HomeAway.co.uk's ‘Best of British’ holiday home rentals

With our varied landscape, magnificent scenery and rich cultural heritage, a holiday at home in Britain offers so much more than just a ‘bucket and spade’ and holds plenty of surprises for those who have never tried it before.

As well as vibrant cities, arresting coastlines and sandy beaches, the British countryside boasts outstanding natural beauty with its rolling valleys, mountains and hills. HomeAway Holiday-Rentals, the UK’s largest holiday rentals website, offers travellers a rare opportunity to rent some of the best of British homes.

So if you are looking for a truly unique holiday experience with family or friends, or fancy playing at Lord and Lady of the Manor for a week, take a look at the pick of the top 10 properties in the UK, featuring some of the most imposing mansions and country houses available to rent as a holiday home. Step back in time and discover luxury living in a 15th Century medieval house, or relax in your own 800 acre estate surrounded by delightful gardens.

However, it’s not only exceptional properties that are available to rent. There are currently over 6,000 private holiday homes in the UK listed on HomeAway.co.uk, from the Scottish Highlands to the Cornish Coast, providing accommodation for every type of holiday and budget.

Whether you’re looking for a typical beach break, an activity holiday, a spot of skiing or golf, or some serious pampering, there will be a holiday home to suit. The 6,000+ properties in the UK include:

• More than 3,000 holiday homes near the sea or a beach
• Around 50 on holiday ‘resorts’
• Thousands of properties in rural locations or villages
• Around 180 holiday homes ‘near the mountains’
• Over 280 ‘waterfront’ holiday homes
• More than 1,500 properties in city centres or towns
• 200 properties near skiing facilities
• Over 3,800 properties near golf facilities

Prices quoted below are per property per week and correct at time of going to press.

The Top 10 ‘Best of British’ homes on HomeAway.co.uk

1. Baronial Loch side house set on the banks of the Loch, Scottish Highlands
7 Bedrooms, Sleeps 14. From £1,650 per week
This is a Scottish Baronial self catering house and was built in the grand style of 1892 and still retains all the Scottish character of the period, including pine panelling, delicate plaster cornices and magnificent turrets. Ardrhu luxury house is set just a few meters from the Loch and has uninterrupted panorama views of 3000ft high mountains. The house is set within 4 acres of mature landscaped grounds, with an all weather tennis court.
homeaway.co.uk/p86614

2. Stunning 19th century country house in Northumberland
2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 24. From £4,100 per week
Guyzance Hall is a beautiful gentleman's residence surrounded by landscaped gardens and an 800 acre estate with breathtaking views. Tastefully refurbished, Guyzance Hall retains a timeless elegance but with modern luxuries. There are 12 bedrooms, all double or twin with en-suite or private bathrooms, individually decorated to the highest standards. The ground floor comprises the large drawing room with open fire and doors leading onto the lawn, intimate library, elegant wood panelled dining room and magnificent Edwardian ballroom with minstrels' gallery. There is also a tennis court and indoor swimming pool on the estate.
homeaway.co.uk/p417412

3. 17th century manor house with spa, Oxfordshire Cotswolds
12 Bedrooms, Sleeps 32. From £6,000 per week
The 70 acre Cotswold country estate features an organic parkland, pasture and woodland and a gorgeous 17th century, Grade II listed manor house at its heart. The Old Manor House is exquisitely situated in its own land and is approached down a long, private, tree-lined driveway past a wildlife pond. The Old Manor House is very spacious and luxurious, full of charm and character and offers a spacious games room and a fantastic spa and hot tub beautifully set in a gazebo in the delightful formal garden.
homeaway.co.uk/p405572

4. Magnificent Grade II listed Medieval House, Suffolk
12 Bedrooms, Sleeps 24. £4,950 per week
A unique and exciting opportunity to exclusively hire a magnificent 15th century Grade II listed, Medieval House for your own personal use. The Old Neptune offers luxurious and spacious self catering accommodation in a spectacular setting. Steeped in history and painstakingly restored over recent times, the interior decor has been stylishly updated to complement the historic architecture.
homeaway.co.uk/p9479

5. Jacobean mansion overlooking the beautiful Gipping Valley, Suffolk
9 Bedrooms, Sleeps 21. From £2,097 per week
Set in mature and elevated grounds this imposing property will provide you with the perfect backdrop for a truly memorable holiday. Enjoy a banquet in style in your own private dining hall, a champagne reception in the grand drawing room with its incredible stone fireplace and French doors leading out onto the terrace and garden or just relax and unwind in the elegant living room. The interior displays many period features including studded wooden doors, original wood flooring and leaded windows alongside more modern conveniences.
homeaway.co.uk/p424509

6. English country estate with home cinema, Berkshire
5 Bedrooms, Sleeps 11. £2,600 per week
This is an English country house with plenty of indoor space for entertaining family and friends, set in 20 acres of estate land and glorious gardens with mature plants and trees. The property features five luxury bedrooms with countryside views from every window, a country style breakfast room open plan to kitchen, oak framed living room with views to the garden on three sides, log fire, magnificent dining room and home cinema with 14 reclining seats.
homeaway.co.uk/p418796

7. 11th century moated manor house in Surrey
7 Bedrooms, Sleeps 16. From £4,805 per week
This 11th Century moated manor house nestles on the edge of the Surrey Hills and provides the perfect mix of historic character and striking modern design. It also boasts over 1,000 years of history, including numerous Royal visits: King George V and Queen Mary used one of the bedrooms in 1913. The grand dining room features wood panels from the Spanish Armada and the ‘glass box’ conservatory/dining area is a striking addition to the kitchen. Other facilities include a forty foot indoor heated pool, sauna and tennis court.
homeaway.co.uk/p77651

8. Luxury modern barn in Cheddar & Bridgwater area
6 Bedrooms, Sleeps 12. From £1,695 per week
This recently renovated house sits in five acres in the Quantock Hills, England's first designated area of outstanding natural beauty. There are six double bedrooms and three bathrooms, a fully fitted modern kitchen, a dining room that seats 12 and the main oak barn, which is flooded with natural light and has views across the hills and the stream that runs through the grounds.
homeaway.co.uk/p422533

9. Stunning stone built house set in superb gardens, Bude
5 Bedrooms, Sleeps 12. From £800 per week
A wonderful house, set in large and secluded gardens, in the quiet hamlet of Upton a few minutes from the centre of Bude town. Upton House is a fantastic house built from local Cornish stone and offers really superb accommodation for up to twelve. Original flagstone floors are to be found in the hallway, impressive kitchen and conservatory and there are a further two sitting rooms providing plenty of space for all.
homeaway.co.uk/p428923

10. Large village house in Canterbury, with pool
8 Bedrooms, Sleeps 16. From £2,250 per week
'Maryland House' is a substantial 1930s residence situated on the edge of a small village. Featuring fabulous contemporary interiors and an acre of family friendly landscaped gardens, Maryland House offers a quiet retreat to re-charge and spend time with loved ones. There is an outdoor pool, a children play area, lawn and gated driveway for the little ones to enjoy in safety, with a spectacular vaulted conservatory dining room for the adults.
homeaway.co.uk/p407086