Best of England
England has a diversity that can rival most countries in Europe, and a range of places to stay to match, varying from some of the best country house hotels you'll find anywhere to cosy pubs and inns, peaceful glamping sites and of course more country cottages than you can shake a stick at. We've selected some of the best from each of these accommodation categories, with plenty of examples from all over the country. Whether you're looking for a boutique hotel in the Lake District, a spa resort or a seaside B&B, or a just well-placed hostel for a spot of hiking, you'll find some great options here. Have a browse, and discover your perfect break.
Best places to stay in Best of England
Hostel in a grand Victorian townhouse a short walk from the beach.
YHA Swanage, 20 Cluny Crescent Swanage BH19 2BS
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Dorset
Holidays in Ashley Heath
One of the UK's grandest hostel locations, set amidst the beautiful Shropshire Hills.
YHA Wilderhope Manor, Longville in the Dale Shropshire TF13 6EG
Holidays in West Midlands
Holidays in Shropshire
Holidays in Acton Scott
Fantastic YHA hostel perched in a brilliant location on the edge of Windermere.
YHA Ambleside, Waterhead Ambleside LA22 0EU
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Kirkby Lonsdale
Well kept traditional youth hostel in an enviable position near Coniston Water.
YHA Coniston Holly How, Far End Coniston Cumbria LA21 8DD
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Coniston
A beautiful small-scale seaside hostel, right on the harbour and just just a short walk from the South West Coast Path
YHA Boscastle, Palace Stables, Boscastle, Cornwall, PL35 0HD
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in St. Ives
A family-friendly seaside hostel in a great location and with lots of activities on offer nearby.
YHA Lizard, Lizard Point, Cornwall, TR12 7NT
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in St. Ives
A very welcoming, cosy walkers' hostel nestled in the midst of some of the Lake District's most beautiful scenery.
YHA Borrowdale, Longthwaite Borrowdale Keswick Cumbria CA12 5XE
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Keswick
A superb hostel in a Georgian mansion, just a mile and a half from Stratford.
YHA Stratford-upon-Avon, Hemmingford House Alveston Stratford-Upon-Avon Warwickshire CV377RG
Holidays in West Midlands
Holidays in Warwickshire
Holidays in Stratford upon Avon
One of the most scenically sited hostels in England, with stunning lake and mountain views.
YHA Windermere, Bridge Lane, Troutbeck, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 1LA
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Windermere
A rambling house with a lovely garden, this youth hostel is superbly sited in the New Forest.
YHA New Forest, Cott Lane, Burley, Ringwood, Hampshire, BH24 4BB
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Hampshire
Holidays in Ringwood
Well-placed hostel skirting the south of the river close to Rotherhithe
YHA London Thameside, 20 Salter Road, Rotherhithe, London, SE16 5PR
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Greater London
Holidays in Southwark
Ideally-located hostel in West London, housed in a grand building
YHA London Earl's Court, 38 Bolton Gardens, Earl's Court, London, SW5 0AQ
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Greater London
Holidays in Kensington
A characterful waterside hostel in the Lake District National Park surrounded by fabulous scenery
YHA Wasdale Hall, Wasdale Hall, Seascale, Cumbria CA20 1ET
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Wasdale
Seriously stylish and sustainable stays in a revamped Yorkshire inn
The Penny Bun , The Penny Bun, Askwith, West Yorkshire LS21 2JQ
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in West Yorkshire
Holidays in Ilkley
Boscastle cottages offering self-catering stays with spectacular views on the North Cornwall Coast
Hillsborough, The Old Farmhouse, St Juliot, Boscastle, Cornwall
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in Boscastle
Stylish self-catering retreats in 30+ beachside locations in Cornwall
Beach Retreats, Watergate Bay Newquay TR8 4AA
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in Newquay
One of Bristol's most unique and comfortable places to stay, with all the cool, shabby-chic charm we expect from the Artist Residence group
Artist Residence Bristol, 28 Portland Square, St Paul's, Bristol BS2 8SA
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Somerset
Holidays in Bristol
Hotel-style rooms and suites in the green surroundings of the Yorkshire Wolds
Kilnwick Percy , Pocklington, Kilnwick Percy, York YO42 1UF
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in North Yorkshire
Holidays in York
An elegant Lake District country house B&B which is also available for exclusive hire
Lindeth Fell, Lyth Valley Road, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 3JP
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Windermere
Beautifully renovated self-catering barns in a stunning setting in the North York Moors National Park
Crag House Farm, Crag House Farm, Danby Head, Whitby, North Yorkshire YO21 2NW
Holidays in North East England
Holidays in North Yorkshire
Holidays in Whitby
High-end Sussex holiday home by the sea overlooking the ruins of a 13th-century abbey
Eagles Nest at Greyfriars, Greyfriars Friars, Road, Winchelsea, East Sussex TN36 4ED
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in East Sussex
Holidays in Rye
High-end two bedroom apartment near the Sussex coast with the ruins of a 13th-century abbey in the grounds
Herons Wood at Greyfriars, Greyfriars Friars, Road, Winchelsea, East Sussex TN36 4ED
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in East Sussex
Holidays in Rye
A brilliantly updated country pub – plus it's close to London, serves great food and is dog-friendly!
The Fox at Willian, Willian, Hertfordshire SG6 2AE
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Hertfordshire
Holidays in Letchworth
Handsome village coaching inn, pub and restaurant on the edge of the North Wessex Downs
The Hare & Hounds, Bath Road, Speen, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 1QY
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Berkshire
Holidays in Newbury
Boutique, luxury, en-suite rooms in a chic Surrey dining pub, near Runnymede and Windsor
The Kings Arms, 5-6 High St, Egham, Surrey TW20 9EA
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Surrey
Holidays in Chertsey
This comfortable Hampshire pub with rooms is a perfect short break from London and gives the chance to spend time on the huge estate of the Duke of Wellington.
The Wellington Arms, Basingstoke Road, Stratfield Turgis, Hampshire RG27 0AS
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Hampshire
Holidays in Basingstoke
A stylish boutique hotel in a lovely village, with good food all day in a buzzy restaurant.
Milsoms, Stratford Road, Dedham, Essex CO7 6HW
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Essex
Holidays in Colchester
Fab city centre boutique bolthole – with a glamping option on the roof.
Brooks Guesthouse Bristol, St Nicholas Street Bristol BS1 1UB
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Somerset
Holidays in Bristol
A cool Cornish hideaway for couples that’s as romantic as they come
Fallen Angel, Fallen Angel, Mousehole, Penzance, Cornwall TR19 6RL
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in Penzance
Cosy village gastropub with great food and boutique rooms upstairs.
The Recruiting Sergeant, Norwich Road, Horstead, Norfolk NR12 7EE
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Norfolk
Holidays in Coltishall
A large holiday home for great-value group stays in seaside Torquay
Riviera Retreat, Torre House, Falkland Road, Torquay, Devon TQ2 5JR
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Devon
Holidays in Torquay
Hot tubs under the stars at this gloriously peaceful array of lakeside accommodation on the borders of Devon and Cornwall.
Clawford Lakes, Clawton, Holsworthy, Devon EX22 6PN
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Devon
Holidays in Holsworthy
A classic log cabin beside a brook in a Shropshire meadow
Annie's Cabin, Caynham Mill, Ludlow, Shropshire SY8 3BH
Holidays in West Midlands
Holidays in Shropshire
Holidays in Ludlow
One of Kent's most luxurious boutique farmhouse B&Bs.
Alkham Court Farmhouse B&B, Meggett Lane, South Alkham, Nr Dover, Kent CT15 7DG, UK
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Kent
Holidays in Dover
Secret, hideaway stone cottage with the most stunning location above the harbour at Mousehole
Tides Reach, Fishermans Square, Mousehole, Cornwall TR19 6RS
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in Penzance
A cosy, boutique stay for two in a stylish, Cotswolds bolthole, full of quirky touches and charm
The Old Log Shed, Church Farm, Naunton, Gloucestershire GL54 3AJ
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Gloucestershire
Holidays in Stow-on-the-Wold
Cute seaside cottage in a traditional corner of south Cornwall
Birdcage Cottage, Fore Street, Kingsand, Cornwall PL10 1NB
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Designer holiday home for family and friends in the picturesque harbour village of Mousehole
Upper Chandlers Cottage, Regent Terrace, Mousehole, Cornwall TR19 6TH
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in Penzance
A five-bedroom Lake District holiday home on the north-eastern shore of Ullswater
Eusemere Lodge, Eusemere Lodge, Pooley Bridge, Penrith, Cumbria CA10 2NR
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Pooley Bridge
Luxury holiday home with a heated pool, just a short stroll from Carbis Bay beach
Chy An Eglos, Porthrepta Road, Carbis Bay, St Ives, Cornwall TR26 2NZ
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Cornwall
Holidays in St. Ives
A spectacular seaside holiday property situated within Devon's beautiful South Hams.
The Gulls, Stoke Fleming, Devon
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Devon
Holidays in Dartmouth
A working organic farm and estate close to Salisbury Plain with a choice of self-catering accommodation
Cholderton Estate, Cholderton, Near Andover, Hampshire SP4 0DX
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Hampshire
Holidays in Andover
Your own country estate in the heart of the Shropshire Hills
Walcot Hall, Lydbury North Shropshire SY7 8AZ
Holidays in West Midlands
Holidays in Shropshire
Holidays in Bishop's Castle
A beautiful dog friendly holiday property with hot tub on the edge of Dartmoor.
White Lady, Lydford, Devon EX20 4BL
Holidays in South West England
Holidays in Devon
Holidays in Tavistock
A stylishly restored church hall for quiet holidays on the edge of Romney Marsh in Kent
The Old Church Hall, The Old Church Hall, Hamstreet Road, Ruckinge, Kent. TN26 2NU.
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Kent
Holidays in Ashford
A picture-perfect riverside cottage in Dedham with facilities galore.
Idle Waters, Gun Hill, Dedham, Essex CO7 6JT
Holidays in East Anglia
Holidays in Essex
Holidays in Colchester
A fairytale treehouse set amidst sumptuous woodland with lots of facilities
Cedar Hollow @ The Oaks, The Oaks, Old Road, Oxford Oxfordshire OX3 8TA
Holidays in South East England
Holidays in Oxfordshire
Holidays in Oxford
A revamped inn with rooms with oodles of character, overlooking Ullswater
The Brackenrigg Inn, Watermillock, Ullswater, Cumbria CA11 0LP
Holidays in North West England
Holidays in Cumbria
Holidays in Ullswater
