As a property investor, we often focus on the mainstream rental markets such as student lets, retirement living or HMOs however a leading flatshare portal has been on the hunt for some of the UK’s more unusual rental properties and they have not disappointed with their quirky finds. Take a look at ideal flatmate’s top picks…
Historic sea fort in the Solent – whole venue rental from £5,600 per night
Image: QuirkyAccom
Fend off enemy attacks or entertain your guests by hiring Spitbank Fort, a unique and exclusive, historic island fort situated in The Solent, the strait off the south coast of England that separates the Isle of Wight from the mainland.
Initially built to protect Portsmouth harbour from an attack by Napoleon III, the fort has been converted to offer eight luxury rooms, spa facilities including a sauna, steam room, gym and a hot tub on the roof as well as a bar, restaurant, arcade/games room and more.
An overnight stay package that includes a champagne reception, buffet lunch, a five-course dinner, a full English breakfast and a return boat journey starts at £450 per night for two people or you can rent the whole venue for an eyewatering £5,600 per night. The private island fortress is accessible via a short, 30-minute boat ride from Portsmouth or Southampton.
Rent a castle – from £212 per night
Imagine being King or Queen for the day living in your very own luxury castle, sleeping in a magnificent four-poster bed, eating food fit for a king cooked by your very own royal chef… Well, imagine no longer, you can now live like a royal by renting one of the UK’s grandest castles via Historic UK.
How about renting an apartment in the splendid Watermouth Castle, Near Ilfrcombe, Devon? The residence boasts stunning views of Watermouth Bay and its harbour while the estate features an indoor heated swimming pool, a museum, 50 acres of wonderful landscaped gardens and its very own theme park. Prices to rent a two-bedroom apartment, which sleeps four, start at £415 for a seven-night stay.
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Rent a Lighthouse – for £50 per night
Image: Bookalighthouse.com
‘Lighthouses have been beacons of light throughout centuries,’ describes the BookaLighthouse website. Built to withstand the harsh coastal elements, many of these lifesaving towers of light are still standing today protecting boats, crew and passengers all over the world. And now you can rent your own lighthouse from £50 per night. Many of BookaLighthouse’s rentals are located in the UK with an average price of c.£200 per night but other locations listed include Germany (£561 per night) and Croatia (price on application).
Underground Bunker/House – £365 per night
Image: Host Unusual
How about renting this beautifully converted World War II operations bunker?
Looking a bit like it belongs on the set of Teletubbies, The Bunker in Sennen, Cornwall is located in glorious countryside a short distance from the famous open-air Minack Theatre, Porthcurno Beach and the white sandy beach at Sennen. Just 10-minutes’ drive from Lands End, The Bunker is in the ideal location for exploring the delights of West Cornwall.
Treehouse – from £127 per night
Image: QuirkyAccom
Adventurous types may love renting a treehouse, like the award-winning Treehouse Lavender Hill situated near the village of Halse in Somerset that boasts a woodburning stove, cedar-wood hot tub and use of an indoor pool. Treehouse Lavender Hill sleeps four and costs an average of £127 per night.
Other treehouse options include an eco-treehouse near Croyde, Devon, one overlooking a wildlife park in Kent and an idyllic cabin in Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire.
Train Carriage – from £49 per night
Image: QuirkyAccom
Last but not least, you could rent your very own train carriage from £49 per night, one of the most affordable types of accommodation among the quirky choices featured here.
You just need to pick your carriage. Options include three stunning train carriages that each sleep six at Allerstion, North Yorkshire priced from £54 per night, a beautifully restored beachfront train carriage in Selsey, West Sussex offering a minimum two-night stay from £71 per night or two ‘family-friendly’ railway carriages sleeping up to five people near Stowmarket, Suffolk with pool and hot tub use, priced from £49 per night.
Co-founder of ideal flatmate, commented: “The great thing about the UK rental market is the variety of stock available and the chance to experience living in a building that you might otherwise never step foot in.
While everyone will be posting pictures of poolside villas over the summer, how many of your friends can say they’ve stayed in a sea fort, underground house or train carriage?”
Do you have any unusual or quirky properties in your property portfolio? We’d love to hear about them.
[Images sourced and provided by ideal flatmate]
