Weird weekends: 6 bizarre places you can stay in the UK for the weekend - from a tiger enclosure to a Hobbit Hole

Do you ever find yourself doing weird things while you’re alone?

Pulling a face at yourself in the mirror. Commentating on your trip to the bathroom. Maniacally laughing as you boil some peas.

We’re all a bit weird, aren’t we?

And that’s no bad thing - philosopher Alain De Botton once said: “There's a whole category of people who miss out by not allowing themselves to be weird enough”.

For those who have embraced their inner strangeness, here are some bizarre UK getaways for a weekend away by yourself or with a fellow weirdo.

A Hobbit Hole in Sussex

Over lockdown many of us turned to fiction as a form of escapism, diving into classics as a form of escapism.

Holidaymakers and Lord of the Rings can take that a step farther by visiting this remarkable hobbit hole in the rolling Sussex countryside.

This spacious stay is complete with soul-warming touches, including heated oak flooring, ornate carved benches, a vaulted, beamed ceiling and an intricately-carved front door.

If you can bring yourself to leave the cheery two bedroomed hideaway, you can go on your very own adventure and explore nearby Bodiam Castle.

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A lighthouse in Cornwall

Despite what Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson psychological-horror The Lighthouse suggests, a stay at one of the beacons which lines the coast of the UK is good for the soul.

Sally Port Cottage on the Roseland Peninsula in Cornwall is a former keeper’s homestay, set in the shadow of an operational lighthouse. The cottage itself clings to a rocky outcrop which serves as a marvellous vantage point to observe the busy English Channel, whether it be tranquil or tempestuous.

The property, featured in children’s TV programme Fraggle Rock, has easy access to the beach and its own private sun patio, making it an ideal spot to visit during the summer months.

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A World War 2 ‘decoy’ bunker in Monmouthshire

Appearances can be deceptive.

This turf-roofed mini-home in Monmouthshire once served as a decoy bunker, utilised by the Ministry of Defence to deceive German bombers. Those occupying the bunker would light fires in a nearby field whenever an air raid threatened in an attempt to convince Luftwaffe pilots that they had bombed nearby Glascoed munitions factory.

Today the bunker is an atmospheric and inviting space, its curved roof complete with skylights offering visitors a view of the barely polluted sky. During the day, guests can make use of the patio situated on the turfed roof.

The bunker is completed with a double bed, sofa bed, fully equipped kitchen and a three-sided wood burner.

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A broch in Ross-shire

A broch is a drystone, hollow-walled structure found in Scotland and dating from the iron age.

That might not sound particularly inviting, but The Brochs of Coigach, created by Sheileagh and Reiner Luyken, come complete with underfloor heating, a sauna and a vast open plan kitchen, dining and sitting area, meaning you needn’t battle against the elements like our ancestors might have.

The pair of brochs are inspired by brothers Gille Buidhe and Scàl, said to be the first two people who settled in Coigach - a lonely peninsula in the northern reaches of Scotland. The sibling buildings, topped with grass roofs, both have marvellous panoramic views of the sea and wickedly shaped Wester Ross peaks.

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A bee-shape barn near Canterbury

“A bee-shaped what?”

“A bee-shaped barn. My husband and I are going on a holiday to a bee-shaped barn.”

“That’s absurd.”

“Yes, I suppose it is.”

Good luck explaining this holiday to anyone.

Oliver’s Travels’ Bee Barn, as the name suggests, is bee-shaped, with gorgeous rooms built within its comforting curves. It is deceptively spacious, offering an open plan living space, three bedrooms - one with an ensuite shower room - and a separate family bathroom. The eco-friendly Bee Barn was built using sustainable materials and with low impact living in mind. Guests can enjoy the long summer evenings on the sun trap deck whilst marvelling at sunsets or starry night skies.

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A tiger enclosure in Kent

Finally, it is possible to reenact Judith Kerr’s seminal children’s story The Tiger Who Came to Tea, albeit with a tiger-proof window separating you and the big cat.

Set partially inside the tiger enclosure at Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, this truly unique stay offers guests a chance to come within a whisker of an apex predator. A dream stay for animal-loving children, guests can appreciate the size and majesty of the Amur Tigers while dining, lounging and sleeping in this luxury two bedroomed lodge.

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