Berkshire

Thinking of escaping for a sneaky little autumn stay-cay once the summer rush is over… Great minds! We’ve hand-picked some fabulous rentals, from coastal cottages to country manors, which are perfect for whatever you’ve got in mind, whether it’s a romantic bolthole for two or a party pad for 20.



If these don’t fit the bill, search our curated selection of accommodation around England with Muddy Stilettos’&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/weekend-escapes/" target="_blank">Weekend Escapes</a>. It’s our gift to you – the perfect tool for putting together a dreamy weekend away, including where to stay and eat and what to do while you’re not quaffing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Just the two of us &nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/04/kentisbury-grange-hot-tub.jpg" alt="cottage with hot tub bu the river in Exmoor" /></figure>



It doesn’t get any more private than a lodge for two on the edge of Exmoor… but before you image we’re suggesting a tin shepherd’s hut on a hillside, fear not.&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/kentisbury-grange-nr-barnstaple/" target="_blank">Kentisbury Grange</a>&nbsp;near&nbsp;Barnstaple&nbsp;is a sumptuous country house hotel, with waterside cottages for lovebirds, complete with hot tubs. And if the ‘self-catering’ bit sounds too much like hard work, The Coach House restaurant is on hand to furnish you with British pub classics, including fish and chips and Exmoor burgers. It’s 20 minutes&nbsp;to the North Devon coast, and the likes of Woolacombe and Saunton so that’s accommodation, food and activities – sorted.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2021/04/2-3.jpeg" alt="wooden cabin on lake in Maldon" /></figure>



Continuing on the water theme, how about going one step further and sleeping in a floating cabin, surrounded by 130 acres of secluded lakes and forest?&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/chigborough-farm-near-maldon-essex/" target="_blank">Chigborough Farm</a>&nbsp;near&nbsp;Maldon, with its water-based cabins, camping and glamping, may feel remote but the site has a farm shop, tea room, pottery studio, fishing lakes, yoga studio and a Michelin Guide restaurant, Rubino Kitchen. Guests are free to row around and explore the lakes, but there’s also bike hire, with the option to head out all the way along the Blackwater Estuary to the sea. Specifics change from cabin to cabin but highlights include a hot tub, barbecue and fire pit, kitchen facilities, and telescope for stargazing.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/2-1-720x480-1.jpg" alt="Retreat Barn Malvern" class="wp-image-43824" /></figure>



Need some R&amp;R? We’ve got just the spot. At the foot of the&nbsp;Malvern Hills,&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://glosworcs.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/retreat-to-the-hills-malvern-worcestershire/" target="_blank">Retreat Barn</a>&nbsp;has luxe accommodation, hooting owls to soothe you to sleep and a wood fired hot tub. If you really want to ramp up the feelgood factor, you could book a private pilates session in the Retreat Studio (or just enjoy a coffee from the Nespresso machine while sitting on the deck and enjoying the views. There are fab&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://glosworcs.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/food-drink/" target="_blank">gastropubs and eateries galore</a>&nbsp;in the area and for keen walkers, there’s even a boot and coat dryer if the weather doesn’t play ball.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Nearest and dearest</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Polesdey-Lacey-Garden-Cottage-Polesden-Lacey-Exterior-6-Mike-Henton-24.01.17-1-720x480-1.jpg" alt="The Garden Cottage Bookham" class="wp-image-43827" /></figure>



When you picture ‘<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://surrey.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/the-garden-cottage-bookham/" target="_blank">The Garden Cottage</a>‘ at&nbsp;Bookham, you’d be forgiven for imagining a modest little Hobbit-affair tucked away amid the dog roses, but this is more like a petite manor house. The three bedroom property also has two bathrooms, a kitchen/diner and sitting room with an open fire, and of course, its own private garden. You’re in the shadow of the main Edwardian house at Polesden Lacey, and guests have free access to Polesden’s house, gardens and grounds, which offer plenty of waymarked trails through woodland and over rolling hills.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://leics.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2021/03/Barnsdale-Hotel-Lodge-8.jpg" alt="Rutland holiday cottage" /></figure>



<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://leics.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/rutland-retreats/" target="_blank">Rutland Retreats</a>&nbsp;offers two and three-bed self-catering accommodation in its gorgeous and sustainable lodges on the grounds of Barnsdale Lodge Hotel in&nbsp;Rutland. Each one has a log burner, patio, private gardens, and fully fitted kitchen. Plus dogs are welcome, and will no doubt appreciate the epic walking on offer in Rutland, which, did you know, is England’s smallest county?



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/BRAYWOOD-HOUSE-RECEPTION1.jpg" alt="Braywood House Estate Berkshire" class="wp-image-43826" /></figure>



If you’re looking for a luxury break,&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/braywood-house/" target="_blank">Braywood House</a>&nbsp;is damn near perfect. The village&nbsp;of Winkfield&nbsp;is a stones throw from Windsor, Bray, Marlow, Ascot&nbsp;and more. In other words, its situated plum in&nbsp;Berkshire’s&nbsp;well-heeled gorgeousness. Flint-faced, with Bath stone detailing, the house itself is breathtakingly stylish&nbsp;and sleeps eight in four&nbsp;bedrooms. There’s 10 acres of forestry and gardens with&nbsp;a zip wire, treehouse and fire pit for nights round the campfire toasting marshmallows. If that’s not fancy enough, the on-site team can organise a private chef as well as spa therapists. Aside from the cool interiors and abundance of home tech, there’s&nbsp;a gym, outside dining with its own chandelier and you’re free to roam&nbsp;the Crown Estate forest (Shhh! Braywood has special permission to do this).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Party pads</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/1-97-720x480-1.jpg" alt="The Hyde Stoke Bliee swimming pool in barn" class="wp-image-43823" /></figure>



<a href="https://glosworcs.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/the-hyde-at-netherwood-estate-stoke-bliss-worcs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hyde</a>&nbsp;in the aptly named&nbsp;Stoke Bliss&nbsp;is the ultimate party palace, with nine drop-dead gorgeous bedrooms sleeping 12, all beautifully decorated with antique furniture and full of period details – several have roll-top baths. A further eight people can be accommodated in the dreamy cottage next door. Expect massive kitchens with all the mod cons plus outside there’s a tennis court, ping-pong table and croquet set, ‘well stocked trout lake’ and – get this – a private miniature steam railway! They are both part of the 1,200 acre Netherwood Estate on the Herefordshire-Worcestershire borders, along with the sister house, The Freeth, which has its own indoor, heated swimming pool as well as nine bedrooms. Also on the Estate is the highly regarded&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.pensons.co.uk/" target="_blank">Pensons</a>,&nbsp;open from Wednesdays to Sundays.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/161201-voewood-11-900x600-720x480-1.jpg" alt="Voewood Holt North Yorkshire disco style holiday rental" class="wp-image-43825" /></figure>



This rock ‘n’ roll glamour pad on the outskirts of&nbsp;Holt, near the North Norfolk Coast, is the stuff of disco dreams. It sleeps 42 people in 17 bedrooms – each as wildly eccentric as the next.&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://norfolk.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/voewood/" target="_blank">Voewood</a>&nbsp;was built in 1903 – the Arts &amp; Crafts house is hidden in 11 acres of magical gardens and wild woodlands, so there’s beaches and walks galore as well as the pretty Georgian town of Holt with its bookshops, cafes and homeware goodies. The Banqueting Hall can seat&nbsp;up to 120, and did we mention the red games room/library, conference room/yoga space, large country kitchen with double Aga?



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/SHR-comp.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-43806" /></figure>



If the&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://suffolkcambs.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/school-house-rooms-cambridgeshire/" target="_blank">School House Rooms</a>&nbsp;conjure images of a Victorian affair, with lines for bad behaviour, then we’re relieved/sorry to burst that bubble – no teachers to spoil your midnight feast here. Overlooking the village green in&nbsp;Waterbeach&nbsp;(four miles north of Cambridge) the main house has six ensuite rooms, plus there’s The Lodge, a two-bedroom detached property with its own garden. For good times, you could go racing at Newmarket, take to the punts on The Cam, check out a&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://suffolkcambs.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/food-drink/" target="_blank">fabulous local place to eat</a>, or cook up your own feast in The Lodge’s kitchen. For those staying in the main house, breakfast is included – and it’s got rave reviews (yay!).

Nine divine holiday rentals to book now for an autumn break

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