Luxury Hotels For A UK Retreat
Whether you just need a digital detox, a break from the routine of daily life or to simply rest on a pillow not plumped by yourself- here’s our pick of some of the best UK breaks out there.
*Editor’s Note
When researching for Summer 2024, we found a plethora of destinations that we could have written about. Below are the ones that particularly caught our eye; from Estelle Manor’s South Terrace Pool to Neptune’s kitchen at Glebe House or Retreat East’s Grind coffee machines. If you have any other suggestions that should be listed here- please get in touch and let us know!
1 West Cawthorne, North Yorkshire
Nestled on a hilltop with panoramic views across the Vale of Pickering, West Cawthorne offers an idyllic escape on the edge of the North York Moors National Park. The romantic A-Frame Cabins, the first of their kind in the UK, are set in a wildflower meadow, featuring luxurious self-contained facilities. For families, two beautifully restored barns provide spacious accommodation with paradise-like gardens and hot tubs. We love that they are built on a farm that was lovingly restored by the family who currently live there and run the estate day-to-day.
Stays from £170 per night
2 Estelle Manor, Oxfordshire
Estelle Manor may entice you with it’s Jacobean facade, SoF style poolside or it’s heavenly spa but what we found most appealing is it’s attention to detail for sustainability. All estate vehicles, except the Land Rovers, are electric. Used cooking oil is converted into biofuel by Oxford Oils. The dried floristry is sourced within a ten-mile radius, preferring it over fresh-cut flowers. Commune bathroom products are British-made, refillable, and composed of natural oils. Naturalmat mattresses, crafted from organic materials in Devon’s solar-powered workshop, are recyclable. Royal Jersey manages dry cleaning with an 85% reduction in water usage and recycles 80% of heated water. We highly recommend you take a look, even if it’s just to swoon at the interior.
P.s There are padel courts.
Stays from £480 per night
3 Avington Park , Hampshire
Where to start? Avington Park is one of those places that is so beautiful you don’t really have to leave, but if you do, you’ll be surrounded by Hampshire countryside bustling with quaint pubs, rolling countryside and natural wonders. The estate offers kayaking, paddle boarding, clay pigeon shooting, archery and in Summer 2024 a whole host of restorative self-care practices. Make sure to check the website before you book for all the experiences you could plan before your stay.
Stays from £200 per night
4 Tillingham Wines, Rye
Tillingham Winery offers natural wine, seasonal food, and stylish rooms near Rye in East Sussex. It’s part of a new generation of UK wineries offering the chance for visitors to stay and experience a farm-to-plate style eating experience. Tillingham is seriously stylish whilst still holding on to that ‘working farm’ chic.
* Editor’s Note
My friend recently stayed here after deciding to become sober. A vineyard staycation for a newly-sober twenty-something? It wasn’t exactly a match made in Sauvignon heaven. But, she had the most unreal weekend. The facilities are simply sublime, it’s nestled in exceptionally beautiful landscape and the food is out of this world (or out of East Sussex farm-to-plate style). She created major bath fomo with pictures of the free-standing bath in the bedroom and her partner got to enjoy the organic wine, both equally enjoying a delightful night away.
Stays from £150 per night
Makes the most of all nature has to offer at Tillingham Wines
5 Retreat East, Suffolk
The fact that Retreat East chose to put Retreat in their name is enough reason to explain that they seriously knew they were building a Retreat- have we said it’s a retreat yet? Retreat East is a sustainable haven transformed from a former dairy farm in Hemingstone. Dine in The Great Barn with exquisite food, unwind in one of their 15 ‘country chic’ barns, indulge in the luxury spa, or explore 35 acres of stunning countryside. Enjoy home comforts with a touch of luxury in unique accommodations that range from barns and shepherd huts to studios, each with their own distinctive features. We seriously recommend their Sunday Roast followed by a bath outside under the stars.
Stays from £180 per night
6 Glebe House, Devon
To reach this charming early-19th-century residence in Southleigh, you trade A-roads for narrow paths and streetlights for starlit skies. The journey is well worth it, leading to a pastoral paradise where life in the slow lane is enriched by exceptional culinary experiences. Chef Hugo Guest and his artist wife Olive have transformed this country B&B into a celebrated retreat. Nestled between the Jurassic Coast and the Blackdown Hills, the late-Georgian manor features five unique bedrooms and a separate dog-friendly annex. With locally sourced produce and a passion for craftsmanship, the couple offers a true English agriturismo experience.
Stays from £200 per night
Take some time off at a unique foodie retreat in the heart of Devon
7 Harbour Beach Club, Salcombe
Start your day with a cold water dip, take a ramble on the South West Coast path, try beachfront yoga or just lay down on the sun beds at Harbour Beach Club. Despite being named as one of the best British hotels three years in a row by The Times, it still feels like a bit of a hidden gem. Something your friends might DM you with ‘OMG Where’s this?! Have you gone abroad again?’ Tapped into the local food scene, the hotel boasts an exquisite restaurant and a 360° spa; an exceptional retreat for the mind, body and soul. Oh and it has an indoor pool because after all, it is in the UK.
Stays from £250 per night
