The 26 best country house hotels in the UK
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Nothing quite beats the charm of a country escape, does it? From manor houses to inns, farmhouses and stately homes, there’s a staggering amount of country house hotels the UK has to offer. The concept of the British country house hotel can be traced back to 1949 when Francis Coulson and his partner Brian Sack brought to us the rather splendid Sharrow Bay in the Lake District. The blockbuster opening came with all the usual suspects you find in hotels nowadays: quintessential afternoon tea, frilly bits and bobs, comfy storied rooms and all the personal touches, too. Years on, their winning formula still works with hundreds of characterful estates up and down the country, now equipped with spas and other modern paraphernalia, to keep us all well-groomed, relaxed and entertained.
The cooler months of the year often leave us wanting to seek out a cosy spot in a countryside house to hibernate for a weekend away. Imagine bracing walks that take in the bucolic landscape, warming up afterwards with toasty chats in front of the fireplace, comforting home-cooked food, and perhaps a spa treatment or two to really crank up the relaxation factor. Here, House and Garden rounds up some of the best country retreats the UK has to offer, from eco-friendly farms to gastronomic temples in Oxfordshire and regal escapes in Berkshire and the Yorkshire Dales.
The best country house hotels, at a glance:
- The best country house hotel with character: Glebe House
- The best grande dame country house hotel: Hotel Endsleigh
- The best country house hotel with a pool: Cowley Manor
- The best country house hotel for families: Coworth Park
- The best country house hotel for foodies: Thyme
- The best boutique country house hotel: The Fife Arms
- The best country house hotel with a spa: Estelle Manor
- The most romantic country house hotel: The Pig in the Cotswolds
MAY WE SUGGEST: Charming cottages to book for a cosy escape
The best country house hotels across the UK 2026
1/26Glebe House, Devon
Best country house hotel with character
Olive and Hugo, the couple-team behind Glebe House, originally met in London. Both were working 9-5 jobs in the City and imagined that life may continue that way - until Hugo received word from his parents that they were planning to sell his family home and guest house that they’d run since he was a child, perched upon the tumbling hills of East Devon. This sparked a move back to the countryside where they could both embrace their passions - Olive as a painter and designer, and Hugo as a chef - to take over the old guest house and create something new, of their own.
Just over five years later and Glebe House is a wonderfully colourful, artsy, homely embodiment of both visions. Each room is completely unique, some covered in floral wallpapers, some filled with hand-painted antique furniture and re-purposed tiles, with a Charleston House nod running throughout. The kitchen has become a major part of the offering, too, with Hugo hosting workshops on fermenting, foraging and fishing, planning seasonal menus and serving up four-course suppers over the weekends.
Staying here really does feel like hanging out at a friend’s house. Mornings are spent in the light-filled conservatory, sampling a homemade breakfast of stewed fruits from the garden and baked in-house granola, alongside eggs cooked on the AGA. Take your cup of tea outside and enjoy the view from the garden chairs spanning the facade (now synonymous with the guest house as everyone who goes snaps themselves doing just that). Then, put your feet up for an afternoon in the sitting room, fire on, Scrabble splayed out across the table.
- Hotel Endsleigh</a>, Devon","brand":{"name":""},"id":"69690eb662b68026f6a42fb5","index":1,"contentType":"photo","offers":[],"offersLength":0,"component":"gallery_slide_component","image":{"altText":"Image may contain Home Decor Couch Furniture Table Architecture Building Indoors Living Room Room Plant and Chair","caption":"<strong>Best grande dame</strong>\nWith a remote situation on the border of Devon and Cornwall, the Hotel Endsleigh feels like a beacon of charm and old-world civilisation in the wild countryside. Like all the members of the Polizzi Collection of hotels, it has all of the key elements of a perfect <a href=https://www.houseandgarden.co.uk/"https://www.houseandgarden.co.uk/gallery/best-country-house-hotels-uk/">country house hotel</a>: supremely comfortable and stylish interiors, friendly, efficient service, sophisticated food, and above all, an atmosphere that makes you want to kick your muddy boots off and relax.\nOne of the Endsleigh’s most significant draws is its fairytale gardens, designed by Sir Humphrey Repton in the early 19th century. At the time when the house was built, they are as much a reason to visit as the hotel itself. Many visitors come to the hotel for lunch or tea and a stroll in the gardens, but an overnight stay allows you to enjoy them in the ever-changing light of a Devon day.","contentType":"photo","credit":"","segmentedSources":{"sm":[{"height":213,"width":320,"url":"https://media.houseandgarden.co.uk/photos/69690eb662b68026f6a42fb5/master/w_320,c_limit/HOTEL%20ENDSLEIGH%20-%20Sitting%20Room%20-%20By%20Paul%20Massey.jpg"},{"height":427,"width":640,"url":"https://media.houseandgarden.co.uk/photos/69690eb662b68026f6a42fb5/master/w_640,c_limit/HOTEL%20ENDSLEIGH%20-%20Sitting%20Room%20-%20By%20Paul%20Massey.jpg"}],"md":[{"height":427,"width":640,"url":"https://media.houseandgarden.co.uk/photos/69690eb662b68026f6a42fb5/master/w_640,c_limit/HOTEL%20ENDSLEIGH%20-%20Sitting%20Room%20-%20By%20Paul%20Massey.jpg"},{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.houseandgarden.co.uk/photos/69690eb662b68026f6a42fb5/master/w_1280,c_limit/HOTEL%20ENDSLEIGH%20-%20Sitting%20Room%20-%20By%20Paul%20Massey.jpg"}],"lg":[{"height":683,"width":1024,"url":"https://media.houseandgarden.co.uk/photos/69690eb662b68026f6a42fb5/master/w_1024,c_limit/HOTEL%20ENDSLEIGH%20-%20Sitting%20Room%20-%20By%20Paul%20Massey.jpg"},{"height":1365,"width":2048,"url":"https://media.houseandgarden.co.uk/photos/69690eb662b68026f6a42fb5/master/w_2048,c_limit/HOTEL%20ENDSLEIGH%20-%20Sitting%20Room%20-%20By%20Paul%20Massey.jpg"}],"xl":[{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.houseandgarden.co.uk/photos/69690eb662b68026f6a42fb5/master/w_1280,c_limit/HOTEL%20ENDSLEIGH%20-%20Sitting%20Room%20-%20By%20Paul%20Massey.jpg"}],"xxl":[{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.houseandgarden.co.uk/photos/69690eb662b68026f6a42fb5/master/w_1280,c_limit/HOTEL%20ENDSLEIGH%20-%20Sitting%20Room%20-%20By%20Paul%20Massey.jpg"}]}}}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
2/26Hotel Endsleigh, Devon
Best grande dame
With a remote situation on the border of Devon and Cornwall, the Hotel Endsleigh feels like a beacon of charm and old-world civilisation in the wild countryside. Like all the members of the Polizzi Collection of hotels, it has all of the key elements of a perfect country house hotel: supremely comfortable and stylish interiors, friendly, efficient service, sophisticated food, and above all, an atmosphere that makes you want to kick your muddy boots off and relax.
One of the Endsleigh’s most significant draws is its fairytale gardens, designed by Sir Humphrey Repton in the early 19th century. At the time when the house was built, they are as much a reason to visit as the hotel itself. Many visitors come to the hotel for lunch or tea and a stroll in the gardens, but an overnight stay allows you to enjoy them in the ever-changing light of a Devon day.
- Updown Farmhouse</a>, Sussex","brand":{"name":""},"id":"6984804676ed1d0ba65bb5e7","index":2,"contentType":"photo","offers":[],"offersLength":0,"component":"gallery_slide_component","image":{"altText":"Image may contain Architecture Building Housing House Manor Outdoors Animal Kangaroo and Mammal","caption":"<strong>Best country house near the sea</strong>\nRun by Ruth Leigh and Oli Brown, Updown Farmhouse is a welcoming, homely and exquisitely stylish house in a picturesque red-brick house, with green gardens and a newly-opened bar (Bar Vita) which occupies a former stable block. With mismatching furniture and art by Studio Lenca, the interiors are layered and comfortable. You'll eat in their vast greenhouse space, full of plants and the noise of a bustling kitchen. It's the perfect way to end a busy weekend on the Kent coast, but you might need more than one night to enjoy all the delights of the hotel, including the cosy honesty bar fit with games and books.","contentType":"photo","credit":"Instagram/updownfarmhouse","segmentedSources":{"sm":[{"height":240,"width":320,"url":"https://media.houseandgarden.co.uk/photos/6984804676ed1d0ba65bb5e7/master/w_320,c_limit/496209347_18045367916571023_4213113257320591109_n.jpeg"},{"height":480,"width":640,"url":"https://media.houseandgarden.co.uk/photos/6984804676ed1d0ba65bb5e7/master/w_640,c_limit/496209347_18045367916571023_4213113257320591109_n.jpeg"}],"md":[{"height":480,"width":640,"url":"https://media.houseandgarden.co.uk/photos/6984804676ed1d0ba65bb5e7/master/w_640,c_limit/496209347_18045367916571023_4213113257320591109_n.jpeg"},{"height":960,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.houseandgarden.co.uk/photos/6984804676ed1d0ba65bb5e7/master/w_1280,c_limit/496209347_18045367916571023_4213113257320591109_n.jpeg"}],"lg":[{"height":768,"width":1024,"url":"https://media.houseandgarden.co.uk/photos/6984804676ed1d0ba65bb5e7/master/w_1024,c_limit/496209347_18045367916571023_4213113257320591109_n.jpeg"},{"height":1536,"width":2048,"url":"https://media.houseandgarden.co.uk/photos/6984804676ed1d0ba65bb5e7/master/w_2048,c_limit/496209347_18045367916571023_4213113257320591109_n.jpeg"}],"xl":[{"height":960,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.houseandgarden.co.uk/photos/6984804676ed1d0ba65bb5e7/master/w_1280,c_limit/496209347_18045367916571023_4213113257320591109_n.jpeg"}],"xxl":[{"height":960,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.houseandgarden.co.uk/photos/6984804676ed1d0ba65bb5e7/master/w_1280,c_limit/496209347_18045367916571023_4213113257320591109_n.jpeg"}]}}}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
Instagram/updownfarmhouse3/26Updown Farmhouse, Sussex
Best country house near the sea
Run by Ruth Leigh and Oli Brown, Updown Farmhouse is a welcoming, homely and exquisitely stylish house in a picturesque red-brick house, with green gardens and a newly-opened bar (Bar Vita) which occupies a former stable block. With mismatching furniture and art by Studio Lenca, the interiors are layered and comfortable. You'll eat in their vast greenhouse space, full of plants and the noise of a bustling kitchen. It's the perfect way to end a busy weekend on the Kent coast, but you might need more than one night to enjoy all the delights of the hotel, including the cosy honesty bar fit with games and books.
4/26Cowley Manor, Cheltenham
Best country house hotel with a pool
Freshly reopened by the Experimental Group, this classic 19th-century house has had a seriously modern makeover and is aiming at a cool young crowd. The grand Italianate house (just south of Cheltenham) has a lovely setting, with grounds sloping down to a lake and the tiny 12th-century church of St Mary next door. Legend has it that Lewis Carroll was once walking here and, seeing a white rabbit disappear under a hedge, was inspired to write Alice in Wonderland. The new interiors, designed by French superstar Dorothée Meilichzon are full of references to the classic book, with chequerboard patterns, rabbits and mushrooms providing playful and quirky elements throughout the rooms and public spaces. The cocktail bar is a highlight, with its original figured wood walls now the backdrop to a huge, bright blue lava-stone bar. Jackson Boxer is the consultant chef behind the menu, which features homegrown vegetables and herbs from the kitchen garden. The well-equipped spa has indoor and (heated) outdoor pools, so you can happily refresh yourself after a night on the tiles.
5/26Coworth Park, Berkshire
Best country house hotel for families
This classic Georgian country manor house is surrounded by fragrant gardens and the astonishingly colourful meadows on the edge of Windsor Great Park. It was here at Coworth Park that Prince Harry stayed the night before he wed The Duchess of Sussex, but aside from its royal credentials, most flock to this regal retreat for its stunning spa, quintessentially English polo fields, lively stables, and more recently, its impressive Michelin-starred restaurant. Though opulence and grandeur rule the Coworth aesthetic, the hotel operates a commendable environmental policy that doesn’t trump all the luxe – growing sustainable willow to fuel its biomass heating plant and an economical underground cooling system, for example. Other than the food, long afternoons spent in the bath, romantic champagne picnics and classy polo tournaments, what else is there do at Coworth Park? A stroll through the gardens is a must, as is a moment of reflection on the love seat overlooking the wildflowers. And if you have small people in tow, it's unparalleled in how it caters for them. There will be bath products, slippers and robe in your room, a cot as needed, teddies and staff happy to help at every turn. The kids club is very impressive and offers parents a chance to enjoy the spa in peace, though kids are also very welcome in the swimming pool at certain times of day. On top of that, they'll love the on-site bikes, the stables and most importantly, riding on the electric buggies from room to restaurant – a highlight you'd never expect to love so much. A final word: babysitters are on hand for child-free dinners at the various restaurants around the estate, making it a one stop shop for happy families.
6/26Thyme, Cotswolds
Best country house hotel for foodies
A simple yet sumptuous country house, every detail at Thyme is thought through to bring guests back to nature and provide a place to truly, deeply relax. Everything comes back to the landscape surrounding Thyme, from the Scandinavian biophilic touch of the interior design to the outlook of the various accommodation options, which are dotted throughout the main house, a clutch of cottages and some larger houses on the estate. Thyme is certainly the country house hotel that foodies should consider booking in to, what with Charlie Hibbert directing that side of things. Think modern British countryside fare using hyper local produce. Of course, there is also a bar, spa and both casual and fine dining restaurants to make the most of, alongside the idyllic grounds surrounding the house.
Jake Eastham7/26The Retreat at Elcot Park, Berkshire
Best country house hotel for ‘everything you could wish for’ facilities
After opening the smash hit wonder The Mitre in Hampton Court, it’s safe to say Hector Ross’ Signet Collection is on a bit of a roll. The Retreat sits between the market towns of Newbury and Hungerford, and was once the home of Lady Shelley, mother to one of England’s most famous poets, Percy. Home to two restaurants, a small yet swish spa (housing a hydro pool, gym and an unexpected salt float tank), bakery, shop, hairdresser and nail bar, it’s fair to say that a night at this demi-palace has you well covered. The rooms, like its sister hotel, are all individually decorated and impress with lively contemporary twists that will inspire your next home renovation – the freestanding bathtubs are showstoppers. Outside the Grade-II listed building you’ll find tennis courts, croquet lawns and a Whispering Angel bar, all just 40 minutes away from London.
Mark Anthony Fox8/26Estelle Manor, Oxfordshire
Best country house hotel with a spa
Part-hotel, part-members club, Estelle Manor is the latest project of hotelier Sharan Pasricha, the man behind the Hoxton Hotels, Gleneagles and discreet members club Maison Estelle in Mayfair. Having conquered the London and Scotland hotel scenes, he set his sights on Oxfordshire and took over Eynsham Hall, transforming it into a country house hotel in impeccable style and adding in the private members’ club element. The rooms are sleek and smart but punctuated with inky colours that make the hotel feel homely and warm. There’s a walled garden, outdoor swimming pool, Roman-inspired spa and choice of accommodation between the main manor house, woodland cottages, walled garden cottages and a collection of houses for groups. Members get access to a larger clutch of uber-private bars and restaurants beyond those of the hotel itself.
9/26Saltmoore, North Yorkshire
Best country house hotel for surrounding environment
The 19th century estate that was once known as Raithwaite Hall has been completely reimagined as Saltmoore, a luxury retreat that opened its doors at the end of 2024. Steeped in nature, the hotel is just a short drive from the quaint seaside town of Whitby while also being close to the sweeping North York Moors, so is ideally positioned for both hikers and those looking to discover the treasures that this stretch of the North East coast has to offer.
There is also plenty on offer within the hotel itself. The Sanctuary at Saltmoore comprises a small but well-equipped gym and a modern spa with pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, private treatment rooms and the especially invigorating cryotherapy chamber. Dining options include the recently opened Pizzeria at The Beach House and the excellent Brasserie, which boasts a menu of elevated British classics based around seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, overseen by head chef Adam Maddock and consulting chef Tommy Banks. The Brasserie is also where breakfast is served, with a menu of made-to-order dishes alongside a self-serve counter offering fruit, cereals, fresh juices and more. Soon to come later this year is the fine dining restaurant Calluna, which will provide a more formal gastronomic experience.
The 73 rooms span both the main Saltmoore House (rates from £300 per night) and the smaller Beach House (rates from £200 per night), where a range of rooms and larger suites can be booked. The stylishly appointed lodgings combine tradition with pared back, contemporary decoration, from the panelled walls and roll-top bathtubs to the modern four-poster beds with breezy linen curtains. Set just back from the beach, flanked by dense wooded areas on one side, and with landscaped gardens, a lake, rolling hills and grazing cows to the rear of the house, this is a place to come to fully switch off and be immersed in nature.
Benjamin Edwards10/26The Fife Arms, Aberdeenshire
Best boutique country house hotel
This is, without question, one of the greatest hotels in the world. Sure, it’s a bold statement, but the passion project of art dealers Manuela Hauser and Iwan Wirth really has paid off, and big time. Wildly fun, deeply romantic, sublimely storied and hands down magnificent, the delight is in every detail at this former inn buried deep in the Scottish Highlands in the sleepy village of Braemar. From William Morris to Timorous Beasties, Fife’s interior whizz Russell Sage went all out with plush fabrics, lush tartans, quite literally miles of antiques, bric-a-brac objets d’art, and whimsical rugs. The art collection – there are well over 16,000 pieces on show – is a tour-de-force in high design drama with walls festooned with the likes of Freud, Picasso and Chinese artist Zhang Engli’s extraordinary painted ceiling. The rooms and fabulous suites are all themed, centred around notable Scots, nature and poetry, and the simply chic Croft Rooms and bathrooms are equally characterful, with some donning life-size portraits of Queen Victoria.
11/26The Fish, Cotswolds
Best country house hotel for activities
The Fish, in a word, is fabulous. Set on the 400-acre Farncombe Estate in Worcestershire, the must-haves when it comes to the retreat’s glorious rooms are the three oak treehouses. What to expect? Copper trims, roomy wooden tubs on the terrace and plenty of room for the kids. Plus, for romantic getaways, the outdoor hot tub in one of the shepherds' huts is a definite added bonus. Most of the other action takes place in The Lodge, a modern chalet kitted out with a swish bar and lounge. As you’d expect from the name, Hook, the hotel's restaurant, serves an array of delicious fish. The dover sole is a must, as is whatever the chef recommends from the catch of the day. Post-dining, hit the green, green country for England’s greatest pastime, a good old-fashioned walk. The trails are endless, as are all the charming shops and adorable dogs you’ll want to steal on the way.
Jake Eastham12/26The Pig in the Cotswolds
Most romantic country house hotel
Formerly known as Barnsley House, the luxury hotel has now reopened as the latest Pig from boutique hoteliers Robin and Judy Hutson. It is situated near to the picturesque Cotswold towns of Burford, Bourton-on-the-Water and Bibury, in a 17th century listed building. The original gardens by its previous owner Rosemary Verey have been left intact, and the interiors have been decorated with the seminal garden designer in mind: ‘I’ve leaned into purples and pinks here, with floral, blouse-y wallpapers to suit Rosemary’s planting’, according to Judy. Our Commerce Editor, Arabella Bowes recently visited, and described it as ‘fresh, exciting and full of firsts' and that ‘the bedrooms offer all the piggy hallmarks – antique furniture and rugs, large freestanding baths’.
For foodies, the hotel's culinary options will be a highlight: 'guests can look forward to the Pig's classic 25-mile-menu, where 80% of the menu comes from within 25 miles of the hotel–and every single plate is touched by something from the garden. Suppliers are named and traceable, too. Meals are served up in the dining room, where green panelled walls provide a charming backdrop to a wooden fireplace and colourful glassware. Judy has even managed to find some decorative vintage oyster plates which have tiny blooms painted on them: this room's little nod to Rosemary.' Read Arabella's full review of the Pig in the Cotswolds here.
13/26Cliveden House, Berkshire
Best country house hotel for an indulgent weekend
Over the course of its history, Cliveden has been a retreat for royals (Meghan, Duchess of Sussex stayed here on the eve of her wedding, and it’s said Queen Victoria was a bit of a fan back in the day, too) and the site of the scandalous Profumo affair in the 1960s. Built in 1666 by the Duke of Buckingham, the Grade I-listed manor is a good schooling in eccentric, over-the-top English decoration. Think rooms clad with tapestries, the odd bit of armour, a winding Gothic Revival mahogany staircase, a palatial dining room lit by glittering chandeliers, a mammoth lawn, heavy drapes, handmade beds and intricate wallpapers. There's also a knockout spa (the OTO CBD treatments are simply divine), complete with indoor and outdoor pool and hot tubs ideal for your Instagram feed. The estate gardens stretch all the way down to the Thames where you can either unwind for a picnic or jump on a boat for a leisurely trip up the river to Windsor. It’s all a tad extravagant, but in the best way possible.
14/26The Grove, Hertfordshire
Best country house hotel for Londoners
The Grove is a go-to for Londoners looking for the country house experience, without having to travel far. You can even get to this Hertfordshire hotel via public transport, and a short taxi ride. It’s a sprawling red brick mansion outside Watford, set amongst lush green rolling fields, a golf course and endlessly tranquil vistas. Most recently, the suites have undergone a slick transformation at the hands of Martin Hulbert Design, upping the ante of this popular haunt even more. Expect to find bedrooms you’ll have to tear yourself away from, with four poster beds swathed in airy linen curtains, roll top baths that take in the sweeping countryside views and the finest fabrics. Of course, there’s a spa too, outdoor swimming pool and the hotel caters to families brilliantly.
GLEESONPAULINO15/26Gleneagles, Auchterarder, Scotland
Best country house hotel for a Scottish escape
Gleneagles may be about to celebrate its centenary next year but it is as equally appealing today as it was when it first opened in 1924. This is so much more than just a country hotel and there is something here for everyone, from the two Michelin-starred Andrew Fairlie restaurant and the three championship golf courses, to sipping cocktails in the American bar. It is just as easy to have a low key stay, lounging in one of the pools at the spa or taking in the stunning scenery on one of the hotel bikes. For children there are activities galore from off-road mini range rover driving to riding, golf, falconry and tree climbing with ropes and harnesses. The decor in the rooms is tastefully opulent and the bathrooms invite you to kick back and relax. For more casual dining you can’t beat the Birnam brasserie which has a fabulous grill – make sure to try the Tomahawk steak and get brownie points with your children forever by ordering them the banana split.
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16/26Langdale Chase, Lake District
Best country house hotel for breathtaking views
House & Garden's Editor, Hatta Byng stayed at this recently redesigned hotel earlier this year, a grand Victorian property situated in the heart of the Lake District, by Lake Windermere… ‘On a warm summer’s evening having a drink or dinner on the long terrace with its grand balustrade overlooking England’s largest lake, I imagine you could fool yourself you were actually on Lake Como. Right on the waterfront, you can swim from the jetty below the hotel and there is so much to do and explore within a short drive but you could easily get away with never venturing beyond the hotel’s grounds. The staff are chatty and helpful and keen to make sure you get the most out of your stay.’
‘The house was built in 1890 for a wealthy Manchester businessman and is grand in scale and ambition with turrets, gables and stained glass galore. Everything revolves around the Great Hall, a double height, panelled space, but all main reception rooms and bedrooms look out to the extraordinary lake view. The hotel sits in a six-acre garden laid out in 1890 and which is currently being restored and reimagined by Annie Guilfoyle.’ Read the rest of Hatta's review here.
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17/26Penmaenuchaf Hall, Snowdonia, Wales
Best country house hotel for interiors
Along the winding roads from Aberyswyth and into Gwynedd in North Wales, past fields of grazing sheep up and down deep valleys, Snowdownia’s mighty peaks come closer into view. Just past the market town of Dollgelau, Penmaenuchaf Hotel appears elegantly perched above the river Mawddach, backed by thick woodlands and black mountains making zig zags across the sky.
Within its storied walls, the interior designer Nicola Harding has been busy applying her magic touch. Taking cues from the crafts culture and heritage of Wales as well as the surrounding woodlands for the colour palette and motifs that appear on rugs to wallcoverings, she has created spaces which feel loyal to her jovial country house aesthetic. The panelled bar is the very heart of the hotel, where there is almost always someone reading a book, having a tea in stillness by the fire or cocktails before dinner in the fine dining restaurant, The Afon (meaning river in Welsh). There’s a choice between a tasting menu and a la carte – our recommendation is to try both on different nights. The Bala Lamb with smoked anchovy, asparagus and broad beans is exceptional, and you can even try a Welsh sparkling wine to start. Read the rest of our travel editor's review here.
Address: Penmaenuchaf Hotel, Penmaenpool, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, North Wales, LL40 1YB
Simon Brown18/26Beaverbrook, Surrey Hills
Best country house hotel for sport players and spa goers
Conveniently located a short distance from London in the Surrey Hills, Beaverbrook is pretty much the perfect country house hotel. The estate was once the domain of the press magnate Lord Beaverbrook, who was also Minister of Aircraft Production during the Second World War, so that references to Spitfires abound throughout. The main house has been beautifully restored with interiors by Susie Atkinson, and really gives the sense of what it might have been like to stay in one of these grand country houses in their heyday. It’s extremely comfortable, whether you’re reposing in front of the fire in the drawing room or enjoying a cocktail in the library. The Japanese restaurant is a little incongruous, but there’s no arguing with the excellence of the food. Beyond the main house there is a superlative jewel box of a spa, decked out in colourful tiles and a stained glass ceiling by the artist Brian Clarke, with indoor and outdoor pools and a brilliant programme of wellness activities. You can also stay (and eat) in the more ‘pub with rooms’ style Garden House, charmingly designed by Nicola Harding, at the stylish Coach House, or one of the estate cottages. Come for the day or spend a long weekend: mini-breaks don’t get much better than this.
- showers, beds in the stalls out in the ‘Stable’ rooms and the rather unusual Roman Villa experience, inspired by the unearthing of a Romano-British villa on the estate. Pomp aside, there’s a spa with two pools and the beautiful formal gardens with their colourful flower beds, orchards (for all that crisp cider) and extensive kitchen gardens. This brings us on to the food; everything served on the tasting and à la carte menus at the pretty Botanical Rooms restaurant is in season, including the hearty Somerset meats. Come breakfast, it’s all about the enormous croissants from the Newt bakery.","contentType":"photo","credit":"","segmentedSources":{"sm":[{"height":207,"width":320,"url":"https://media.houseandgarden.co.uk/photos/62e934018166f14863e181c8/master/w_320,c_limit/The%20Newt%20Llamrei%20Stableyard%20room.jpg"},{"height":415,"width":640,"url":"https://media.houseandgarden.co.uk/photos/62e934018166f14863e181c8/master/w_640,c_limit/The%20Newt%20Llamrei%20Stableyard%20room.jpg"}],"md":[{"height":415,"width":640,"url":"https://media.houseandgarden.co.uk/photos/62e934018166f14863e181c8/master/w_640,c_limit/The%20Newt%20Llamrei%20Stableyard%20room.jpg"},{"height":830,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.houseandgarden.co.uk/photos/62e934018166f14863e181c8/master/w_1280,c_limit/The%20Newt%20Llamrei%20Stableyard%20room.jpg"}],"lg":[{"height":664,"width":1024,"url":"https://media.houseandgarden.co.uk/photos/62e934018166f14863e181c8/master/w_1024,c_limit/The%20Newt%20Llamrei%20Stableyard%20room.jpg"},{"height":1327,"width":2048,"url":"https://media.houseandgarden.co.uk/photos/62e934018166f14863e181c8/master/w_2048,c_limit/The%20Newt%20Llamrei%20Stableyard%20room.jpg"}],"xl":[{"height":830,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.houseandgarden.co.uk/photos/62e934018166f14863e181c8/master/w_1280,c_limit/The%20Newt%20Llamrei%20Stableyard%20room.jpg"}],"xxl":[{"height":830,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.houseandgarden.co.uk/photos/62e934018166f14863e181c8/master/w_1280,c_limit/The%20Newt%20Llamrei%20Stableyard%20room.jpg"}]}}}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
19/26The Newt, Somerset
Best country house hotel for beautiful gardens
Sister to South African wine blockbuster Babylonstoren, you can’t get more eco-chic than the much-loved The Newt in Somerset. The showstopper? The rather lovely Hadspen House, a sandstone Georgian mansion, home to 13 gorgeous ‘Boho’ suites equipped with all sorts of lovely things. There are marble-lined showers, beds in the stalls out in the ‘Stable’ rooms and the rather unusual Roman Villa experience, inspired by the unearthing of a Romano-British villa on the estate. Pomp aside, there’s a spa with two pools and the beautiful formal gardens with their colourful flower beds, orchards (for all that crisp cider) and extensive kitchen gardens. This brings us on to the food; everything served on the tasting and à la carte menus at the pretty Botanical Rooms restaurant is in season, including the hearty Somerset meats. Come breakfast, it’s all about the enormous croissants from the Newt bakery.
20/26Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Oxfordshire
Best country house hotel for Michelin-starred dining
There’s a real charm that oozes out of every corner of Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, and it’s all thanks to its equally as charming owner, the celebrated chef, Raymond Blanc. Nestled away in the charming little town of Great Milton, the picture-postcard retreat is as you'd expect: prim Oxfordshire manor house finessed with a splash of chic á la français. Rooms draw inspiration from Monsieur Blanc himself, particularly his global travels. Blanc de Blanc is entirely, well… blanc. Jade is dressed in an ode to Asia and many, like the beautiful new garden suites, don a more traditional Provençal feel. The food? It's simply exceptional. It is the only British restaurant in the entire country that’s held two Michelin stars for more than three decades. Expect a seven-course tasting menu, bracketed by amuses-bouches and petits fours and prepared from seasonal, organic ingredients sourced from the hotel's own garden supply of 90 different kinds of vegetables and 70 different varieties of herbs.
21/26Wildhive Callow Hall, Derbyshire
Wild and ever so pretty, Wildhive Callow Hall – once a family-owned estate – is perhaps one of the most striking country house hotels in the UK. Recipient of countless awards, the whimsically wonderful Derbyshire pad dons a medley of modern bedrooms designed by Isabella Worsley, and the most recent addition of trendy, sky-high treehouses hidden away in its vast woodland. Style-wise, the main house is a bit of a riot. All sorts of colours, patterns and motifs splatter the Victorian manor’s walls, which surprisingly, don’t look out of place among all the high fashion Victoriana period features. All the food – expect a lot of meat and fresh vegetables – prepared by chef David Bucowicki is sourced direct from suppliers and farmers local to Wildhive, along with the topic of the moment, the rich kitchen garden. Our advice is very simple, banish any hesitation and book yourself into this retreat now.
- cottages best suited for the weekend set and a top-notch equestrian centre for wannabe jockeys. Hellenic touches – think paintings of the acropolis and great big urns in the bathroom – give the place an extra dose of continental charm, but don’t be fooled, because this retreat is oh so frightfully British to the core.","contentType":"photo","credit":"","segmentedSources":{"sm":[{"height":213,"width":320,"url":"https://media.houseandgarden.co.uk/photos/62e940709cf6c7db98be283b/master/w_320,c_limit/Library%203.jpg"},{"height":427,"width":640,"url":"https://media.houseandgarden.co.uk/photos/62e940709cf6c7db98be283b/master/w_640,c_limit/Library%203.jpg"}],"md":[{"height":427,"width":640,"url":"https://media.houseandgarden.co.uk/photos/62e940709cf6c7db98be283b/master/w_640,c_limit/Library%203.jpg"},{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.houseandgarden.co.uk/photos/62e940709cf6c7db98be283b/master/w_1280,c_limit/Library%203.jpg"}],"lg":[{"height":683,"width":1024,"url":"https://media.houseandgarden.co.uk/photos/62e940709cf6c7db98be283b/master/w_1024,c_limit/Library%203.jpg"},{"height":1365,"width":2048,"url":"https://media.houseandgarden.co.uk/photos/62e940709cf6c7db98be283b/master/w_2048,c_limit/Library%203.jpg"}],"xl":[{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.houseandgarden.co.uk/photos/62e940709cf6c7db98be283b/master/w_1280,c_limit/Library%203.jpg"}],"xxl":[{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.houseandgarden.co.uk/photos/62e940709cf6c7db98be283b/master/w_1280,c_limit/Library%203.jpg"}]}}}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
22/26Lucknam Park, Wiltshire
As you make your way up the pretty drive to this showstopper of a country house, you’ll feel as though you’ve found yourself in the middle of a Jane Austen-esque soap opera. Everywhere you look there’s a dash of dramatic pomp: roaring fires, towering stone walls draped in ivy, ponds dotted with storied statues, canopied four poster beds and some very moody oil paintings. Elsewhere, there’s a row of charming cottages best suited for the weekend set and a top-notch equestrian centre for wannabe jockeys. Hellenic touches – think paintings of the acropolis and great big urns in the bathroom – give the place an extra dose of continental charm, but don’t be fooled, because this retreat is oh so frightfully British to the core.
Jake Eastham23/26Lime Wood Hotel, Hampshire
Lime Wood is your quintessential fairytale English country escape set in a rather dreamy outcrop of the New Forest. Though it might look a bit stiff upper lip, the crowd is far from toffy Dickensian and attracts a naughty bohemian cosmopolitan lot who gather all hours around wood fires and the trendy courtyard bar. While it has earned a reputation as being the go-to for loved up couples and Bridgerton brides in search of their very own wood chopping Darcy, Lime Wood’s wellness offering is where it's really at. Three new Wildling Retreats, including one from Lady Bamford (of Daylesford fame), are causing quite the stir with all sorts on offer, from forest bathing to mindfulness sessions and of course, fabulous treatments courtesy of the award-winning spa. Aside from all the R&R, the Italian grub from Angela Hartnett and Luke Holderm plus the endless walks out in the wilderness are rather lovely, too.
24/26Heckfield Place, Hampshire
There’s been an awful lot of bother made of Heckfield Place, and for good reason. Thanks to an impeccably talented team of designers and architects, the uber classy Georgian country house is nothing short of spectacular with its sweeping 400-acre parkland views, cosy lounges, lazy-hazy summer corners and grand staircases. Aesthetically, it’s arty pageantry meets literary pizzazz. Think walls scattered with 20th-century English pictures from owner Gerald Chan’s private collection and a curated collection of books piled high in the Morning Room. The bedrooms are simply gorgeous; expect comfy linens, vintage photos, bespoke minibars, English oak floors, handcrafted furniture and plenty of little curios. Two restaurants overseen by seasonal-eating pioneer Skye Gyngell provide all the sustenance with produce sourced direct from the hotel’s biodynamic farm on the estate. It all sounds frightfully classic and traditional through and through but, thankfully, Heckfield prides itself on a fuss-free ethos that’s far from stuffy, pompous or intimidating. How refreshing!
25/26Babington House, Somerset
Another Somerset headliner crafted from the team at Soho House, this Georgian wonder, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2023, is surrounded by pristine parkland on which guests laze on oversized loungers overlooking the rather Instagram-ready lake. In terms of what’s on offer, the place practically ticks all the boxes. There’s a great big outdoor pool, sauna, cinema, tennis courts, well-equipped gym, Cowshed spa and even a football pitch, so there’s plenty to keep the boredom at bay. The rooms leave you in somewhat of a daze. Antique four poster beds, roomy roll-top bathtubs and roaring open fires also make Babington the perfect spot for a romantic weekend getaway. Elsewhere, ancient trees encircle the very bijou chapel, and for those wanting to explore beyond the prim fringes of the estate, the slick market town of Frome is a mere 10-minute drive away, and the grand old city of Bath just 20.
26/26The Hall at Bolton Abbey, Yorkshire
If you are in search of something totally over the top, look no further than the Hall at Bolton Abbey. It’s the first time the Duke of Devonshire has put his Yorkshire Dales holiday home on the exclusive-use market and rest assured, it doesn’t disappoint. Twelve of its stately rooms have been given a fresh new look by Rita Konig, all boasting dreamy views of the well-manicured gardens, floral nooks, and the quixotic 12th-century Bolton Priory Church and ruins. Outside the manor, there’s a grand roster of outdoor pursuits to keep you entertained, including helicopter tours of the moor, cycling trips, local foraging, fly fishing and long soul-searching walks. The Hall offers locally sourced feasting at its best; the chef and his team craft bespoke menus to your liking that showcase their own organic produce sourced from Bolton Abbey’s river, moors and kitchen garden. It’s all too delicious.
