • Ideal for: families, by the sea, outdoors, boating 
  • Details: sleeps 8, 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
  • Price: £1,250-£2,500 per week
  • How to book: coolstays.com
King Arthur's Willow Tree House | Image credit: Coolstays.com | Places to stay UK
King Arthur’s Willow Tree House (Image credit: Coolstays.com)

King Arthur’s Willow Tree House 

  • Where: Devizes, Wiltshire, England 
  • About the property: “Escape into the Wiltshire countryside at the King Arthur’s Willow Tree House complete with whirlpool bath, rainfall shower and panoramic views across the meadows”
  • Ideal for: families, short breaks, outdoors, woodland lodging, dog friendly, walking 
  • Details: sleeps 6, 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
  • Price: £1,100-£3,500 per week
  • How to book: coolstays.com
Red Kite Tree Tents | Coolstays | Places to stay UK
Red Kite Tree Tents (Image credit: Coolstays.com)

Red Kite Tree Tents 

  • Where: Newbridge-on-Wye, Powys, Wales
  • About the property: “See life from a new perspective in these fabulous Tree Tents – you’ll find them amongst the woodland canopy in glorious mid-Wales”
  • Ideal for: glamping, woodland lodging, rural retreats, outdoors, walking 
  • Details: 2 people per tent, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
  • Price: from £145 per night
  • How to book: coolstays.com
Tree Hoose | Coolstays | Places to stay UK
Tree Hoose (Image credit: Coolstays.com)

Tree Hoose 

  • Where: Garve, Ross-shire, Scotland
  • About the property: “Nestled in woodland in the North West Highlands with majestic views of Loch Broom and Beinn Dearg is The Tree Hoose”
  • Ideal for: mountains, short breaks, families, rural retreats, outdoors, walking 
  • Details: sleeps 3, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
  • Price: £985-£1,090 per week
  • How to book: coolstays.com
The Floathouse | Coolstays | Places to stay UK
The Floathouse (Image credit: Coolstays.com)

The Floathouse 

  • Where: Penryn, Cornwall, England
  • About the property: “Gorgeous and eco-friendly floating cabin with wood burning stove and sun deck just 30 minutes walk from Falmouth”
  • Ideal for: lakes and rivers, families, rural retreats, outdoors
  • Details: sleeps 6, 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
  • Price: £130-£330 per night
  • How to book: coolstays.com
Bournemouth Beach Lodges | Coolstays | Places to stay UK
Bournemouth Beach Lodges (Image credit: Coolstays.com)

Bournemouth Beach Lodges 

  • Where: Bournemouth, Dorset, England 
  • About the property: “Much more than beach huts, these two-level lodges have kitchens, bathrooms and sea-facing decks… luxurious touches for the ultimate coastal break” 
  • Ideal for: families, by the sea, dog friendly
  • Details: sleeps 4 adults + 2 kids per lodge, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
  • Price: £700-£1,390 per week
  • How to book: coolstays.com
Macdui Lodge | Coolstays | Places to stay UK
Macdui Lodge (Image credit: Coolstays.com)

Macdui Lodge 

  • Where: Aviemore, Inverness-shire, Scotland
  • About the property: “This unique lodge has been handcrafted using traditional techniques and is set in the heart of Scotland’s Cairngorms National Park”
  • Ideal for: mountains, outdoors, walking, families, short breaks, rural retreats
  • Details: sleeps 4, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
  • Price: £1,395-£1,595 per week
  • How to book: coolstays.com

Editor’s note

Sports Tourism Media works in partnership with a number of affiliate companies, including Coolstays.com. We may earn a commission should you choose to book any packages. All details are provided by affiliate partners. All prices subject to change and details correct at time of publication.

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