Fresh self-catering stays from Sand & Stone Escapes and Kip Hideaways

From Scottish farmland to a Sussex bluebell wood, these are 11 new self-catering stays to slow down and get outside this autumn

Hafod Gwyllt, Cwmystwyth, Wales

Hafod Gwyllt, meaning ‘wild summer dwelling’, is a truly secluded two-bedroom retreat set high above the Ystwyth Valley, with unspoilt views across the Cambrian Mountains. Hidden within 40 acres of the historic Hafod Estate, with just three Welsh ponies for company, there are moorlands, quiet beaches, and wild swimming spots to explore. Back at the cottage, soak in the wood-fired hot tub, gather around the Kadai fire pit and BBQ, or stargaze beneath some of the UK's darkest skies, and there are binoculars on hand for wildlife spotting. The owners can also arrange memorable experiences, with dark skies photography sessions, foraging for wild fungi, or spending time with the local potters who create the handmade crockery used in the cottage.

From £216 per night (three nights min, sleeps four) | www.sandandstoneescapes.com/property/hafod-gwyllt/ | Images here

Cabin at the Wood, near Heathfield, East Sussex

Set deep in an ancient Sussex bluebell wood, this beautiful cabin is a showcase of craftsmanship. Nearly every element was handmade by designer-maker Jeremy, from English oak floors and elm furniture down to the door handles and light fittings – all housed in a sustainable timber shell powered by solar energy and an air-source heat pump. Panoramic windows keep you cradled among trees, deer, birdsong, and shifting seasonal colour, with staying put being much of the appeal. If you do choose to venture out, the High Weald's ancient paths, the Pevensey Levels, South Downs, and coast are all close at hand before you retreat back to the woods.

Stays from £300/night (sleeps two) | https://www.kiphideaways.com/hideaways/cabin-at-the-wood/ | Images here

The Garden House, Cheshire

Set on the edge of Bunbury in the Cheshire countryside, The Garden House is a beautifully restored 1840s estate building, with a walled garden designed by Victorian landscaper Edward Kemp. Sleeping up to 10 guests across five bedrooms, the interiors feature reclaimed timber from the former stables crafted into bespoke furniture, exposed beams, an open-plan kitchen and dining hub, and two sitting rooms. Outside, the historic walled grounds include a kitchen garden, greenhouse, Japanese-style hot tub, BBQ area, and firepit – ideal for families or groups gathering after a day exploring the countryside.

Stays from £457 per night (sleeps ten) | https://sandandstoneescapes.com/property/the-garden-house/

Y Nyth, Llanrhystud, Wales

This cottage in Llanrhystud, restored by owners who long admired it from the outside, now pairs old Wales with a striking modern extension – with moody palettes, oversized headboards, heavy stone sinks, and limewashed walls throughout. Set on the Ceredigion coast nine miles from Aberystwyth, with the Wales Coast Path running beside it and the beach a 10-minute walk away, days here range from dolphin spotting in Cardigan Bay to steam train rides, mountain biking, and dinner at Michelin-starred Ynys Hir. Back home, a sunken garden seating area, huge cosy beds, and a light-filled sitting room make it hard to leave. Expect to be plotting a move to Wales by day three.

Stays from £245/night | https://www.kiphideaways.com/hideaways/y-nyth/ | Images here

Banchory Farm, Fife, Scotland

Set in Fife's rolling farmland, this working family farm – still growing barley, wheat, and oats after nearly a century – is home to these five beautifully restored cottages and a farmhouse, styled by Ali Heath to feel elegant yet comfortably lived-in. Guests get the best of both worlds: total seclusion with Highland cows, outdoor firepits, and (in two cottages) alfresco wood-fired tubs, plus easy access to medieval St Andrews, the East Neuk's colourful fishing villages, beautiful beaches, and Edinburgh day trips. Burntisland's artisan food shops are just 10 minutes away, with standout restaurants also scattered across Fife beyond.

Stays from £95/night | www.kiphideaways.com/hideaways/banchory-farm/ | Images here

Sussex Shacks, near Lewes, Sussex

Set amid golden fields, chalky hills, and vineyard country in Sussex, Hawthorn and Blackthorn are two identical striking green cabins, each tucked into their own private patch of countryside with views across the fields. Inside, sage panelling and terracotta walls meet a mix of antique and modern furniture, a kingsize bed, and woodburner, with Adirondack chairs and a firepit outside for stargazing. It's an ideal base for walking the South Downs, browsing Lewes's antiques shops, wine tasting at Rathfinny, dressing up for Glyndebourne, or simply staying put with a good book.

Stays from £130/night (each sleeps two) | www.kiphideaways.com/hideaways/sussex-shacks/

Gelliwaen, Snowdonia, Wales

A timeless retreat in the wild Rhinog mountains of North Wales, this house draws guests back year after year. It’s a deeply restorative escape, where kids can run wild in the garden, teenagers swap their phones for hammocks, and adults wander to the river then settle beneath the trees with a book and a cold beer. Inside, ancient beans, flagstone floors, whitewashed walls and a vast inglenook fireplace create instant warmth. The generous layout suits two families, three generations, or a group of friends – with waterfalls and mountain trails straight from the front door, and beautiful long beaches for swimming, rock pooling, and picnicking nearby.

Stays from £158/night (sleeps five plus three kids) | https://www.kiphideaways.com/hideaways/gelliwaen/ | Images here

Frith Cabin, Ardnamurchan Peninsula, Scotland

Reached via a wild road through Atlantic rainforest and sea lochs, Frith Cabin sits at the water's edge on Loch Sunart, sleeping six beneath soaring timber ceilings, with huge picture windows framing the shore. Expect thoughtful details throughout: a Heal's swivel chair for watching seals and dolphins, a wood-fired sauna, vintage finds, and a kitchen built for local smokehouse and seafood-van hauls. Days range from kayaking the loch and climbing volcanic Ben Hiant to simply dropping into nature's slower rhythm. Built by owners who fell for this remote corner of the Highlands, it's a special retreat for families, friends, or couples.

Stays from £300/night (sleeps four plus two kids) | https://www.kiphideaways.com/hideaways/frith-cabin/ | Images here

The Little Cottage, The Cotswolds

Tucked behind wildflowers and lavender on Kingham’s village green, The Little Cottage is a beautifully restored Cotswolds retreat for two, blending centuries-old character with carefully curated interiors inspired by the owners’ many travels, through their work on major feature films. Just a short walk from much-loved pubs, The Wild Rabbit and The Plough, and minutes from Daylesford Organic, it’s perfectly placed for a quintessential Cotswolds escape. Inside, expect a hand-built oak kitchen with an electric AGA, a cosy living room with log burner, and a private terrace overlooking the green.

From £295 per night (three nights min, sleeps two) | www.sandandstoneescapes.com/property/little-cottage/ | Images here

Collector’s Cottage, Malmesbury, Wiltshire

This two-bedroom cottage carries the layered history of its former owner, a top English antiques dealer, with today's owners adding their own curated mix of original modern artworks, design books, and antiques that feel lived-in rather than precious. Country footpaths lead straight from the door through fields and valleys, perfect for foraging nettles or blackberries by season. A welcoming pub and Murcott Farm Shop are within walking distance, with excellent nearby dining at The Rectory, The Potting Shed, The Pig, and The Wild Duck.

Stays from £235/night (sleeps three or two plus two kids) | www.kiphideaways.com/hideaways/collectors-cottage/ | Images here

The Nest, Oban, Scotland

A beautifully restored hayloft hidden in Scotland's West Highlands, The Nest is a romantic retreat for two, surrounded by private woodland inhabited by tawny owls, pine martens, deer, and red squirrels. Named after the barn owls that have nested on its roof for decades, the cosy, open-plan space features a log burner, projector, vinyl collection for cosy evenings by the fire, and a freestanding bathtub beneath a skylight for stargazing. Just five minutes from the harbour town of Oban, days can be spent lingering over fresh seafood, discovering one of Scotland's oldest whisky distilleries, or hopping on a ferry to the Hebridean islands of Mull and Iona.

From £250 per night (two nights min, sleeps two) | www.sandandstoneescapes.com/property/the-nest/‍ ‍

Hadrian’s Wall Hut, Hexham, Northumberland

Perched close to Hadrian's Wall with views across National Trust farmland to Steel Rigg, this beautifully made hut puts you 10 minutes from one of the Wall's most dramatic stretches – with Vindolanda Roman fort, The Sill visitor centre, and the Twice Brewed Inn all within a short stroll. Inside, a kingsize bed, log burner, and little kitchen offer cosy comfort, while outside brings hammocks, a firepit/BBQ, and a sauna – perfect after a day's walking. It's also one of the darkest spots in Britain, ideal for spotting the Milky Way, Northern Lights, and local wildlife like barn owls and deer (binoculars and bat detector provided).

Stays from £150/night (sleeps two) | www.kiphideaways.com/hideaways/hadrians-wall-hut/