Quirky Nottinghamshire holiday home named one of the best in the UK

A quirky holiday home near Nottingham has scooped a prestigious national travel award. The Pump House Art Studio in Misterton, Nottinghamshire has been hailed one of the best staycation properties in the country.

Holiday homeowners, Nicholas Pryke and Claire Elliott are celebrating the momentous win after scoring gold in the Best Historic Property category. The Pump House Art Studio, is a stunning Grade II* Listed property that was formerly a Victorian pumping station used for draining the land. 

Nicholas said: “It’s wonderful to share this amazing building with our guests and it is great to see them appreciate The Pump House Art Studio just as much as we do”.   

“We feel grateful that Sykes has recognised the uniqueness of this spectacular Listed building and its history and are thrilled to have taken home an award.”  

The national travel awards program by staycation specialist Sykes Holiday Cottages saw a significant number of entries from across the UK and Ireland – with The Pump House beating off tough competition to take home the trophy.  

Encouraged by the pandemic to rethink their way of life and try something they had always dreamt of, Nicholas and Claire, both designers, invested in The Pump House Art Studio in 2020 and spent the next year restoring it.     

Incredibly light and airy, the property’s living area, which once housed a Victorian steam-powered beam engine, is home to arched windows, original artwork, and a selection of plants. In between bookings, the property also doubles up as an annual artists’ residency and a space for making and exhibiting art.  

Dating back over 160 years, The Pump House Art Studio sits on a site of special scientific interest which is brimming with local wildlife for guests to enjoy during their stay, including kingfishers, buzzards, and deer.  

After first starting to take bookings with Sykes in May 2021, the couple has since reaped the rewards of a surge in staycations to Nottinghamshire, with the property nearly fully booked throughout 2023.          

The Sykes Gem Awards, first launched in 2017, aim to celebrate the best people and properties in the UK’s holiday let sector - judged by a panel of industry experts including Sykes’ CEO Graham Donoghue and COO Bev Dumbleton, as well as The Sun’s Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski.   

Properties were judged using owner entries and guest feedback, alongside details like photos, occupancy figures and property amenities.  The judging panel were impressed by the style and facilities on offer at The Pump House Art Studio, along with guest feedback on cleanliness, comfort, and value for money.   

Graham Donoghue, CEO of Sykes Holiday Cottages, added: “We’re excited to have relaunched the Sykes Gems to recognise and reward some of the best holiday lets across the country. 

“A lot of work goes into running a successful holiday let so it was a difficult decision amongst so many wonderful properties, but our final winners are those consistently going above and beyond to deliver unforgettable breaks for their guests.  

“Staycations are as popular as ever in 2023, with many Brits having rediscovered their love of a holiday at home during the pandemic. Because of this, those with a second home in Nottinghamshire might be tempted to turn it into a holiday let – with our Gem Award winners offering plenty of inspiration for those who need it!”