Inside the UK's fairytale house, 8 more around the world

Enchanting real homes straight out of a story

From charming cottages and towering castles to gingerbread-style homes, some properties have the power to bring fairytales to life. So often the stuff of childhood daydreams, these whimsical dwellings have been plucked from the pages of beloved storybooks and recreated brick by brick.

Read on to explore real-life fairytale creations – from forest hideaways to Rapunzel-worthy turrets – in kingdoms far, far away...

The Boot, Tasman, New Zealand

This has to qualify as one of the world's weirdest properties! The Boot bed-and-breakfast in Tasman, New Zealand, is now a hugely popular fairytale escape for those coming from far and wide.

The Boot, Tasman, New Zealand

And you can see why. A two-storey cottage in the shape of a giant boot, the fantastical retreat is located centrally between the Abel Tasman National Park, Kahurangi National Park and the town of Nelson.

The Boot, Tasman, New Zealand

Available to rent out via Airbnb, The Boot is nestled amongst hazelnut trees, giving visitors plenty of privacy.

Sheltered beneath the canopy is this picturesque courtyard, with an alfresco dining area and a large outdoor fireplace, perfect for toasting marshmallows in the colder months.

The Boot, Tasman, New Zealand

The bright and airy interior is wonderfully characterful, with a curved barrel ceiling and an impressive open hearth taking centre stage. The snug hideaway offers a queen-sized bedroom and one bathroom, a stone's throw away from the area's rugged coastline.

The Castle in the Forest, California, USA

Encircled by a dense forest, this magnificent mansion is like a version of Cinderella's castle, à la Disneyland.

With 10,000 square feet (929sqm) of accommodation, the dramatic façade includes impressive Gothic windows, mock-Tudor detailing and seemingly no end of turrets.

The Castle in the Forest, California, USA

Inside, the home's impressive interior does nothing to dispel the magic, just look at this exquisite sitting room.

From the regal wood panelling to the marble hearth and sumptuous velvet sofas, it's the ideal spot for a prince or princess to put their feet up after a long day exploring the manicured grounds.

The Castle in the Forest, California, USA

Available on Airbnb, the extravagant home doesn't offer style over substance either. The state-of-the-art kitchen is home to an array of luxury appliances and a grand double range cooker, providing everything you need to cook up a storm.

Meanwhile characterful details like the coffered ceiling and carved cooker hood keep the whimsical charm alive.

The Castle in the Forest, California, USA

With seven luxurious suites situated across the home's numerous levels, there's plenty of choice when it comes to finding a plush spot to lay your head.

Personally, we'd opt for this opulent room with a four-poster bed complete with carved wooden posts, surely an essential when you live in a fairytale castle.

Gothic stone cottage, Yallingup, Australia

This whimsical stone cottage in Yallingup, Australia is an annex for an art and meditation space. Offering the chance to cohabitate with marsupials, possums, robins and plenty of other wildlife, you're sure to get the full Snow White experience.

Gothic stone cottage, Yallingup, Australia

The cottage itself has plenty of gothic charm, with gorgeous stained-glass windows throughout. Inside it's full of whimsical touches, from floral bedspreads to colourful furnishings.

Gothic stone cottage, Yallingup, Australia

The single room property comprises a living and dining area on the ground floor and a lofted bedroom area accessible by means of a spiral staircase.

While certainly rustic, the property offers everything required for a cosy stay while you relax and reconnect with nature.

Gothic stone cottage, Yallingup, Australia

The site, which is available to rent on Airbnb, prides itself on low internet signal, lack of microwave (no radiation here!) and on-site, pick-your-own vegetable gardens and egg collection from a chook (that's Aussie for chicken).

The property offers guests free vegetarian macrobiotic set meals, for a truly holistic, healthy and off-grid experience.

Shrek's Swamp, Highland, UK

It might seem too perfect to be true, but this extraordinary structure is the result of a collaboration between DreamWorks and Airbnb. Shrek’s iconic swamp home was brought to life with remarkable attention to detail, both inside and out.

From the quirky ‘earwax’ candles to the cosy fireplace and Shrek’s beloved green recliner, every element has been meticulously recreated to capture the magic of the original.

Shrek's Swamp, Highland, UK

For all the painstaking attention to detail, Shrek’s home is as rustic and rudimentary as you may remember from the films. It has been placed, aptly, in the hills of the Scottish Highlands.

The house has only one room, which includes the bed, lounge chair and dining table in front of the fireplace. This makes it suitable for no more than three guests, according to the Airbnb listing.

Shrek's Swamp, Highland, UK

More rustic still, the home doesn’t include bathroom facilities, although Shrek’s swamp-chic outhouse is just outside.

However, before you start to panic, you’ll be relieved to learn that more modern facilities are available off-site, approximately 65 feet (20m) from the house.

Shrek's Swamp, Highland, UK

If the home’s rough-and-ready appearance and the 'BEWARE' signs out front haven’t scared you away, you might be wondering how to book this Shrek-tastic experience.

Sadly, the experience was incredibly exclusive and only open in October 2023. Although who knows when it might be available again? Keep your onions, we mean eyes, peeled.

Cob Cottage, British Columbia, Canada

For nature lovers looking to escape the hustle and bustle, it doesn't get much more magical than this unique cob cottage. Hidden inside a dense Canadian forest and available to rent, this charming home has no end of kerb appeal with its curved walls and quirky windows.

Cob Cottage, British Columbia, Canada

Located on British Columbia's Mayne Island, the popular retreat is hand-sculpted from cob, which is made up of soil, organic materials, water and sometimes the building material lime.

As well as the main home, the extensive rural site features surrounding woodlands, sheep, gardens and orchards to explore.

Cob Cottage, British Columbia, Canada

The romantic retreat features a small kitchen and living area, complete with intricately crafted centrepieces. This includes the breathtaking hearth and stunning staircase shaped out of branches and tree trunks.

Cob Cottage, British Columbia, Canada

The cosy little cottage comfortably sleeps two and is in easy reach of local amenities and attractions. It’s just a 10-minute walk to the beach and a 20-minute stroll to a family-run grocery and deli. There's also a nearby bookstore and a spa. What more could you want?

Brynkir Tower, Gwynedd, UK

If Rapunzel had found herself in this spectacular tower in North Wales, she might not have been in such a hurry to leave.

Soaring over rolling fields in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park, Wales, the views from this captivating escape are second to none.

Brynkir Tower, Gwynedd, UK

With living spaces staggered across the tower's many levels, the kitchen is on an upper floor of the property. Soft blue walls frame an airy dining area that's ideal for families, but it's the windows that steal the show.

Set into deep arched bays, the Gothic wooden frames are nothing short of breathtaking, transporting guests into their own medieval fairytale, complete with a view.

Brynkir Tower, Gwynedd, UK

Available to rent, the tower has two plush bedrooms fit for royalty, one decked out in pastel blue and the other in blush pink.

The master has a hearth and this gorgeous window seat, the ideal spot to get lost in a good (fairytale) book or admire the breathtaking rural vistas.

Brynkir Tower, Gwynedd, UK

As far as bathrooms go, this magnificent space takes some beating. Situated on the fifth floor, it's home to a beautiful cast iron roll-top bath and antique-style fixtures.

After a long day exploring the hills, we can just imagine taking a long, indulgent soak and admiring the stunning outlook across the treetops.

Lakeside cottage, Groß Wokern, Germany

Nestled in the woods of Mecklenburg Germany, this cosy boathouse sits perched on the shores of Lake Schillersee and makes the perfect woodland fairytale retreat.

With its steeply pitched roofline, gingerbread cottage-style detailing and patio built out over the waterfront, this hideaway is available to book on Airbnb.

Lakeside cottage, Groß Wokern, Germany

Inside, the home combines sleek, modern minimalism with cosy, cottagecore aesthetics. The almost Scandi-style interiors feature light, wood-panelled walls, complementary hardwood floors and crisp, white kitchen tiles.

The kitchen itself is fully stocked with utensils, has a gas stove and refrigerator and sits nestled under the overhang of the lofted bedroom space.

Lakeside cottage, Groß Wokern, Germany

The rest of the living area on the first floor feels bright and airy thanks to the double-height ceilings and the large double doors overlooking the jetty.

A large wooden table with bench seating and a sunny sitting area finish off the room, which is designed to flow seamlessly into the outdoor living space.

Lakeside cottage, Groß Wokern, Germany

Upstairs, the split-level loft includes two separate sleeping quarters, one with a double bed and another with two singles.

Both bedrooms offer unobstructed views of the lake beyond, the perfect place to relax and unwind after a day of rowing and swimming. Although do watch out for mystical creatures!

Fairytale castle, Carlux, France

This French fairytale castle is in the gastronomic region of Dordogne Perigord Noir. It's perched overlooking the magnificent fields, hills and rivers that surround it.

With its regal turrets, mullioned windows and ancient arched doors, the castle looks like if popped straight out of a Disney film. Let’s take a look inside…

Fairytale castle, Carlux, France

The interior of the home has been lovingly restored and is no less whimsical or opulent than the castle’s exterior. Just off the dramatic entryway with its flagstone floor, beamed ceilings and large chandelier, a set of ornately carved doors leads into a spectacular sitting room.

Here, the painted ceiling beams, plush velvet sofas and enormous fireplace all seem ready for a courtly gathering.

Fairytale castle, Carlux, France

The dining room, meanwhile, could easily host a state banquet. Fleur-de -is (a symbol that has been used for centuries to represent a variety of things, including French royalty) are on the floor tiles, lions decorate the walls and there is gold filigree on the ceiling beams.

It all adds an air of storybook elegance which, though perhaps not historically accurate, would certainly make any guest feel like the king of the castle.

Fairytale castle, Carlux, France

Can’t you just imagine Belle from Beauty and the Beast twirling around this library? We could stay in here for hours. However, if you do feel like venturing beyond these book-lined walls, the castle’s upper storeys are ready to give you the regal treatment as well. There is no fewer than nine bedrooms and suites, all decorated with a different stately theme.

The estate also offers a clifftop pool, yoga studio, gym and acres of spectacular forest to explore. Nothing short of a dream come true!

Middle Earth village, Alabama, USA

For fans of The Lord of the Rings, this is the ultimate Middle Earth retreat. This incredible complex in Alabama, USA is a popular Airbnb destination.

Sheldon Castle, as the property is known, is a registered historic home in Baldwin County and comes with a second castle located on its grounds. Two for the price of one!

Guests will stay in the primary castle, which has a king-size and single bed, ideal for couples or a young family. The one-room property also includes a seating area, dining table, kitchenette and bathroom.

Middle Earth village, Alabama, USA

The second fairytale home, Mosher Castle, is next door. While it is a private residence, guests are welcome to come and admire its fabulous gem-encrusted stonework, towering turret and multi-coloured tiled roof.

However, they’ll likely be discouraged from getting too close by both the moat encircling the home and the ornate metalwork dragon perched over the front entrance.

Middle Earth village, Alabama, USA

A third castle (because two just isn’t enough!) can be found just across the drive. This is known as ‘Boom Hobbit Castle’ and is another private residence.

However, with its iconic circular front door, medieval-inspired architecture and roofline reminiscent of a wizard’s hat, it certainly adds to the overall ambience of the property when viewed from the living room window of Sheldon Castle.

Middle Earth village, Alabama, USA

This final funky structure is currently being used as a stained-glass-making studio. Hung with shields fit for questing knights and painted in vibrant shades of red and yellow, the structure also helps create the illusion that you have entered some sort of fairytale village.