Not heard of Talliston House & Gardens? Have you been hiding under a rock? One of the coolest places to stay in the UK, it’s been covered on every terrestrial TV channel and Netflix, plus is on AirBnb’s best places to stay. It’s even been described by The Times as being ‘the most extraordinary house in Britain’. They’re not wrong.

So, if you’re one of the few who don’t know about Talliston we’re here to fill you in. It all kicked off back in 1990, when owner John Tarrow stepped into a three-bed, semi-detached, ex-council house and started a personal journey that grew into a 25-year project (and by that we mean exactly; starting at midday on 6 Oct 1990 and finishing at midday on 6 Oct 2015). John’s mission? To take the UK’s most ordinary house and transform it into a wonderland of inspirational locations, each set in a different time and place.

Using traditional techniques and authentic items sourced from around the globe, John and his team of more than 130 volunteers, artists and artisans created something from nothing. Or perhaps more accurately, something incredible from nothing special. It’s Talliston’s outward normality that is its magic; it’s truly somewhere extraordinary within the ordinary.

Walking from room to room, you find yourself leaving the present, and entering the past (and even at one point entering the future). Its labyrinth of 13 locations are each set in a different time and place. That means you can step from a Moorish bedchamber into a 1920s study, from a New Orleans kitchen into a Victorian tower – just by opening its many doors and seeing what lies behind.

Since completion John has gone many steps further, now offering a host of experiences and events. Fancy a private and exclusive afternoon tea? You got it, starting with exploring the rooms and gardens before relaxing in the Victorian watchtower for high tea, all served from vintage bone china and with homemade cakes, scones, sandwiches and savoury snacks, plus drinks from around the world.

What about a five-star B&B stay on selected weekends, plus extended dates around Christmas, Halloween and spring holidays? Guests who book The Haunted Bedroom, The Room of Dreams  or The 1948 Rustic Log Cabin also have access to all rooms in the main house to explore. There’s also plenty of upgrades, including a tour with John, enchanted supper and al fresco dinner for two – just check out the site to see what’s on and when.

What else can you expect at Talliston? Seasonal events like an annual murder mystery experience, supper club, music, storytelling and more. You can also exclusively hire the venue for film and fashion shoots across all rooms, as well as team meetings and other celebrations – the list goes on and on. Intrigued and keen to know more? You should be: this really is a house like no other.