The Hotel Guru
25 of the UK’s Best Country House Hotels

25 of the UK’s Best Country House Hotels

Once only those of us with the oldest family names would have been eligible to stay in the UK’s grand country piles, but many of the most beautiful of them have been refurbished and returned to their youthful glory, and turned into country house hotels. Our Gurus have put themselves through the ordeal of sleeping in four-poster beds, dining in Michelin starred restaurants, being pampered in award-winning spas and strolling exquisite grounds to bring your their recommendations for the UK’s best country house hotels.

Rather than list the UK’s best country house hotels by location our Gurus have listed them by type, so there’s a top selection of the most romantic country house hotels, and a top selection of family friendly hotels and their top recommendations for family-run treasures.

For a romantic stay

Cliveden House is a grand neoclassical country pile, a National Trust treasure, and probably still best known for its part in the Profumo affair. But it seems like everyone who’s ever been anyone has stayed here, from Churchill to Chaplin and Lawrence to Lennon. There are 44 rooms and 15 suites, but staying here still feels like you’re staying in a country home rather than a hotel. There are original Old Masters on the walls, a spa which boasts Canadian cedarwood hot tubs as well as a whirlpool hot tub, boats on the river, two pools and a truly wonderful afternoon tea.

The Torridon is a remote country escape on the shores of Upper Loch Torridon, with just 18 rooms and 53 acres of park and woodland. The decor its a wonderful meeting of Scottish county house opulence and contemporary design. And there’s a seriously good restaurant and whisky bar.
With 500 acres of grounds landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown, Stapleford Park is a wonderful Leicestershire estate to explore - there’s falconry, mini golf and archery to name just s few of the activities on offer. And inside the huge 55 room Georgian mansion the decor is exceptional and the service excellent.
The Pennyhill Park Hotel and Spa, outside Bagshot, Surrey, is a beautiful, ivy clad 19th century built country house hotel with a Michelin starred restaurant and an award winning spa. There are 123 rooms and suites, surrounded by 123 acres of park and gardens. And you’re only 30minutes from Heathrow and about 45minutes from central London.

For a complete escape

Barnsley House is an imposing Cotswold stately home with famously glorious gardens and 18 beautifully renovated rooms. The interiors are chic and modern and there’s an indulgent spa and modern British restaurant. Perfect for country walks and a bit of pampering.
Ardanaiseig, on the beautiful banks of Loch Awe in Argyll is a glorious, and eccentric, baronial mansion turned 18 room country house hotel, with stunning views and award winning food. For real privacy choose the boat shed, which is right on the water.
Inverlochy Castle is a 17 room castle near Fort William at the foot of Ben Nevis. As well as spectacular views and beautiful decor there’s a multi-award winning, Michelin starred restaurant.
Cavens Hotel, close to Dumfries, is an impressive country house surrounded by 20 acres of woodlands and gardens. There are just eight rooms, decorated with chintz fabrics and nice antiques, plus a stunning Scottish restaurant.

For a Country House Hotel with a hot tub

For many of us it’s the ultimate way to unwind, so if you love the idea of your own hot tub, check out our Guru’s ultimate guide to UK hotels with hot tubs, or consider these country house highlights:

Chewton Glen is a fabulous country house hotel close to the New Forest, renowned for its superb service, excellent food and luxurious spa. Book one of their stunning treehouse suites and you get your own deck with private hot tub....ideal for a relaxing soak after a day exploring the surrounding area.
South Lodge Hotel is a classic country house retreat near Horsham, West Sussex, with 89 individually designed rooms and suites with handmade mattresses and pillow menus throughout. You’re surrounded by 93 acres of park and gardens and beyond that you have views of the South Downs. One of the restaurants has a Michelin star, the other two AA rosettes. Both the Godman and Farriers Suites have their own private terraces with hot tubs.

Family-Run Treasures

Plumber Manor Hotel is a wonderful Jacobean manor house in glorious Thomas Hardy country. The house was built by, and has belonged to the same family for centuries, the Prideaux-Brunes - and they have the portraits to match, along wth a wonderful air of faded grandeur. Gently eccentric, with a popular and well regarded restaurant.
Gravetye Manor, in a leafy part of West Sussex, is an Elizabethan mansion with 17 fine, wood panelled bedrooms with four-poster beds, and an exceptionally beautiful garden. There’s also a Michelin starred restaurant.
South of Belfast in rural Northern Ireland, Newforge House is a six room country house hotel. Built in the elegant Georgian era, the decor has been updated sympathetically where needed. One of the passionate owners is a professional, and accomplished chef.

For Families

Bovey Castle on Dartmoor is 64 room hotel which offers lego room service for the kids and bespoke spa treatments for the adults. There are loads of activities on site, including falconry displays.
Fowey Hall in Fowey, Cornwall is a 36 room hotel overlooking to Cornish coast. There’s a great pool and spa and beautiful views from the hotel. It’s well kitted out for families, but still very elegant.
Woolley Grange in Wiltshire, is a Jacobean Manor turned luxury family retreat. There are 26 rooms, stunning grounds, a pool, restaurant, an Ofsted registered playroom, a games room and a spa.

For great value

For under £100 a night you can stay at Soulton Hall in Shrewsbury, a splendid Elizabethan manor house with eight romantic, atmospheric rooms and plenty of interesting history to unpick. The surrounds are also very beautiful.
Also around £100 per night, the Castleman Hotel in Dorset is a stunning country house surrounded by beautiful parkland. There’s an excellent restaurant specialising in using local produce and eight rooms decorated in dark wood with chintz fabrics, some with four-poster beds and roll top baths.
Norfolk Mead, in the peaceful Norfolk Broads, is a charming, 13 room lakeside hotel with lovely grounds and smart, individually decorated bedrooms. They do lovely Sunday lunches and plush afternoon teas. Rooms start from around £130 per night.

Still not sure?

Browse our Ultimate Guide to UK Hotels with Hot Tubs for relaxing inspiration,
or consider our Guru’s list of the Most Romantic Hotels in the UK,
or contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.
- Cliveden House Taplow, Berkshire 44 rooms from £605
  
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  Swimming Pool  -  Indoor and Outdoor Pools
  Country House  -  Grand neoclassical pile
  Restaurant  -  Recommended.
  Antiques
  Recommended by  -  Mr & Mrs Smith, Frommers, Kiwi Collection
  
  Boasting a spectacular rural setting and a famous history, Cliveden House is one of Britain's great country houses. Sumptuous, traditional rooms and suites boast truly spoiling bed linens and marble bathrooms. There's an exceptional spa, Library bar plus two restaurants. Simply superb! See More
  
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- Plumber Manor Hotel Sturminster Newton, Dorset 16 rooms from £160
  
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  Country Escape  -  A perfect base for exploring the Dorset countryside- gardens, National Trust Houses, villages and walks.
  Great walks  -  Bring your dog and enjoy the 20 acres of well kept grounds, with a river running through.
  Birdwatching  -  Take a deckchair and plonk it down by the river, sit, relax and listen to the birdsong.
  Tennis  -  Tennis courts on site are available for guests to use.
  Recommended by  -  Good Hotel Guide, Sawdays
  
  Characterful, family-run Jacobean manor house in glorious Thomas Hardy country. This quintessentially English manor has been in the same family for centuries, with portraits to match. An air of faded grandeur. The real deal. See More
  
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- Newforge House Magheralin, County Armagh 6 rooms from £190
  
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  Foodies  -  Fine three course dining offering seasonal dishes
  Great walks  -  Lurgan, Moira and Hillsborough Parks
  Sights nearby  -  Lurgan Park & Brownlow House
  Sailing  -  Kinnego Marina
  Recommended by  -  Sawdays
  
  Sophisticated family-run country house hotel with excellent food. Original Georgian interiors have been updated with modern elegance - fireplaces, large sash windows, paintings, and tasteful furniture are highlighted by lots of natural light and subtle tones. A romantic escape with plenty to offer. See More
  
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- Inverlochy Castle Fort William 17 rooms from £335
  
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  Families  -  Plenty of kit for the kids indoors including games rooms, DVDs, playstation plus endless outdoor activities.
  Foodies  -  This fantastic restaurant has been awarded 3 AA Rosettes- utterly delicious!
  Fishing  -  Fishing in Loch Na Marag in the Castle grounds or salmon and trout fishing further afield.
  Great walks  -  Stunning scenery to be explored starting straight from the property.
  Recommended by  -  Relais & Chateaux
  
  Elegance, romance and old-school service in sublime surroundings at the foot of Ben Nevis. Imposing rooms with heavy curtains, chintz wallpaper, antique paintings and four poster beds. The bathrooms are the height of modernity. Plus there's a fine dining restaurant. The perfect country getaway. See More
  
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- Chewton Glen New Milton, Hampshire 72 rooms from £405
  
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  Country Escape  -  A gorgeous country house spa, set in 130 acres of parkland at the edge of the magical New Forest.
  Tennis  -  There are both indoor and outdoor tennis courts and coaching with the resident pro.
  Great walks  -  Plenty of walking across the 130 acres of parkland, or head into the New Forest.
  Kids Club  -  All new The Beehive, available every weekend and school holidays
  Recommended by  -  Mr & Mrs Smith, Tablet, Frommers, Good Hotel Guide, Kiwi Collection, Relais & Chateaux, Michelin Travel
  
  On the edge of the New Forest and close to the sea, Chewton Glen offers five-star luxury to couples and families. Its wow-factor treehouse accommodation is the star of the show, along with the fantastic staff that always go the extra mile. Imitable service, gourmet dining and The Beehive, kids club. See More
  
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- Ardanaiseig By Taynuilt, Argyll 18 rooms from £109
  
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  Romantic  -  Book the 'away from it all' boat shed.
  Restaurant  -  Award winning food with 3 AA Rosettes.
  Fishing  -  Superb angling for trout, salmon, sea trout and perch
  Views  -  Fabulous views across Loch Awe
  
  A glorious country house hotel, touched with eccentricity and a little bit of magic. Luxurious decor, stunning views and wonderful food on the banks of Loch Awe. See More
  
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- Woolley Grange Bradford on Avon 26 rooms from £160
  
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  Families  -  Ideal for families with babysitting, kids hang out zones, an Ofsted-registered playroom and plenty of activites on the grounds.
  Hideaway  -  With the spa, pool table, table football, extensive grounds, yummy food and homely rooms, you'll find it impossible to leave.
  Swimming Pool  -  Indoor and Outdoor Pool
  Restaurant  -  Recommended.
  Recommended by  -  Mr & Mrs Smith
  
  Jacobean Manor turned luxury family retreat in stunning gardens with pools. Comfortable, modern rooms are a great welcome after a day of activities. The restaurant caters to all dietary needs and occasions. Children clubs, games rooms, gardens and more gives parents a chance to relax at the spa. See More
  
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- Fowey Hall Fowey, Cornwall 48 rooms from £175
  
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  Families  -  Designed with families in mind with babysitting, on-hand nannies, activites, equipment for kids of all ages and activities
  Spa  -  The spa is open to adults and children and includes an indoor pool, wellness room, and wide treatment list
  Sights nearby  -  Take a stroll around the beautiful Lost Gardens of Heligan
  Restaurant  -  Seasonal restaurant with Cornish-inspired dishes
  Recommended by  -  Mr & Mrs Smith
  
  Overlooking the beautiful Fowey Estuary, South Cornwall, Fowey Hall is a family-centric yet stylish hotel where kids are treated like VIPs and adults can enjoy some relaxation. Rooms feel fresh and contemporary and there's a spoiling spa with a large indoor pool and an excellent Cornish restaurant See More
  
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- Pennyhill Park Hotel and The Spa Bagshot, Surrey 124 rooms from £425
  
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  Spa  -  The fabulous spa boasts indoor and outdoor pools, plus canadian hot tubs, treatments and much more.
  Spa breaks
  Restaurant  -  Michelin starred dining at The Latymer.
  Traditional
  Recommended by  -  Tablet, Small Luxury Hotels
  
  Creeper clad 19th-century country house luxury spa resort with two excellent restaurants, only half an hour from Heathrow. Country style with lavish facilities. Relax and rejuvenate. See More
  
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- Cavens House by Dumfries, Dumfries and Galloway 6 rooms from £180
  
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  Country Escape  -  A charming country house set in 20 acres of woodland and lawns, with excellent walking and warm fires to great your return.
  Romantic Break  -  A cosy hideaway for two in this enchanting part of the country, with charming suites and romantic dining.
  Birdwatching  -  Pack the binoculars as there are two nearby reserves RSPB Mersehead and WWT Caerlaverock.
  Sights nearby  -  Explore the 17th century Drumlanrig Castle and the 13th century Sweetheart Abbey.
  Recommended by  -  Sawdays, Good Hotel Guide
  
  An impressive country house set in a stunning location. Traditional rooms feature large sash windows and tastefully upholstered furniture. Good Scottish cuisine with award winning service. Plenty of country pursuits in the surrounding area. An ideal country escape with all the comforts of home. See More
  
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- Barnsley House Cirencester (Barnsley) 18 rooms from £299
  
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  Romantic Break  -  A stately home with indulgent chic interiors- think dual baths, large suites and a pampering spa.
  Country Escape  -  A rural abode on another level, the ultimate luxury getaway in stunning surrounds.
  Cooking classes  -  The nearby reputed Foodworks Cookery School offers a number of different classes for various levels.
  Great walks  -  This area is littered with beautiful walks, ask at the front desk to be pointed towards a favourite.
  Recommended by  -  Mr & Mrs Smith, Frommers, Good Hotel Guide, Kiwi Collection
  
  An imposing Cotswold house set within stunning (deservedly famed) gardens. Gorgeously renovated rooms are light, airy and full of mod cons. The chic modern interiors, indulgent spa and contemporary British cuisine make it hard to leave! A popular rural escape for urbanites. See More
  
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- Gravetye Manor East Grinstead, West Sussex 17 rooms from £260
  
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  Romantic Break  -  Grand period country house - utterly charming for a couple's getaway
  Foodies  -  The restaurant holds one Michelin star
  Fishing  -  Boasts a 3 acre lake for fly fishing
  Great walks  -  A range of wonderful local walks
  Recommended by  -  Relais & Chateaux, Michelin Travel
  
  An Elizabethan gem of timeless comforts, with fine wood panelled bedrooms, four poster beds and an exceptional garden. Old fashioned hospitality with modern standards. Independently owned with Michelin starred cooking and lots of outdoor activities. See More
  
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- The Torridon Ross-shire 18 rooms from £220
  
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  Bar  -  Over 300 Malt Whiskies available in the Whisky Bar not forgetting their very own Arcturus Gin and Cushie Doos Tonic.
  Restaurant  -  3 AA Rosettes
  Sailing  -  Sailing tours on S/Y a 13 m sailing yacht both within the loch and to the Isle of Skye and the Outer Hebrides.
  Sights nearby  -  Boat cruises available off the west coast for dolphins and if you're lucky whale watching.
  Recommended by  -  Good Hotel Guide, Sawdays
  
  Country escape on the shores of Upper Loch Torridon. 53 acres of park and woodland provide many outdoor activities. Scottish country house opulence twinned with contemporary designs. Seriously good restaurant and whisky bar. See More
  
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- Stapleford Park nr Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire 55 rooms from £288
  
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  Child friendly  -  Mini golf, falconery, archery - and Rutland Water and Twinlakes
  Garden  -  500 acres landscaped by Capability Brown
  Traditional
  Views  -  Great views from hotel
  Recommended by  -  Small Luxury Hotels
  
  Unusual and massive Georgian country house hotel and sporting estate, popular for weddings and corporate events. Plenty of activities for the active, including golf. See More
  
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- Bovey Castle Chagford 64 rooms from £229
  
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  Child friendly  -  Daily egg collecting, meet the ferrets and falconry displays. Colouring books & crayons for little ones at meal times!
  Spa  -  UK's flagship SUNDARI spa
  Families
  Restaurant  -  The Edwardian Grill for fine dining and Castle Bistro for more family friendly fare.
  Recommended by  -  Tablet, Frommers, Small Luxury Hotels
  
  Family friendly country hotel with something for everyone: lego room service for the little ones & bespoke spa treatments for the adults! Ideally situated for exploring the wilderness of Dartmoor and more activities on site than you can imagine. See More
  
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- Soulton Hall Shrewsbury, Shropshire 8 rooms from £94
  
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  Birdwatching  -  At least 83 varieties of field birds can be found in the surrounding countryside
  Great walks  -  Great walks from the front door
  Restaurant  -  Daily changing menu
  Views  -  Great views from hotel
  
  A splendid Elizabethan manor located in rural Shropshire. Steeped in history (it features oak panelling from the 1400s), romantic, atmospheric, yet comfortable and hospitable. Highly recommended for a country getaway with self catering cottages for those who prefer more flexibility. See More
  
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- Norfolk Mead Norwich, Norfolk 13 rooms from 130
  
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  Garden  -  Well-kept pretty garden with lake and wildfowl. The 12 acres extend to bank of the River Bure
  Sights nearby  -  minute drive away or visit the Sandringham Estate and its beautiful grounds
  Fishing  -  There is a fishing lake in the grounds and off-river mooring
  Birdwatching  -  The private lake is home to swans, geese and other wildfowl
  Recommended by  -  Good Hotel Guide
  
  Charming country house hotel in Norfolk Broads with its own boat for exploring the waterways. Lovely grounds and lake. Smart individually decorated bedrooms. Sumptuous breakfast, Sunday lunch, proper afternoons teas and hampers provided. Perfect for short breaks, weddings or business conferences. See More
  
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