bolt-hole

noun

ˈbōlt-ˌhōl 

chiefly British

: a place of escape or refuge

Synonyms of bolt-hole

• refuge
• retreat
• shelter
• sanctuary
• haven

Examples of bolt-hole in a Sentence

her cottage in the Lake District served as her bolt-hole whenever the stresses of London became too great

Recent Examples on the Web

Where to stay By far the smartest place to stay in a town still dominated by bare-bones bolt-holes. — Chris Schalkx, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Mar. 2026

But other bolt-holes stand out for giving the beds themselves extra attention, distinguishing them in some particularly charming or even surreal way (see beds carved out of literal ice). — Kathryn Romeyn, Architectural Digest, 9 Mar. 2026

One of the first, exclusive members-only social clubs, Soho House debuted in London in 1995 and quickly became the bolt-hole of choice for celebrities and the deep-pocketed. — Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2026

Around that time, some smaller properties also debuted — boutique charmers like Castello di Vicarello, Borgo Santo Pietro, Villa Fontelunga, and the Val d'Orcia bolt-hole La Bandita Country Hotel. — Lee Marshall, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2023

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1851, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bolt-hole

• bankroll
• bedroll
• borehole
• cajole
• catchpole
• charcoal
• condole
• control
• dipole
• downhole
• enroll
• extol