From new openings and old favourites, this is where we’d escape to this winter
Inverlonan – Oban, Scotland
NEW FOR WINTER: Opening this November, Inverlonan is transforming a historic farm on the shores of Loch Nell, four miles east of Oban, into a unique nine-bedroom landscape hotel and 24-cover restaurant.
Already known for its three acclaimed off-grid bothies, the new hotel brings the same connection to the landscape into a more traditional stay, with rooms created from the restored farmhouse, former Byre and a 16th-century stone bothy. The design is rooted in Scottish materials, makers and craftsmanship, while the surrounding 1,000-acre working farm provides the backdrop.
Food is a major part of the experience, with chef Tim Kensett’s new eight-course, wood-fire menu drawing more than 90% of its ingredients from Inverlonan itself or Scotland’s west coast waters. Guests can also make the most of Loch Nell with wild swimming, a communal beach sauna, kayaks, canoes, paddleboards and walking trails leading directly from the farm.
Rooms from £360 B&B. www.inverlonan.com | Imagery here
The Swan Inn – Fittleworth, West Sussex
A beautifully restored 14th-century coaching inn in the heart of Fittleworth, The Swan Inn is a lovely base for a winter weekend in the South Downs. The pub has long been something of an artists’ haunt - Constable and Turner were among those who stayed here - and today there are 12 individually designed bedrooms, a panelled dining room and a proper country pub serving up British classics.
Spend the day walking through the surrounding South Downs before coming back to the pub for hearty winter cooking, with venison pies, local game and T-bone steaks, followed by an apple tarte Tatin made for sharing.
Rooms from £180 B&B. www.swaninnfittleworth.com | Imagery here
Boys Hall – Kent
The lovingly restored Grade II-listed Boys Hall is one of Kent’s cosiest country stays and one of the smallest hotels in the UK to hold a Michelin Key, with nine bedrooms, a tiny pub, oak-beamed restaurant and 4,000-bottle wine cellar hidden beneath the floorboards.
NEW: Launching this winter, six new cabins will open in the grounds, alongside a wild swimming pond, plunge pool and sauna. Each has a super-king bed, sitting room and views across the gardens, with two also featuring private outdoor baths.
Spend the day walking the Kent countryside before coming back for a swim, warming up in the sauna and settling in for dinner, with Joe Winston cooking up seasonal dishes using produce from the kitchen garden.
Doubles from £180 per night B&B. www.boys-hall.com | Images here *cabin imagery is CGI
The Tawny – Staffordshire
Set within a rewilded 70-acre estate bordering the Peak District, guests can cosy up in the warmth of their own private woodland cabin at The Tawny, complete with an outdoor spa bath. Spend crisp mornings exploring the folly trail with your four-legged friend, dip in the heated outdoor swimming pool, then warm up with seasonal dining at The Plumicorn.
NEW FOR WINTER: The Tawny is launching a new wellness offering featuring a sauna, steam room and a programme of immersive experiences including floating sound baths, Ikebana workshops and full moon rituals.
Doubles from £290 per night B&B. www.thetawny.co.uk | Imagery here *spa imagery to come
The Black Horse – Amberley, West Sussex
Nothing says winter quite like a stay in a country pub. One of 2026’s most exciting new openings, The Black Horse, offers the perfect winter escape in the heart of Sussex wine country - the Gladwin family’s first countryside pub with rooms, just minutes from their award-winning Nutbourne Vineyards.
After brisk walks through the rolling Sussex hills, settle in by the fire for seasonal farm-to-table dining, with beef from the farm and wines from the family vineyard, and unwind in one of 11 beautiful bedrooms.
Doubles from £110 B&B. To book, visit www.blackhorse-pub.com | Imagery here
Number One Bruton – Somerset
Number One Bruton is the perfect place to gather your foodie friends for a winter escape. Set in the heart of historic Bruton, the award-winning hotel combines 12 beautifully designed bedrooms, acclaimed restaurant Briar and the much-loved by locals Blue Ball pub, all centred around a private courtyard.
Spend your days exploring nearby Hauser & Wirth, wandering the gardens at The Newt, or spectacular landscape at Stourhead, particularly beautiful in winter. Come evening, settle in for dinner at Briar, where chef Sam Lomas, recently named in the National Restaurant Awards Top 100, champions seasonal West Country produce. For special occasions, there's even an intimate private dining room ideal for celebratory suppers.
Stay from £195 per night, B&B. www.numberonebruton.com | Imagery here
The Rectory – The Cotswolds
The Rectory feels less like a hotel and more like a beautifully run country home. Tucked behind the village church in Crudwell, the Georgian manor is made for winter weekends, with roaring fires, an honesty bar and seasonal suppers from chef Damian Clisby. Spend your days exploring nearby Tetbury (ideal for those Rivals fans), Cirencester and the surrounding countryside before returning for the night in one of the 15 stunning bedrooms.
Just next door is its sister pub, The Potting Shed, where muddy boots, local ales and proper pies are the order of the day. For families and groups of friends, the neighbouring three-bedroom cottage makes an idyllic countryside escape.
Rooms from £170 B&B. www.therectoryhotel.com | Images here
Rothay Manor – The Lake District
For the cosiest winter escape in the Lakes, dogs in tow, head to Rothay Manor, a grade-II listed Regency hotel in Ambleside. Spend days exploring frosty fells and trails (or even braving a cold-water dip in the lakes), before retreating to roaring fires and seasonal feasting at Rowan restaurant. This winter marks the first full season under acclaimed chef Simon Ulph, whose tasting menus champion the exceptional farmers, growers and producers of the Lake District.
The hotel is brilliantly dog-friendly, with Forthglade treats, George Barclay beds, and a dedicated dog wash and boot room stocked with Ruff & Tumble dressing gowns ready for muddy paws. After a day out on the hills, settle in for a memorable dinner or warm up in one of the bedrooms’ private hot tubs.
Double from £280 per night, B&B. www.rothaymanor.co.uk | Imagery here
Room Mate Lime Tree – Belgravia, London
Winter is arguably when London is at its most magical, and Lime Tree Hotel places guests right in the heart of it all. Tucked away on a quiet Belgravia street, it’s a peaceful retreat from the festive bustle, while still being just moments from Buckingham Palace, Sloane Square and some of the capital's best shopping. Spend your days browsing Belgravia's independent boutiques, admiring the Christmas lights or taking in London's museums, galleries and theatres.
Back at the hotel, the 26 beautifully designed bedrooms are complete with Nespresso machines, SMEG minibars and Dyson hairdryers and downstairs, The Buttery serves the most delicious breakfast. For crisp winter mornings, the garden terrace remains open with heaters and blankets, offering a surprisingly peaceful spot in the centre of the city.
Rooms from £200 per night. www.room-matehotels.com/gb/hotel-lime-tree-london | Imagery here
