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From cosy cottages with open fires to historic houses with Tudor beams, there are all kinds of charismatic holiday properties in the UK.
Whether it’s the wild Scottish Highlands or sunny Southern England, there’s something magical about retreating to your own home on holiday, and enjoying a staycation that’s as peaceful as it is private.
While most of us may not have the funds for a holiday home, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the perks of a second property – so we’ve partnered with the Holiday Property Bond (HPB) to show you how. In exchange for an initial investment from £5,000 and a quarterly fee of less than £38, you can access over 1,500 luxury properties, many of which are located in national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty.
For each holiday you go on, you’ll pay a user charge covering maintenance costs and the use of onsite facilities like swimming pools. The average charge to stay in a HPB home for a week is £372 for a studio property, and £569 for a two-bedroom property. HPB holiday homes are also finished to the highest standard, so this is far less than what you’d pay for similarly luxurious properties.
Even if you have the money to buy a second home, there are many reasons why becoming a Bondholder may make more sense. You’ll have the freedom to stay in properties all across the country, and there’s a huge amount of diversity when it comes to property style, too; you can stay in cosy cottages, converted farms, and grand, historic mansions.
To get you inspired, here are 10 gorgeous HPB locations in the UK. And to find out more about HPB, you can head over to their website.
1. Buckland Court, Cotswolds, England
If you fancy a Cotswolds escape, the picture-postcard village of Broadway is an excellent choice. Home to honey-hued stone buildings and quirky independent shops, there’s plenty to keep you entertained – and just a Cotswold stone’s throw away is Buckland Court. As you drive up the quiet pebble road from the historic hamlet of Buckland, you’ll catch your first glimpse of this idyllic cluster of cottages.
Once old farm buildings, these cottages have been beautifully converted and refurbished, and, located in a quiet valley surrounded by greenery, are incredibly peaceful. While the exterior of the cottages is old, inside things are bright, light, and modern. With one and two-bedroom cottages available, Buckland Court is ideal for a romantic retreat, or a getaway with friends or family.
2. Bell End Farm, Rosedale, North York Moors, England
North Yorkshire boasts some of the most dramatically beautiful countryside in the UK, and if you’d like to explore this region, Bell End Farm could be for you. Originally a working moorland farm, the properties were later developed into stone and brick cottages. Located half a mile from the village of Rosedale Abbey, and nestled into the hills, it’s the perfect base for discovering the area.
The properties range from cosy one-bedroom cottages to spacious three-bedroom homes, so there’s plenty of choice. Inside are wooden beams, brick fireplaces, and farmhouse styling, while, outside, gorgeous views of trees and rolling green hills await. Plus, when you’re not off hiking or exploring, you can enjoy an indoor heated plunge pool and a clubhouse complete with a snooker table.
3. Witch’s Pool, Perthshire, Scotland
If you’re more drawn to Scotland’s spectacular scenery, why not enjoy a staycation in Perthshire? This beautiful county boasts rugged highlands, gleaming lochs, verdant glens, and ancient forests – making it a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, particularly anglers. And, situated on the banks of the River Ericht, close to the town of Blairgowrie, you’ll find the whimsically-named Witch’s Pool.
HPB offer six one-bedroom lodges with gorgeous views of the surrounding woodland and access to the river, where the salmon beat stretches for one-and-a-half miles. The lodges also have terraces at the front, from where you can admire scenic views in the day, and brightly shining stars at night. The magnificent Cairngorms National Park is within an easy drive, so the hiking options are excellent.
4. St Brides Castle, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Remote and unspoilt, Pembrokeshire is home to one of Europe’s most glorious coastlines, and if you enjoy beach-based holidays, it’s an ideal destination. As well as having 52 stunning beaches, there are plenty of historic castles and forts, fabulous hiking trails, and many characterful towns and villages to tour. And, if you like staying in unique accommodation, few places can compete with St Brides Castle.
Set in almost 100 acres of sweeping parkland, this grand 19th-century baronial mansion enjoys stunning views across St Brides Bay and the Irish Sea. The main building boasts 22 stylish apartments, while away from the castle are cottages that sleep between two and eight guests. When you’re not off exploring, you can relax in the library or billiards room, or take a dip in the sleek indoor pool.
5. Lower Knapp Farm, Devon, England
Famous for its spectacular coastline, wild moors, and wooded hills and valleys, Devon has long been a popular choice for a staycation. And, if you’re dreaming of a peaceful country retreat, Lower Knapp Farm certainly ticks the box. Located in the scenic Roncombe Valley, just two miles from the pretty village of Sidbury and five miles from the market town of Honiton, it’s the perfect base to explore the southwest.
Once a Victorian farm, the large farmhouse and many outbuildings have been beautifully converted, and the cottages can accommodate between two and six guests. Tucked into the quiet Devonshire hills, it’s easy to imagine what farm life was like here – and the cottages still have a warm, rustic feel. But there’s plenty of luxury, too, from the modern clubhouse to the sleek indoor pool and sauna.
6. Ballylinny, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is home to some of the UK’s most impressive sights, and Co. Antrim, in particular, boasts a wealth of natural, historical, and cultural attractions. From the world-famous Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge to Dunluce Castle and the world’s oldest whisky distillery, there’s so much to see and do. To explore the local area, you might like to consider a stay at Ballylinny.
Located right on the craggy coastline, the site boasts scenic views of Giant’s Causeway, Portballintrae village, and the vibrant green countryside. There are four two-bed properties and six three-bed properties, making Ballylinny ideal for trips with friends and family. When you’re not off exploring, there’s a tennis court, clubhouse, and games room on site, and plans for an indoor swimming pool.
7. Tigh Mor Trossachs, Trossachs, Scotland
Another fabulous destination in Scotland is the Trossachs, an area of craggy mountains, deep-cut glens, glistening lochs, and shady green forests. The scenery alone is dramatic enough, but to up the ante, why not stay in Tigh Mor Trossachs? This imposing country home will excite and inspire from the very first glance; it’s no exaggeration to say it looks like it’s fallen right out of a fairytale.
Following a multi-million pound restoration, Tigh Mor is every bit as grand as it was in its heyday, when Queen Victoria stayed there. Today it offers 76 beautiful holiday apartments and cottages, as well as tennis courts, an indoor pool, a gym, and even your own private fishing pond. There are wonderful walks around the nearby Loch Achray and Loch Katrine, and Ben A’an mountain is also within hiking distance.
8. Henllys, Anglesey, Wales
The Welsh island of Anglesey has long been a popular tourist hotspot, and if you like spending your holidays by the sea, you’ll be spoiled for choice. There are 46 gorgeous beaches here, with 26 of them winning awards for their beauty. The hiking options are also exceptional, and paths take you through landscapes that include cliffs, lagoons, dunes, lakes, wetlands, heaths, and fields.
If you’re keen to explore Anglesey, why not stay at Henllys? Once a Franciscan Friary, this historic home has been converted into stylish cottages and apartments, some in the main mansion building, others in the scenic grounds. The property has its own golf course looking out onto the spectacular Snowdonia mountains, and there’s also an onsite pool, sauna, steam room, tennis courts, and even a chic bistro.
9. Blore Hall, Peak District, England
The Peak District is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. This beautiful part of England teems with birds, butterflies, and wildflowers, and when you’re not walking along the limestone dales and heather moors, you can go sailing, canoeing, and horse riding. The region is also home to many of the UK’s grandest country homes, including Chatsworth – so why not stay in one during your staycation?
Once a 16th-century manor house, Blore Hall has been converted into cottages and apartments. Set among pristine gardens and rolling hills, a sense of history still pervades these properties, which boast wooden beams and traditional furniture. The banqueting hall is particularly impressive! The amenities, however, are modern, and include a heated indoor pool, sauna, tennis court, and games room.
10. Sibton Park, Kent, England
Known as the ‘Garden of England’, Kent’s scenic landscape and cultural attractions draw visitors from all over the world – and if you’re keen to discover its charms, Sibton Park might be the holiday property for you. Set in 43 acres of peaceful parkland, this superb Grade II-listed country house has been converted into apartments and cottages, and it’s the ideal base from which to explore.
Not only is it close to the historic cities of Canterbury and Rochester, but it’s also just five miles from the Channel Tunnel…so a day trip to France could be on the cards! With charming villages on your doorstep, not to mention castles, cathedrals, and walking trails, you’ll never be bored – but, if you’d like to relax, you can enjoy the heated pool and sauna, play tennis or table tennis, or just sunbathe in the gardens.
Final thoughts…
From cosy cottages in Cotswold villages to stylish apartments in grand country houses, the holiday properties featured here are just a selection of what’s on offer at HPB.
If you’d like to stay in more than one of these properties, remember that as long as you’re a Bondholder, there’s no reason why you can’t stay at them all!
One of the best things about HPB holidays is that you have the option of travelling around and discovering new parts of the country. And, of course, once you find your dream UK holiday property, you can return time and again.
The Holiday Property Bond is a financial product that’s authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. All new Bondholders benefit from a “Money Back Promise”; if you take your first holiday within three years and aren’t completely satisfied, you can apply to cash in your Bond. As long as you do so within 14 days of returning and one of the investors was on the holiday, you’ll receive a full refund of your initial payment.
To find out more about HPB, and request a free, illustrated brochure, head over to their website.
Are you tempted by any of these beautiful UK holiday properties? Are you interested in the idea of the Holiday Property Bond? We’d love to hear about your thoughts in the comments below.
Exclusive holidays for life – how and how much?
HPB is all about holidays for life. You should only consider it for its holiday benefits – a wide choice, consistent quality, and a no profit user charge, rather than a commercial rent. An initial payment from £5,000 and a quarterly fee of under £38 (around £150 a year), which can increase in line with but not exceed the Retail Price Index Excluding Mortgage Interest (RPIX), gives you access to all HPB’s holiday homes.
For each HPB holiday, you will pay a no-profit user charge covering only property running and maintenance costs and use of on-site facilities. The charge is the same throughout the year – there are no high season premiums. The average charge for a studio is around £372 and around £569 for a two bedroom property, for a week. Larger properties are also available.
After an initial charge of 25%, your money is invested in a fund of holiday properties and securities. The fund itself meets annual charges of 2.5% of its net assets at cost, calculated monthly. Your investment return is purely in the form of holidays and, as with most investments, your capital is at risk. You can surrender your investment to the company after two years or more (subject to deferral in exceptional circumstances), but you will get back less than you invested because of the charges referred to above, as well as other overheads and changes in the value of the fund’s properties and securities.
This advertisement is issued by HPB Management Limited (HPBM), the main UK agent and the property manager for HPB, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, registered at HPB House, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 8EH. HPB is available exclusively through HPBM. HPB is issued by HPB Assurance Limited (HPBA) registered in the Isle of Man and authorised by the Financial Services Authority there. The Trustee of HPB is Equiom (Isle of Man) Limited, registered at Jubilee Buildings, Victoria Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2SH. The Securities Adviser is Stanhope Capital LLP of 35 Portman Square, London W1H 6LR. No medical examination is required. HPBM promotes only HPB and is not independent of HPBA. Holders of policies issued by HPBA will not be protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme if the company becomes unable to meet its liabilities to them but Isle of Man compensation arrangements apply to new policies. We are now unable to accept new applications from residents of EU countries and some other jurisdictions. HPB Assurance Limited reserves the right to decline an application at its sole discretion.
HPB Management Ltd. Registered in England, No.1581593. Registered Office HPB House, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 8EH. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.