10 Luxury Rural Retreats for a Staycation Honeymoon

Weddings may be well and truly back on, but honeymoon-ing abroad can still present a myriad of obstacles to overcome. For many, the prospect of multiple-testing, isolation and an ever-changing traffic light system is understandably a bit much to take on after a wedding. 

With the word ‘staycation’ officially cemented into our annual-leave lingo, The Story Of. has curated our edit of 10 luxury staycation retreats for the ultimate staycation honeymoon, where you can rest, unwind and recount the memories of your special day.

Heckfield Place Luxury Staycation Honeymoon Hotel

HECKFIELD PLACE

Hampshire

Rooted to the earthy landscape of its Hampshire meadowside location, Heckfield Place is the contemporary result of an evolved Georgian aesthetic. Wildly peaceful, this countryside haven offers a full-circle adaptation of its own history, connecting the dots between past and present through the visual pearls of modernity which rest inside its antique shell.

Restored from its heritage origins and re-envisioned as a contemporary (yet still rural) getaway for those seeking the serene green, Heckfield Place is a considered resort which reflects its pastoral surroundings. From the natural treatments at The Bothy Spa to the movement studio Bodyism, an ethos of self-sufficiency defines this hotel - as demonstrated by the home farm, kitchen gardens and orchards which cater to the marble restaurant and open-flame hearth, all under the culinary direction of Skye Gyngell. Encouraging you to ‘unearth, reconnect and rediscover,’ Heckfield Place is a retreat for those looking to softly return back down to earth.

The Newt Luxury Staycation Honeymoon Hotel

THE NEWT

Somerset

With so many flocking south for staycations this year, why not visit the lesser-trodden lands of Somerset en-route to your seaside retreat? The Newt is the perfect pitstop to indulge in a touch of well-deserved luxury.

Set amongst the grounds of a 17th century Georgian family estate, the house, stable yard and farmyard offer uniquely curated guest rooms a short stroll from the grounds spectacular landscape gardens, where you can enjoy daily guided tours, bee-keeping workshops and aerial woodland walks. If relaxation is higher on the agenda, why not relax in their onsite spa or feast on estate-grown produce and Somerset’s signature local ciders. ​​

Pig Hotel Luxury Staycation Honeymoon Hotel

PIG HOTELS

Hampshire . Somerset . Dorset . Devon . Kent . Cornwall . West Sussex

A renaissance in architectural reinvigoration, Pig hotels have formed a string of structural feats which run the stretch of the country - from the chalky white Georgian streets of Bath to the sandy depths of Cornwall. A succession of renovated (yet still authentic) grade-listed buildings, each Pig hotel has its own definitive identity, all whilst all sharing a signature, reserved version of eclecticism.

Beyond the impressive interiors of all eight destinations, the Pig team champions a sustainable approach to hospitality. Catering to the greenhouse restaurants, deli bars and dining terraces, each location boasts its own kitchen garden which fills the plates of its guests with home grown and local produce.

Tuddenham Mill Luxury Staycation Honeymoon Hotel

TUDDENHAM MILL

Newmarket

On the site of the mill which, once upon a time, would ground corn for the neighbouring villages, Tuddenham Mill is a millennium-old historical building which stands softly behind the leafy greens of Suffolk. Remarkably refined behind the pastel-hued woodwork of its exterior, the boutique hotel offers guests a streamlined series of light and airy spaces, all warmed by the beached wood of the supportive beams above.

With double-ended baths tucked behind King-sized beds, private terraces which flow from the angled structure of corner sofas and the Scandi-themed Nooks which stand independent from the main building, the bucolic surroundings of Tuddenham Mill are offset by a multi-award winning restaurant. Headed by Chef Patron Lee Bye, guests dine on the fruits of the earth, with a seasonal range of local produce being plucked from the on-site gardens daily.

Artist Residence Luxury Staycation Honeymoon Hotel

ARTIST RESIDENCE HOTELS

London, Brighton, Bristol, Oxfordshire, Penzance

Artists Residence Hotels present a collection of perfectly situated guestrooms in some of the country’s buzziest locations for the couple who are into their culture. Housed in Brighton, Oxfordshire, London, Cornwall - and coming soon - Bristol, each residence is unique, inhabiting once forgotten buildings such as pubs, boot factories and old townhouses. In addition, each location comes uniquely decorated by local artists, featuring cafe/bar spaces for locals and guests alike.

Luxury Staycation Honeymoon Cottage

COTSWOLD FARM HIDEAWAY

Wotton-under-Edge

Deep in the lush green of the Cotswolds stands a trio of rustic, fully renovated cottages - each concealing an effortless amalgamation of natural living, raw materials and artistic savoir-faire inside. Headed by Judith, a Swiss-born creative with a passion for turning the magic of interiors into a tangible experience, The Cotswold Farm Hideaway is snuggled between rolling countryside hills, dotted with the countless sheep who also call it home.

Whether staying at White Hall and Willow or Winterspring (or even both, for big groups), guests will rest between the high ceilings and open-hearth fires of the cottages, which offer spacious front gardens with barbecue facilities, expansive walk-in showers and large triple glazed windows for observing the idyllic landscape beyond.

Sands Studio Luxury Staycation Honeymoon Hotel

SANDS STUDIO

St Ives, Cornwall

A golden gateway to sandy dunes with a sun-kissed approach to hospitality, Sands Studio is a true sovereign in the high-demand for St Ives staycations. Just a stone’s throw from Porthwgidden beach and with a front row seat to St Ives bay, this secluded retreat is abundant in the same warm glow that warms the cobbled streets of its seaside town.

Taking creative direction from the artistic heritage of St Ives, this idyllic Cornish apartment is threaded with tones of burnt copper, scintillating gold and rustic sand. Furnished with original mid-century pieces (with a cacophony of interior greats such as Chiltern dining chairs, pebble tables by Lucian Ercolani and Norwegian reading floor lamp by Haus Schmidt), Sands Studio remains a sun-drenched space even in the fateful drizzle of the British summer time.

The Scarlet Boutique Hotel

THE SCARLET

Newquay, Cornwall

Nestled between the soaring planes of the Cornish coast, The Scarlet rests above the endless great blue Atlantic. A seaside resort with a difference, the oceanic views aren’t the only natural element of this destination, as the spacious and sea-facing rooms are designed to be warmed by the sun and cooled by the sea breeze. Lulled by the soft rhythm of the rolling waves below, guests are invited to enjoy a range of secluded facilities from their bedroom - including private outdoor courtyards, meditative pod rooms and open-aired terraces.

Awash in coastal colours of soft dune yellow, blushed wildflower neutrals and green sea foam, the hotel also offers its seafaring residents other experiences such as a holistic spa (complete with alfresco clifftop hot tubs and a reed-filtered natural pool) and the local flavours of the seasonal kitchen restaurant - which introduces new, slow-grown ingredients to its menu at the exact pace in which nature intended.

Elmley Nature Reserve Luxury Retreat Saltbox

ELMLEY NATURE RESERVE

Kent

Tucked away on a beautiful island off the North of Kent, Elmley Nature Reserve presents a moment for quiet pause and reflection, located just 40 minutes outside of London. Nestled in over 3,300 acres of incredible wilderness, the estates surroundings are the perfect place to reconnect with yourself and with nature, too, boasting credentials as the only family-owned and managed nature reserve in the UK. Accommodation options range from bell tents, cabins and shepherds huts all the way to luxurious rooms within the estate itself.

Committed to sustainability and biodiversity, Elmley boasts three onsite bars and restaurants featuring home-grown produce, or - if you fancy staying put, you can order a hearty supper hamper delivered directly to your hut door. And yes, they host weddings too.

Hampton Manor Boutique Hotel

HAMPTON MANOR

Hampton-In-Arden

Forming a culinary love letter to their own history, the family who head Hampton Manor (the Hill’s) have centred their estate around an unparalleled passion for dining - reimagining the British staycation for those that ‘love food, story and meaningful connection.’ A hearty hotel with a history as rich as the recipes served to its ‘intrepid foodies,’ Hampton Manor boasts an insatiable itinerary of on-site restaurants - such as the charcoaled open-air of Smoke’s wood fires and the fuss-free fine dining of Peel’s restaurant.

The estate is a whirlwind of heritage, right down to each guest room being named after someone who once owned the estate, from queens to musicians. Set within 45-acres of rolling woods, this 19th-century country manor is toasting to tomorrow through the pleasures of the past.

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