By Sam Betts, Head of Marketing
Need a break from the doom and gloom? Try these soothing weekend escapes
1 Linthwaite House Hotel, Lake District
The Lakes’ breathtaking scenery stirs the soul like no other place in England, and it’s hard not to fall in love with the views at this gorgeous country-house hotel overlooking Lake Windermere. Fresh from a £10m renovation, the Edwardian Linthwaite House Hotel is set in 14 acres of magnificent gardens and woodland, with its own private lake, and boasts an innovative Italian restaurant a cut above its Lakeland peers.
Best weekend price: From £180 a night
2 The Sandy Duck, Cornwall
The Sandy Duck, voted Best British B&B in our 2018 Guest Awards, is a stylish home-from-home in buzzing Falmouth. It marries Scandinavian simplicity with English quirkiness, and most rooms have sweeping views over Falmouth Bay. It’s ideally located for exploring, too – the beach is a 10-minute stroll in one direction, the town centre 10 minutes in the other.
Best weekend price: From £80 a night
3 Bridport Hideaways, Dorset
The quintessential Dorset market town of Bridport is a hive of quirky boutiques, antique bookstores, friendly pubs and stylish cafes. Plus, if you’re dreaming of a weekend break on the beach, you’re just a few kilometres from West Bay and the Jurassic Coast’s striking beaches. Stay at Bridport Hideaways, a pair of stunningly renovated apartments in the centre of town. Interiors are sleek and minimalist, with mosaic-tiled bathrooms and Smeg appliances.
Best weekend price: From £100 a night
4 No. 15 Great Pulteney, Bath
Set across three townhouses on one of Bath’s grandest Georgian avenues, No 15 Great Pulteney’s handsome exterior offers no hint of the flamboyant boutique hotel that lies within. But the reimagined interiors are a sight to behold: collections of curios on the walls, a dolls house hiding the in-suite tea and coffee, cocktail menus printed on playing cards and, in the vaulted basement, a brilliant spa. Skip the queues at the Thermae and treat yourself to a massage or a sauna session – housed in an oversized barrel, of course.
Best weekend price: From £197 a night
5 Tudor Farmhouse, Forest of Dean
Surrounded by the Forest of Dean to the east and the Wye Valley to the west, a stay at Tudor Farmhouse makes for an idyllic long weekend break. There’s no shortage of outdoor activities to try: canoe or wild swim in the Wye, hike a section of Offa’s Dyke, or explore the former mines in the Clearwell Caves. You’ll be rewarded with divine dinners in Tudor’s superb restaurant, with ingredients sourced within a 20-mile radius. Treat yourself to the 6-course tasting menu and really make a weekend of it.
Best weekend price: From £159 a night
6 Ffynnon, Snowdonia
If your perfect bank holiday involves rambling in the hills and exploring sandy beaches, head to southern Snowdonia. Or, more specifically to Ffynnon, a former Victorian rectory at the foot of Cader Idris. Transformed into a boutique guesthouse, there are 6 indulgent bedrooms inside and a huge hot tub outside. The natural surroundings are stunning, plus you’re an easy walk into town. Friendly manager Angela has a wealth of local knowledge to share.
Best weekend price: From £160 a night
7 Nira Caledonia, Edinburgh
This elegant Georgian hotel offers the best of both worlds. Nira Caledonia is tucked away in a peaceful part of Edinburgh’s New Town, yet centrally located for exploring the tourist sights. Spend your days exploring the antique shops, delis and independent boutiques that run from the Water of Leith up to Princes Street, or on a nice day head over to the Royal Botanical Gardens. Return to dine on locally sourced specialities such as Shetland mussels or Highland beef in the fabulous restaurant, before a malt whisky nightcap in the cosy bar.
Best weekend price: From £111 a night
8 North House, Isle of Wight
The only true boutique hotel in Cowes, North House is an impeccably chic ‘house by the sea’. Rooms are stylish and pampering, and there’s a warm house-party vibe throughout. Guests mingle in the buzzy bar over cocktails and local beers, or fresh seafood in The Oyster Store brasserie. And you needn’t be put off by the journey – the hotel is a 5-minute walk from the pier, where RedJet ferries from Southampton, Portsmouth and Lymington dock.
Best weekend price: From £110 a night
9 The Pig at Bridge Place, Kent
The recently renovated Pig at Bridge Place is only a stone’s throw from Canterbury and perfect for a weekend break come rain or shine. Explore the country manor’s stunning walled garden, try the superb 25-mile menu along with excellent local wines or treat yourself to one of the superb spa treatments. With only 29 rooms it’s not the easiest place to book, but given it’s only an hour from London by train, there’s no excuse not to escape to the country for a weekend.
Best weekend price: From £139 a night
10 Artist Residence, Brighton
Set in the heart of regency Brighton, Artist Residence is one of the buzziest places in our UK collection, and only an hour from London by train. Creative vintage styling by owners Justin and Charlie evokes trendy New-York-style loft living; and you can enjoy stand-out dinners in The Set, or sample Mixologist Sergio’s latest concoctions in The Fix cocktail bar. Brighton’s lively seafront is on your doorstep, the Lanes and Royal Pavilion are just a short walk.
Best weekend price: From £165 a night
See our full list of UK weekend hideaways