Formed in 2009, the Archive Team (not to be confused with the archive.org Archive-It Team) is a rogue archivist collective dedicated to saving copies of rapidly dying or deleted websites for the sake of history and digital heritage. The group is 100% composed of volunteers and interested parties, and has expanded into a large amount of related projects for saving online and digital history.
Next year to save money, we have decided to use our lovely static caravan for all our UK holidays. Whether we do remains to be seen of course! All too often it seems, we are tempted by new destinations and quite often, quirky accomodations! Here I have listed 10 of our more unusual stays, happily all of them seem to be still going strong. 🙂
A Showmans Wagon In Cornwall.
Located in Cornwall’s beautiful Tamar Valley, Spring Park is a captivating collection of vintage vans and cute cabins, set in their own private wildflower meadows. We stopped in The Duke, a 1940s Showmans Wagon back in 2016. I absolutely loved how cosy The Duke is , with its french enamel wood burning stove and colourful decor. A large modern bathroom is situated in a separate timber building and just outside there’s a Wood Fired Hot Tub. Your deep in the Cornish countryside here, so truly a place to relax and recharge.
A Crofters Cottage In The Outer Hebrides.
White sands, turquoise sea and stunning machair are just some of the attractions of a stay on North Uist in The Outer Hebrides. In 2017 we rented Monty’s Cottage , a thatched one story Crofters cottage on the island . The restored black house had been home to conservationist Monty Halls ( and his rescue dog Roobs) for the BBC series ‘ Monty Halls Great Escapes’. The show had really sparked our interest in visiting the Uists, fast forward a few years and we finally got there, stopping in that very same cottage. Possibly my favourite quirky stay, though I think the gorgeous location was key.
An Art Deco Hotel In The Lake District.
Did you know that there is a beautiful Art Deco hotel in a remote corner of the Lake District. The Haweswater looks out across the reservoir/lake of the same name. Built in 1937 by The Manchester Waterworks, the guesthouse has 17 bedrooms, and two restaurants. The stunning interiors feature parquet flooring and 1930s antiques. We’ve been lucky enough to stay here on two separate occasions and have seen how lovingly the building has been restored over the years.
A Tree Dome In Shropshire.
In 2019 we glamped in style under a canopy of trees in Shropshire. Woodland Escapes near Ludlow comprises of five different properties in a shady woodland setting. Tree Dome with its elevated position and wrap around decking has an alfresco oven for cooking and hot tub for relaxing . It’s a short hop, skip and a jump to the outdoor shower room, but the super kingsize bed and glowing wood burner kept us cosy once back inside the dome.
A Shepherds Hut In The Lakes.
My first glamping experience was back in 2015. Wil, Hugo and I snuggled inside a bijou Shepherds Hut near Coniston Water. I remember we played Scrabble, barbecued and stayed toasty by the wood burning stove. Herdwick Huts have had a change of location since ( the beauty of sheds on wheels!) ,they now reside in the grounds of Rydal Hall. So still that idyllic Lakeland scenery, right on your doorstep.
A Gothic Guesthouse In Whitby.
Seemingly I described La Rosa as a haven for teacups and taxidermy, when we stayed here in 2012. Happily the period townhouse with its coveted views of Whitbys famous abbey has retained it’s eccentricity and kitch decor. The 8 themed bedrooms include a Lewis Carroll inspired boudoir ( the guesthouse was a favourite seaside retreat of his) and a Bram Stoker room. Breakfast is a hamper delivered to your door. A Victorian Tearoom and Cocktail Library add to La Rosa’s unique charm.
A Fairytale Woodland Cottage In Staffordshire.
Hansel & Gretel Cottage is a much loved Victorian Folly , built by a former Earl of Bradford on his Staffordshire Estate. The charming lakeside cottage with its own pier is set in 200 acres of private woodland. Off-grid ( powered by a generator) yet luxurious, guests here are encouraged to toast marshmallows on the fire, read by candlelight and borrow a vintage bicycle to ride around the estate. A romantic retreat and fairytale treat.
A Lighthouse In Wester Ross.
Of everywhere we have been fortunate enough to stop Rua Reidh Lighthouse must be the most remote. Perched high on the cliffs at the end of a long and fairly hair raising 3 mile track, this Stephenson Lighthouse looks out over Loch Ewe and the vast ocean beyond. Guest accommodation comprises of two tastefully renovated former keepers cottage apartments and the bijou sea facing Hide. Rua Reidh is for those who seek solace, bracing cliff top walks and occasional wonderful wildlife spots.
A Cool Castle In Ayrshire.
Last year my sister booked an actual Scottish Castle for a family break by the coast in North Ayrshire. Six adults, two teenagers and a dog made ourselves at home in the quirky and cool Knock Old Castle near Largs. Dating back to the 14th Century, this unique residence is brimmed full of unusual touches. Fresco painted ceilings, fairytale turrets, higgledy piggeldy floors & steps and stained glass windows. There’s also a glass lookout tower, a sauna in another tower, hot tub and a lawned garden perfect for playing croquet.
A Cosy Cabin In Kilmartin Glen.
If there’s an alfresco bath tub in the garden, you know your holiday accommodation is going to be a little bit different. Some years ago we enjoyed a few days away in A Peaceful 1930s Cabin near Kilmartin Glen, Argyle, Scotland. Located in the owners orchard, the cabin features a Scandinavian wood burning stove that really keeps things cosy. I remember making a fruit crumble using apples and plums from the orchard, and eyeing up that bath with some trepidation. 🤔Luckily there’s also a shower room indoors!
Are you tempted by any of the places above?
What is the most quirky accomodation you have stopped in?
* Everything above welcomes dogs. Some don’t have WiFi or television.
sunshine and celandines 
