Our Favourite Hotel Escapes to Beat Blue Monday
Escaping to the Lakes? Hiding in the Highlands? Beat Blue Monday by booking a mini-break
The Newt
What better escape this winter than to the lush, rolling green hills of Somerset? Okay, so maybe the hills won’t be quite as green as we would like this time of year, but the English cider remains unrivalled and at this award-winning country house hotel you’ll be well taken care of. The balance between rustic touches and modern comforts is perfect, and since welcoming its first guests in 2019 this old-meets-new hotel has expanded and now includes an indulgent spa, traditional ‘cyder’ press and rooms across the main house, Clock House and Farmyard.
Bruton, Somerset BA7 7NG
01963 577777
thenewtinsomerset.com
Gara Rock
Though it doesn’t hold a candle to the North, the south of the UK does have some real treasures and Gara Rock (on a rugged bluff near Salcombe) is about as southernly as it gets without falling off. Ideal for a holiday spent gazing at the waves, although Gara Rock offers plenty of rooms and regular suites, their ‘out of the ordinary’ selection of suites are truly something else, with unparalleled views of the sea. If you can bring yourself to leave, Salcombe and its bounty of restaurants and shops is only a stone’s throw away.
East Portlemouth, Near Salcombe, Devon TQ8 8FA
01548 845946
gararock.com
The Pig at Bridge Place
Sitting pretty in the Garden of England, this Kent-based boutique hotel is countryside charm at its best with five acres of private land, but is still only a short train ride from the hustle and bustle of London. Offering bespoke treatment rooms and accommodation spread across the main house, huts, lodges and cabins, it may come as a surprise to first-time guests that this refined red-brick hotel hides an eclectic rock ’n’ roll history from the ‘60s which saw the likes of Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd play here.
Bourne Park Road, Bridge, Canterbury CT4 5BH
0345 225 9494
thepighotel.com
The Torridon
Sometimes you can’t beat the classics and a stay at The Torridon can feel like stepping back through time in the very best way. A former Victorian shooting lodge, picture misty loch-side views, crackling fires in wood-panelled rooms and free-flowing whisky. At 1887, the hotel’s fine-dining jewel which holds both a spot in the Michelin guide and three AA Rosettes, tuck into dishes sourced from the local landscape – venison tartare, hand-dived scallops and poached pears to name a few.
By Achnasheen, Wester Ross, Scotland IV22 2EY
01445 791242
thetorridon.com
Slebech Park Country Estate
Deep in the romantic landscape of Pembrokeshire (and only a stone’s throw from the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park), Slebech Park Country Estate sits on the shores of a sleepy estuary surrounded by 700 acres of private land. Peace and quiet is a guarantee, and a winter stroll through wild meadows and across gentle streams is just what the doctor ordered. The hotel and surrounding buildings are subtly rustic (with exposed brick, enormous windows and an open fire in the restaurant), yet retain a thoroughly modern feel in its accomodation.
Slebech, Haverfordwest SA62 4AX
01437 752000
slebech.co.uk
Foxhill Manor
Feeling closer to a (very luxurious) home rather than hotel, Foxhill Manor knows a thing or two about luxury. Whether you’re enjoying unlimited cocktails from the Foxhill Booze Book, having your every craving catered to by the talented chefs, or are spending time in your fabulous suite, no detail here is overlooked. If you can bring yourself to leave, the quaint village of Broadway is a short distance away, and you can also book a visit to the spa at their nearby sister hotel, The Dormy.
Farncombe Estate, Broadway, Worcestershire WR12 7LJ
01386 854200
foxhillmanor.com
Storrs Hall
Right on the shore of England’s largest lake, this Grade II-listed hall is the perfect blend of country comforts and contemporary style. Enormous windows allow natural light to pour in from every direction and the cool blue waters of Windermere are never far from sight. Rooms here are generously sized and the hot tub suites offer open-plan ease of movement with a private terrace. For something more private, The Boathouse is only a stone’s throw away and has unparalleled access to the lake.
Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria LA23 3LG
01539 447111
storrshall.com
Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons
A food-forward (two Michelin star-awarded) 15th-century manor owned by legendary chef Raymond Blanc, although you’ll find it in deepest, darkest Oxford, it is nevertheless filled with classic French charm. Everything here is immaculate, from the carefully manicured gardens and lavender scented pathways, to the tranquil rooms and dining spaces.
Church Road, Great Milton, Oxford OX44 7PD
01844 278881
belmond.com
Northcote
Another luxury hotel with a flair for food, Northcote holds a Michelin star for its incredible restaurant and sits on the edge of the Forest of Bowland, and for those feeling particularly inspired, head to the cookery school, where only glass sliding doors separate you from the kitchen. The 26 rooms here are split across two buildings, with more modern options available in the Garden Lodge, and traditional rooms in the main house.
Northcote Road, Langho BB6 8BE
01254 240555
northcote.com
