insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 23 - January 2017 | Page 73

GETAWAYS

HOLIDAYS OFF THE BEATEN PATH

BY LISAMARIE LAMB

IF YOU’RE TIRED OF SEEING THE SAME OLD BOXY HOTEL ROOMS WHEN YOU TRAVEL AROUND THE UK,
PERHAPS IT’S TIME YOU LOOKED FOR SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT. A LITTLE MORE PERSONAL. A
LITTLE LESS SAMEY. THERE ARE SOME TRULY WEIRD AND WONDERFUL BOUTIQUE HOTELS AND BED AND
BREAKFASTS IN THIS COUNTRY OF OURS – IT’S TIME TO GO OUT AND DISCOVER THEM.
CANOPY AND STARS (WWW.CANOPYANDSTARS.CO.UK) HAS PUT TOGETHER A WEBSITE FULL OF
THE QUIRKIEST, MOST UNIQUE PLACES TO STAY IN THE UK AND BEYOND. THE TEAM HANDPICK EACH
ACCOMMODATION, GIVING YOU PEACE OF MIND THAT WHICHEVER ONE YOU CHOOSE, IT WILL BE A
MEMORABLE VISIT. HERE ARE SOME OF THEIR FAVOURITES.

LILLA STUGAN, WORCESTERSHIRE

WARWICK KNIGHT, GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Once deemed the Rolls
Royce of caravans, the
restored Warwick
Knight has stayed true
to its regal roots.
Stretch your legs up on
the lush rooftop lawn,
while enjoying views
of the River Severn or
the starry skies above.
Little ones climb the
wall pegs up to their
bunk pods, bigger ones
have a double bed with orchard views and luxury linen.
From £95 per night (sleeps 4), min. 2-night stay
www.canopyandstars.co.uk/warwickknight

Lilla Stugan, or ‘little cottage’, was inspired by the long summers that
Martin and Annika spent in their Swedish summer house. And what’s
not to love about a country that designates whole days to celebrating
sugary cakes and buns? To top off these sweet credentials, the hut lives
at the bottom of its very own apple orchard – a mini Moominvalley!
From £80 per night (sleeps 2)
www.canopyandstars.co.uk/lillastugan

HALDON BELVEDERE, EXETER

OFFA'S PITCH, SHROPSHIRE
Offa’s Pitch rises up like a giant
wooden tent – only grass and
sky can be seen through the great
glass doors at the end. Secluded
it may be, but rustic it is definitely
not. There's an iPad pro with WiFi, designer furniture, a luxury
bathroom and even underfloor
heating to pad about on! There’s
no street lighting for miles, so
borrow a pair of astral binoculars
and make the most of the darker than dark skies.
From £130 per night, min. 2-night stay
www.canopyandstars.co.uk/offaspitch

CUCKOO MOON CABIN, CORNWALL

Also known as Lawrence Castle, Haldon Belvedere is a stunning structure
that is full of history, beauty, and luxury. Built in 1788, this tower has
been standing ever since as an iconic landmark in the gorgeous Devon
countryside. The Haldon Belvedere is what is known as a turreted folly,
and its solitary position on top of a ridge to the west of Exeter is
outstanding. It is out of the way but close to the villages below the ridge
and offers a chance to get away from it all without being too remote.
The castle is on the edge of Haldon Forest which offers extensive access
to the surrounding countryside. The fully self-contained apartment on
the second floor is accessible via the Lawrence Room and the
cantilevered spiral stone staircase with wrought balustrades and
mahogany handrail. Leading from the main living area which sleeps
two with its lofty ceiling and Georgian gothic detailed doors and
windows, there is a separate bathroom with bath and shower, and a
fully fitted kitchen, which are built into the two turrets.
www.haldonbelvedere.co.uk

Stuffed to the beams with folksy charm, The Cuckoo Moon Cabin is
like a scene from Alice in Wonderland. Kids will burst with excitement
when they see their one-of-a-kind Old Western bedroom – who can
resist bunks in a fort, a tipi and a magnetic blackboard wall?
From £115 per night (sleeps 4 adults and 4 children)
www.canopyandstars.co.uk/cuckoomoon

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