Secreted away on the hills above the town, you would not find Bradford Old Windmill unless you were looking for it. Hidden behind the trees, the windmill only functioned for a short period of time in the Nineteenth Century, and stood idle until just fourteen years ago. Since then however, it has been a fully operational bed and breakfast. If staying in a windmill wasn’t different enough for you, this particular windmill is proud to offer a selection of weird and wonderful beds to make your stay stand out even more; sleep at the top of the conical tower and you can enjoy a king-sized water bed.

Caravanning takes on a whole new meaning as you emerge from a traditional showman’s wagon, built in 1934 and once used to transport fairground workers and performers from town to town. The caravan can be found in Compton Abbas, and looks out upon beautiful views of the Dorset Downs. Decidedly cosy, the caravan is ideal for an unusual, romantic getaway, taking you back to basics. With the surrounding Dorset countryside on your doorstep, a stay in the gypsy caravan makes the distant memories of dilapidated caravans and drooping tents a thing of the past. Though you are not venturing outside of the UK, travel insurance is advisable as with only a small washroom across the courtyard, facilities cannot be guaranteed not to go slightly awry.

Looking out over the Bristol Channel, at the point where the River Severn and the River Usk meet, you will find the West Usk Lighthouse bed and breakfast. Short and wide, it does not quite match the traditional image of a lighthouse, and nor is it traditional inside, with a wishing well lying in the centre of the spiral staircase. However, it is a very comfortable place to stay, and with little sound other than the rush of the waves it is a great place to relax.

Perhaps the most bizarre and unexpected thing about a stay in the lighthouse is the selection of flotation therapies on offer – not what you’d expect in a bed and breakfast, or a Lighthouse for that matter! Whether you’d like to spend a few minutes letting off steam in the infra-red sauna, feel your stresses drift away from you in the flotation tank, or perhaps undergo some empowering personal therapy, you will come back from the Lighthouse feeling like a new person.

Tags: Holiday, Travel, United Kingdom

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