Travel
These 14 unique Airbnbs are perfect for a holiday in the UK
These are amazing!
From boats to planes to treehouses, we’ve compiled a list of the weirdest and most wonderful Airbnb listings so you can have an incredible staycation.
Although many of us are gutted we can’t be going on holiday this year to our usual and favourite beach spots, it doesn’t mean we can’t get away from everyday city life.
With Boris recommending staycations and the UK full of amazing spots, with many just a short drive away, now is the time to explore what the country has to offer.
The Jet Star, Redberth
£149 per night
Let’s kick off with a good one, fancy staying in an old private jet in the Welsh countryside? Course you do.
It can sleep up to four people and has a swanky double room attached to the side, there’s a loo and even an Xbox in the cockpit. Not sure what else you could want really?
St Benedict’s Abbey, Fort Augustus
£137 per night
This flat has everything you need for a romantic weekend in an actual ABBEY! Complete with a kitchen, lounge and a huge brass bed you’ll be tucked away in what was once the secret ‘writing room’ of the monastery.
You also get full access to the club which has a stunning pool (when pools reopen of course!). There’s also a gym, tennis court, cricket pitch, snooker tables and a luxurious restaurant in the boathouse. Oh, did I mention this is on the shores of Loch Ness?
Hoots Treehouse, Mayfield, England
£220 per night
If you wanted to live out your childhood dreams of living in a treehouse, this is exactly the one for you. It’s got 29 five star reviews on Airbnb so you know you’re in for a treat.
It’s in the perfect spot if you want to go off grid and enjoy some nature, with a deer park just 5 minutes away. There’s also a tennis court for use too!
Trickers Windmill, Suffolk
£125 per night
A five-storey Grade II listed Tower Windmill complete with a private courtyard in the heart of Woodbridge.
It’s the only habitable windmill in Woodbridge so you can sleep comfortably in the knowledge that you are in fact, one of a kind. Perfect for a romantic, windy weekend away!
Glamping Dome, Horningsea
£100 per night
If there’s one thing you need to do at least once in your life, it’s stay in a dome. I’m not entirely sure why but it’s pretty cool, right?!
This one is fully decked out with a wood-burning stove, leather tub chairs and a huge double bed. Cambridge is just three miles away.
Land Rover Hot Tub & Bluebird Penthouse, High Bickington
£110 per night
I can only imagine how many times you’ve dreamt about converting your old rusty Land Rover, which you have just on hand, into a hot tub – well, Ralph only went and did it.
The superhost has a 1950s decorated penthouse and a vintage Land Rover hot tub. There’s enough space for two guests, a gas BBQ, chimenea and even a wine cellar. One user recommends getting in the Land Rover hot tub for sunrise.
Hobbit House, Powys
£60 per night
For all you Star Wars or Star Trek fans, or whatever the Hobbit is from, this one’s for you. I’m just kidding, I know it’s from Doctor Who.
The description is perfect for this and I simply can’t do as good of a job, so here is Tin, the host, to tell you all about his Earth House instead: “In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole and that means comfort.”
The description does come with a disclosure that ‘this is glamping, not luxury’ and it ‘IS small’!
Romantic Medieval Castle, Peebles
£140 per night
Feast your eyes on what could be your home for just £140 a night, an entire castle.
It’s a mini-castle on the Scottish Borders around 45 mins from Edinburgh, but it’s still a castle. It’s described as ‘ancient’ but ‘cosy. Perfect.
Dairsie Castle, Fife
£1,100 per night
Another castle, but this time MASSIVE. If you’re lucky enough to have 13 friends you can all hire out this place for a small fee of £1,100 per night.
Now before you choke on your water, that works out at just 92 quid each for you and all your mates, which is not bad considering you get this 12th-century castle complete with a dungeon. If you love golf, the famous Old Course in St Andrew is less than an hour away!
12th Century Abbey, Suffolk
£675 per night
Sticking with the grand theme, how does a Magical 12th Century Abbey sound? Thought you might like that.
Deep in the Suffolk countryside, this 12th-century abbey sleeps 18 and is completely surrounded by marshlands and forest. On that note, the description does say you will need ‘a car or a horse’ to get around. It’s just a few miles from the beach and around two hours to London – how perfect?!
Train Carriage, Machynlleth
£40 per night
This one is quite literally described as ‘train carriage on a hill’ and I’ll be honest that looks as though it’s a pretty bob on description.
It’s cosy and ideal for those looking for a walking or cycling trip in the surrounding Welsh hills. This one is also completely off the grid, so if you’re looking for an eco-friendly stay this is the one for you! The host also offers ‘holistic massage’ if you’re after it.
The Bridge House, Ballintuim
£164 per night
This unique two-bedroom home was built as part of the bridge over the River Ardle back in 1881. It’s been recently renovated – complete with a sauna by the way – a full king size four-poster bed, all soundtracked by the blissful river flowing.
The Crow’s Nest, Isle of White
£179 per night
I know what you’re thinking ‘another treehouse’. Well, you’re wrong because this one is ON THE BEACH.
Just about as far away as you can get without getting a plane, The Crow’s Nest is on the Isle of White and is a romantic, award-winning accommodation. Sit up from the king-size bed to a full view of the sea and a glorious golden beach. Pubs are just a short walk away too, doesn’t get better than that does it?!
Earth House, Canterbury
£90 per night
Finally, let’s get things back to nature with this Earth House. This is a unique and beautiful spiral straw bale studio with a reciprocal wooden roof.
There’s also the option to add on yoga and meditation tuition, breathwork, reiki treatments and even relationship therapy among a long list of other services.
*Check the latest updates and restrictions regarding travelling to Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales before booking.
Travel
New date set for when UK tourists will need to pay to enter Spain, Greece and Portugal
Here’s everything you need to know…
The date for when British tourists will have to pay to enter European holiday hotspots has changed, the European Union has confirmed.
It was originally announced that anyone from the UK travelling to one of the twenty-six countries in the Schengen States will have to apply and pay for a visa from September 2023.
However, the launch of the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) has been delayed, with it now being expected to come into force from November 2023.
From then, any British tourist travelling to any of the twenty-six Schengen State countries will have to apply via an official website and/or app for mobile devices with a fee of €7.
@raecaspar / Unsplash
The ETIAS has been designed to enhance security and enforce the borders of the Schengen zone, which includes popular holiday destinations such as Spain, Greece, Portugal and Italy.
They will be required for anyone over the age of eighteen and under the age of seventy travelling to one of the countries, whether it be by airplane, boat or car.
Read More: Airline issues warning to Brits travelling to Spain over new alcohol restrictions
Tourists will need a passport or equivalent document to apply, and it’s estimated that for the majority of people, ETIAS will be approved within minutes.
However, those who are flagged as a potential risk could face a wait of up to ninety-six hours.
@larasophie996 / Unsplash
An ETIAS will cost €7 (£5), with successful applicants being permitted to travel within the Schengen Zone for up to ninety days per 180-day period.
There are 26 countries in the Schengen Area, all of which will fall under the new visa system:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- The Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
For more information and to see if you’re eligible to apply for the new ETIAS visa, visit the official ETIAS website here.
Travel
Spain issues update on £85 a day rule for British tourists
According to officials, it isn’t a new rule…
Spanish officials have addressed the controversy surrounding the country’s new policy regarding British tourists’ spending money.
According to various reports last week, holiday-goers are now required to prove they can spend at least €100 (£85) a day for the duration of their holiday.
It was also suggested that tourists will need to provide evidence of a return flight or onward ticket, as well as proof of accommodation while on holiday.
A number of British travel firms criticised the alleged new policy, arguing that Brits contribute hugely to the large tourism market.
Julian Dik / Unsplash
But now, Spanish officials have dismissed these reports and clarified which rules British tourists need to be aware of.
A statement on behalf of the Spanish Tourist Office said the rule was not new and had in fact been in force since January 1st. It added that the regulations were not confined to Spain and applied to visitors from most nations outside the EU-Schengen border-free travel area.
Read More: Airline issues warning to Brits travelling to Spain over new alcohol restrictions
Manuel Butler, the Spanish Tourist Office director, said: “The requirement for UK travellers to be able to illustrate sufficient means for the duration of their stay and the return is established in the Schengen Borders Code and is not a Spain-specific requirement.
“This is not a new requirement and has been in place for some time for visitors from outside of the European Union or Schengen area. When entering Spain, these checks are not systematically carried out for every traveller.
Pixabay
“Likewise, travellers coming to the UK are also required to show that they have specific means to support themselves and any dependents for the duration of the trip and the ability to pay for the return or onward journey.”
The UK Foreign Office guidelines states: “Border guards will use passport stamps to check you’re complying with the 90-day visa-free limit for short stays in the Schengen area.
“If relevant entry or exit stamps are not in your passport, border guards will presume that you have overstayed your visa-free limit.”
Read more about the government’s entry advice for Spain here.
Travel
British tourists visiting Spain will need to prove they can spend £85 a day
A number of Spanish resorts are also restricting alcohol consumption among British tourists
Tourists heading to Spain this summer will need to prove they have adequate spending money under new travel restrictions.
Holiday-goers will now be required to prove they can spend at least €100 (£85) a day for the duration of their holiday. They may also need to provide evidence of a return flight or onward ticket, as well as proof of accommodation while on holiday.
These requirements follow a U-turn on Spain’s decision to ease airport congestion for holidaymakers by allowing all UK passport-holders to use automatic e-gates to enter the country.
British travel firms have criticised the tough new policies, arguing that Brits contribute hugely to the large tourism market.
Julian Dik/Unsplash
The Spanish Ministry del Interior said on the new entry requirements: “Foreigners from third countries must prove – if required to do so by the officials in charge of controlling the entry of people into Spanish territory – that they have economic resources for entering the country.
“This could be through cash, traveller’s cheques, payment letters, or credit cards, which must also be proven to have sufficient funds available on them.”
Read More: Airline issues warning to Brits travelling to Spain over new alcohol restrictions
The UK Foreign Office added: “At Spanish border control, you may need to show a return or onward ticket, show you have enough money for your stay, show proof of accommodation for your stay, for example, a hotel booking confirmation, proof of address if visiting your own property, or an invitation from your host or proof of their address if staying with a third party, friends or family.
“The Spanish government has clarified that the ‘carta de invitation’ is one of the options available to prove that you have accommodation if staying with friends or family.
Pixabay
“Tourists may also be asked to provide evidence that they are able to spend a minimum of €100 each day of their holiday, equating to £85.22 plus an additional minimum of €900.”
British tourists are also reminded to check their passport stamps to see if they enter or exit the EU Schengen area through Spain as a visitor.
The UK Foreign Office guidelines states: “Border guards will use passport stamps to check you’re complying with the 90-day visa-free limit for short stays in the Schengen area.
“If relevant entry or exit stamps are not in your passport, border guards will presume that you have overstayed your visa-free limit.”
Read more about the government’s entry advice for Spain here.
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