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Owner Chronicles

With intriguing histories woven all throughout the very fabric of their beautiful homes, get to know our Unique home owners in this collection of their own personally written chronicles.

Like father, like sonLike father, like son

Owner Chronicles

Like father, like son

by

In our March chronicle, Henry tells us the tale of his mountain hideaway, Charity; whose old stone walls, and the family memories forged wherein, have lovingly passed from father to son.

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More from Owner Chronicles

Wine and midwifery

Wine and midwifery

Cocktail bars, homemade pavlova and a camper van set up in the farm fields; we meet Little Inka owners, learn about their home and their favourite spots to dine in Cornwall.

5th February 2024 by Lauren

The disco donjon

The disco donjon

Here lies a castle from storybooks. Yorkshire´s Castle Trinity is a place to escape from the everyday: be that in the form of discos after dark, or rambles through deer-speckled grounds. 

29th January 2024 by Hannah

A safe port on Cornwall´s north coast

A safe port on Cornwall´s north coast

Built into the sand dunes on Porthtowan beach, Monterey offers front row thrills for storm watching twinned with tranquility and peace. We speak with the owners to find out more.

16th December 2023 by Lauren

A window to the world

A window to the world

In celebration of "The British Nordic" this November, here we speak to the owners of The Glasshouse; a hygge-embracing riverside home on Wales´ Teifi Marshes.

13th November 2023 by Hannah

A photographer´s "Secret Garden meets Gatsby" manor

A photographer´s "Secret Garden meets Gatsby" manor

On the walls, there are original works by Testino. On the bookshelves, there´s hardbacks on Weegee. There’s even a portrait of Kate Moss in its loo. A photographer´s home — surely.

24th October 2023 by Vanessa

King and queen of the castle

King and queen of the castle

This is the season inbetwixt. In our latest owner chronicle, we speak with Tina and Craig about their Gothic, "most Pugin-inspired property in Britain", Thornemead Castle in Somerset.

16th October 2023 by Hannah

Tales from a treehouse

Tales from a treehouse

We speak with Jessica and Jason Green about their award-winning home, Verte, learning more about their aesthetic, inspiration, and favourite ways to pass the time together.

25th September 2023 by Hannah

Into the woods

Into the woods

What better summer house than this - a secret woodland hideaway near Cornwall’s glorious Helford estuary. Here, we speak with the proud owners lucky enough to call it home.

14th August 2023 by Hannah

Celestial living in the Welsh mountains

Celestial living in the Welsh mountains

Divine timing came into play when owner Ceri and her husband were seeking a mountain hideaway in the Beacons. Here, we hear the magical story of their celestial Welsh home.

17th July 2023 by Hannah

Family farmhouse to maximalist manor: Five decades at Gulliver’s Hall

Family farmhouse to maximalist manor: Five decades at Gulliver’s Hall

Speaking to property owners Martin and Kate, in our latest chronicle we hear all about what it’s been like calling the grand and glamorous Gulliver’s Hall home for the past 56 years.

12th June 2023 by Hannah

The culture club

The culture club

In our latest chronicle, we speak with property owner Monty Whitebloom about how his eccentric Cornish home acts as a retrospective of the colourful life he has lived.

8th May 2023 by Hannah

A life of new heights on a quiet Cornish cliffside

A life of new heights on a quiet Cornish cliffside

Ukiyo (meaning “floating world” in Japanese) denotes the concept of living in the moment. In our latest owner chronicle, we speak with property owner Simon about how his modernist cliffside hideaway embodies its namesake.

11th April 2023 by Hannah

A fairytale of their own: Once upon a time at Charlotte’s Folly

A fairytale of their own: Once upon a time at Charlotte’s Folly

In a land far away, amidst the glorious green acres of the Bradford Estates in Shropshire, resides the prettiest-in-pink cottage you ever did see. In our latest chronicle, its owner tells us just what life is like living in a fairytale of their own.

20th March 2023 by Hannah

From new build to ocean oasis; a life on the wild Cornish coast

From new build to ocean oasis; a life on the wild Cornish coast

In our latest owner chronicle, we head down to Cornwall’s charming coastal village of Gwithian to speak with owner, Melanie, about her modern, chic beach pad; Senara. Expect Cornish magic and endless views over Godrevy and St Ives.

14th February 2023 by Hannah

Off-grid living in Wales´ Cambrian Mountains

Off-grid living in Wales´ Cambrian Mountains

On the hunt for a remote and unspoilt location, James and Raffaella were determined to find a spot where "the wilderness was both the frame and the view": enter Tincture, an off-grid antidote to the everyday.

14th November 2022 by Robyn

From coast to coast

From coast to coast

From approaching The Signal Station through fields full of wildflowers to stumbling upon their Isle of Harris hideaway during a coffee stop, Anna and James share their owner story.

12th October 2022 by Robyn

A family affair at The Sculptor´s Gardens

A family affair at The Sculptor´s Gardens

A topiary pyramid avenue, crooked timber beams and secret gardens dotted with flowers; we speak to owner Alex to find out what he loves so much about his property.

19th September 2022 by Lauren

A new life for the Barnes family at Anthology Farm

A new life for the Barnes family at Anthology Farm

The idea of renovating a house while running a 500-acre farm and raising young children would make many people want to run for the hills. But not this family.

15th August 2022 by Lauren

Paradise found in South Devon

Paradise found in South Devon

Once the unique home of society bachelor Arthur Graham, this luxury manor is now home to the Montgomery family, who welcome guests to take exclusive hire of their extraordinary Devon dwelling.

18th July 2022 by Lauren

Gothic flamboyance on the Welsh coast

Gothic flamboyance on the Welsh coast

A true family affair, hosts Ffion and her father Meirion go to the ends of the earth to ensure guests have an extraordinary stay at their fairytale manor on the remote West Wales coast.

13th June 2022 by Lauren

Fairytale charm in the Cotswolds

Fairytale charm in the Cotswolds

Discovered whilst strolling the lanes to buy a pint of milk, when owner ´Mouse´ stumbled across the for-sale sign of this iconic Cotswolds cottage she knew it had to be hers.

16th May 2022 by Tori

The enchanted castle on the river

The enchanted castle on the river

Owner Frieda Gormley shares her story on how she and husband Javvy became custodians of Castle India; an intriguing Cornish country house on the banks of the River Lynher.

23rd April 2022 by Francesca

A rustic paradise

A rustic paradise

We speak with owners Mervyn and Niki Franklyn and learn about the creation of Wishbone, their couples´ bolthole in the Malvern Hills.

18th April 2022 by Daniel

Island life

Island life

We sit down with Julian Wood to discuss his love of island living and his collection of three luxury properties on the Isle of Anglesey, where he first discovered his love for the wild.

14th February 2022 by Daniel

At home with Sarah

At home with Sarah

This month, the last of our 20th year in business, we bring our focus back to our roots and talk with Unique Homestays founder Sarah Stanley.

1st December 2021 by Lauren

Kerry through the kaleidoscope

Kerry through the kaleidoscope

We speak with established restaurateur Brian about his love for Kerry and the inspiration behind the design of his romantic bolthole, Lost Cottage.

9th April 2021 by Daniel

A look inside the self-designed family home, Cadence, of architect Adam Richards

A look inside the self-designed family home, Cadence, of architect Adam Richards

Taking inspiration from the stories which have made up his life, walking through the silky, reinforced concrete halls of Adam Richard´s unique home takes guests on a global, and often other-wordly, exploration.

25th February 2021 by Lauren

Love at first sight: from a tumbled down boathouse to a luxury seaside retreat

Love at first sight: from a tumbled down boathouse to a luxury seaside retreat

We speak with musician and artist pair Andy and Fran who share the story and design behind Cornish seaside retreat, The Boat House.

19th June 2020 by Tori

Soothing and serene

Soothing and serene

Owner of Notonthehighstreet, Sophie Cornish, carefully curated her Devon homestay with friends and family at the forefront of every stylistic decision. Here she shares her inspiration, fuelled by a passion for local craftsmanship.

7th April 2020 by Robyn

White-Washed and Whimsical

White-Washed and Whimsical

Marketing Coordinator Robyn speaks with the owners and interior designers of Ammonite and Romany, to discover the inspiration behind their romantic white-washed cabins.

17th October 2019 by Robyn

The Interior Inspiration Behind our Scottish Hideaway

The Interior Inspiration Behind our Scottish Hideaway

Digital marketing coordinator Tori speaks with Kyn owner Michelle about the inspiration behind her contemporary retreat on the Isle of Skye, featuring pieces she used from homeware brand, House Curious.

10th September 2019 by Tori

Homes of The Makers

Homes of The Makers

To enter an artist’s residence is to enter another’s creative mind. Experiencing day-to-day life in the home of a creator lends a feeling that transcends simply viewing their work on a wall. This month we delve inside dwellings that act as galleries, studios and inspiration for the artisans who call them home.

1st March 2019 by Francesca

The Wonders of Whitsand Bay

The Wonders of Whitsand Bay

Press Officer, Daniel speaks with Tempest owner Tina to find out how she transformed a flimsy wooden hut with a tin roof into a luxury self-catering cliff-side home.

30th October 2018 by Daniel

Unique Homestays Autumn Get Together

Unique Homestays Autumn Get Together

We gathered together with Unique Home Stays’ friends and owners for an evening of delicious morsels and sweet tipples to celebrate the end of the season at rock´n´roll country home, Pearl´s Place.

22nd October 2018 by Lauren

Mid-Century Chic

Mid-Century Chic

Press Officer, Daniel speaks with Walden Lakehouse owner Egon to find out how he transformed his family cabin into Ireland´s Home of the Year.

12th October 2018 by Daniel

TukTuk to Turkey – Unique Homestays gets involved

TukTuk to Turkey – Unique Homestays gets involved

Trekking 273 miles along the Cornwall South West Coast Path, the Unique Homestays team are raising money to support our owner´s (Rachel and Bharat of Zamani) TukTuk to Turkey Voyage in aid of SUDEP Action - a charity very close to their hearts.

26th September 2018 by Francesca

The Pursuit of Hoppiness

The Pursuit of Hoppiness

Recently, I spoke with The Hop Store owner Lesley to find out a little more about one of the last remaining hop farms in the UK, how they came to acquire it and more information about the local area.

1st June 2018 by Daniel

A Sanctuary of Style

A Sanctuary of Style

Home Stay Specialist Kelly, talks to The Sanctuary owners Juliette and Tom to find out a little more about the property, local area and how their first few months with Unique Home Stays has been.

16th April 2018 by Hattie

Unique Homestays Springtime Soirée

Unique Homestays Springtime Soirée

This week saw owners and friends of Unique Homestays come together for a merry old time at Somerset´s favourite party house, Bohème.

9th March 2018 by Francesca

The Story of Skyros

The Story of Skyros

Unique Homestays talks to Lyons, the owner of Skyros in West Cork to learn a little more about his unique Irish home and why he loves the area so much.

20th February 2018 by Harriet

Unique Home Stays Garden Party

Unique Home Stays Garden Party

This month we came together with owners and friends of Unique Home Stays for our annual end-of-summer gathering, hosted at the oh-so-gorgeous Valentina´s Lost Orangery.

12th September 2017 by Francesca

Home Stay Specialist Kelly Gets to Know Galleon

Home Stay Specialist Kelly Gets to Know Galleon

Kelly caught up with Nikki, the owner of luxury homestay Galleon to find out a little more about her home and inspiration behind the retro coastal interiors.

12th January 2017 by Hattie

Sugar Fame and African Style: Stories of Goldhorn Manor

Sugar Fame and African Style: Stories of Goldhorn Manor

Once leased to Colonel Lyle (of Golden Syrup fame) for £1 per annum, our gorgeous Goldhorn Manor has a fascinating and colourful history. We stole a moment with owner Julia, who told us a little more about her very unique home.

20th June 2016 by Francesca

Fascinating Lives of Incredibly Interesting People

Fascinating Lives of Incredibly Interesting People

Our unique home owners are an enthralling collection of inspirational individuals who harbour the most fascinating stories and backgrounds.

24th May 2016 by Claire

Made By Mouse

Made By Mouse

We ask Mouse why she fell in love with this little island in the heart of the Cotswolds and what inspired the unique interiors of her kooky cottage Filly Island.

27th April 2016 by Mouse

The Story of Smuggler’s Cottage

The Story of Smuggler’s Cottage

Owner of Smuggler’s Cottage, Simon, purchased the cottage following a stay with Unique Home Stays and having utterly fallen in love with Cornwall’s Lizard Peninsular. We chatted with Simon about how he found his dream home-from-home and why he decided to open its doors for others to enjoy.

2nd February 2016 by Francesca

Our Highland Castaway

Our Highland Castaway

After a quarter of a decade spent living in Cornwall, Nigel and Lou Middleton decided they wanted a change. It was the pull of the real authentic wilderness and majestic natural beauty that saw them head to the Scottish Highlands to discover Castaway.

10th February 2015 by Nigel

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