Back in the day when I first met my husband he was working with hot air balloons while I was a print journalist. I loved travelling when possible to meet up with him - he would be staying in nice hotels with his workmates and I used to pitch my trust two-man (barely!) tent. Nowadays I still love breaks in gorgeous natural surroundings but I cannot imagine having to crawl into a little tent - I need a bit more luxury.
I adore a swish hotel but having said that I do still love a bit of an outdoors adventure. Last year I went to Norfolk with my friend and stayed in a log cabin. Well. If I am honest it was more of a glorified shed but it was still so lovely to feel connected to nature, hearing owls and watching the stars pop out as we chatted on the decking outside our temporary retreat.
And the year before we booked an Air BnB on what turned out to be a quirky commune in Cornwall which had a variety of structures themed with options including a mini Aztec temple. It was quite the experience but not what I would call a luxury break!
Of course you can stay in lovely luxurious log cabins which are perfect for romantic breaks but equally good for fun family holidays. And don't envisage log cabins as necessarily rustic basic backwoods kinda accommodation - modern cabins and lodges often look like fancy architect designed homes with all the bells and whistles inside and out.
The range available starts at simple, homely, "step back from our tech laden life" style to luxury log cabins with hot tubs, four poster beds, fully stocked kitchen, flat screen TV's and wifi like the one pictured above. If I'm honest that's my kinda break! The great thing about this kind of accommodation is that it is equally suited to a balmy summer break or a cosy winter bolt-hole. They are often dog friendly too - great for those who don't want their fur baby to miss out on the family holiday.
If you fancy a more "back to nature" vibe you could consider glamping. The last glamping accommodation I stayed in was gorgeous - a beautiful rug, cosy beds (a double for me and husband and two singles for the children with us), a log burner, fairy lights and a little patio to sit at with a glass of wine as the sun set. There are some super cool places to stay too ranging from theme parks to zoos.
Shepherd's huts are increasingly popular now too although having seen the kits to create them being advertised online I suspect very few have ever had an actual shepherd stay in them. They are very cute though.
If you fancy quirky there's a whole host of unique options from tree-houses to converted silos across the UK making your average mid-range hotel seem rather boring. If you want mad likes on your Insta, these types of rentals are a great option.
Frequently sited in some of the UK's most picturesque countryside, staying in lodges, log cabins, yurts or silos is a great way to discover the best this beautiful island has to offer. From seaside to mountainside, with a jacuzzi bath or a composting toilet there will be an option somewhere to suit your vibe.