A new book, Unusual Hotels, UK & Ireland (£13.99. www.gounusual.com) has come up with some wild and wacky ideas of places to stay in Britain and Ireland, some of which would work with children and some of which might be better for adults only!

Selected from the award-winning UnusualHotelsOfTheWorld.com online guide, this new book lists accommodation for all budgets, from £25 to £550.

Choose between vintage Airstream caravans, a converted Naval gunboat and an enchanted manor. There's a property where you have to be accompanied by a dog to get in, a Royal Palace in Surrey, a funky rock'n'roll hotel in London and the Pullman carriages of an old train in Petworth.

With over 150 colour photos and 99 entries the book provides masses of ideas for weekends away, beyond the scope of the website, www.unusualhotelsoftheworld.com, although you can get plenty of ideas from that, too!

For more ideas of relaxing, child-free breaks, click here