Guests at Station 52 and Three Quarters have said ‘nothing could have prepared them’ for what they discovered during their stayThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Station 52 and Three Quarters was branded ‘genuinely different with a highly original concept’ by the judges(Image: holidaycottages.co.uk)
When it comes to one-of-a-kind holidays, more and more Brits are swapping their trip abroad for a staycation this year with plenty of adventures to be had right here on UK shores. And one place to stay a two-and-a-half hour drive away from Newcastle has been named the most remarkable in the country.
Station 52 and Three Quarters in Holmfirth, Yorkshire, along with its sister property Cellar at 52, scooped the number one place in the Remarkable Stays category of the holidaycottages.co.uk 2026 Showcase Awards. A must-visit for fans of a certain boy wizard, this magical-themed getaway is home to hidden escape rooms and riddles for a stay guests are sure never to forget.
The judges, which included Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCloud, said of this unique pair of holiday lets: “Both Station 52 and Cellar at 52 were found to be highly engaging and broadly appealing. Guests actively participated in the interactive, narrative-led puzzle experience, which has a clear journey and a powerful reveal moment. To find this within a luxury setting is genuinely rare.”
Station 52 and Three Quarters also came as a runner-up in the Extraordinary Stays and Experience Collection categories, singling it out as one of the top holiday properties in Britain – with the experts dubbing it “genuinely different with a highly original concept.” With space for up to four guests, it’s available to book as early as June and is currently on offer at a reduced price from £935 for seven nights this summer.
Cellar at 52, meanwhile, has room for two guests and is priced from £590 for seven nights this summer, although like Station 52 and Three Quarters it is not dog-friendly. The West Yorkshire town of Holmfirth in which they reside is just two miles away from the boundary of the Peak District National Park, spelling the perfect opportunity for a summer holiday in the great outdoors.
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This isn’t the only place to stay in Yorkshire that has scooped awards. In the Sykes Holiday Cottages 2025 Gem Awards last summer, The Cells in Ingleton, a two-hour drive away from Newcastle, won Best Historic Property as a building dating back to the 17th century that was once the wing of a former court house – and there are plenty of nods to its past inside, from the original prison door that leads to the bedrooms to the original jail window in the master bedroom.
Meanwhile, Thompson Rigg Barn in Langdale End, nestled within the North York Moors National Park, was ranked by Sykes Holiday Cottages among top three couples’ retreats in Britain. And in the Best in Yorkshire category, winners included The Barn in Pateley Bridge and Fernhill Castle in Skipton.
Back at Station 52 and Three Quarters, the property has had just three reviews so far, with each guest awarding it a five-star rating.
One visitor said: “We’ve had such an incredible stay. such a special property here that has clearly been done to such care and high standard. The extras supplied were so kind and greatly appreciated. The secret is INSANE! Nothing could have prepared us for that! The clues were incredible. We’ll be recommending to everyone we possible can and wish you so so much success.”
Another fed back: “The place is immaculate! The details are gorgeous. Every single corner there is so much thought and effort into the house. It has every single thing you could possibly want or need for a stay. […] The mystery to solve was really the cherry on top. Won’t put any spoilers but it’s like an escape room type adventure. As a big Harry Potter fan the surprise is a dream!”
And the third reviewer raved: “Wow! What a find! This property was stunning – exceptionally high quality of fixtures and fittings ; beautifully decorated and equipped; everything had been considered from the welcome box and bits in the fridge to the toiletries upstairs. Five star in every way – and then the extra surprise which was truly amazing! What a puzzle and prize! Thank you We will be back and we will be highly recommending you to everyone we know This will be the short break we talk about for a long time.”
Closer to home, meanwhile, the holidaycottages.co.uk 2026 Showcase Awards awarded a unique North Tyneside property the title of the UK’s most extraordinary stay, while a charming Northumberland coastal cottage was also named as one of the best holiday lets in the North of England.