April 01, 2021

Staycations with Kip Hideaway

Hi Everyone and Happy Easter. I hope you are all well and you enjoyed our little one day heatwave. Glorious no matter how short lived it was.

I am so looking forward to sharing all our newness in the next week or so. We are shooting Summer phase 2 on Wednesday and planning to launch either next Sunday 11th or Monday 12th April. Lots of colour on the way and a good mixture of citywear and beachwear.

I can not wait to share.

Who knows if we will get to travel this year. I am very positive that we will be able to holiday abroad and if we are not.... then so be it. This leads me on to my latest discovery, Kip Hideaways. I found them when I was searching for possible shoot locations in the UK and was so impressed I reached out to Sarah de Vere-Drummond, the Co-Founder, and asked her if she would do a Q&A for my Journal because I want you all to know about it.

"About Kip.

We dreamed up Kip to make holiday-planning simple. Finding amazing, affordable rentals is incredibly time consuming, even stressful! How do you cut through the dross on enormous sites? Are the reviews reliable? And are you getting the best price? Something that should be fun can become a real headache.

We’ve worked in the boutique travel industry for years and realised there was a gap in the market for our expertise: a website that only features gorgeous self-catering hideaways for 2-6 people, in an affordable price bracket. And through months of research and insider contacts we’ve found the very best ones.

We love their beautiful style, and we really love the thoughtful detail that make them so special. Perhaps a hand-drawn map of favourite walks. An outdoor hot tub where you can stargaze by night. Or a homemade cake waiting by the teapot when you arrive. It’s been brilliant finding owners who genuinely care that their guests have an amazing stay.

Our reviews are unique, honest and impartial – the things we’d tell our friends. We even highlight the potential drawbacks of each place to help you choose.

Then we hook you up so you can book direct with the owners.

Many of the hideaways fly under the radar (it’s part of their appeal), so to help keep them exclusive we decided on a membership site. But a very affordable one, to create a community of like-minded souls to share our discoveries with.

Membership is just £14 a year or £2.99 a month (rolling subscription). And no booking fees, ever"

My Q & A with Sarah.

1. Sarah, thank you for being my guest.

Kip is an incredible brand how did you get into the travel industry and why KIP and what is the concept behind it?

Liz and I instantly hit it off when we started working together for a boutique travel company over ten years ago - I was in marketing and she was heading up editorial. After so many years of visiting incredible hideaways all around the world, we got pretty good at uncovering amazing little places to stay back in the UK too and started sharing them with our friends who trusted our recommendations for those hard-to-find hidden gems.

I took a year out, Liz went freelance and then we met up for a catchup at the pub and the chat inevitably turned to travel. We knew there were so many incredible little hideaways in the UK but there wasn't really anywhere to easily find them, they were either lost in a sea of larger sites or not online at all. So we thought, why don't we create it ourselves? We started scouring the British Isles to expand our little black book of unique, affordable and stylish self-catering boltholes. No also-rans; just the places we think are really special. Small places with soul and inspirational owners who truly care that their hideaway is amazing, and really look after you.

2. Your top 5 favs..

Hawthorn Huts Suffolk (Hawthorn Huts, Suffolk - Kip Hideaways)

These stunning oversized huts hide amongst trees and wild grasses in a 10-acres countryside retreat that's adults only and all about relaxation. Brand new.

Fisherman's Cottage Cornwall (Fisherman's Cottage Cornwall - Kip Hideaways)

A beautifully renovated 17thC cottage for 4-6 in a secret corner of Cornwall; stroll to quiet golden beaches

Snowdonia Hideaways (Snowdonia Treehouses - Kip Hideaways)

You need to book a year ahead to stay at these incredible treehouses on the edge of Snowdonia National Park but boy, is it worth it. Hidden 40ft up in a woodland canopy, our stay here was one of the most magical of our lives.

Lakeside Cabin Cornwall (Lakeside Cabin, Cornwall - Kip Hideaways)

Perfect for a minimoon, this handcrafted cabin sits on a wild-swimming lake, amongst 5 acres of gardens. The alfresco bath is gorgeous for morning or starlit soaks, and the decking is bathed with sunshine all day.

West Coast Cabin Skye (West Coast Cabin, Skye - Kip Hideaways)

With cinematic views over Loch Pooltiel and beyond, this contemporary design cabin for 6 is heaven. Expect wild landscapes, moody skies, expansive skies and shooting stars.

3. Most remote property

Wilderness Cabins Oban (The Wilderness Cabins, Oban - Kip Hideaways)

A pair of off-grid architect-designs cabins, hidden in a wilderness paradise on the shores of a loch. 15 minutes from Oban, this is a place to truly immerse yourself in nature, and the adventure begins as you're boated up to your cabin.

4. Most romantic property

Hulder Cabin Devon (Hulder Cabin, Devon - Kip Hideaways)

An incredible cabin in an incredibly peaceful setting, on the edge of a wildflower meadow. It's just you, the alfresco bath, the star-filled skies and a treehouse for sunset drinks.

5. Best for families

Luxury Glamping Lincolnshire (Luxury Glamping, Lincolnshire - Kip Hideaways)

Ideal for free-range families, these hugely stylish safari tents overlook a lake. Come with friends and book out all 3. Kids can build dens and spot wildlife then after dark you can ask for a family film night under the stars. Such an adventure.

6. Top 5 nearest to London

East Sussex Woodland Escape (East Sussex Woodland Escape - Kip Hideaways)

A totally unique round house nestled in an ancient copse on a conservation farm; like something out of a fairytale.

Romney Marsh Retreat (Romney Marsh Retreat - Kip Hideaways)

An uber-stylish escape for romance or a small family, a short drive from Rye and Camber Sands.

Tudor Cottage Rye (Tudor Cottage, Rye - Kip Hideaways)

A gloriously characterful medieval house for 6, juxtaposed with chic, modern interiors.

Epping Forest Treehouse (Epping Forest Treehouse - Kip Hideaways)

A stunning rustic-luxe treehouse for 2, just an hour on the tube from central London.

Sunset Cottage South Downs (Sunset Cottage South Downs - Kip Hideaways)

This breathtakingly beautiful cottage for 2-4 sits right inside South Downs National Park, with walks and cycle rides from its front door.

7. Most ununusal

Wildflower Wagon Hereford (Wildflower Wagon, Hereford - Kip Hideaways)

Staying in this quirky wagon is almost a time-travelling experience, taking you back to the 1920s and a circus showman's life.

8. Largest property ie. Property that can take 2 or more families

The Dairy Barn (The Dairy Barn, Cornwall - Kip Hideaways)

and Molly's Stable (Molly's Stable, Cornwall - Kip Hideaways)

Sleeping 4 and 6 respectively, these exquisite conversions share a courtyard, acres of countryside and 2 hot tubs. Perfect for babies, kids, grandparents and dogs; the holy grail of family holidays.

9. Any plans to expand in Europe?

It's something we are mulling over. If we do it, it needs to be true to our ethos of small places with soul and we want to ensure that we are promoting travel in a sustainable way as possible - watch this space!

10. If Rae Feather were to do a photoshoot at any of your properties which one would it be.

St Ives Seaview Studio (St Ives Seaview Studio - Kip Hideaways)
Or if you'd like something bigger, there's an incredible new space that would be live in a bout a week; 2-bedroomed in Suffolk. Whitewashed, minimalist, has recently been used by Zara Home for a shoot.