Looking for a weekend getaway in the UK? We've rounded up some of the best UK breaks on water – from a mill in Wales, to a peaceful lochside retreat in Scotland. Here's where to sit back and relax...
Best UK Breaks: On water
Looking for a weekend on water? We've rounded up four of the best...
Dipper Boathouse, Scotland
For a romantic lochside escape for two, head north to the silent shores of Loch Tay in Scotland. Hovering beside the water is the Dipper boathouse – complete with log-burning stove and a huge bathtub – and it offers some of the best views in the country. A 4x4 is provided for easy access to rural rambles.
How: Boat Houses offers a three-night break on Loch Tay from £438 per cottage. lochtay.co.uk
The Dipper Boathouse is located on the silent shores of Loch Tay in Scotland
No Man’s Fort, the Solent
Built in the late 1880s as a way to protect Portsmouth from Napoleon III, No Man’s Fort is a man-made island in the middle of the Solent, just a couple of miles from the Isle of Wight. It’s had a bit of a spruce since the Napoleonic days, and has just been unveiled as a new private island hotel with plush nautical interiors. It’s ideal for big groups or parties: there’s a pool room, a private nightclub, speedboat trips and a Laser Quest Arena for retro fun.
How: Amazing Venues offers nightly rates from £450 per room. amazingvenues.co.uk
The Water Mill, Snowdonia
Here’s a fact (probably): the gentle sound of running water helps you sleep. And that’s definitely the case at this peaceful 12th-century home, with beamed ceilings, comfy beds and rural woodland surroundings. So gather up seven of your mates and bed down for a few nights in Wales, taking day trips to 13th-century Harlech Castle and the sandy shores of nearby Portmeirion beach. (Sleeping naked also helps you sleep better, FYI.)
How: Sheepskin offers 7 nights at The Water Mill from £1,600 (sleeps 6/8). sheepskinlife.com
The Raft at Chigborough, Essex
The word ‘raft’ may conjure up images of a big rubber dingy hurtling down white rapids, but this floating wooden cabin is a serene holiday version – with no capsizing. The peaceful location on Chigborough Farm in Essex means you’ll hear trout splashing around in the lake while you snooze on the deck. You can reach the banks (and your lakeside hot tub) by rowing boat.
How: Canopy & Stars offers nightly rates from £195 per cabin. canopyandstars.co.uk
View from the Raft at Chigborough Farm in Essex
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