Middleton Lodge, Yorkshire
A super stylish bolthole in Yorkshire with renovated stone barns, gorgeous rooms and delicious food. In summer, life spills onto the courtyard for lunch in the sun, while through the arched glass doors is a spectacular restaurant open to the rafters.
There’s a funky bar, treatment rooms, a two-acre kitchen garden and bikes to borrow for your stay. Head west to the Dales, or east to the Moors, and return for local and often home-grown meals – think cured sea trout with horseradish, slow-cooked lamb and homemade ice cream.
North House, Isle of Wight
An elegant townhouse with wonderful personal service, fabulous breakfasts and cosmopolitan style. The three listed buildings, an 1820s theatre and two Georgian townhouses, have been refurbished beautifully. Bedrooms are immaculately furnished, with well-chosen bed linens and free-standing baths.
After days out on Cowes high street or along the coast, there’s nothing better than to return to a heated pool, a well-stocked bar and the ‘Oyster Store’ restaurant. In summer, borrow some books from the hotel’s library and catch some rays on the suntrap terrace.
The Wheatsheaf, Gloucestershire
The Wheatsheaf stands at the vanguard of a cool new movement: the village local reborn in country house style. Outside, a small courtyard garden with its own bar makes the perfect spot for post-walk Pimms or English ale in summer. Inside, beautiful bedrooms come as standard and nearly all have free-standing baths.
After relaxing days exploring the countryside, feast on local fare downstairs in the restaurant and sink into pillowy armchairs in front of roaring fires.
Cliveden House, Berkshire
Cliveden is a decadent country house of epic proportions that dates from 1605, previously home to earls, dukes and one Prince of Wales. Its famous pool and beautiful new spa are at your disposal, and the old house sits in 376 acres of National Trust land. The Great Hall, a panelled masterpiece with vast portraits on the walls, is a fine spot for cocktails before dinner.
Corinthian columns, muralled ceilings and exquisite food in the dining room add to the grandeur. Luxurious bedrooms have white marble bathrooms and elegant art, and some have hot tubs on their private terraces.
Askham Hall, Cumbria
Askham is a Grade I-listed manor house with a 12th-century Peel tower. Expect contemporary art, a beautiful drawing room and a small spa with an outdoor pool. The hall sits in 40 acres of Cumbrian countryside with paths that follow the river through glorious parkland.
Romantic meals are a must; meat is reared on the estate and the produce used is all as local as possible. Tuck into Askham pork cheek or wild garlic risotto followed by Yorkshire rhubarb tart, then spend the evening relaxing in front of an open fire.
The Cartford Inn, Lancashire
This quirky inn has a winning position overlooking the Trough of Bowland and is full of surprises. The bar, with its cool art and roaring fire, is a great place to linger over a pint of local ale, but a courtyard garden will draw you out in good weather.
Bedrooms are cosy yet stylish, and there’s a selection of new rooms to choose from. Indulge in gilded sleigh beds, signature wallpapers, hanging chairs, river views and roll top baths.
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More inspiration…
Boutique Hotels
Spend quality time with the family and let the kids burn off energy in the garden, bring the dog and head off on epic hikes in the countryside, enjoy lazy summer days round the pool, and wake slowly before wandering down to breakfast or having it delivered to your room.
Perfect weekend breaks
Places to make your precious weekends away into great travel memories. Eat your way round foodie Suffolk, indulging in Cornish spas, hiking the Lake District, exploring unmistakable Edinburgh and much more.
Romantic getaways
Choose from places with hot tub for evenings under the stars, cosy cottages in the middle of nowhere for real quality time together, hotels with spas for endless pampering or pretty gites in rural France.
