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Best UK Staycations For 2024: From Devon To Cornwall
From Devon to the Cotswolds, here is a list of the best accomodation in the UK.
Travel might have had a topsy turvy ride over the last couple of years, but one thing's for sure, staycations are of upmost importance to holiday lovers looking to enjoy the best of what Britain has to offer.
Of course, choosing a staycation in the UK is no small feat. After all, deciding on which holiday haven to stay in, from Devon and Cornwall, to Oxford and Edinburgh, is tricky business. There are plenty of tempting offers to make these decisions even harder when with some staycations in the UK offer spa treatments, fitness studios, cookery classes, outdoor baths and Michelin-star food.
Fear not though as we’ve done the hard work for you and whittled down our favourite UK staycations for all travellers. With many staycations just a drive away, we think 2024 is the best year to make a conscious effort to travel sustainably and celebrate all that the UK has to offer.
With that in mind, here is a list of the best UK staycations for 2023:
Grantley Hall, North Yorkshire
There’s nothing more telling of a hotel’s reputation than locals visiting for an overnight stay when they live mere minutes away, and this couldn’t be anymore true of Grantley Hall in Ripon, North Yorkshire. A home away from home for many, the Relais & Châteaux hotel is sat in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales and houses four restaurants, a Three Graces Spa, and 47 suites with decor that harks back to it’s days as a private home.
Many of its guests are return visitors who love to celebrate special occasions divulging in their afternoon tea or dining out at Shaun Rankin’s Michelin Starred restaurant. We suggest making a weekend of it and staying overnight so you can experience one of their legendary suites, and enjoy breakfast at Fletcher’s. End your visit with a morning at the hotel’s indoor/outdoor spa. It will no doubt become a highlight of your stay.
Whilst Grantley Hall’s facilities are five star, it’s the service that makes the stay memorable and keep guests coming back. It’s obvious why out-of-towners travel hours to experience this Northern gem, and locals are proud to live on it’s doorstep.
BOOK HEREThe Granary Barn, South Downs
A short drive away from London and located a stone's throw away from the coast, lies a converted eco-barn that is a home away from home. With three bedrooms and bathrooms, an alfresco tub, and a private garden, The Granary Barn, South Downs provides the ultimate break if you're on the search for privacy, tranquility, and, most of all, space.
Inside, you’ll find all of the best amenities you could wish for (a bottle of English sparkling wine and kombucha will be cooling in the fridge, awaiting your arrival), while the house itself is decorated in a modern yet comfortable style, with Piglet linen bedding, a large bathtub for bubble baths, a wide wooden table for brunch, and the comfiest L-shaped sofa by Maker And Son we’ve ever had the pleasure to sink into. With large windows and a balcony overlooking the South Downs, sunset and sunrise has never looked so good.
The property is in walking distance to local pubs and shops, a 10-minute drive away from the town of Lewes (the best vintage and antique spot we’ve ever stumbled upon), a 25-min journey to the coastal town of Rottingdean, and leads directly onto the South Downs Way (perfect for a morning run along the hills).
Babington House, Somerset
Since its opening in 1998, Soho house’s Babington House has been a must-visit destination in the UK and for many return visitors, a home away from home. Located a short drive outside of Bath, its classic meets contemporary decor and vast grounds couldn’t be a better setting for a few days of R&R. Spend your time swimming in the outdoor or indoor pool, having treatments in their Cowshed spa, playing tennis or reading in one of the many nooks hidden around the house. We recommend eating from The Orangery’s farm-to-fork menu - many of the ingredients are grown on site in Babington’s Walled Garden.
Cabü By The Sea, Kent
A hop skip and a jump from the desolate beauty of Dungeness sits a luxury collection of cabins to while away your Great British summertime in.
Perfect for families, the enclosed site of Cabü by the sea includes a shop, pizza oven, barbecue and pool for all to use, and, if that isn't enough, it's a stone's throw away from the sea - perfect for evening bike rides.
Inside your own cabin, complete with King-sized beds, fully-equipped kitchens and plush interiors, spend your evening snuggled up by the wood-burning stove in winter, and your glass doors flung open in the warmer months as you watch the coastal sunset.
The Tawny Hotel
If there’s one thing you remember from your reading today, it’s that you can’t plan a UK staycation without a serious consideration of The Tawny Hotel. Opened in 2021, the Tawny is the definition of hotel perfection, in our opinion, with a vast range of accommodation, activities, and grounds to explore on offer. Moreover, what makes The Tawny so special is its staff, who are friendly and incredibly generous with their time and knowledge.
Located in rural Staffordshire, the Tawny is hidden among 70 acres of woodland and includes a range of suites to book, (think Valley Treehouses, Boathouses, and Wildwood Huts), all equipped with private outdoor spa baths and showers, private decks, a complimentary mini bar outdoor tubs, with some dog friendly so your pooch can join you on your break away.
Start your day with breakfast at The Plumicorn (The Tawny’s on-site restaurant, which overlooks the grounds thanks to its vast windows), which uses seasonal produce and impeccable service to delight guests (we recommend the pancakes with yoghurt and berries, or Eggs Benedict, followed by a selection of pastries). Proceed to walk the Folly Trail, book a spa treatment, a private yoga session, go forest bathing, take a dip in the outdoor heated swimming pool, or visit the local market town of Leek on a Saturday and peruse its market stalls. Return to The Tawny for a picnic in the afternoon, which is made of homemade sandwiches, brownies, and more, accompanied with a bottle of bubbly and glasses for two. Staff will drop your picnic hamper off at your accommodation before taking you in a buggy to your destination of choice in the grounds to tuck in. After an afternoon’s slumber on your deck or a dip in your outdoor tub, we suggest booking a table at The Plumicorn for a selection of delicious food, whether it be pigeon and salmon, or chicken and pork, finished with a bowl of sticky toffee pudding.
Tillingham, East Sussex
Staying at Tillingham for a night is an experience nothing short of heavenly.
Situated in a 70-acre site, a cluster of restored barns house a low-intervention winery, bar, restaurant, and collection of artfully-designed bedrooms. Surrounded by more than 40,000 vines, you'd be forgiven for thinking your were in Provence on a sunny day, but the delightfully young and fresh English champagnes and wines could only be made right there.
A short taxi ride from Rye, many visit Tillingham for a day trip, but after taking a wine tour, and enjoying the farm-to-table set menu (complete with wine flight) from former SILO chef Brendan Eades, we'd recommend taking to the on-site rooms for a bath complete with views of the neat rows of vines. Plus, the serve-yourself breakfast of boiled eggs, cured meats and homemade granola is worth staying for.
From the beautiful and rustic Oast house to the knowledgable and sunny staff, we couldn't recommend Tillingham enough.
Kin House, Wiltshire
Kin House is quickly becoming one of our must-visit destinations in the UK for a short getaway. The property is a restored Georgian Manor, located in Wiltshire, and is the perfect place for a staycation, as well as a private party (it can host between 20 and 200 guests), retreat or wedding. The exclusive-use house itself features 12 cosy bedrooms, featuring plush cotton robes, rainforest showers (some come with freestanding bathtubs big enough for two!) and 'help yourself' mini bars. During your stay you can enjoy film nights, yoga, massages, croquet games, and wild cooking workshops, and even book to eat al fresco, while chefs cook your grub on an open fire in a private woodland.
Coworth Park, Ascot
Forget shepherd's huts, glamping and boutique B&Bs for a minute here.... If you are looking for a staycation that is truly, genuinely exceptional, you should consider a long weekend at Coworth Park.
Five stars and part of the prestigious Dorchester Collection, Coworth Park is pretty much fit for a Princess. Indeed, location-wise, it's opposite Windsor Castle, so there's every reason to feel like a Queen while within the grounds. And if that hasn't convinced us, the specialist valet parking outside the hotel's front doors, stacked with Lamborghinis, Aston Martins and the odd Porsche, will probably tip you over the edge.
Nestled like a diamond, set within 240 acres of luscious Bershire parkland, the hotel is set up to furnish your stay with enough outdoor pursuits to convince you that you're much more than 45 mins drive from London. The stables full of horses are managed by Huards Polo Club, the hotel offers bikes for all ages and there's a beautiful lake-like pond surrounded by trees for any budding ornithologists.
For foodies, the options are well-rounded, with a Spatisserie for elegant eats in the Spa area, the cosy but gourmet Barn serving heartier fare and for the fanciest of guests, the Restaurant Coworth park has a Michelin star.
Spinks Nest, Norfolk
If you’re in need of some R&R, then a staycation at Spinks Nest is a must. Located in the north of Norfolk, this former gardener’s cottage – which dates back to the 18th Century – has received a stunning renovation, mixing vintage and reclaimed materials to create an interiors haven that’s as cosy as it is luxurious and charming, and inspired by a British-cum-Japanese aesthetic to die for. Our favourite parts? The Instagrammable sunken micro-cement bath, Victorian loo and plush leather-upholstered armchairs – perfect for sinking into after opening a bottle or Merlot at candlelight. The cottage sleeps two adults (with room for a travel cot) and is dog-friendly.
Down the road you’ll find the local pub - The Hunworth Bell – and a short drive away you’ll be treated to the quaint town of Holt, Siding Bakery (we suggest you book for lunch), and fish and chips at Cromer. Trust us, once you've had a weekend at Spinks Nest, you'll never look back.
The Grove
We love/hate to break it to you, but we’ve officially discovered one of the best kept secrets Hertfordshire has to offer when it comes to luxury staycations in the UK. So good is The Grove, located just 18 miles from central London, sprawling a staggering 300 acres, and member of The Leading Hotels of The World, that we are begrudgingly sharing this news with you (if only we could keep it to ourselves!).
The five-star hotel is the former home of the Earls of Clarendon (it was once a weekend staycation for Queen Victoria) and features a Walled Garden, complete with a kitchen garden serving hot BBQ dishes in the summer, Ralph's beach (which has its very own outdoor swimming pool and beach hut), Jemima’s Kitchen Garden (home to the hotel’s home-grown herbs and fauna), and an outdoor cinema, showing everything from Matilda: The Musical in the afternoons for the kids, and Crazy Rich Asians in the evenings for the adults.
On arrival, we suggest walking around the luscious green grounds or, better yet, hiring bikes and making your way through Asher's Woodland Trails, before heading to the Sequoia spa for a dip in the indoor pool, a sunbathe in the garden, or a relaxing Bamford Facial. Once you get ready in one of the hotel’s 215 rooms (or 12 suites, depending on your budget), make your way down to The Glasshouse Restaurant, and tuck into some of the best buffet dining you’ll ever have tried, whether you can’t get enough of sushi and Indian cuisine, or fancy having a pasta dish made with ingredients exactly to your liking. Once you’ve filled your stomach at the dessert station (it’d be rude not to, right?) retire to your room and order yourself some in-room Hackney Gelato, and tuck into the mini bar before settling in for a night with Netflix. This is British luxury at its finest.
Once stay at The Grove and you’ll be itching to return. We’ll see you at 'the beach'…
Rothay Manor, Lake District
Head up to the Lake District and you'll find this boutique Grade II-listed country house retreat in the middle of Ambleside. A recent refurbishment has seen the site open The Pavilion, a new building which features eight new luxury suites, some with their own private gardens and one with its own hot tub. The decor here is an interiors lover's dream (think olive-green wooden paneling on the walls and large reupholstered headboards), while the restaurant is run by head Chef Dan McGeorge (who was named the Champion of Champions of the 2021 series of the BBC Great British Menu). Oh, and did we mention it has several dog-friendly bedrooms?
Cottage on the river, Devon
If, like us, you thought the name of this property seems as though it could've been taken from an Enid Blyton novel, then you're in good company. This property sleeps six people and is situated in Widecombe in the Moor, Devon. The cottage is right next to a flowing river and features a hot tub and a an open fire outside for those who like to cosy up under the stars.
Canopy by Hilton London City
It’s hard to find a staycation within five minutes walking distance of the Tower of London, a stone’s throw away from the Gherkin, and a Spotify-song-length walk from a tube station. But, that’s what you get with Canopy by Hilton London City. With 340 guest rooms, a fitness centre, and more, one of the best areas of the hotel is undoubtedly the newly-opened for 2023, Florattica Rooftop Terrace - a super chic rooftop terrace with views across the City and a tapas-style and cocktail menu to delight the tastebuds. After a night’s stay in your room, kitted out with Nespresso machines, mini fridges, and contemporary decor, dine on one of the best breakfast spreads we’ve seen in a longtime, with a choice of endless sweet and savoury options (the green smoothies are not to be missed!).
The Ned
How many times can you say you’ve stayed in a former bank in the heart of London? Well, after a stay at London’s The Ned, you can. Located in the former Midland Bank building in the City of London, The Ned has quickly become a party and food institution since its opening in 2017, and for very good reason. The site has 250 1920s-inspired boujee and glamorous bedrooms (stocked with Cowshed products and a tray or bar of cocktail ingredients), a staggering 10 restaurants (our favourite has to be Kaia), and three bars (one is a rooftop bar overlooking the City), a rooftop pool, the Ned Club gym, the Ned’s Club Spa, equipped with a pool, barbershop, parlour, hammam and remedy room.
Within The Ned is the members club, Ned’s Club, which gives access to the Art Deco-inspired Vault bar, the Ned’s Club gym and the rooftop. The site also offers the wider public nightly entertainment, drinks and dancing, as well as access to the spa, which means you can both sip on martinis in the main atrium, have a manicure and feel like an A-lister all at the same time.
East Thorne, Cornwall
Finding a pocket of Cornwall to call your own is pretty tough to do nowadays, so popular is the destination for sun, sand and seafood-seekers, alike. But you can rest assured that East Thorne in Cornwall has the ability to provide ample space, calm and serenity, whether you're in search of a site to catch up with friends over a bottle of wine, or curl up on the sofa with a loved one in bed. Located just a short drive away from the coastal town of Bude sits East Thorne Roundhouses – a glamping area like no other – which sleep from two to six people and boasts a community-like feel, providing guests with everything from hampers of locally-sourced goods and fire pits to roast marshmallows, to hot tubs, private gardens and an outdoor kitchen. Local visits can include a trip to the Eden Project, The Hidden Valley, Bocastle and Tintagel, while foodies are best heading to restaurants like Temple and The Coombe Barton Inn for scrumptious, locally-sourced food and roast dinners, respectively. One visit to East Thorne and you’ll be tempted never to leave.
Pontypinna, Herefordshire
If you’re in need of going completely off the grid and finding some well-deserved R&R, then let us usher you towards Pontypinna Hideaways.
Located in the Herefordshire hillside (quite literally), this six-person property, with its outdoor hot tub, seating area and private decking, has views that look across to the Black Mountains which make waking up in the morning with a hot mug of tea that much more of an enjoyable experience, trust us. Inside the property you’ll find three spacious bedrooms (two with double beds and one with bunk beds), as well as a large kitchen table for making brunch and warming suppers, a seating area primed for long conversations into the early hours over bottles of vino, and a large family-sized bathroom with a walk-in shower and double-ended bathtub.
During your stay, we suggest making a day trip to Hay on Wye – a small market town famous for its copious amounts of book shops, cafes, antique stores and the most beautiful homeware shop we've laid eyes on, Llewelyn & Company. Elsewhere lies the National Trust’s Weir Garden, Arthur’s Stone (yes, the one linked to King Arthur’s legend), and Zipworld – for the more adventurous of folk.
The perfect staycation spot for friends, family, and more. One night here and you'll never want to leave.
Lime Wood, New Forest
Herb House, the award-winning destination spa that oozes luxury, recently launched a new itinerary of Mildfulness and Beyond retreats for 2024, which makes booking a staycation at Lime Wood an essential. Following the success of last year's Stress: Balance and Wellbeing retreat, the new series focusses on harnessing the power of mental, emotional and spiritual wellness, and are hosted by wellness experts and former monks Ramani and Smitha Jayakumar. The retreats explore ancient teachings and traditional practices, and provide a life-changing experience with a specific look at self-care, self-love, stress-management through the likes of meditation, breathwork, and more.
Secret Treehouse, Herefordshire
This is a dream staycation like no other. Located in Herefordshire, this treehouse sleeps between two and four people and offers total seclusion for those wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. We love the outdoor rainforest shower, hot tub, stripey bed covers, small Smeg fridge and woodland path.
The Pandy House, Wales
Accessed by way of a private bridge crossing the Afon Roe, you’d think this restored mill was something out of a fairytale given its eccentricity and beauty. Located near the hills and valleys of Snowdonia, this is the prefect house for a large group of mates to gather and enjoy its wonder, whether it’s as a result of the William Morris wallpaper, glass wall overlooking the Tay y Fan peak or animal-printed bedrooms walls. Outside, there’s a summerhouse, hot tub and a river you can bathe in during the summer and, if you dare, the winter months.
Fernden Lane, Surrey
A house of dreams, Fernden is a Grade II-listed, 16th century farmhouse which is half covered by flowers and greenery and is an interior lover’s dream if you’re all about solid oak floors, inglenook fireplaces, a cast iron, rolltop bathtub and soft furnishings. The spot itself is located close to Valewood Park and Black Dog Corpse where you can overlook Surrey’s beauty. Our favourite part of the house has to be the dining room with patio doors overlooking the luscious green lawn.
Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.
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