That’s what I call a staycation!

From a manor house hotel to a treehouse for two and a Regency retreat in Bath, Emma Featherstone picks 10 great British breaks with availability this summer

Enjoy heightened luxury in the grand surroundings of Glenapp Castle. This 19th-century baronial escape, complete with fairytale spires and turrets, is surrounded by tranquil woodland and offers sea views out to Ailsa Craig and Northern Ireland. To make the experience extra special, opt for a stay in the Endeavour. This new penthouse apartment covers the castle’s entire top floor and includes (among other amenities) a sauna, a library and a treatment room for massages.

The Endeavour apartment costs from £3,950 per night B&B; glenappcastle.com

Head for the foothills of the Black Mountains to Drovers’ Bough. This treehouse for two is a mile away from any public road, with only birdsong (and perhaps the occasional sheep) to interrupt your slumber. It should appeal to burnt-out city dwellers, particularly the more eco-minded among them: the lighting is solar powered and the heating is underfloor. Plus, the owners’ 27-acre farm is self-sufficient. Water is taken from a natural spring; fruit and vegetables are homegrown and they source milk from their herd of goats. From £275 per night; canopyandstars. co.uk

Get active on a four-day cycling tour of the Lake District, with the bonus of serenity (via Derwentwater, Buttermere and Thirlmere), history (some 5,000 years of it at Castlerigg Stone Circle) and beer (you will make a stop at Keswick brewery) en route. This isn’t a feat of endurance; the distances are short, but the hilly landscape does require a good level of fitness. A group leader will be there to keep you on track. The trip includes three nights’ accommodation, sharing with one other person.

From £599 per person; intrepidtravel. com

Be transported to the literary landscape of the great British novelist. On this selfguided walk along the Dorset-Wiltshire border, taking in gentle hills, ancient woodland and pretty villages, you’ll understand how the area sparked Hardy’s imagination. Fans of his work will perhaps recognise Win Green from Tess of the d’Urbervilles or Shaftesbury (Shaston) from Jude the Obscure. Not so keen on Hardy? You’ll still appreciate the English pastoral: country lanes bordered by cow parsley, thatched cottages and the tinkle of birdsong – with time for pints in cosy inns along the way. From £710 per person, including six nights’ B&B accommodation, some meals, maps and luggage transfers between hotels; inntravel.co.uk

Get early dibs on a suite at the restored grade-II listed Bottle & Glass Inn, just outside Henley-on-Thames. The thatched-roofed property has recently reopened as a restaurant with rooms. If dates allow, pick the one with a roll-top bath. The place is run by David Holliday and Alex Sergeant, former general managers of the Michelin-starred Harwood Arms in Fulham, so prepare for topnotch meals. Furthermore, it sits within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Wander the local hills or ramble along the Thames Path towards the villages of Shiplake or Sonning.

From £143 per night; bottleandglassinn. com

Yet to try kayaking? Never fear. This five-day trip comes with an expert instructor and you’ll soon forget any early mishaps as you drink in the views: the craggy peaks of Liathach and Beinn Alligin, likely coated in wisps of cloud, and the wide stretch of Upper Loch Torridon. Later, you’ll venture along the coast and perhaps head on to an isle or two off the coast of the NorthWest Highlands – the National Trust’s Shieldaig Island and Kishorn Island, home to a seal colony, among them. Most meals and four nights’ accommodation are included.

From £875 per person sharing; wildernessscotland.com

Last-minute bookers could be forgiven for counting out Cornwall this summer. But take another look: a collection of apartments in Bude could fit the staycation bill. If weather permits, you could spend your break stretching out on golden sandy beaches, walking the coast or trying a spot of surfing. The apartments themselves are filled with clean lines and sunlight and come with a shared, indoor heated pool (each apartment is allocated time slots). Take your morning coffee on the balcony overlooking Crooklets Beach, a mere 650ft away.

From £950 for a weeks’ stay; beachretreats.co.uk

England’s least crowded county is chock-full of treasures. You could explore them this summer with the 19th-century, two-bedroom East End Cottage that sits on the edge of the village of Matfen as your base. The Whittle Dene watercourse runs along the cottage’s garden; inside you’ll find high ceilings with original oak beams. Dogs are welcome (at a charge of £20 each), perfect for those who – after a canine addition to the family during lockdown – are at a loss for where to stay. Venture from your base to Hadrian’s Wall, the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, Dunstanburgh Castle and more, all within county boundaries.

Sleeps four; from £1,450 for seven nights; crabtreeandcrabtree.com

From Austen to the hit Netflix show Bridgerton, Bath’s Georgian architecture has won many admirers as a fictional backdrop. Spend a night (or few) like your chosen Regency hero or heroine at the Francis, spread over seven townhouses on the city’s Queen’s Square. From here, it’s a short walk to the Roman Baths, the Jane Austen Centre and the Theatre Royal. The hotel dates from 1858, when it was opened by the entrepreneur Emily Francis. Inside you’ll find an eclectic style in the rooms and public areas: monochrome bathroom tiles, parrotcovered wallpaper and chandeliers. Rooms start from £136, including breakfast; francishotel.com