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Autumn and winter are often overlooked as travel seasons, but they can be some of the best times to explore the UK. The cooler weather can really bring out the best of our petite isle, with stunning autumn foliage, snow-capped peaks, and cosy fireside retreats. We’ve rounded up six of the country’s most exciting new or renovated hotels that are worth making a trip for this autumn/winter.
The Bull, Oxfordshire
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The Bull has stood on the corner of Sheep Street in the idyllic Cotswolds town of Charlbury since the 16th century. Its most recent renovation—by the people behind the renowned pub The Pelican in Notting Hill—features ten contemporary yet cosy bedrooms, complete with super king-sized beds, freestanding baths and Neal’s Yard toiletries. In addition to the snug pub, The Bull is home to a impressive restaurant that specialises in open fire cooking with locally sourced ingredients. You’ll feel a world away from the hustle and bustle of the big city, however it only takes around an hour and a half to get there from London Paddington!
The Tempus at Charlton Hall Estate, Northumberland
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You’ll find rock and roll down a rabbit hole at this Alice in Wonderland-themed hotel in Northumberland. Part of the characterful 150-acre Charlton Hall Estate, there are 15 individually designed boudoirs to stay in, which boast maximalist decor including jewel tones and plenty of prints. The Instaworthy interiors continue in the bar, restaurant and orangery, where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea, of course! All menus features local produce where possible, from Lindisfarne oysters and Northumbrian pork belly to apples picked within the stately home’s own grounds. Guests here are well-placed to explore some of the county’s treasured spots, including Dunstanburgh Castle and the charming fishing village of Craster, which is famous for its kippers.
Boys Hall, Kent
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There’s history to be found in every corner of this Kent hotel. The house was built in 1616 for the Boys family, and it allegedly once welcomed King Charles I as a guest. Seventeen gold coins as well as a secret smugglers’ tunnel have also been uncovered from beneath the structure! The building has made quite an impression in the present day too, and is already included in the latest Michelin guide despite only opening last year. In addition to its sumptuously decorated rooms, complete with four-poster beds and roll-top baths, there’s a well-reviewed eatery that serves up locally-sourced fare in the Ashford green oak and stone-clad restaurant.
The Three Horseshoes, Somerset
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Another recent opening and subsequent addition to the Michelin guide is The Three Horseshoes, a restored 17th-century inn in Somerset. The husband-and-wife team behind this charming bolthole boast some serious culinary credentials: Margot Henderson is the co-founder of Rochelle Canteen, while her husband Fergus is the chef behind the renowned nose-to-tail eatery St John. You can imagine how high the standard of the cooking is here: the menu features hearty, seasonal creations such as pies and roasts. Luckily, there’s an inviting, low-ceilinged pub (complete with a bespoke inglenook fireplace) where you can unwind after dinner, before flopping into a squidgy bed in one of the five serene sanctuaries upstairs…
Slieve Donard Hotel, Northern Ireland
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A cool 125 years after this Edwardian hotel was opened at the foot of Northern Ireland’s highest peak by the Belfast & County Down Railway, it has been dramatically revamped by Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts. The surrounding Mourne Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty makes for fairytale views that are especially atmospheric during the winter months, and these can be enjoyed comfortably from the golf and spa hotel’s traditional yet opulent interiors, which feature dark wood furniture, sinking high-backed seating and ceilings adorned with tumbling foliage and glittering chandeliers. The main restaurant J.J. Farrall’s is named after the original architect, and here you can enjoy dinner, Sunday lunch and afternoon tea by the crackling fire. There’s another more laidback lounge that specialises in Mediterranean-inspired fare, while The Wolf bar is a sultry spot where you can enjoy cocktails and oysters.
Cowley Manor, Cheltenham
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The Experimental Group is known for its stylish and slightly wacky venues across the world, from London to Ibiza, however this recent venture has seen the company transform a 17th-century, Grade II-listed manor house in the Cotswolds. This particular house was actually a haunt of Lewis Carroll who lived nearby, so the group’s alternative aesthetic ties in well—you might notice subtle nods to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, from checkerboard designs and rabbit statues to the odd hidden door… The enchanting gardens host outdoor cinema and theatre events, while celebrated London chef Jackson Boxer is at the helm in the kitchen. The cocktail bar is a centrepiece of all the Experimental Group’s hedonistic spots, and here is no exception; you’ll find some truly extraordinary concoctions on the menu that won’t need any tags saying ‘drink me’!
