The Best UK Staycations

📍Cottage in The Sky, Marina, St Leonards

Perched high above the East Sussex coast in St Leonards-on-Sea, The Cottage in the Sky is an exquisite Regency seafront penthouse where historic elegance meets painterly interior design. Offering sweeping, uninterrupted views across the English Channel, this light-filled top-floor sanctuary features soaring ceilings, curated vintage furnishings, and a thoughtfully layered aesthetic that feels both romantic and effortlessly stylish. Steps away from St Leonards’ vibrant independent shops, artisan bakeries, and thriving arts scene, guests can watch the waves from floor-to-ceiling windows or enjoy golden-hour drinks above the promenade. It is the ultimate seaside refuge for design lovers seeking coastal calm.

📍The Rectory, Crudwell, Malmesbury

Set in the heart of the Cotswolds, The Rectory Hotel in Crudwell is an exquisite 18th-century Grade II listed oolitic limestone estate surrounded by peaceful gardens. Once a grand rector's residence—and later home to society figures connected to the Churchill and Gilbey families—the boutique hotel features 18 individually designed bedrooms split between the main house and a secluded garden cottage. Interiors showcase roll-top baths, Bramley toiletries, and goose-down bedding. Outside, guests can wander past a 13th-century dovecote or relax beside the heated outdoor pool. It offers a wonderfully timeless, quintessential Cotswolds escape rich in history and understated luxury.

📍Restaries, Cox Common, Halesworth

Positioned on the idyllic Suffolk-Norfolk border where epic woodlands meet serene sea fronts, Restaries is a design-led luxury farm stay created by founders Gem and Thom. Set within the historic grounds of Paradise Farm against the backdrop of a 16th-century farmhouse, this boutique retreat combines contemporary interiors with an authentic connection to nature. Each stay is individually curated, offering a deliberate pause from everyday life—whether waking to farm sounds, exploring the nearby coast, or relaxing in beautifully restored spaces. It is a soulful, highly tailored escape designed for hiding away, celebrating, or reconnecting with the wild.

📍Tillingham, Dew Farm, Peasmarsh, Rye

Set among 70 acres of rolling hills and woodlands in East Sussex, Tillingham is a progressive natural winery and boutique farm stay with far-reaching views towards the historic hilltop town of Rye, the Romney salt marshes, and the sea. Centred around a lovingly restored former hop farm, this stylish rural retreat offers minimalist, beautifully appointed bedrooms alongside an acclaimed farm-to-table restaurant. Guests can explore the organic vineyards, sip naturally crafted wines on the terrace, and feast on hyper-seasonal local produce overlooking the Tillingham River valley. It is an idyllic, food-and-wine-led getaway for design lovers and conscious travellers alike.