There are plenty of innovative accommodation options out there, nestled in some of England's most glorious countryside or dotted along its luscious coastline. Here are five of our favourite places to stay when we want a break from the ordinary.
Oscar the train carriage in Cloughton
Thomas the Tank Engine fans of all ages will love a holiday in Oscar, a 1960s railway carriage that has been converted into a train buff's dream three-bedroom home.
After years of taking families along the Scarborough to Whitby line, Oscar has now made his home in the disused Victorian station at Cloughton. There's a private garden with a barbecue to enjoy in the sunny weather and despite Oscar's retro heritage, he's bang up to date and offers everything from wi-fi and air con to a flat screen TV and dishwasher. Rental starts from £441 per week.
Spitbank Fort near Portsmouth
Planning a special occasion - something that needs a once-in-a-lifetime venue for your holiday? Look no further than Spitbank Fort, one of the four Napoleonic forts that were built in 1878, a mile out into the Solent, to protect the English coast from a possible French invasion.
Happily, the forts were never needed and not a shot was ever fired in anger from its walls. Now this decadent folly accommodates up to 18 guests in 5-star luxury offering everything from a wine tasting cellar and gym to a 10-person rooftop hot tub and fire pit.
If you'replanning to impress, we reckon a private island and fort with its very own lighthouse should do the trick. Prices start from £700 per night.
Hot tub treehouse in Kent
No, not hot tub time machine, hot tub treehouse. If you ever dreamed of having a treehouse as a child, prepare to upgrade those dreams to the luxury standards of the Treehouse Hideaway in Kent.
Boasting underfloor heating, satellite TV, a dishwasher and barbecue, this is definitely not kids stuff. The house, six meters off the ground, rests amongst the willows, conifers and fruit trees, and is made from driftwood gathered on the local beach.
Come down from your perch to enjoy a secluded dip in the hot tub, or enjoy getting a bird's eye view from the decked patio in the tree tops. Prices start from £150 per night.
The Coffin House in BrixhamTraditionally, coffins aren't the most romantic of things (unless, of course, you're a Twilight or True Blood fan). However, the story of this coffin-shaped house in Brixham is definitely one for the romantically-inclined.
A Georgian gentleman was in love, but the father of his beloved disapproved and said he'd sooner see his daughter in a coffin than married. Undeterred, our Romeo built this coffin-shaped house, which impressed the father of the bride so much, he agreed to the marriage.
With two bedrooms, Destiny Lodge is part of the Coffin House, available from £227 for three nights.
Bournemouth's chocolate hotel
Book into the world's only chocolate-themed hotel in Bournemouth's smart Soho Quarter for a sweet break. The smell of chocolate fills the air when you walk in, each room is decorated in a chocolate theme and - you guessed it - chocolate plays a starring role in the food and drink at the hotel too.
Enjoy a chocolate fountain with fresh fruit to dip or a chocolate-based cocktail (make that a choctail) at the bar.
You can book in for chocolate workshops, learn the art of making truffles and discover the history of chocolates with a master chocolatier. In short; chocolate, chocolate, chocolate. Rooms start from £65 a night.
