When summer gilds the UK in golden light and long, luxurious days beckon, the country’s verdant landscapes showcase the magic of the season. Flee the everyday and embrace morning walks kissed by the rising sun, unhurried lunches in charming cafés, and relaxed evenings in an Arcadian abode as blue skies give way to the star-kissed cosmos.
From moorlands adorned in heather and wooded valleys shrouded in dappled light to rolling countryside and ethereal mountainscapes, the UK is home to endless rural landscapes in which to reset. Curate your own spellbinding summer retreat in a peaceful corner with our collection of rural retreats perfect for heavenly sun-kissed sojourns.
Apple Blossom House
Surrounded by 15 acres of dappled woodlands and wildflower meadows, Apple Blossom House beckons for serene escapes amidst Devon’s halcyon charms. Sleeping six, this storybook cottage is a daydream wrapped in oak beams and sun-lit corners, with every room drawing you into a blissful reverie. Sumptuous sofas promise mornings of idyllic relaxation as you sip aromatic blends and immerse yourself in the pages of your latest read. Outside, a wood-fired hot tub invites soul-soothing moments soundtracked by the whisper of summer-kissed leaves. As dusk falls and stars blanket the night sky, savour fireside relaxation in the luxurious living area, before retreating to one of three beautiful bedrooms for restful repose.
A part of the dreamy Apple Blossom Coombe collection, gather up to eight loved ones for a grand getaway, with agenda-free days spent between the sun-kissed grounds and the bewitching landscapes of Devon.
Almond Cottage
Retreat into a storybook stay at Almond Cottage, a dreamy oasis for two that boasts luxury and countryside charm at every turn. Grade II listed and utterly enchanting, each room has been artfully curated for rapturous chapters throughout your summer sojourn. Bask in gilded moments in the stone-hewn courtyard and sink into a stay adorned with leisurely breakfasts bathed in gentle light and slow afternoons in the shaded seating area. Nestled in the heart of Bakewell, spend summer days exploring cobblestone streets lined with ambrosial bakeries. And when adventure calls, don your walking boots and step into the undulating landscapes of the Peak District National Park for heather-topped strolls and panoramic views that feed the soul.
Stellan
Cornwall’s patchwork interior has long sparked the imagination of all who seek its breathtaking landscapes, especially during the summer months when clear skies and lush pastures cradle the hillscapes in a golden embrace. Perched high above these rolling scenes, Stellan beckons for fairytale moments framed by verdant views in every direction. Sleeping eight, each room boasts blissful vistas and soul-soothing interiors, from the light-infused kitchen to the magical living room, where floor-to-ceiling windows draw your gaze to the ethereal environs beyond. When the sun casts the countryside in its golden glow, throw open the French doors and step onto the sun-warmed terrace for enchanting alfresco meals beneath a sprawling sky, or tread a little further and explore the rich charms of Cardinham Woods and Golitha Falls as rays flicker through the canopy above.
Sonnet, a poetic abode for two, sits a stone’s throw from Stellan, inviting you to extend your party further as you soak up Cornwall’s ancient moorland and idyllic countryside together.
Kai
Romance wrapped up in a russet-brick exterior, Kai beckons for blissful summer adventures amidst the untamed beauty of the Lake District National Park. Stepping inside this heavenly homestay, uncover rich green hues that blend seamlessly with the verdant landscapes outside, promising a restorative reprieve you won’t want to leave. Sink into the wood-fired hot tub for unrivalled views while you soak in the sumptuous waters. Lush gardens encircle Kai, while the alfresco dining area paints pictures of romantic meals lit by the honey-dipped glow of the sun, before gathering around the fire pit to watch the flames flicker and dance before you. On your doorstep, a mesmerising medley of shimmering lakes and towering mountains dip and climb across the Lake District National Park and North Pennines National Landscape, promising myriad walks to get lost in, from gentle waterside explorations to breathtaking climbs up rugged fells.
The Grey Shed
Summer in Yorkshire is a tapestry of rolling moorlands, leaf-lined waterfalls, and welcoming villages brimming with rural charm and boutique cafés. Ensconced in a sprawling National Landscape, a stone’s throw from the historic city of York, The Grey Shed is daydream dusted with Scandi interiors and rural reveries. The open plan dining area is bathed in light from above, offering a serene space in which to craft your sumptuous repasts. Walking through the artfully styled living area, Crittall-style doors open up onto the stone-framed outdoor space, where sun-kissed afternoons slip into reposeful evenings lit by the curling flames of the fire pit. Spend deliciously slow days in your cocoon of tranquil moments, or uncover cobbled cityscapes and the lush idylls of the Howardian Hills National Landscape and moor-topped National Parks beyond.
Brick House Farm
A verdant utopia laced with wooded valleys and curving rivers, Herefordshire is a mesmeric haven made all the more vibrant for summer’s warming caress. Sitting in the heart of a working farm, Brick House Farm is a quintessential Herefordshire homestead welcoming fourteen guests and up to two dogs into its rural raptures. Country living at its finest, each room is a paragon of luxurious comfort, with the spacious kitchen and dining room promising grand feasts gathered around the gorgeous farmhouse dining table. Play pool into the night in the beautifully appointed games room, before sinking into the delicious depths of the hot tub outside. As the summer months wrap the red-brick homestay in an aurelian cloak, this rural retreat invites you to embrace outdoor living as you turn to the sprawling courtyard. A large table set beneath the gentle shade of a pagoda beckons for unhurried breakfasts and lavish lunches, while the terrace offers the perfect place to sit back and bask in your Arcadian oasis as fields stretch before you.
Bluebell
Set in the patchwork scenes near Dartmoor National Park, Bluebell is the picture of countryside charm. Sleek interiors punctuated with rustic finishes ebb and flow through this luxury abode for two, with an open plan layout that whispers of dreamy moments curled up on sumptuous sofas or gathered around the kitchen island, with a glass of something special in hand. Outside in the suntrap garden, summer fills the enclosed space with warmth, whether you choose to recline in the Adirondack loungers or sup alfresco at the outdoor table with wood-fired fare from the pizza oven. In the corner, as the peaceful shroud of night descends and the festoon lights cast the courtyard in a honeyed glow, step into the bubbling depths of the hot tub and bask in your oasis of calm. For enchanting moments amidst Devon’s rural landscapes, ascend the steps to the top of the gorgeous raised platform and soak up views crafted of wooded dips and grassy hillocks beneath a blazing sky.
Birkenbaud
Scotland’s expansive mountainscapes are the epitome of rural living, with plush forests carpeting the undulating hills as they slowly ascend to lofty peaks. Birkenbaud sits peacefully within these grand landscapes, surrounded by rich pine forests that fill the air with their heady scent. Sleeping ten, this majestic homestay celebrates its lush setting with large windows that fill the walls with panoramic vistas of Scotland in summer, tempting you out into the untamed wilderness where red squirrels and deer await. Back at your sumptuous sanctum, a sauna and hot tub promise soulful moments of ethereal bliss beneath a powder-blue sky. Ensuring you soak up every moment of summer sun, Birkenbaud boasts 1.5 acres of sweeping estate. Gather around the outdoor dining table for sunlit repasts, or watch the children rewild at the children’s play park, complete with a fireman’s pole, swing set, and basketball hoop.
Fiddlesticks
Fiddlesticks calls to all who seek a storybook stay amidst Dorset’s rippled scenes. The darling thatched cottage permeates charm at every turn, from the stunning vaulted ceiling and windows in the kitchen that look out over a lush garden to the four gorgeous bedrooms that promise the most restorative sleep. When the summer sun beckons, step outside onto the beautifully appointed patio to indulge in a serene soak in the hot tub as the sweet scent of summer strawberries drifts in from the herb garden. Alfresco dining is brought to life with the lovely teak dining table and charcoal barbeque, while the corner sofa, sun loungers, and swing benches invite you to relax in any way you choose. If you can be tempted away from your heavenly retreat, the historic streets of Shaftsbury are only a short drive away, while the beauty of Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs National Landscapes lie a little further, promising an array of walks to explore.
Tan y Coed
A rural retreat to capture the imagination and enchant the heart, Tan y Coed is a magical escape for eight in the Shropshire hills. Crafting a love letter to summer, a three-acre valley wraps around the fairytale abode, home to a bucolic bounty of dappled woodlands and ethereal grounds. Within the Welsh stone homestead, you’ll find a curated medley of modern finishes and traditional touches that blend effortlessly throughout your bewitching abode. Curate heavenly feasts in the luxury kitchen, before stepping into the oak-framed atrium beyond to enjoy your creations alongside idyllic views. When the sun is at its peak, there’s no better place to be than luxuriating in your pocket oasis. Whether you choose to picnic by the pond, sip Champagne on the sun-warmed patio, or read beneath the folly bell tower, Tan y Coed’s enchanting setting is sure to stay with you long after you leave its emerald embrace.
Feeling inspired for a rural retreat this summer? Uncover our collection of luxury countryside cottages across the UK.
