10 Strange and Unique Hotels in the UK

Weird and wonderful places to stay in the UK

🛏️  1. Amberley Castle

A Castle

Arundel, West Sussex

Amberley Castle

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Fancy living like royalty for a weekend? Get a taste of how the other half live and step into a piece of history at the majestic Amberley Castle, a quirky hotel with parts that date back to the 12th century. See all the impressive trappings you might expect, like suits of armour and grand fireplaces, while feeling pampered in luxurious rooms and a modern restaurant. There's also 12 acres of glorious grounds to discover at the unusual hotel, which boasts tennis courts, a croquet lawn and even an 18-hole putting course. As a Relais & Chateaux hotel, foodies will adore the gourmet offerings, which have been awarded AA Red Stars and AA Rosettes.

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🛏️ 2. Treehouse Hotel

A Treehouse

Central London

Treehouse Hotel London

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This leafy hotel may be in central London, but all the greenery ensures that it feels far away from its urban backdrop (which does, admittedly, feature Hyde Park). The quirky treehouse theme is created with the help of repurposed objects, snacks to pack away into your backpack (or even lunch box) and nostalgic music. For the best views, head up to the Nest, a rooftop bar and terrace with 360-degree views of the city. Both Hyde Park and Regent’s Park are within walking distance (the hotel is an excellent pet-friendly choice for dog owners).

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🛏️ 3. Canterbury Cathedral

A Cathedral

Canterbury

Canterbury Cathedral Lodge Hotel

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Did you know that you can sleep in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Canterbury Cathedral Precincts? Home to the incredible Canterbury Cathedral and the ruins of St Augustine's Abbey - the oldest church in the English-speaking world - there's also a comfortable and affordable hotel in the grounds to get you up close and personal. A wonderfully unusual hotel to spend your nights in the city, the Canterbury Cathedral Lodge offers cathedral views from most of the rooms and hearing the bells toll next door is rather magical. Set in the peaceful grounds of the cathedral, the quirky hotel is homely, with its spacious terrace and cosy library lounge.

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🛏️ 4. Georgian House Hotel

A Wizards Lair

Pimlico, London

Georgian House Hotel

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This light, bright and chic boutique hotel has a secret room hidden underground. The Wizard Chambers offer a magical stay in the capital, and are concealed on the hotel's lower ground floor. They're reached via a portrait-filled passageway bathed in candlelight, complete with stained glass windows, stone arches, cauldrons, velvet-clad four poster beds and wood burning stoves. The Georgian House Hotel also offers Wizard Afternoon Teas as a mystical feast of goodies including smoking salmon sandwiches, eye of newt scones, lemon cursed tart and head-popping chocolate lollipops complemented with either Bottomless Bubbles or a Wizard’s Cocktail or Mocktail potion of frozen crystals, druid's water and ancient red fairy dust. This is a quirky hotel experience that's brilliant for both big kids and little ones alike.

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🛏️ 5. Port Lympne Hotel

A Safari Park

Hythe, Kent

Port Lympne Hotel

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When a safari holiday abroad feels out of reach, Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve in Kent offers the next best thing. Giving you a touch of the exotic with a twist, the unusual hotel is set within 15 acres of landscaped gardens at the top of the Port Lympne reserve, which houses rhinos, tigers, gorillas and other amazing creatures. All profits from the hotel go to the conservation of the reserve and guests get exclusive access before and after visiting hours on the golf buggy included in the stay.

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Port Lympne Reserve Giraffe Cottage

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When a safari holiday abroad feels out of reach, Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve in Kent offers the next best thing. Giving you a touch of the exotic with a twist, the unusual hotel is set within 15 acres of landscaped gardens at the top of the Port Lympne reserve, which houses rhinos, tigers, gorillas and other amazing creatures. All profits from the hotel go to the conservation of the reserve and guests get exclusive access before and after visiting hours on the golf buggy included in the stay.

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🛏️ 6. Malmaison Oxford

A Prison

Oxford, Oxfordshire

Malmaison Oxford

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For something completely different, check into the Malmaison Oxford for a night in a prison. Now a more luxurious place to rest your head, the hotel's 95 rooms and suites were once basic cells. The converted Victorian prison became a hotel in 1996 and many of the original features remain. The rooms are luxurious, with power showers, digital TVs and 24-hour room service.

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🛏️ 7. The Bell in Ticehurst

A Fairy Inn

Ticehurst, East Sussex

The Bell in Ticehurst

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If an unusual country escape is on the agenda, you can't beat The Bell in Ticehurst for a whimsical hotel experience. Decor leans towards the eclectic, with top hat lamps, cuckoo clocks, floor-to-ceiling stacks of books, and neon signs. There are seven bedrooms in the hotel and four rustic lodges in the garden. One bedroom even has a silver birch tree in the middle of the space. Eschewing room numbers, each of The Bell’s guest rooms has its own distinctive name, from “The Benefit of the Doubt” to “Smile of Memories”. For all its quirks, the hotel is warm, stylish and welcoming (dogs included), with locally-sourced delicious food. Truly magical.

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🛏️ 8. Portmierion

A Mediterranean town

North Wales

Portmeirion North Wales

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Have you every stayed at a spot on its own private peninsula where accommodation is spread between the hotel, its own castle, and brightly-coloured village houses? Portmeirion Village & Castell Deudraeth in North Wales is like a mini resort, surrounded by acres of woodland gardens and sandy beaches, and just 21 miles from Snowdonia National Park. You can discover the Mediterranean pastels of Portmeirion village by foot with the Wales Coast Path. Built in 1925 by notable architect Clough Williams-Ellis, the colourful collection of bright houses are often referred to as the Venice of Wales. Adults and children alike will be amazed by the quirky buildings and their intriguing past, and enjoy exploring the exotic Japanese garden. The rooms are located at either The Portmeirion Hotel, Castell Deudraeth, or in the village rooms and suites. They're brightly decorated, each with a unique design and all the essentials you need for a mini-break.

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🛏️ 9. Snooze

A 70s Themed House

Kentish Town, Brighton

Snooze

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Quirky hotel Snooze is an explosion of '70s chic and memorabilia, including framed vinyl covers, old gig posters, vintage fairground signs and retro wallpaper. Set in the heart of Kemptown in Brighton, it's ideal for scouring the area's antique and vintage emporiums, and it's just a five-minute walk to the seafront. Riotous, fun, and funky, it's calling your name if you're a bit of an old rocker.

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🛏️ 10. Sunborn

A Yacht

Thames River, London

Sunborn London

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For a themed hotel with a difference, it’s hard to beat a night aboard a super-yacht afloat in the Thames, which is precisely the premise of Sunborn. The boat-turned-hotel is moored near Canary Wharf at Royal Victoria Dock. The 10,000-square-metre vessel has the feel of a glamorous ocean liner, with tasting menus and a bar on the deck for cocktails with a view out across London’s Docklands – the panorama includes the O2, formerly the Millennium Dome.

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Meet the Creator

Hi! 🖐🏼

My name is Josie, though lot's of my friends call me peanut. I am an enthusiastic traveller, adventurer and I love outdoor sports and recreation. I surf, climb, hike and will let nothing get in my way when trying to find new hidden gems across the UK and further. 

I am just starting out on my thatch.com journey and would love any support you can give! 

Check out my instagram @josieproto to see what else I get up to in my spare time (spoiler, I work at an exotic animal rescue, so load up on cute animal videos there)! 

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