You can stay in an Airbnb with a Shetland pony this summer

Guests are encouraged to fuss over Basil

Airbnb (Airbnb)

As more Britons opt for a summer staycation amid complex international travel rules, here’s an English Airbnb that offers something a little… different.

In the Nottinghamshire village of Thurgarton is “Basil’s Place”, a converted farm on the grounds of a 17th century estate, complete with miniature Shetland pony, Basil.

Guests sleep in a stylishly decorated bedroom, which is directly connected to Basil’s stable, where they are encouraged to “fuss” over him and “give him cuddles”.

Images on Airbnb show a neatly made double bed and a bedside table, which is right next to Basil’s stable.

According to Airbnb, Basil will be in the stable when guests arrive and sleep there overnight, before being collected the next morning.

Other animals on the Nottinghamshire farm include baby lambs, a herd of Highland cows, Hebridean sheep, horses, chickens and Norwegian Forest cats.

According to recent research from insurance firm Aviva, more than half of UK travellers are planning a staycation this year (53 per cent, compared with 38 per cent last June).

The “How we live - into 2021 and beyond” report also found that 80 per cent of UK adults felt that the pandemic has affected their attitudes towards travel, with one in 12 adults reporting they won’t travel abroad again.

It’s not the only unusual Airbnb to hit the headlines this week. The Independent reported that bookings have been flooding in for a ‘London townhouse’ that is actually a doll’s house.

UK-based Youtubers Josh Pieters and Archie Manners, better known as Josh and Archie, devised the prank in order to check how closely the home sharing platform vets its listings.