Hawkins' Folly Heart of England

The quirkiest place you’ll ever stay

If you were to let your imagination run riot, you would struggle to conjure up a property as quirky as Hawkins’ Folly. Luckily, the conjuring has been done and here it stands in a sleepy village near Stratford upon Avon.

When you first spot the attractive timber-clad house, a central clock tower is your only clue as to the embellishments within. Step through the porch - or maybe it’s a portal - and enter the crazy world of Hawkins’ Folly. The indoor living area is dominated by a serpentine swimming pool bordered by palm trees (yes, you read that correctly). Treasure Island is the theme and you can’t help but be swept into the playful drama. The grand, barn-like interior, built in green oak, evokes a ship on the high seas. It’s helped by details such as the crow’s nest and the aquarium wall!

When you’re done playing pirates, relax in the sauna and steam room or the comfy sitting room, adjacent to the pool. The kitchen carries on the nautical theme but is reassuringly grander than a ship’s galley. On the ground floor there’s also a fabulous ensuite bedroom with doors out to the patio.

Still got some partying in you? Head to the basement for the Art Deco inspired cinema room, bar and entertainment area. After all the excitement, climb the stairs to the galleried landing and discover the most amazing bedrooms. Take, for example, the custom designed four-poster with its carved figureheads of a mermaid and a ship’s captain standing guard on the bedposts.

Bring up to sixteen guests together – this is a house not to be missed. If you’re worried about space, don’t be. The main house sleeps up to eight and there are also two thatched cottages, each sleeping four in two simple double bedrooms and set amidst pretty English gardens.

With a giant chess set in the grounds, sweeping lawns and a private entrance into the 7,000-acre Heart of England Forest, there’s plenty to do on sunny days. Further afield (but only slightly) is Shakespeare country and the beautiful Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. All in all, Hawkins' Folly has the potential to become your favourite escape.

Selected by Gareth

Learn more about our handpicking process

What we think

Shiver me timbers! Channel your inner pirate at this quirky and unique house with a Treasure Island theme. With its indoor swimming pool with palm trees and crow’s nest, you’ll struggle to find anything that matches this eccentric house for its sense of fun!

Gareth, Big House Experience

Gallery

Highlights Grounds Facilities Living Spaces Kitchen and Dining General Bedroom Bathrooms All

Aerial View

Indoor Pool

Cinema Room

The Bridge

The Captain's Suite (main house)

Bar & Games Room

Aerial View

List of Bedrooms & Floor Plans (PDF)

What to Expect

We’ve tried to think about everything to make your stay at Hawkins' Folly just perfect. In all of our big houses to rent, we provide all the essential features to cater for a family group. Here’s a list of all the practical provisions we have at the house. If there’s anything you can’t see here but need, just ask as we’ll see what we can do.

Luxury bed linen, bath towels and separate pool towels
Well-equipped kitchen area including double Wolf oven, 6 gas burners, griddle and fridge freezer
Dining area on the ship’s bridge overlooking the pool with a dining table seating 16 comfortably, plus a separate dining table on the main (ground) floor seating 8
Free Wi-Fi
Bar/games room with air hockey, pool table and jukebox (which you can plug an iPhone into)
Second jukebox in living area (which you can plug an iPhone into)
Art Deco cinema room with full screen for DVDs and Sky channels
Indoor heated swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and changing areas
Weber gas BBQ (gas provided)
EV charging point (additional charge)

Location

Set in a charming Warwickshire village, surrounded by rolling hills and close to the Cotswolds, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

House FAQs

What are the check in and check out times?

Check in is at 4pm on the day of your arrival and check out is at 10am.
How many cars can park at the property?

There is parking for 10 cars at the property.
Can I arrange a supermarket delivery to the house?

Yes, you can order online with Waitrose for a delivery direct to the house. We usually suggest booking a delivery for after 4pm on the day of arrival.
Are stag and hen parties allowed?

Sorry, stag and hen parties are not permitted at Hawkins' Folly. We politely ask that this is respected.
Are pets allowed?

Yes, up to three well-behaved dogs are allowed at Hawkins' Folly, subject to a fee of £50 per dog. Dogs are not allowed on soft furnishings.
Are children welcome?

Due to the open-plan nature of the house, with the swimming pool in the centre, Hawkins' Folly isn't suitable for groups with young children. Any groups who choose to bring young children must supervise them at all times. If you require any further details on the layout of the house, please contact us.
What is the depth of the swimming pool?

The depth of the swimming pool is approximately 0.9 metres at the shallow end and 2 metres at the deep end. There is an air filtration system which removes the smell of chlorine in the house.
How many guests can sit at the dining table?

The dining table on the ship's bridge overlooking the pool seats 16 guests. There is a separate dining table on the main (ground) floor which seats 8 guests. In Cottage 1 there is a small dining table in the conservatory that seats 4 guests. In Cottage 2 there is a breakfast bar seating 4.
Are additional day guests allowed at the property?

A maximum of 16 guests are allowed at Hawkins' Folly, so only those staying at the property. We're sorry, but additional day guests are not permitted.
Can you recommend any local places to eat out?

Yes, we'd recommend the following pubs and restaurants, all within 20 minutes' drive of the property (click on the links below):

Dormy House, Broadway

The Kings Arms, Mickleton
What is the nearest train station?

The nearest train station is Honeybourne (4.5 miles). This is a mainline station with a journey time of 110 minutes to/from London Paddington.
What is the nearest airport?

The nearest airport is Birmingham (30 miles).
Will you hold a damage deposit during our stay?

Yes, we ask to hold a cautionary deposit of £1,500 during your stay at Hawkins' Folly. This is requested just two weeks prior to your stay, and is returned shortly after, assuming no damage to the property or its contents (see our Booking T&Cs for more information).
How do I book?

You can check availability and pricing and place your booking request online, or by calling our team on 01242 352 747.

When booking, we ask for a deposit of 33% of the total price, with the balance due 12 weeks prior to your stay (or the full balance when booking within 12 weeks of your stay).