Thanks to a little thing known as Covid-19, we’ve all become a little too familiar with the staycation over the past few years – so you’ll no doubt know that they come in all shapes and sizes. Sure, camping in the Lake District or sheltering behind a windbreaker in Cornwall had a certain bucolic charm the first couple of times but, even if you’re restricting your travel to our fair shores, you can still treat yourself at these seriously luxury hotels in England.

From grand country estates and magnificent converted castles to cosy boltholes and relaxing spa retreats, some of the world’s finest hospitality offerings are right on your doorstep waiting to be discovered – all without the hassle of setting foot in an airport. Here are some of our favourite country houses and luxury hotels in England.

Luxury hotels in South-West England

Chewton Glen, Hampshire

In the heart of the fabled New Forest and simultaneously minutes from the coast, Chewton Glen is a true English original. For this Relais & Châteaux property is not only a fine 18^th century country house hotel and spa but also a place to touch the skies thanks to its bespoke treehouses. Don’t fancy sleeping among the birches? Choose from one of the 72 rooms and suites. 

With golf, tennis, and a gym, you won’t get bored here. Spoil yourself in the elegant spa with 12 treatment rooms and a large swimming pool, or adventurers may prefer taking to the sea for an afternoon of exhilarating water sports, or exploring 130 acres of grounds by bike. Foodies can enrol at James Martin’s own cookery school to learn an array of culinary techniques tailored to pastry and tapas, while those who would rather leave their dinner in the hands of the experts have two restaurants to choose from: Martin’s new menu at The Kitchen features fabulous local seafood platters along with favourites like Padstow crab and homemade pizzas, while fine dining fare can be found at the award-winning Dining Room. 

Location: Christchurch Road, New Milton BH25 6QS
How to get there: Best by car
Go for: Walking on the wild side (in style)
Amenities: Award-winning restaurants and spa, cookery school, and activity programme
Price: From £405 per night

The Lakes by Yoo, Cotswolds

If you have yet managed to avoid the allure of Lakes by Yoo, we salute you. Set among 850 acres of lakes, meadows and woodlands, this Cotswolds’ oasis offers a collection of waterside cabins and apartments available for weekend escapes from the city. Facilities and activities range from wild swimming, paddle boarding and kayaking, while daring guests can take on the Woodland Tree Top Trail: a suspended rope course complete with a climbing wall, a heart-thumping leap of faith and a zip line across a lake. 

The estate is also home to the new Spa by Yoo featuring exclusive collaborations with industry leaders such as Dr Barbara Sturm, Wildsmith Skin, and the UK’s first Cosmoss by Kate Moss treatment room. Meanwhile, The Lakes Bar and Kitchen is perfectly positioned for guests to spend evenings sipping rosé listening to live music come the evening, or for enjoying a lazy morning over stellar brunch dishes. With acclaimed design partners including Kate Moss and Jade Jagger, The Lakes by Yoo is a haven for guests to rest, relax and recharge just 90 minutes away from London.

Location: High Street, Lechlade GL7 3DT
How to get there: Best by car
Go for: Elevated, waterside living
Amenities: Award-winning spa, design-led accommodation and a jam-packed excursion programme
Price: From £995 per night

The Bodmin Jail Hotel, Cornwall

Located on the outskirts of Bodmin Moor, the property is Cornwall’s most historic hotel having been transformed from an 18^th-century prison into a 70-bedroom hotel. Not only does it possess an enviable history – having housed the Crown Jewels during World War One and more – it’s also a stone’s throw away from the famous Camel Trail: the cycling route linking Padstow, Wadebridge and Bodmin. Back in the former jail, however, guests are invited to embark on ghost tours, or experience afternoon tea in the dark.

There is no better place to unwind than in the luxurious rooms of The Bodmin Jail Hotel – complete with iron bars on the windows and original cell doors. But fans of the finer things will be relieved to hear that rooms (former cells) inside the Grade-II-listed establishment are kitted out with air-conditioning, Egyptian cotton sheets and freestanding baths. Executive head chef, Dane Watkins, helms The Chapel Restaurant and Bar, housed in the prison’s former chapel, and oversees a locally-sourced menu that changes with the seasons. Check-in for a staycation like no other.  

Location: Scarlett's Well Road, Bodmin, PL31 2PL
How to get there: Best by car, or arrive via train to Bodmin Parkway
Go for: An immersive staycation
Amenities: Unique experiences and accommodation 
Price: From £179 per night

Lympstone Manor, Exmouth

Located in the elegant seaside town of Exmouth, Relais & Châteaux property Lympstone Manor is a quintessential Georgian manor turned contemporary country house. Driven by the enthusiasm and talent of renowned chef Michael Caines, this Devon bolthole is anchored in the salt-rich terroir of a region whose coast gives way to the English Channel. Overlooking the Exe Estuary, the imposing manor features luxurious rooms and suites, as well as fantastic shepherd huts for a unique experience set within the woodland. 

In Caines’ gourmet restaurant, enjoy a menu that showcases the finest products from the sea, foreshore and salt meadows alongside produce from the verdant surroundings – think terrine of confit duck and salted Newlyn cod. For more casual fare, head to the Pool House for a sundowner overlooking the Haldon hills and Caines’ very own vineyard that stretches to the shoreline. 

Location: Courtlands Lane, Exmouth EX8 3NZ
How to get there: Best by car
Go for: An oenophile’s dream staycation
Amenities: Award-winning vineyard and restaurants
Price: From £356 per night

The Lygon Arms, Cotswolds

Situated within the picture-perfect village of Broadway in Worcestershire lies historic coaching inn, The Lygon Arms. With roots dating back to the 14th century, enter via the hotel’s large wooden doors to be greeted by reminders of its vast Tudor influence – think low beamed ceilings, fireplaces at every turn and stone-clad walls – that remain largely untouched since Oliver Cromwell visited the inn the night before the Battle of Worcester in 1651. 

Go upstairs to discover 86 individually-designed guest rooms celebrating the hotel’s storied heritage, including the regally appointed Charles I Suite (the property also later served as a touchstone for King Charles I and his supporters during the English Civil War). While dogs are very much welcome (they’re even offered a spa treatment here) and there’s plenty to explore in Broadway, hunker down at The Lygon Arms come dinner time. Boasting two restaurants helmed by James Martin, enjoy a sundowner in one of its many relaxed lounges, or a quintessentially English afternoon tea room before lounging in the summer alfresco courtyard. Elsewhere, The Lygon Spa offers spoiling spa treatments alongside an indoor swimming pool, heat facilities and a fully-equipped fitness centre. 

Location: High Street, Broadway WR12 7DU
How to get there: Best by car
Go for: Laidback luxury in a historic setting
Amenities: Award-winning spa, dog-friendly rooms, and two restaurants
Price: From £165 per night

The Idle Rocks, Cornwall

The Idle Rocks has been a part of the community of St. Mawes since 1913 when it was built on the site of an old bakery. Establishing itself as a luxury coastal hotel in the 1930s, the hotel was bought by its current owners in 2010, who, after refurbishing the entire property, reopened it in 2013. Perched on rocks in the heart of St Mawes, on the Roseland Peninsula, The Idle Rocks is a Relais & Châteaux hotel and offers just 19 bedrooms. Each room takes inspiration from its coastal location and is individually designed.

The understated bolthole offers guests south-facing views across the sea and boasts its own award-winning restaurant led by head chef Matt Haggath, previously of the prestigious Savoy Grill. Celebrating? The hotel's state-of-the-art luxury cinema is available for private hire making for the most memorable of date nights.

Location: Harbourside, Tredenham Road, St Mawes, Truro TR2 5AN
How to get there: Best by car
Go for: Relaxation, to kick off your shoes and re-engage with the simpler pleasures in life
Amenities: Award-winning restaurant, terrace, hidden cinema
Price: From £270 per night

Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Wiltshire

The grandeur of Lucknam Park begins with the driveway, a mile-long stretch lined with lime and beech trees, which sits under the watchful eye of the Palladium mansion at the end. Set in 500 acres of sprawling parkland, this Wiltshire-based, Relais & Châteaux country manor dates back to the 1720s and was maintained as a family home until 1987, when it opened its doors to the public.

Inside, 42 bedrooms are individually styled with antique four-poster beds, sink-in armchairs and marble bathrooms. Dinner is served in the palatial former ballroom, where ornate chandeliers and wall sconces recall its resplendent history. In the kitchen, head chef Hywel Jones cooks up the seasonal British dishes that earned him a Michelin star in 2006, an accolade he has held onto ever since. For those seeking relaxation, the resident spa is award-winning and for good reason – the treatment list is extensive, and the amenities even more so. Two swimming pools, five thermal cabins, a saltwater plunge pool, experience showers and a skincare mixology bar are at your disposal.

Location: Colerne, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14
How to get there: Best by car
Go for: A palatial retreat that ticks all the luxury boxes
Amenities: Restaurant, spa, horse riding, business facilities
Price: From £318 per night

The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, Bath

Set in Bath’s famous Georgian Royal Crescent, this boutique hotel is carved out of two 251-year-old honey-coloured townhouses. The ornate decor is evocative of a bygone era, with elaborate chandeliers, curvaceous staircases, a roaring fireplace in the drawing room and an impressive curation of historic artwork and tapestries.

Choose from 45 suites and rooms, each of which has been individually designed to complement the neoclassical architecture. The beautifully landscaped, secluded garden gently hums with holidaying couples and is also home to three rescue hedgehogs.

With its vaulted windows and serene atmosphere, the 12-metre swimming pool has a monastic feel, complemented by a hot tub, sauna and six spa treatment rooms. Tattinger Champagne is the order of the day at the Montagu Bar, while the all-day Montagu's Mews restaurant menu is a smart edit of British fare, which champions local Somerset produce in dishes such as wild mushroom arancini and Salisbury Plain venison saddle.

Location: 16 Royal Crescent, Bath BA1 2LS 
How to get there: A five-minute transfer from Bath Spa station 
Go for: Relaxation, historic splendour and a base from which to explore the cobblestone streets of Bath 
Amenities: Private garden, restaurant, bar, swimming pool and spa 
Price: From £375 per night

The Gainsborough Bath Spa, Bath

“Take the waters” in splendour at the grand Gainsborough Bath Spa hotel. The five-star residence, converted from two Grade II-listed buildings in the centre of the city, is the only hotel to offer private direct access to Bath’s natural thermal waters, which bubble up from below the building into the Spa Village. Under the ownership of YTL Hotels group, Gainsborough Spa was renovated in 2017 with painstaking precision in order to not disturb the UNESCO-listed complex. The result is a grand temple of wellness within a colonnaded atrium, which echoes the building's Roman history and is flooded with natural light.

The hotel is elegantly classic and has been dressed throughout by Champalimaud Design (also responsible for The Dorchester), whose luxuriously modern touches can also be seen in each of the beautiful high-ceilinged rooms and suites. The hotel's two restaurants – The Canvas Room and The Gainsborough Brasserie – serve contemporary British classics in upscale surroundings and are complemented by an equally elegant bar.

Location: Beau Street, Bath BA1 1QY
How to get there: Within walking distance of Bath Spa station 
Go for: Classically sumptuous interiors, access to Bath's natural thermal waters
Amenities: The Canvas Room restaurant, The Gainsborough Brasserie, bar, bath and spa 
Price: From £225 per night

The Rectory, Crudwell

Set on the edge of the Cotswolds and owned by former music industry executive Alex Payne, The Rectory hotel's homely interiors are embellished with eccentric curios and a subtle hint of revelry, as well as an impressive contemporary art collection that includes Tracey Emin and the Chapman brothers. Embracing the building's historic irregularities, each room is individually designed, with roll-top baths and countryside views. There’s an honesty bar on the second floor, where you can enjoy the adult version of a midnight feast or collect fresh milk for a morning brew in bed.

The Glasshouse conservatory restaurant serves a mix of Italian and English comfort food, while The Potting Shed, the hotel’s sister pub, is a few minutes away and offers upscale classics such as Chateaubriand and salmon gravlax. Appetite sated, float away the afternoon in the heated outdoor pool, hidden in the picturesque gardens or use the hotel as a base from which to explore the Cotswolds famously pretty landscapes.

Location: Crudwell, Malmesbury SN16 9EP
How to get there: A 10-minute transfer from Kemble station
Go for: Relaxed, informal luxury and quintessentially English gardens
Amenities: Restaurant, The Potting Shed pub, heated outdoor pool
Price: From £170 per night

Burley Manor, New Forest

The New Forest Hotels group snapped up this charming 18th-century manor in 2015 and spent £1.8m transforming it into an adults-only restaurant with rooms. Perched on the edge of a local red deer sanctuary, Burley Manor has an almost safari-like feel to the place – albeit one with roaming ruminants rather than the Big Five. Inside, two roaring fires and a 164-year-old staircase decorate the grand entrance hall. Rooms ranging from Snug to Suite are individually embellished with antique furniture, plush armchairs and floral headboards. Nab a Burley Suite for a balcony with views over the New Forest’s picturesque heathland.

Naturally, the hotel’s food offering draws the crowds. The menu has an unusually Mediterranean inflection, having been inspired by one of the house’s former owners, Mrs Lister-Kay, who is believed to have had an impressive Italian herb garden. The Mediterranean theme continues in the spa, and there is also an outdoor swimming pool from June to September.

Children under 13 aren’t allowed at this adults-only retreat, but guests are welcome to bring along their dogs at a cost of £15 per night. Canine visitors will be treated to their own dog mat, a welcome bag of treats and special bowls to eat and drink from.

Location: 1 Ringwood Road, Burley, Ringwood BH24 4BS
How to get there: A 15-minute transfer from New Milton or Brockenhurst station
Go for: Mediterranean-inspired dining
Amenities: Restaurant, spa, outdoor swimming pool 
Price: From £119 per night; dogs welcome for an additional £15 per night

Luxury hotels in South-East England

Pennyhill Park, Surrey

Located in 123 acres of Surrey countryside, this handsome 19th-century house has scooped up gongs for both its spa and restaurants, and it’s for these amenities that visitors flock. Head chef Steve Smith heads up the main Michelin-starred restaurant, Latymer, and has curated a series of tasting menus themed around seasonal ingredients. A second, more casual restaurant, Hillfield, serves hyper-local beef carpaccio, roasted lamb rump and ribeye steaks, as well as a comprehensive kids’ menu.

In the Pennyhill Park spa, swimmers are spoiled for choice with eight indoor and outdoor pools, including the ethereal Ballroom Pool, which has underwater music for a submarine show. Take advantage of the seemingly endless list of Jacuzzis, herbal saunas, steam rooms and a bohemian-sounding sensory room complete with “stars in the sky” lighting. There is even a series of experience showers ranging from highland mist to tropical rain. To ensure optimum relaxation, the spa is adults only; this does mean that mini swimmers are sadly confined to the pool outside.

The rest of the hotel is charmingly quaint, with individually-designed rooms and suites with decadent four-poster beds and a pillow menu complete with pregnancy poufs. Each room has a different name and complementing theme: the Snowdrop Room is decorated with a kitsch green and purple floral print, sink-in armchairs and plush velvet upholstery. The highlight is the ensuite YinYan bathroom, which has its own giant Jacuzzi tub – just in case the mega spa hasn’t provided you with enough opportunity to relax. It’s not all about winding down, however, and there’s the chance to try your hand at a plethora of activities. Sign yourself up for pistol shooting, archery, tennis, golf and croquet, or explore the neighbouring Swinley Forest by bike.

Location: London Road, Bagshot GU19 5EU
How to get there: A 20-minute transfer from Woking station
Go for: The award-winning spa, with no less than 23 treatment rooms 
Amenities: Two restaurants, eight indoor and outdoor pools, spa, state-of-the-art fitness suite, outdoor activities including archery, croquet and clay pigeon shooting. 
Price: From £345 per night

Cliveden House, Berkshire

Once home to the Astor dynasty and the scene of the infamous John Profumo scandal during the 1960s, Relais & Châteaux's Cliveden House is now one of Britain’s most luxurious hotels, set on 365 rural acres of National Trust-owned parkland. Meghan Markle stayed here the night before her royal wedding and it typically attracts a well-heeled and international set, seeking a slice of Downton Abbey drama in the English countryside. The hotel is happy to accommodate, with walking routes, falconry, boating picnics, archery and clay shooting all on offer.

History and drama flavour the corridors, peppered with suits of armour and ornate marble busts, while the rooms themselves serve up an appropriately gilded experience. The relaxed, rustic Astor Grill warmly buzzes with families and weekending couples in tweed and shearling, while the occasion-worthy Cliveden Dining Room serves contemporary French cuisine, beneath gilded cornices and crystal chandeliers. Then there's the sybaritic spa, which is home to an indoor and outdoor pool and gym, with Oskia facials on the treatment menu.

Location: Cliveden Road, Taplow, Maidenhead SL6 0JF
How to get there: A 10-minute transfer from Burnham station
Go for: Historic, Downton Abbey-style grandeur
Amenities: Cliveden Dining Room, Astor Grill brasserie, spa, two swimming pools
Price: From £445 per night

Coworth Park, Ascot

You don’t need to go to the races to enjoy horse riding at Ascot. Coworth Park’s onsite equestrian centre offers lessons on its 240-acre estate, with the ivory country house providing a picturesque backdrop. The theme continues indoors, with equine artwork on the walls and horseshoe motifs embroidered into the bed linen. Part of The Dorchester Collection, Coworth Park is a former Georgian manor house turned luxurious, five-star retreat, nestled in leafy Berkshire. Outside, designer wellies are unpacked from 4x4s on the gravelled entrance, while cashmere-clad guests return from long, lakeside walks.

There are 70 rooms and suites, with copper roll-top baths, butterscotch furnishings and far-reaching views of the hotel's manicured parklands. For dinner, choose from three restaurants, including Woven, where Michelin-starred chef Adam Smith serves his indulgent caviar tart. For a more relaxed dining experience, jump on a golf buggy to the Barn, which serves charcuterie boards, juicy lamb cutlets and crispy game chips by a roaring open fire. In the eco-friendly spa, the 18m pool plays music underwater and is lined with amethyst geodes, semi-precious stones often used for their stress-relieving properties.

Location: Blacknest Road, Sunningdale, Ascot SL5 7SE
How to get there: A 15-minute transfer from Chichester station
Go for: Countryside glamour and complete luxury
Amenities: Eco-friendly spa with 18m pool, three restaurants, equestrian centre 
Price: From £570 per night

Monkey Island Estate, Bray, Berkshire

Taking its name from the mischievous primates that settled here during the 12th century, Monkey Island Estate was once a home for monks before the 3rd Duke of Marlborough acquired the land and commissioned the Palladian Grade I-listed Temple and Pavilion. It later became a louche playground for aristocrats and artists during the 1960s, as well as a home for tearaways from nearby Eton College – a history that certainly promises a good time.

The YTL Hotel group bought the estate in 2015 and has spent millions transforming this sleeping giant into a five-star riverside retreat, which reopened in 2019. Monkey-strewn frescoes, originally commissioned by Marlborough, have been lovingly preserved and now offer a focal point for the property's interior design. Another hotel to be given the Champalimaud Design treatment, tropical House of Hackney textiles pepper the property, while its 40 bedrooms are classic and cosy in contrast. The wood-panelled Wedgewood suite is spectacularly ornate, crowned by swirling plasterwork. Don't miss the hotel's floating spa, housed inside a colourful canal barge, for treatments by Moss of the Isles and Isun.

Gourmands flock to Bray for its two three-Michelin-starred restaurants – Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck and the Roux family’s Waterside Inn – as well as its charming Tudor-style pubs. The Monkey Island Estate, now complete with the Monkey Bar, adjoined to a new brasserie restaurant and Whisky Snug accessed via a secret staircase, meets the standard, serving refined British dishes within a relaxed brasserie setting.

Location: Bray, Maidenhead SL6 2EE
How to get there: A 15-minute transfer from Maidenhead station
Go for: A luxurious, riverside base from which to explore Bray's culinary haunts 
Amenities: Restaurant, bar, floating spa set inside a barge on the water, whisky snug
Price: From £240 per night

Four Seasons Hotel, Hampshire

A multi-million-pound renovation has turned this 18th-century manor in the heart of Dogmersfield Park into a contemporary Four Seasons-worthy bolthole, complete with 133 luxurious guestrooms and nestled among more than 500 acres of rolling English countryside. Hideaway for a weekend of strolls, indulgent spa treatments (located in the house’s converted stable), lazy swims and fine dining in the on-site restaurant, Wild Carrot. The latter is located in a glossy Martin Brudnizki-designed dining room with chef Talha Barkin serving up modern British dishes.

Not just for relaxation, the family-friendly hotel offers a series of activities, including clay shooting, yoga and croquet, as well as a Highwire Adventure obstacle course complete with zip wires, tree-canopy bungee jumps and high ropes. the hotel also offers a series of experiences aimed at couples, including tennis, horseback riding and bespoke dinner under the stars perfect for a honeymoon staycation.

Location: Dogmersfield Park, Chalky Lane, Dogmersfield, Hook RG27 8TD
How to get there: A 15-minute transfer from Winchfield station
Go for: Country rambling and family-friendly activities 
Amenities: Wild Carrot restaurant, spa, gym, Highwire Adventure obstacle course, croquet lawn, clay pigeon shooting 
Price: From £730 per night

Belmond Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons, Oxfordshire

Raymond Blanc’s Oxfordshire retreat received two Michelin stars in 1984, the year it opened, and has held onto them ever since. Nestled in the picturesque village of Great Milton, Belmond Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons is housed in a honey-hued 15th-century manor overlooking verdant lavender-strewn lawns and orchards. Organic vegetable and herb gardens supply the kitchen, where head chef Luke Selby brought an infusion of fresh blood in 2023. French-inspired dishes created using some 90 different herbs and vegetables are served as six- or seven-course tasting menus, with complementing wines sourced from the extensive cellar.

Bellies full, guests can retire to one of the 32 individually-designed rooms, each of which is reminiscent of Blanc’s extensive travels, from the Far East to the Mediterranean. Book a Garden Suite for your own private slice of the sprawling outdoor space. Those with green thumbs can get their hands dirty at the adjoining Gardening School, or, should they feel inspired to get behind the stove, don an apron at the Raymond Blanc Cookery School, where the seasoned chef imparts his tricks of the trade.

Location: Church Road, Oxford, OX44 7PD
How to get there: Best by car
Go for: One of Britain’s best gastronomic experiences
Amenities: Restaurant, cookery school, gardening school, helipad
Price: From £955 per night

Hound Lodge, Chichester

Originally christened The Kennels by the first Duke of Richmond, who gave his pampered pooches the run of the place, Hound Lodge has been recently restored for the enjoyment of both man and his best friend. Set on Goodwood's 12,000-acre estate, each of the 10 bedrooms in this country retreat is named after a dog from the Glorious Twenty-Three hunting pack of 1738 and is decorated with pictures, ornaments and antiques that reflect the founding family’s sporting heritage. A private butler and chef are on hand to cater to Lodge guests – and with the homecoming complete with a magnificent dining room and elegant drawing room, you're going to want to use its entertaining capacity to the fullest.

Guests staying at the Lodge also have access to Goodwood Estate, and its numerous facilities, for the duration of their stay. Petrolheads can enjoy an exclusive spin on the world-famous Goodwood motor circuit or an aviation experience from the Goodwood Aerodrome while those who enjoy a slower pace of life can unwind on the estate's world-class golf course.

Location: Pook Lane, Goodwood, Chichester PO18 0PP
How to get there: A 15-minute transfer from Chichester station
Go for: Dog-friendly, cosy rooms and exclusive access to the Goodwood Estate
Amenities: Private butler and chef, two championship golf courses, motor circuit, aerodrome
Price: POA

Heckfield Place, Hampshire

Billionaire Gerald Chan’s eco-friendly passion project may have taken more than a decade to complete, but it was certainly worth the wait. Beautifully designed by Ben Thompson, the 38 rooms and six signature suites are tastefully contemporary, with calming sage walls, Persian rugs and impressive artwork, while bespoke minibars and firepits add a homely touch. From the hotel, guests can enjoy serene, meadow-filled views of the 400-acre estate and glimpses of the woodlands and working farm waiting to be explored.

There are two spectacular restaurants at Heckfield Place, which is no surprise given that Skye Gyngell oversees the kitchen as culinary director, while former Lime Wood sommelier Louise Gordon is in charge of the wine list. The Green Michelin-starred Marle offers pared-back cuisine designed to showcase the majesty of ingredients grown within the Heckfield Place grounds while the cooking at Hearth centres around an open fire with a daily changing menu based on the best of the day's produce. The oak-panelled Bothy spa offers all-natural Wildsmith treatments alongside a chic gym boasting personal training, yoga and pilates classes.

Location: Heckfield, Hook RG27 0LD
How to get there: A 15-minute transfer from Winchfield Station
Go for: Beautifully understated, eco-friendly luxury, Skye Gyngell's cooking 
Amenities: Gym, spa, restaurant, activities including horseriding 
Price: From £550 per night

The Pig at Bridge Place, Kent

The litter of The Pig hotels is ever-growing, and the British holidaymaker is all the better for it. The brand’s Kent outpost opened in 2019, bringing its signature country chic and food-first philosophy to the quaint village of Bridge (so anticipated was its launch that some 4,000 people booked in before it had even opened). The Grade II-listed red-bricked house was the former home of Peter Malkin, who during his residency turned the basement into one of Kent’s hottest nightclubs, which hosted musical royalty such as Led Zeppelin and The Kinks.

The building’s rock and roll past is woven into The Pig at Bridge Place, where period features are offset with sumptuous deep velvet upholstery, low-lighting and burgundy panelled walls. There are seven bedrooms in the main house, 12 more in the adjoining Coach House and a romantic two-storey hideaway for two in The Barn, each as characterful and cosy as the next. As famed for its food as it is for its beautiful interiors, The Pig’s Kent kitchen doesn't disappoint – the chefs take their cues from the garden, and a revolving menu of homegrown dishes and accompanying Kentish wines is delicious and suitably piggy.

Location: Bourne Park Road, Canterbury, CT4 5LF
How to get there: Best via train to Canterbury station, and then taxi
Go for: Pigging out at the restaurant 
Amenities: Restaurant, spa, bar
Price: From £200 per night

Beaverbrook, Surrey

Nestled in the rolling Surrey Hills, Beaverbrook is a hotel steeped in history and charm. Once home to Lord Beaverbrook – a Canadian press mogul who became Winston Churchill's Minister for Aircraft Production in the Second World War – the grand 18-bedroom home was frequented by not only the hotshots in government at the time but also the crème de la crème of high society via Beaverbrook's notoriously raucous parties. The main house and estate – which comprises an extensive golf course and the hotel's newest addition, Mickleham Village – was transformed into a hotel in 2007, and has become a popular bolthole for Londoners in need of respite and travellers looking for a chic countryside escape.

There's plenty to do here, from trying out the new padel courts and watching a film in the hotel's cinema (one of the first at-home cinemas in the world) to dipping your toes in the heated outdoor pool in The Coach House Spa; but if you'd rather more English country-themed jaunts such as a spot of horse riding or clay pigeon shooting, the concierge team would be more than happy to arrange. We'd recommend booking the main house's Japanese grill for dinner – think miso padron peppers, yellowtail carpaccio and Alaskan black cod – while The Deli makes for a perfect lighter option thanks to its artisan flatbreads, cold-pressed juices and healthier sweet treats.

Location: Reigate Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 8QX
How to get there: Best via train to Leatherhead, and then a taxi 
Go for: An unforgettable family-friendly staycation
Amenities: A slew of restaurants, two bars, spa, cinema, Bear Grylls academy, kids club
Price: From £505 per night

Luxury hotels in East England

The Randolph Hotel by Graduate, Oxford

Within walking distance of the world-famous Old Bodleian Library and Ashmolean Museum, The Randolph’s latest renovation has seen a redesign of the common spaces, the lobby and guest rooms, as well as the introduction of a new spa. Inside the Victorian Gothic bolthole, bold hues, architectural elements and local art bring to life the narratives of Oxford’s past, with in-room paintings of Oxford alumni and well-known author and playwright, Oscar Wilde. The hotel has historically hosted many high-profile figures, from members of the Royal family to Bill and Hilary Clinton. Don’t miss dining at the in-house restaurant too; led by executive chef Chris Emery, The Alice is the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant and bar, serving classic British dishes. 

Location: Beaumont Street, Oxford OX1 2LN
How to get there: Walking distance from Oxford station
Go for: An elevated city break
Amenities: Unique rooms, all-day dining restaurant and new spa
Price: From £340 per night

University Arms, Cambridge

The oldest hotel in Cambridge reopened its doors in 2018 following an £80m renovation and redesign by classical architect John Simpson and interior designer du jour Martin Brudnizki, who brought a strong sense of nostalgia for halcyon days spent at school and plenty of references to the university after which it’s named. Rebranded as the University Arms, it boasts 189 rooms, each named after a Cambridge-associated figure, such as Stephen Hawking, Virginia Woolf or Charles Darwin. Miniature libraries inspired by the rooms’ namesakes have been curated by London bookshop Heywood Hill, which also had a hand in the books that line the walls of the impressive Library.

Of course, with a name evocative of a cosy pub, food and drink were always going to be key to the University Arms and it doesn't disappoint. The restaurant, Parker’s Tavern, serves serves classic English dishes including steak and ale pie, beer-battered lemon sole and chips and Catch of the Day. Guests can also order a Parker's Panier full of delicious picnic treats and make use of complimentary bicycles to explore the parks and punts of Cambridge.

Location: Regent Street, Cambridge CB2 1AD
How to get there: Within walking distance of Cambridge station
Go for: A reader’s retreat among Cambridge’s literary legends
Amenities: Restaurant, library, two spa treatment rooms and complimentary bike use 
Price: From £215 per night

Luxury hotels in North-West England

​​The Cavendish Hotel, Peak District

Set on Chatsworth Estate, The Cavendish Hotel has just emerged from a complete overhaul by renowned interior designers Nicola Harding and fashion consultant Laura Burlington. With a desire to reconnect the building with its history, the design draws on elements from the surrounding Derbyshire countryside and Chatsworth, while the artwork has been sourced from the family’s private collection, with watercolours of the house and grounds sitting alongside more contemporary works, making this one of the UK’s leading art hotels too. 

The 28 characterful bedrooms, including two suites, feature countryside views across the estate alongside antique furniture, stone fireplaces and playful lamps. The hotel’s two restaurants – The Garden Room and The Gallery – celebrate the Peak District’s best-known producers, with the majority sourced from local gardeners and farmers. Thanks to its unique position on Chatsworth Estate, guests have doorstep access to its historic house, garden and parkland, as well as the beautiful landscapes, wildlife, heritage sites and villages of Derbyshire and the Peak District. From expertly-planned walking routes and world-class fishing to local crafts and arts, this hotel offers an authentic rural escape.

Location: Church Lane, Baslow, Bakewell DE45 1SP
How to get there: Best by car
Go for: An authentic rural escape in one of the UK’s best national parks
Amenities: Impressive art collection, two restaurants and outdoor activities
Price: From £200 per night

Grantley Hall, North Yorkshire

Five-star luxury hotel and Relais & Châteaux property Grantley Hall is the hidden jewel of the Yorkshire Dales, with a range of facilities that can be used all year round. The hotel offers 47 bedrooms, five indulgent restaurants, including Michelin-starred Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall, and stunning bars. The jewel in its crown? The Three Graces Spa offers year-round tranquillity, featuring an 18m colonnaded swimming pool, hydrotherapy pool, sauna, and Nordic Spa Garden, while the Elite Luxury Gym caters to fitness enthusiasts.  

The 17th-century mansion, set by the picturesque River Skell, transforms seamlessly with the seasons, making this the perfect destination for a year-round escape where you can enjoy al fresco dining in the canopied Orchard during summer or savour winter teas in the Main Hall. 

Location: Grantley Hall, Ripon HG4 3ET
How to get there: Best by car
Go for: A year-round escape to the Yorkshire Dales
Amenities: Award-winning spa and Michelin-starred restaurant
Price: From £550 per night

Gilpin Hotel & Lake House, Lake District

The main house at Gilpin Hotel & Lake House in Windermere boasts a wing of junior suites and master bedrooms, as well as six separate garden rooms. If relaxation is on the cards though, opt for a Spa Suite. These five detached cedar-clad cabins sit on stilts, surveying the landscape. Inside, the calming, neutral décor provides an uncluttered backdrop to the floor-to-ceiling windows, which frame panoramic views of the rolling, russet-toned moors. Soak up the scenery in your en-suite spa, complete with steam room and an oversized stone bath, as well as an outdoor sauna and hydrotherapy hot tub in the private garden.

There are two excellent restaurants at this Relais & Châteaux property: Source boasts one Michelin star and is helmed by Ollie Bridwater (formerly of The Fat Duck), serving a combination of exquisite produce, distinct flavours and sustainability to create a fun fine-dining experience. While over at Gilpin Spice, Cumbria's connection to the spice trail is celebrated via an open kitchen serving a selection of small plates, sharers and sushi.

Location: Crook Road, Windermere LA23 3NE
How to get there: 15-minute transfer from Windermere station
Go for: A glamorous spa experience, surrounded by nature 
Amenities: Michelin-starred Source, Gilpin Spice restaurant, en-suite spa
Price: From £305 per night

Read more: The best five-star hotels in London