A 1950s radar monitoring station converted by trendy London interiors firm Johnson Naylor, this industrial-looking building is stylish inside, with limestone floors, white walls and woodburner. Birdwatch from the top-floor balcony, or stroll the shingle peering out towards France … Photograph: Peter Marlow/Magnum
There are two pubs nearby, and a hut selling fresh fish, crabs and lobster rolls.
• 0845 163 8815, holidaycottagecompare.com. Sleeps five, from £785 a week
Pets allowed Photograph: Peter Marlow/PR
Used as a boathouse for Eton school until 1970, this four-bedroom waterside home has hints of Morocco and New Mexico about it, with reclaimed wood, tiled floors, jewel-coloured rugs and cushions, ornate metal lanterns, a custom-built wooden staircase, free-standing contemporary bathtubs and, in the living room, an old wooden rowing boat on the ceiling … Photograph: PR
It's real selling point, though, is the setting. Sit on the pontoon with a glass of wine and watch the boats go by, with Windsor Castle across the water as a backdrop.
• 01753 851551, boathouse19.com, sleeps 7, from £2,950 a week Photograph: PR
Set in the National Trust parkland that surrounds Stowe School, this circular folly was designed in the 1700s as a decadent viewing platform for the surrounding landscape (Capability Brown was on the gardening team) … Photograph: Paul Williams/Alamy
Originally dubbed the Temple of Liberty, some stained glass windows remain and, with the two bedrooms, kitchen and bathroom tucked into turrets, the living room can stretch up to a majestic gilded dome. • 01628 825925, landmarktrust.org.uk, sleeps 4, from £996 a week
Pets allowed Photograph: PR/Landmark Trust
Set beside a Grade II-listed medieval barn (now a family home), this cottage is a short walk from Berkhamsted Castle and the town's art deco cinema. It's also surrounded by the Chilterns, for lovely hiking and bike rides … Photograph: PR
The owners used to live in France so the interiors have a touch of the flea market about them, with chic vintage finds and pretty French prints.
• 01442 874767, homeaway.co.uk, sleeps 2, from £850 a week
Pets allowed Photograph: PR
A newly built perch above a stylish, clapboard, er, garage in the village of Essendon (once home to Barbara Cartland) is not a treehouse in the conventional sense, though this modern, timber-clad apartment is at treetop level, overlooking woodland. A cosy, contemporary nest, it has smart modern interiors, with fresh white tiles and soft green woodwork … Photograph: PR/Sawdays
The Rose and Crown pub (roseandcrownessendon.co.uk) is two minutes' walk away for posh pub grub and a classy wine list.
• 01707 271794, sawdays.co.uk, sleeps 2, from £595 a week Photograph: PR/Sawdays
