Best Hotels in the English Countryside

“When I am in the country, I never wish to leave it; and when I am in town it is pretty much the same. They have each their advantages, and I can be equally happy in either.” While Jane Austen mused on the satisfaction of both city and country in Pride and Prejudice, our favorite rural retreats will have you never wanting to leave the pastoral peace (especially if you’re a big city dweller).

From rolling fields to stately manors, charming villages and quiet canals, the English countryside is undeniably romantic….and it’s no wonder the region has inspired literary greats for generations. Here, there is a delicate balance of the lavish and the simple, warm welcomes with ultra-exclusivity. It’s a window into a historic world that isn’t your own, and that’s why it’s the perfect destination to write your own storybook stay.

Explore our favorite properties in the English countryside below.

In the heart of the Cotswolds and just an hour outside of London, Estelle Manor is a fabulous country house hotel and exclusive private club on a 3,000-acre estate. The expansive pool overlooking the lawn has a serious "wow" factor with coral and burgundy accents—plus, it’s open year round.

Vibe: Opulent, Stylish, Buzzy

Number of Rooms: 108

Best For: Ideal for those looking for a scene. The estate maintains a level of exclusivity, with children under 12 only welcome in the Manor House until 7:30 p.m. As a member’s club, you can also expect many day-trippers from London and local families, especially in the summer, enjoying the pool and the expansive grounds. The Gleneagles Hotel-lovers will be happy here.

Indagare Insights: Foodies will love the several dining options on property including The Brasserie, which serves refined English cuisine in an old-world setting; The former Billiards Room, reimagined as a striking emerald-and-malachite dining space, which specializes in Chinese dishes (including a dim sum brunch on weekends); The Glasshouse, tucked within the walled garden, offers a Mediterranean-inspired menu designed for sharing; The Armoury for Japanese dishes and a full sushi bar. We recommend reserving your dinner reservations soon after booking your stay, as tables fill quickly.

“You expect Estelle Manor to be stunning—and it is—but the Roman-inspired spa is on a whole other level. With thermal pools, a sauna, steam room, hammam, outdoor pool, and even a restaurant for a bite or a drink, it completely redefines the word oasis.” —Meg Coy, Trip Designer

Just an hour outside of London and only 45 minutes from Heathrow, Heckfield Place owes much of its magic to its secluded location in the Hampshire countryside. This Georgian family home has been lovingly restored to its historic origins and is centered on sustainability. Each day, produce is picked fresh from the gardens and Home Farm and served in its Green Michelin-starred Marle and open-fired Hearth. Don’t miss wild swimming at the Lower Lake—and its 17,000-square-foot space of wellbeing, The Bothy by Wildsmith.

Vibe: Curated, Design-Focused, Calm

Number of Rooms: 45

Best For: Couples and families with mature children will appreciate the highly sophisticated, but homey and pastoral, atmosphere at Heckfield Place. The property is serene and intimate, a perfect place for foodies to restore and indulge, and wellness seekers to rejuvenate.

Indagare Insights: The hotel’s Assembly at Heckfield Place is an incredible curated program that offers a rotation of screenings (in the hotel’s custom 67-seat cinema), speakers and workshops. Other experiences include seasonal floral arranging workshops, gin garden mixology classes, bread-making, sauna medicine sessions at the spa and more.

“I still dream of my afternoon in The Bothy. I moved between the indoor pool, the outdoor jacuzzi and bath circuit and literally watched for hours—in my most relaxed state—as lambs leaped over the rolling hills in front of me. Every part of a stay at Heckfield is out of a storybook. Seriously…be sure to give yourself enough time to truly enjoy the spa!” — Kathryn Nathanson, VP of Content + Media

Just an hour from central London, this restored Georgian manor is an idyllic countryside escape on 500 acres of rolling meadows with five restaurants and bars, a full service spa and activities the whole family will love.

Vibe: Family-friendly, Outdoorsy

Number of Rooms: 134

Best For: Families, couples and solo travelers looking to slow down or keep busy with lots of activities on offer. Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire has a more low-key, country atmosphere and attracts more American guests than Estelle Manor or Heckfield Place—which are more design-focused with primarily British clientele. If you’re looking for the Mayflower Inn & Spa of the Hampshire region, this is it. Plus, this is a great way to end an English holiday as it’s just 35 minutes from Heathrow.

Indagare Insights: There is a family-friendly atmosphere with activities and special touches for kids of all ages—including a kids club and teen room (housed in a quaint cabin), a small indoor waterpark, pony grooming and bedtime stories placed on the pillows each night. If you want to up the romance (parent’s night out?) look to bespoke offerings like high tea on a private canal cruise, rosé and croquet or intimate dinners among the lush garden grounds and more. Plus, there is a complimentary transfer between properties when you book two nights at both Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane and Hampshire.

“At Four Seasons Hampshire, I had my dream day: it began with an early morning “English safari” around the grounds to admire shy Highland cows grazing and practice my bird watching skills, followed by a glamorous canal boat ride through the forest (while being served high tea with bubbles) and finished off with a private, candlelit dinner in the garden. I felt like Jane Austen’s heroine Emma—just minus the romantic scheming.” — Trey Ross, Associate Editor

Against the backdrop of a luxurious 17th-century mansion, guests at The Newt in Somerset can explore orchards, interactive museums, deer parks and more for a true countryside hideaway. (Fun fact: the property is named after the rare crested newts found in a pond onsite.)

Vibe: Rustic-Chic, Remote

Number of Rooms: 40

Best For: This hotel is perfect for couples and families alike, with sprawling grounds perfect for children to explore. Anyone who loves Babylonstoren in South Africa will feel right at home here.

Indagare Insights: Located two to three hours from London, we recommend hiring a car for the most comfort. (Note: if you take the train, the Castle Cary train station does not have any elevators.) Two nights provides ample time to enjoy The Newt itself, but guests staying more than three days can add in visits to nearby towns. Some ideas for longer stays include shopping the Tuesday market in Castle Cary, exploring the towering Christian cathedrals and performing arts festival in Glastonbury, trips to the cider farms or world heritage Roman bath houses in Bath and the court of King Arthur in Camelot.

The Lake District has been a favored getaway for the English since the Romantic period, when literary greats like Wordsworth wrote about the region’s wild beauty. Our favorite stay in the area is Langdale Chase Hotel, a former private mansion turned posh luxury hotel on the shores of Lake Windermere. The property is the definition of posh English cozy with beautiful heritage decor (we love the original details like ornate woodwork and stained glass windows), inviting places to unwind and friendly service.

Vibe: Welcoming, Historic, Lakefront

Number of Rooms: 30

Best For: Any traveler looking for a glam, but relaxed, home base for exploring the Lake District. Something to note, there is no pool or spa.

Indagare Insights: "I love that Langdale Chase has so many pleasant places to sit and read, including a lovely library hidden off the stairs. Here, guests can find the complete collection of tales by Beatrix Potter, who based her characters and illustrations on the wildlife (and her own pets) around her Lake District home. Garden tours, private boat excursions, lake swimming, wine tastings and movie nights (in a plush screening room) are on offer every day. Another highlight: visiting a local herdwick sheep farm. The breed is native to the region and has been preserved thanks to conservation efforts started largely by Beatrix Potter." — Peter Schlesinger, Associate Director, Digital Content

Set in the village of Southrop, Thyme – Hotel, Restaurant, Spa is a serene Cotswolds retreat swathed in long grasses and purple flowers. This family-owned hotel has two restaurants specializing in farm-to-table cuisine and the rooms are done up in colorful floral patterns, some with crystal chandeliers, clawfoot bathtubs or wood burning stoves.

Vibe: Calm, Culinary-Focused

Number of Rooms: 31

Best For: Small groups, couples or solo travelers who want to explore the Cotswolds with ease—and come home to farm-to-table cuisine and incredible wellness offerings. This is The Weston or Blackberry Farm of the Cotswolds.

Indagare Insights: One of the highlights of a stay here is the Meadow Spa, which was named to Vogue’s top 100 spas for its ritualist bathing and breathwork exercises.

“Everyone must walk down to the kitchen gardens. They are about a 10-minute walk from Thyme, but guests are always amazed by the beauty, scale and hard work. To then dine in our restaurants, where the menu is so reflective of the seasons and champions what has been grown on site, is a real treat.” — Caryn Hibbert, Thyme Founder

Once the palatial estate of renowned American expatriate, William Waldorf Astor, Cliveden House is conveniently located 20 minutes from Heathrow Airport above the River Thames.

Vibe: Traditional, Picturesque, Quiet

Number of Rooms: 47

Best For: Visitors who need a convenient overnight stay outside the city prior to a departure at Heathrow.

Indagare Insights: Don’t miss pre-dinner cocktails on the rooftop terrace for the best views of the landscape. “Staying at Cliveden felt like being a part of the Astor family—my favorite moment was bringing my meal upstairs to the outside terrace and enjoying the expansive view of the parterre below!” — Kat Hill, Production Associate

Just a 30-minute drive from Oxford, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons is set on 100 acres of pasture and woodland. Dating back to the Tudor ages, this manor has been reimagined as a French hotel and restaurant by Frenchman Raymond Blanc.

Vibe: Provencal, food-centric, service-oriented

Number of Rooms: 32

Best For: Couples and serious foodies looking to have a unique, food-centric English countryside experience. For travelers who love the Provence region, especially La Magdeleine and Hôtel Crillon le Brave, book here.

Indagare Insights: With his dedicated gardeners, Raymond produces 70 traditional and exotic herb varieties, over 90 types of vegetables, around 20 edible mushroom species and an orchard of apples, pears and quinces. Dinner is an experience that begins with drinks in the living room before your choice of a five-course, seven-course or á la carte dinner menu. The restaurant earned two Michelin stars the year it opened and has held them ever since. Plus, your outlook will always be glass half full since the hotel’s wine cellar holds around 600 different wines and about 60 percent are of French provenance.

“We had such a lovely experience at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. We started with a tour of the property's immaculate grounds (including the orchard and gardens), followed by a cozy afternoon reading in front of the fire and ended the day with a delicious multi-course meal. The highlight was dining on ingredients we had seen growing in the garden earlier that day!” — Rose Allen Taylor, VP of Operations

Note: Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons is currently closed for renovations. It is expected to reopen for bookings in 2027.

A dramatic departure from its trendy nightclub reputation, Soho Farmhouse is decidedly family friendly—and is the ideal English rural retreat for cool members. Cars are not allowed on property, so everyone either walks everywhere (in their wellies, of course), bikes or hitches a ride on one of the property's vintage milk delivery trucks. The spa is an oasis, featuring nine treatment rooms, steam, sauna, ice bath and mudrooms, plus a soaking tub for two.

Vibe: Sprawling, Cool, Resort

Number of Rooms: 114

Best For: Groups of friends, families or couples looking for a chiller Soho House-scene in pastoral surroundings.

Indagare Insights: While Soho Farmhouse has activities for the whole family, the property is equally perfect for a couple's getaway. Certain cabins are particularly romantic, with fireplaces, outdoor bathtubs, a four-poster bed and record players. Plus, there are dedicated areas in the public spaces for "adults-only," including two great lofted lounges set above the Main Barn's restaurant.

On the edge of New Forest National Park in Hampshire, Chewton Glen sits on 130 acres of countryside and epitomizes the "English Country House" hotel experience—combining luxury, charm and a wide range of amenities like indoor and outdoor pools, golf and a large spa. Depending on your mode of transportation (either car or train), arriving at the property only takes around two hours from London.

Vibe: Charming, Relaxed

Number of Rooms: 35

Best For: Anyone who is interested in a casual countryside getaway. Families will be very comfortable here, both from an amenity and vibe perspective. If you are a couple or solo traveler who does not want to hear a child during dinner—or is looking for a more refined experience—Heckfield Place is a better option. (This is also a destination for travelers who love the treehouse suites at Twin Farms or the relaxed waterfront elegance at Ocean House.)

Indagare Insights: A unique highlight during a stay is the beach walk—which starts on property and gets guests to the rocky shore within 15 minutes. The rooms to book are the Coach House Suites and Treehouses, both a short walk away from the main house (but there is a team of buggies to drive guests if preferred). A bonus is the breakfast picnic baskets that are delivered each morning to the Treehouse Suites.