The UK's most amazing places to stay

Why stay in a 22-bedroom Georgian manor near Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, when you can sleep in this horsebox in its grounds, instead? Exactly. You can, however, make the most of its pool, snooker table and breakfast. From £79. brookscountryhouse.com

If a hut's going to beat a hotel, it can't just be any old hut. Lucky really, because this shabby chic shepherd’s hut is buried deep in the wilderness of the UK’s only national nature reserve that you can sleep in. Yep, that’s Elmley reserve, a 3,200-acre island that’s located on the River Thames in north Kent, just a 90-minute drive from London. elmleynaturereserve.co.uk

When a treehouse in the wilderness just won’t cut it, try hanging out in a crane on Bristol’s harbourside instead. It’ll be welcoming guests from June this year, but it’s in such high demand there’ll be a ballot process entry. Like bingo, but better. From £189. canopyandstars.co.uk

This 18th-century white-washed inn in Wiltshire has been lovingly restored by three village residents and damn do we love it. Rooms are cosy yet spacious and the dinner – oh! It's some of the best upmarket pub grub we’ve had. From £125 a night. innplaces.co.uk

With good food and a design ethic that marries the Roman and medieval history of quaint cotswold Cirencester with carefully chosen modern art and comfy-luxe furnishings, you'll find bare stone walls contrasted neatly with punches of contemporary colour sprinkled throughout. Even if you don’t happen to live in a 14th-century coaching inn, you’ll feel right at home. From £120 B&B. kingshead-hotel.co.uk 

This 15th-century pub is set on the edge of the North Yorkshire moors, and won Yorkshire’s first Michelin star back in 1996. Make the most of the sun-trap garden out the back, and ask to stay in the beam-ceilinged bedroom with the pool table. From £180 per night. thestaratharome.co.uk

Log fires? Cottage-style garden? Daily-changing menu of seasonal British chow? Yep, you're gonna have a pretty good time staying at this cosy, country-luxe pub with rooms on the eastern edge of the Cotwolds. In summer, lunch in the garden and take a walk through the village to Kelmscott Manor, the one-time home of William Morris. In winter, stay put and enjoy that a la carte menu. Double rooms from £90. theploughinnkelmscott.com

Enough of the thatched roofs – this cool 600-year-old family-run coaching inn is located in Horndon-on-the-Hill, Essex. Expect real ales, great food in a beamed-ceiling restaurant and 18 rooms that range from white, crisp and airy to cosy with navy throws. From £70 per night. bell-inn.co.uk 

From the outside, this church looks pretty standard, but step inside and you'll find a super-sleek space that sleeps up to 21 people. There‘s even a hot tub (though not for all 21 of you). That‘s some Sunday service… From £1,080 per night. airbnb.co.uk

Stay in these four converted 19th century railway carriages, and you and seven others can basically take over an entire train for the weekend. Even better, you’ll be staying right on the beach. First class. From £425 per week. oneoffplaces.co.uk

Made from local materials  and located on an organic farm, these mega-tents allow you to get back to nature without getting, ya know, muddy and stuff. Each has a wood-burning oven and a barbecue, and accommodates up to four. From £98 per night canopyandstars.com

These four well-appointed barns a few minutes from the beautiful coast of North Norfolk share a courtyard, barbecue and spa, as well as super-cosy decor and a supremely well navigated Farrow & Ball colour chart. Three nights from £455. barshambarns.co.uk

Marble bathrooms, muted tones, sea-view rooms and a blockbuster view of the only Royal Harbour in the UK? Yep, Albion House on up-and-coming Ramsgate's stunning seafront is a beautifully British bolthole. From £100 a night B&B. albionhouseramsgate.co.uk

Big country-home style bedrooms with equally big beds, a rustic menu of pork dishes and access to a long, sandy nudist beach makes this a top pick for sausage lovers. Oh, and the sea views aren’t too shabby either. From £145 a night B&B. thepighotel.com

If hotels aren’t your thing, try this retro cottage from Cool Stays. Inside it’s a 1950s-inspired colour explosion, while outside  the garden leads directly to Loch Harport. Perfect for hiking, fishing and big mountain views. From £475 a week. coolstays.com 

Visit Hastings for a mind-boggling selection of antique shops, a breezy new pier and this awesome little B&B, which was built in 1490 and now exists as a maze of cosy rooms. Breakfast is on point. From £80 a night B&B. swanhousehastings.co.uk