Hotels UK
A quiet revolution happened in the United Kingdom between the late 1980s and the Noughties. Back in the day hotels, B&Bs and self-catering cottages were often places of convenience rather than comfort. And glamping? Well that had yet to be invented. Luxury and originality, such as it existed, came at an enormous price, and upmarket hotels often rested on their laurels, focusing instead on keeping the wrong kind of people from enjoying their tired rooms and intimidatingly posh food. Hospitality was simply something Britain wasn’t very good at: if you wanted to experience good food and a half-decent place to stay at a reasonable price, well, you had to go abroad.Fast forward to the 2020s and Britain is a different country, packed full of great places to stay often run by passionate people who live and breathe good hospitality. The dread word ‘boutique’ was the first indicator that things had changed, and of course is now an over-used term. But it does give a flavour of a new kind of British hotel or guesthouse that began to appear thirty or so years ago – small, independently owned, and putting the guest experience front and centre. There was a new sense of contemporary style in guest rooms, where luxury didn’t necessarily mean antique furniture and four-posters. The renaissance in Modern British food made an appearance too, with lots of places revamping their restaurants and basing their menus on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. And service was authentic, never trying too hard to please but always on hand if needed.
Like all good revolutions, change has continued, with new trends and activities emerging – wild swimming, food foraging, art classes, yoga and wellness retreats – and many establishments offering alternative accommodation: shepherds huts, lodges with hot tubs, even treehouses. The best places now have an eye on the environment too, with renewable energy sources, discounts for those arriving on public transport and kitchen gardens saving on food miles.
The Cool Places collection doesn’t pretend to include all of Britain’s best places to stay, but instead aims to provide a curated selection. Our choices are deliberately eclectic, driven not so much by budget as by the uniqueness of the property, its location, facilities, décor – or just its owners and the extra mile they often go for their guests. We avoid the usual global brands that dominate accommodation in many towns and cities, the point being that it’s not always about what you spend on a room, it’s where you spend it, with plenty of surprisingly affordable options if you know where to find them. We also aim to provide a range of choices in most corners of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Britain's Best Hotels, Pubs and Inns
An elegant country house hotel in Northumberland with a golf course and spa
Matfen Hall, Matfen Hall, Matfen, Northumberland NE20 0RH
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in Northumberland
Holidays in Corbridge
This Farnborough gem is a different kind of airport hotel – sleek and stylish, with great facilities and even better views
Aviator, 55 Farnborough Road, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 6EL
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Hampshire
Holidays in Farnborough
Very comfortable family-run hotel on the North Norfolk Coast in a great seaside location.
The Grove Cromer, 95 Overstrand Road Cromer Norfolk NR27 0DJ
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Sheringham & Cromer
A lovely New Forest country retreat with several eating areas serving first-rate British plates
The Montagu Arms, Beaulieu New Forest Hampshire SO42 7ZL
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Hampshire
Holidays in Beaulieu
A comfortable country house hotel in the New Forest – with a fabulous spa thrown in
Careys Manor Hotel, Lyndhurst Road Brockenhurst Hampshire SO42 7RH
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Hampshire
Holidays in Brockenhurst
A boutique hotel on the outskirts of Bristol with individually-styled rooms, a 2-Rosette restaurant, and 18 acres of gardens and woodland.
Berwick Lodge, Berwick Drive, Bristol BS10 7TD
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Somerset
Holidays in Bristol
Sumptuous rooms with dramatic flair in the capital of The Cotswolds
Ingleside House, 5 Beeches Road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire GL7 1BN
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Gloucestershire
Holidays in Cirencester
A stylish and very comfortable Northumberland boutique hotel in Alnwick’s Castle Quarter
The Cookie Jar, 12 Bailiffgate, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1LX
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in Northumberland
Holidays in Alnwick
A proper village pub with comfy rooms and top-quality food on the edge of the Berkshire Downs.
The Greyhound Inn, Main Street, Letcombe Regis, Wantage, Oxfordshire OX12 9JY
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Oxfordshire
Holidays in Wantage
A tremendous North Norfolk Coast country boutique hotel with great food.
Titchwell Manor, Titchwell Manor, Titchwell, Near Brancaster, Norfolk PE31 8BB
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Brancaster Staithe
A venerable yet contemporary Suffolk coaching inn with a busy bar, excellent restaurant and boutique rooms
The Bell Hotel Saxmundham, 31 High Street, Saxmundham, Suffolk IP17 1AF
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Suffolk
Holidays in Saxmundham
AA Best Restaurant with Rooms England 2023-2024
The New Inn, St Owen's Cross, St Owens Cross, Hereford, Herefordshire HR2 8LQ
Holidays in West Midlands
Holidays in Herefordshire
Holidays in Hereford
A cosy and comfortable place to stay in the heart of the fascinating historic city of Norwich
Maids Head Hotel, 20 Tombland, Norwich, Norfolk NR3 1LB
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Norwich
This cosy Cambridgeshire pub just outside Newmarket is the ideal weekend rural bolthole.
The Three Blackbirds, 36 Ditton Green, Woodditton, Newmarket, Cambridgeshire CB8 9SQ
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Cambridgeshire
Holidays in Cambridge
The food, rooms and peaceful location of this terrific pub keep its many fans coming back again and again.
The Ship at Dunwich, St James Street, Dunwich, Suffolk IP17 3DT
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Suffolk
Holidays in Dunwich
A superb old coaching inn with great food and luxury rooms that's perfectly placed for exploring the fabled North Norfolk Coast.
The Globe at Wells, The Buttlands, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk NR23 1EU
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Wells-next-the-Sea
With great food, local ales and comfortable boutique rooms, this Sussex village pub is hard to beat.
The Crown Inn, Dial Post, Worthing Rd, Dial Post, Near Horsham, West Sussex RH13 8NH
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in West Sussex
Holidays in Horsham
An elegant hotel on the banks of Lake Windermere
The Belsfield Hotel, Kendal Rd, Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria LA23 3EL
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Bowness on Windermere
A brilliant rural escape that’s easily reached from London.
The Crown at Stoke by Nayland, Stoke By Nayland, Suffolk CO6 4SE
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Suffolk
Holidays in Ipswich
A properly up-to-date country inn with excellent food and stylish rooms – well-placed for Newmarket, Suffolk and Cambridge.
The Packhorse Inn, Bridge St, Moulton, Near Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 8SP
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Suffolk
Holidays in Newmarket
This resurgent coaching inn offers a great chance to spend some time exploring Holt and the nearby North Norfolk Coast
The Feathers, 6 Market Place, Holt, Norfolk NR25 6BW
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Holt
A beautiful converted village pub that's the size of a small hotel – and is handily placed for all the delights of the Suffolk coast and countryside.
The Westleton Crown, The Street Westleton Suffolk IP17 3AD
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Suffolk
Holidays in Dunwich
A proper village pub with rooms and great food in the green heart of Devon.
The Lamb Inn, The Square Sandford, Crediton, Devon EX17 4LW
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Devon
Holidays in Crediton
A super stylish London hotel with a pool, spa, cinema and a terrific Theatreland location
One Aldwych, 1 Aldwych, London WC2B 4BZ
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Greater London
Holidays in Covent Garden
A great North Norfolk village pub with stylish rooms and fabulous locally sourced food
Wiveton Bell, Blakeney Road, Wiveton, Blakeney, Norfolk NR25 7TL
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Blakeney
A picture-perfect village pub in a picture-perfect Suffolk village – with comfortable rooms and excellent food
The Black Lion, The Green, Long Melford, Suffolk CO10 9DN
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Suffolk
Holidays in Long Melford
Boutique rooms and excellent pub food midway between Cambridge and Newmarket
The Carpenters Arms, 10 High St, Great Wilbraham, Cambridgeshire CB21 5JD
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Cambridgeshire
Holidays in Cambridge
A revamped historic pub whose contemporary lodges make a great options for families and couples
The Weeping Willow, 39 Bury Rd, Barrow Hill, Barrow, Bury Saint Edmunds, Suffolk IP29 5AB
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Suffolk
Holidays in Bury St. Edmunds
This pioneering Essex village gastropub with rooms is entering a new era – visit now and see for yourself.
The Cricketers, Clavering, Essex CB11 4QT
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Essex
Holidays in Saffron Walden
Jaded city dwellers will think they have died and gone to Country Heaven at this unique Suffolk hotel
Retreat East, Brick Kiln Farm, Sandy Lane, Hemingstone, Near Ipswich, Suffolk IP6 9QE
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Suffolk
Holidays in Ipswich
A quirky and very comfortable deconstructed hotel in a lush 70-acre Staffordshire estate
The Tawny, Consall Gardens Estate, Consall Lane, Consall, Staffordshire ST9 0AG
Holidays in West Midlands
Holidays in Staffordshire
Holidays in Stoke on Trent
Just outside Lewes, this is a classic Sussex Downs pub with stylish rooms and terrific food.
The Jolly Sportsman, Chapel Lane, East Chiltington, East Sussex BN7 3BA
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in East Sussex
Holidays in Lewes
A cool and family-friendly North Cornwall apartment hotel with sea views and plenty of facilities
SeaSpace, Watergate Road, Newquay, Cornwall TR7 3LX
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in Newquay
Waterside pub/restaurant with boutique rooms and garden lodges in a tranquil Broads location
The Boathouse, Ormesby Broad Eels Foot Road Ormesby St Michael Norfolk NR29 3LP
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Great Yarmouth
A very cool and contemporary boutique hotel at the heart of Ipswich's resurgent Waterfront district
Salthouse Harbour Hotel, Neptune Quay, Ipswich, Suffolk IP4 1AX
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Suffolk
Holidays in Ipswich
The Sheppey, Lower Godney, Glastonbury, Somerset BA5 1RZ
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Somerset
Holidays in Glastonbury
This legendary North Norfolk inn continues to prosper, with good food and comfortable rooms
The Hoste Arms, The Green, Burnham Market, Norfolk PE31 8HD
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Burnham Market
A quirky hotel with individually designed rooms and a wonderfully informal atmosphere
Artist Residence Brighton, 34 Regency Square, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 2FJ
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in East Sussex
Holidays in Brighton
Chic and contemporary rooms in an intimate hotel high above Burnsall in the Yorkshire Dales
The Devonshire Fell Hotel at Burnsall, Burnsall, Grassington, North Yorkshire BD23 6BT
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in North Yorkshire
Holidays in Grassington
An extraordinarily welcoming North Yorkshire country house hotel
The Devonshire Arms Hotel & Spa, Bolton Abbey, Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 6AJ
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in North Yorkshire
Holidays in Skipton
A handsome Derbyshire inn close to Chatsworth House with top-notch food and lovely boutique rooms
The Devonshire Arms at Beeley, Devonshire Square, Beeley, Near Bakewell, Derbyshire DE4 2NZ
Holidays in East Midlands
Holidays in Derbyshire
Holidays in Bakewell
A stone's throw from Chatsworth House, this popular pub has 13 stylish bedrooms and terrific food
The Devonshire Arms at Pilsley, Pilsley, Bakewell, Derbyshire DE45 1UL
Holidays in East Midlands
Holidays in Derbyshire
Holidays in Bakewell
The perfect country bolthole, with comfy rooms, a cosy bar and restaurant – and a wonderful location.
The Castle Hotel, Bishop’s Castle Shropshire SY9 5BN
Holidays in West Midlands
Holidays in Shropshire
Holidays in Bishop's Castle
This Mousehole hotel is the last word in relaxation and good food, Cornish-style.
The Old Coastguard, The Parade Mousehole Penzance Cornwall TR19 6PR
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in Penzance
Great food and comfy rooms in a North Norfolk coastal location that can't really be bettered
The White Horse Brancaster Staithe, Main Road, Brancaster Staithe, Norfolk PE31 8BY
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Brancaster Staithe
A cosy country hotel in a glorious location, with history to spare
Lord Crewe Arms, The Square, Blanchland, County Durham DH8 9SP
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in County Durham
Holidays in Stanhope
An elegant boutique country house hotel in Suffolk that is a bit staying in the home of your poshest friend
Rectory Manor Hotel, Great Waldingfield, Near Lavenham, Suffolk CO10 0TL.
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Suffolk
Holidays in Lavenham
A lavish country house hotel on the Peak District’s Chatsworth Estate
The Cavendish Hotel, Church Lane, Baslow, Bakewell, Derbyshire DE45 1SP
Holidays in East Midlands
Holidays in Derbyshire
Holidays in Bakewell
