The best British places to stay this autumn
These are some of the UK's cosiest stays for when the nights start drawing in
Boy’s Hall, Kent
Best for: new cabins and Jacobean charm
NEW FOR AUTUMN: Launching this November, Boys Hall are opening their long-awaited new collection of six beautifully crafted cabins, alongside a brand-new sauna and wild swimming pond, creating an entirely new way to experience this Michelin Key hotel in the winter months.
Beyond the new additions, the 17th-century Jacobean manor remains one of the county's cosiest winter escapes, with nine sumptuous bedrooms and a 4,000-bottle wine cellar hidden beneath the floorboards. Feast on Kentish produce, before sinking into the deep gold bathtub of the Bishops Quarter Suite, framed by ornate wood gifted by King Charles I himself.
Doubles from £180 per night B&B | www.boys-hall.com | Images here
The Tawny, Staffordshire
Best for: folly trail walks and brand-new sauna sessions
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 autumn 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 AUTUMN: The Tawny has launched 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.
For families or groups of friends, The Owlets are a collection of self-catering cottages set within the peaceful Basford Estate – with a shared heated swimming pool, private alfresco dining, and fun garden games and activities to enjoy. Guests can enjoy the wonderful combination of privacy and space, with all the perks of staying at The Tawny Hotel.
Doubles from £290 per night B&B | www.thetawny.co.uk | Images here
The Black Horse, Amberley, West Sussex
Best for: local wine and pub grub
Nothing says autumn 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 12 beautiful bedrooms.
Doubles from £110 B&B | www.blackhorse-pub.com | Images here
Number One Bruton, Somerset
Best for: Bruton art and Briar dinners
Number One Bruton is the perfect place to gather your foodie friends for an autumn 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 and 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 | Images here
The Rectory, The Cotswolds
Best for: roaring fires and country house comfort
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 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, Lake District
Best for: dog walks and feasting in the fells
For the cosiest autumn 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 | Images here
The Little Cottage, The Cotswolds
Best for: village pubs and curated interiors
Tucked behind wildflowers and lavender on Kingham’s village green, The Little Cottage is a beautifully restored Cotswolds retreat for two, blending centuries-old character with carefully curated interiors inspired by the owners’ many travels, through their work on major feature films. Just a short walk from much-loved pubs, The Wild Rabbit and The Plough, and minutes from Daylesford Organic, it’s perfectly placed for a quintessential Cotswolds escape. Inside, expect a hand-built oak kitchen with an electric AGA, a cosy living room with log burner, and a private terrace overlooking the green.
Stay from £295 per night (3 nights min). www.sandandstoneescapes.com/property/little-cottage/ | Images here
Cottage Orné, Cornwall
Best for: coastal walks and creative workshops
Set in the Cornish countryside, this enchanting private hamlet brings together 14 characterful retreats designed by Studio Alexandra. Many feature wood-burning stoves and Japanese wood-fired outdoor baths, creating the perfect setting for unwinding after blustery days by the coast. Explore dramatic beaches, brave a refreshing sea (or pool) dip, warm up in the sauna, then slow the pace with yoga in The Studio, an art workshop or a soothing massage in the Treatment Hut.
Stays from £180 per night | www.cottageorne.com | Images here
The Quist, Herefordshire, Wales
Best for: off-grid seclusion and al fresco bathing
There’s a little bit of magic running through this vast Herefordshire estate. And at the very top of it, concealed amid 100 acres of ancient oaks and firs, lies The Quist. With two spacious bedrooms, beautifully draped fabrics, wood panelling with exposed pipework, and not one, but three bathing options (two of them al fresco to max out on autumnal forest views), this off-grid treehouse has been exceptionally crafted by its owners (a carpenter and a creative) – and it’s achingly cool. Run wild in the woodland, soak in the wood-fired hot tub, or visit Hay-on-Wye, where bookshops rub shoulders with cool cafes and adventure specialists, who’ll get you canoeing on the River Wye or hiking in the Black Mountains.
From £295/night | www.kiphideaways.com/hideaways/the-quist/ | Images here
Room Mate Lime Tree, Belgravia, London
Best for: beautiful breakfasts and Belgravia charm
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 of nearby Chelsea and Knightsbridge, 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 | Images here