13 Country-House Hotels For A Sumptuous Getaway In The UK

The place In the quaint, chocolate-box village of Barnsley, The Pig has opened a Cotswold property close to historic Cirencester.

The style A 17th-century, wisteria-woven house sitting amid picturesque ornamental gardens, where a stroll reveals heritage archways, a laburnum walk and even a Tuscan temple.

The rooms Twenty-four uniquely designed bedrooms, with the most charming but capacious options (Secret Garden and Rosemary’s Hideaway) hidden in the walled gardens.

The food The Pig often refers to its hotels as ‘restaurants with rooms’, which means that the food is the main event throughout its portfolio of properties. Hearty dishes are grown from the kitchen gardens, with other ingredients sourced from within a 25-mile radius.

The rest The petite Fieldhouse Spa has a sauna, steam room, outdoor hydrotherapy pool and garden terracelooking over orchards and meadows.

The place An ultra-boutique hotel comprised from a Georgian townhouse, medieval forge and row of cottages set around a courtyard in the Somerset village of Bruton, known for its artistic spirit.

The style Celebrating the history of the 500-year-old building and the creative flair of the locale, Number One Bruton promises vibrant pops of color, plush, playful furnishings and contemporary artworks alongside original, centuries-old features.

The rooms There are 12 individually designed rooms across the property – five in the townhouse, three in the 16th-century cottages and four in the medieval forge.

The food The welcoming, neighborhood Briar restaurant is housed in the old ironmonger’s shop and champions seasonal West Country cuisine. Guests can also expect a care package of local delicacies when they arrive.

The rest From its prime position on the village high street, it’s ideal to explore the surrounding Somerset delights – including the creative former farmstead of Hauser & Wirth, which is only a short stroll away.

The place An Italianate, 17th-century manor close to the lively Cotswolds town of Cheltenham.

The style Cowley Manor has been wonderfully transformed by The Experimental Group, adding flair and just the right measure of whimsy to this historic property. The renovations, overseen by Dorothée Meilichzon, took inspiration from Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, rumored to have been written here, with four-poster beds, rich fabrics and subtle chequerboard references.

The food The restaurant is overseen by chef Jackson Boxer, where local produce is combined with a nod to French cuisine. There is also an Experimental Cocktail Club bar, serving a curated list of signature drinks.

The rest There are games rooms, a library, and lovely indoor and outdoor pools in the serene spa. Across the 55 acres, guests will find natural lakes, gardens, Victorian cascades and woodland to explore.

The place The commanding and storied stately home is set amid 376 acres of formal garden in the rolling Chiltern Hills.

The style Dating back to 1666, Cliveden House has been the glittering backdrop to many a lavish soirée and cultural events, hosting eminent guests – and even the occasional political scandal. It holds a plethora of elaborately designed rooms and grand suites, filled with traditional architectural details.

The rooms The suites are named after former guests who have been part of the history of the property, while the Spring Cottage, a three-bedroom bolthole on the banks of the River Thames, was a spot where Queen Victoria was known to take afternoon tea.

The food In its opulent dining room and the more laid-back Astor Grill set in the old stables, Cliveden hosts special dinners that include Michelin-starred fine dining, evenings accompanied by opera, and seasonal events.

The rest There are statement indoor and outdoor swimming pools – the outdoor ‘Profumo’ pool is Cliveden’s most infamous spot.

The place Deep in the Scottish Highlands, nestled within the majestic Cairngorms National Park and the historic village of Braemar.

The style The Victorian coaching inn of The Fife Arms has been sumptuously reimagined, with a celebration of Scottish craftsmanship and culture woven throughout its magnificent design – including in the collection of artwork that adorns the walls.

The rooms The 46 bedrooms and suites – wallpapered in rich hues and vibrant patterns around four-poster beds draped with velvet curtains and snuggled with tartan blankets – are bursting with charm and character.

The food The focus on Scotland’s delights extends to the menus and ingredients served in its array of restaurants, from the wood-fire Clunie Dining Room to the classic Scottish pub and Bertie’s Whisky Bar.

The rest An impressive selection of spa treatments are available in the Albamhor treatment rooms, which will be most welcome after a day that can include wild swimming, creative workshops, biking, tastings, history tours, fishing and golfing.

The place This lovingly restored Georgian house in Hampshire has fast become a favorite countryside pile, surrounded by walled gardens, lakes, woodland and lawns – an hour or so from London.

The style Heckfield Place’s refined and enveloping interiors offer a plethora of plush sofas to sink into, sumptuous rugs and inviting firesides to unwind beside.

The food A highlight of Heckfield, the culinary offering at the Marle restaurant and the fireside cooking in the Hearth dining space is a celebration of all things local and seasonal. Ingredients are sourced predominantly from the Home Farm, which was helmed by the late luminary chef Skye Gyngell.

The rest There are excellent, expert treatments at the stunning, phone-free Bothy spa, and an ever-evolving program of events – from art tours and nature walks to forest bathing and wild swimming.

The place A wild mix of meadows and deep woodland, the Narberth hills in the cinematic Pembrokeshire countryside provide a stunning backdrop.

The style With a warm, intimate elegance, Grove of Narberth offers up contemporary four-poster beds and glass-walled garden terraces alongside vaulted ceilings and exposed stone walls. Individual flourishes have also been injected via Welsh art and antiques,

The rooms From the main house to the surrounding cottages, think spacious hideaways with private gardens to romantic loft rooms nestled in the eaves.

The food With a celebration of traditional Welsh ingredients, Grove’s most elaborate dishes are served in its refined Fernery restaurant. Meanwhile, its more relaxed Artisan Rooms restaurant overlooks a canopy of apple trees from the lounge-style dining space.

The rest Rambles around Grove’s glorious 26 acres of grounds are key to enjoying this perfect slice of Welsh beauty.

The place This resplendent Grade-II listed hotel and private members’ club emerges at the end of a tree-lined driveway, surrounded by 3,000 acres of parkland and gardens.

The style Decadently enveloping, the design at Estelle Manor melds vintage furnishings and contemporary pieces.

The rooms There’s old-school opulence in the Manor House, the romantic Walled Garden suites and tucked-away cottages. Choose one of the Manor House suites for grand original features and sweeping views of the South Terrace, which evokes the French Riviera with scalloped parasols flanking the centerpiece pool.

The food The Brasserie restaurant serves an all-day menu of hearty but refined seasonal classics, while the velvet banquettes of The Billiards Room serve traditional Chinese dishes and a dim-sum brunch at weekends. In the walled garden, a greenhouse has been transformed into the Glasshouse restaurant, with sharing family-style dining.

The rest Eynsham Baths arises as a glistening Roman-inspired spa in the woodland, where a capacious, marble-carved tepidarium bathing hall has no fewer than five pools, for guests to embark on a rejuvenating thermal journey.

The place In the heart of the New Forest National Park, where wild ponies roam, Lime Wood is found at the end of a sweeping drive near the town of Lyndhurst.

The style A 13th-century hunting lodge turned into a manor hotel garlanded in wisteria, with rooms designed by Susie Atkinson.

The rooms The cottages and cabins offer secluded hideaways in the lush grounds. The Lake Cabin is an ultra-romantic ‘private little island’, which gives guests a sense of floating on water from its almost-wraparound balcony (complete with alfresco bathtub) and picture windows.

The rest The three-level Herb House Spa is reason alone to visit Lime Wood. In addition to the huge glass-walled sauna and indoor hydro pools, there is a mud house, alfresco pool, state-of-the-art rooftop gym and extensive treatment menu.

The place An expansive estate in Bruton, The Newt is a village within a village, incorporating hundreds of acres of manicured gardens, wild woods, farmland and orchards.

The style The honey-hued Hadspen House dates back to the 17th century. Bringing an elevated take to the quintessential country escape, it pays immaculate homage to its architectural origins – with playful furnishings weaved in.

The rooms There are traditional rooms in the main house and a variety of restored former farm buildings in a more contemporary style. Meanwhile, the Farmyard, a short buggy ride from Hadspen, offers a more understated array of rooms ideal for families.

The food With a working estate, there is no shortage of tantalizing delicacies to sample here, while you also get an insight into how they are made. The Botanical Rooms restaurant showcases a spectacular menu based on a farm-to-fork philosophy.

The rest The spa is a glorious spot in which to unwind, with indoor-outdoor pool, steam room, sauna, hammam and a Medieval-inspired herb garden.

The place Practically its own hamlet, the meandering Southrop estate that Thyme resides within has its own village pub, restaurant, bar, kitchen gardens, cookery school, art gallery and spa.

The style Housed inside golden Cotswold stone walls, Thyme’s characterful, whimsically wall-papered and beamed bedrooms (each named after a flower or plant) are dotted across houses and cottages.

The food Showcasing local food and homegrown ingredients, an ever-changing menu for lunch and dinner is served in either the meticulously restored Ox Barn or its sister eatery – the classic country pub The Swan at Southrop. Then head back to The Baa for the botanical cocktail menu.

The rest The peaceful Meadow Spa is housed in a lavender-lined cottage with a spring-water pool. Try the signature Botanical Bothy treatment, which utilizes pressure-point touch therapy and lymphatic body brushing, as well as guided breathwork techniques.

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