If you’re heading to Leicester in September for the British Science Festival, then we’ve got the perfect accommodation for you. When enjoying an event as incredible as this, your home has to match the standards, so heed our expert advice and book one of these gems to truly complete the experience.
Where to reside near the British Science Festival
Take a look at 5 of the very best holiday homes in our Leicester collection. If these don’t meet your high expectations, then nothing will.
Rectory Barn
Rectory Barn, Plum Guide home in England, UK
Click to book Rectory Barn now: from £339 per night Part of Rectory Farm in the East Midlands (fifteen minutes from the lovely Market Harborough), this slick barn conversion is the epitome of luxury country living. Outside, you're surrounded by fourteen acres of rolling countryside, while inside, soft furnishings, mood lighting and striking original artwork create a cosy and relaxing atmosphere. We loved the folding glass wall in particular – it overlooks the landscaped garden, and on warm days, you can open the doors and bring the outdoors inside. Spend days roaming the grounds and finish the evenings with a board game or family movie night in the lounge. Your hosts have considered every single detail, and the list of mod-cons feels endless – we're talking a popcorn maker, electric blackout blinds, power showers, no less than four Amazon echos, two smart TVs with Netflix, an Xbox One (complete with games) and a super high-spec kitchen that has everything you'll need to rustle up a delicious dinner. During the winter, the underfloor heating protects toes from getting chilly, and there's a full summer kitchen with a gas barbecue and seating for eight on those long summer nights. And if you're worried about the strain all the gadgets might put on the environment? Don't be – the hosts have even considered that, and the whole home runs on solar power and air-source heating. Sleeps up to 8 | 3 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms
Rectory Loft
Rectory Loft, Plum Guide home in Northamptonshire
Click to book Rectory Loft now: from £240 per night Don’t let the low-key name throw you - this slick conversion is a luxury country life experience. Part of the Rectory Farm estate, the Grand Designs’ worthy loft is sleek and minimal with lots of oak, steel-framed windows and Scandi meets English country furnishings. Throughout you’ll find intimate nooks of space for quiet contemplation, from the family bath with views of the sky through the Dorma, to the double workspace in the eaves. While the whole place is top drawer, the highlight has to be the glass-fronted balcony, looking out over the pond. Sitting here as dragonflies dance over the water, you’ll fancy yourself a million miles away from civilisation. In fact, you’re just ten minutes from the hustle and bustle of Market Harborough and five minutes from the all-important local pub. As an added bonus, you’ve got the run of the estate’s verdant 14 acres, complete with a lakeside picnic area. You won’t want to leave. Sleeps up to 6 | 2 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms
Rectory Cottage
Rectory Cottage, Plum Guide home in Northamptonshire, UK
Click to book Rectory Cottage now: from £209 per night This fantastic dovecote conversion pairs thoughtful, rustic decor with high tech amenities – air conditioning, Netflix, Xbox, Amazon Echo and ultra-fast (100Mbps) internet. The bathtub is a particular highlight – deep and free-standing with a roll-top and Rituals toiletries to boot. Use it all guilt-free – solar power, air source heating and filtered well water make this an environmentally friendly stay. Though set in a private 14-acre estate, it's within easy distance of local attractions: Market Harborough, Kelmarsh Hall, Silverstone, Leicester Racecourse and the Sourdough School. Even London is only an hour away by train. Sleeps up to 4 | 1 Bedroom | 2 Bathrooms
Ramble On
Ramble On, Plum Guide home in Derbyshire, UK
Click to book Ramble On now: from £110 per night If a taste of rural English life is what you crave, this brick barn retreat smack-dab in the rolling countryside more than fits the bill. While we adore the calm and cosy interior, the tranquil location is what really shines here. Though host Gaynor lives on-site, it's utterly peaceful. The view took our breath away, and every inch of this home has been designed with it in mind – whether you're lounging on the cosy sofa with the French doors wide open or washing up in the kitchen, you can admire the idyllic Staffordshire scenery. Begin your morning with a cup of tea on the terrace – Gaynor leaves milk and biscuits for you to snack on – then don your walking shoes and head out for a ramble on one of the many walking paths in the area. After a day in the fresh air, reward yourself with a pint and hearty meal from the pub down the road, or if you're in the mood to cook, rustle up dinner in the modern kitchen. For a change of pace, Lichfield's charming array of shops, cafes and restaurants is just twenty minutes away, while adrenaline junkies will love Alton Towers, only a thirty-five-minute drive. No matter what you get up to, we recommend finishing off the evening with a glass of wine out in the garden, soaking up the last of the day's sunshine. Sleeps up to 2 | 1 Bedroom | 1 Bathroom
The Toadstool
The Toadstool, Plum Guide home in Staffordshire, UK
Click to book The Toadstool now: from £200 per night This home is the best of both worlds – a traditional cottage fully equipped with modern appliances. With both an outdoor BBQ grill and a real working fireplace inside, it’s an ideal rural retreat in any season. The only noise disturbance is from birdsong, and maybe the odd tractor. The expansive garden rolls into beautiful countryside, and days here are best spent walking across the fields and down the canal for a pub lunch. There are local attractions aplenty, with the Lichfield Cathedral, Garrick Theatre, and Kings Bromley Marina all a short drive away. Sleeps up to 6 | 3 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms
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Discover the finest holiday homes around other UK events
Written by Plum Guide Destination Expert
