Country house chic, New Forest
The Bell Inn is an independent hotel in a Grade II-listed building that has been family-owned since 1782. Its classic country house interiors – fireplaces, flagstone floors and stylish bedrooms – are complemented by a restaurant that prides itself in locally sourced food. A “winter warmer” deal including dinner and breakfast is £64.50pp.
• Doubles from £99 B&B, bellinn-newforest.co.uk
Arty types, Cornwall
Big bathtubs, contemporary rustic decor and rooms designed by local artists make boutique hotel the Artist Residence a special place to stay all year round, but this January has doubles for as little as £75 a night, and even a winter weekday offer with room, breakfast and cocktails for two from £65 (book with promo code TREAT18). The hotel is a converted Georgian townhouse in Penzance’s old quarter, a good base for exploring the west Cornish coast. Back at the hotel there’s freshly cooked local produce at restaurant the Cornish Barn.
• Doubles from £75 B&B, artistresidencecornwall.co.uk
Wild and wonderful, Hebrides
The Isle of Mull is a wild and beautiful place with majestic landscapes from munros to sea arches, and wildlife from whales to eagles. Achaban House is a rural retreat close to white sand beaches, with six rooms and wood-burning stoves. There’s also a guest kitchen for those that want to save money by cooking for themselves (and with that in mind, there’s also a 20% discount for winter stays of at least three days).
• Doubles from £69 B&B, achabanhouse.co.uk
Thatched charm, Northumberland
The Landmark Trust has plenty of inspiring places to stay on its books but Causeway House, near Hadrian’s Wall, is a great option for a winter weekend away. The cottage, which was built in 1770 next to a Roman road, is the only house in Northumberland still thatched with heather. The interior is just as special, with beams, wooden panelling and quaint fittings. It has one twin and one double bedroom.
• From £396 for three nights, Landmark Trust
Hills and gardens, Pembrokeshire
A boutique hotel in a luxury county house, the Grove of Narberth sits in spectacular Pembrokeshire countryside. From there guests can hike along the region’s famed coastal path, or visit the National Trust’s Stackpole Estate – that’s if they make it beyond the Grove’s 28-acre garden, with its perfectly kept lawns, flower beds and meadows. All the rooms and suites have views of the gardens or rolling hills. Stay before 28 February (exluding half-term and Valentine’s day) and get two nights for the price of one.
• Doubles from £160 B&B, thegrove-narberth.co.uk
Vintage style, Wiltshire
The Methuen Arms had a full renovation in 2017, with the addition of five bedrooms and a makeover for the bar and restaurant. Now bedrooms come with classy vintage interiors – Roberts radios, rain showers, freestanding baths and the like – and the restaurant is led by chef Leigh Evans (who, by the way, reached the quarter-finals of Masterchef in 2008).
• Doubles £140 B&B, themethuenarms.com
Designer self-catering, Somerset
For a winter adventure with a group of friends or family, the Godney Arts House is a three-bedroom design focused house sleeping eight. Conceived as a “living gallery” it is filled with contemporary, retro and eccentric furniture and artworks (which can be bought if any takes your fancy). On the Somerset Levels near Glastonbury, the house is a luxury escape and though it doesn’t come cheap (you’d probably want to split the cost between a group), it doesn’t shirk on details.
• From £650 for three-nights over the weekend, godneyartshouse.co.uk
Triumphal stay, Herefordshire
Another source of unique places to stay in the UK is the National Trust and few of its properties are quite like the Triumphal Arch, a holiday let that, quite literally, is shaped like one. The cottage sleeps five and takes up one half of the entrance arch to Berrington Hall in Leominster, with views over a landscape shaped by Capability Brown. Inside it is cosy and tasteful, with open-plan living space, fireplace and roll-top bath. A bonus is getting to enjoy the grounds of the Berrington Estate after hours.
• From £294.10 for three nights (with a winter saving of £51.90), nationaltrust.org.uk
Manor born, Kent
Postcard-pretty Great Selson Manor is a Dutch-influenced house with pointy roofs, elegant brickwork and a lush garden. Run as a B&B by Graham, a film-maker, and Yolanda, the manor is filled with objects and artworks collected by its hosts and has its own library. The bedrooms have roll-top baths to sink into after a day exploring the nearby sights, from the medieval town of Sandwich to Canterbury Cathedral. There’s a winter special offer of two nights for £200 B&B, including weekends.
• From £100 B&B, sawdays.co.uk
Traditional pub, Cumbria
The market town of Keswick is the outdoor hub for the lakes and a great base for adventures in the surrounding hills. After a wintry day out, a place like the Royal Oak is exactly what you need: a cosy pub serving traditional grub from pies to bangers and mash by a real fire. There are also 19 guestrooms, with a special winter rate from £75 B&B until 28 February.
• Doubles from £85 a night, sawdays.co.uk
