The best independent travel companies

When you are planning a holiday you probably either look at some of the big travel companies or simply Google and click on the top links. However, there are some fantastic independent companies that offer fabulous quirky stays, little extras when you book direct with them and you will definitely find places you may not normally come across.

Below are all the companies I love to use, whether I need some inspiration for my next trip or to help me find my perfect holiday. So rather than using Google why not support small businesses and find dreamy stays with character and personality instead.

Canopy and Stars

If you are searching for the perfect mix of being outdoors and luxury, then Canopy & Stars is where you should be looking for some fabulous glamping stays. They have a great collection of unique, creative places to stay with a focus on the outdoors to give you a genuine experience of a life more wild. They inspect every single property to make sure only the most special spaces make it into their collection, so you know you are in for a treat when you book with them. It’s a great place if you are struggling on where to stay and need some inspiration as they break down their collection from monthly availability, coastal summer breaks or hot tub stays.

My top picks:

• Rufus’s Roost, Yorkshire
• Humble Bee, Devon
• Birch Igluhut, Suffolk

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Kip Hideaways

Known as small places with soul, Kip Hideaways is a wonderful collection of the very best boutique rentals in the UK for 2-6 people. They offer a range of different properties, from ones that are dog friendly, totally secluded homes, and wildly romantic stays but all are absolutely gorgeous, under-the-radar, and affordable. It’s a membership site and joining reveals secret content, direct booking with the owners, member offers, and gifts when you stay. Plus they will plant a tree in your honour, so for only £14 a year for all this exclusive content, you are sure to find many the most perfect, charming stay for you.

My top picks:

• Causeway Coast Escape, Northern Ireland
• The Field Cabins, Hampshire
• Lake District Bus, Lake District

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The Wanderlist

The Wanderlist is a new online directory of unique getaways in the UK which are just waiting to be discovered. It was founded by Laura and John Lewis, the husband and wife team behind the fabulous Squirrels Nest, an award-winning collection of luxury treehouses in rural Mid Wales. As the founders have a travel business themselves, they know exactly the kind of issues business owners are facing, so they hope to make things better by supporting businesses similar to theirs. Their collection consists of cool and unique retreats around the UK so you will find somewhere fun to stay this summer and as it’s constantly growing every time you re-visit their website you will find incredible new places to stay.

My top picks:

• Spinks Nest, Norfolk
• The Rapids Cottage, Symonds Yat
• The Laundry Retreat, Wales

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Host Unusual

If you are looking to stay somewhere fun, quirky, and exciting, this is definitely the website for you. Host Unusual is an award-winning specialist directory which showcases some of the most unusual places to stay not only in the UK but around the world too. They are dedicated to scouring the land to cherry-pick the most exciting holiday properties on the map, which could be anything from a fairytale treehouse deep in the forest, time-warp vintage pads, floating homes on lazy rivers, or eco-retreats far from the city lights.

My top picks:

• The Glass Lodge, Cornwall
• Woodland Chase Glamping, Northumberland
• Wagon and the Wigwam, Hampshire

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Boutique Retreats

Specialising in short breaks all year round, Boutique Retreats is the perfect place to find a fabulous cottage or beautiful homestay. Whether you are looking for a large and luxurious or small and perfectly formed staycation, they have a delightful portfolio for you to search through. With cottages throughout the UK, they have a great mix of collections to help you find your dream place from dog-friendly luxury cottages in Cornwall, a romantic country bolt hole in Devon, or a haven for the family in the Cotswolds. You are sure to find what you have been looking for with Boutique Retreats.

My top picks:

• Trevail House, Cornwall
• The Coach House, Shere
• Harbour View, Cornwall

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Sawdays

If you love staying in places that are special and luxurious then head to Sawdays for the perfect mix of self catering cottages, B&B’s, and hotels. They are the sister company to Canopy and Stars and have a great mission to ‘bring together people and places of spirit and character for meaningful experiences and have a positive social, cultural and environmental impact’. They also do a collection of wonderful books which make for a perfect addition to your home when you need some inspiration on places to stay, eat and visit. Another thing I love using this website for is to find some fabulous places to eat as they also recommend wonderful pubs, so make sure you take a look if you need some help finding places to eat on your next holiday.

My top picks:

• The Hovel, Sussex
• The Rose, Kent
• The Roebuck Inn, Cheshire

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Cool Stays

If you are a lover of the unusual, weird and wonderful, then Cool Stays is the site for you. They have curated a fantastic mix of windmills, boatels, treehouses, and more so you will definitely find somewhere quirky and different to stay in the UK or abroad. If you need some help and recommendations then head to their Editor’s Pick which they update regularly with top places you should definitely stay at. They also categorise all their stays into great collections to make it easier for you to find the perfect holiday from pubs with rooms, barns, and urban escapes.

My top picks:

• The Old Smock Mill, Kent
• The Boathouse, Worcestershire
• Treverra Cottage, Cornwall

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