The best British hotels for a winter staycation
These are some of the UK's cosiest stays for when the nights start drawing in
Boy’s Hall, Kent
Best for: New cabins, sauna, and swimming pond
NEW FOR WINTER: 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
The Tawny, Staffordshire
Best for: cabin escapes with a brand-new spa
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
The Black Horse, Amberley, West Sussex
Best for: local wine and pub grub
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 12 beautiful bedrooms.
Doubles from £110 B&B | www.blackhorse-pub.com
Number One Bruton, Somerset
Best for: Bruton art, Briar dinners, and Blue Ball pub nights
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 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
The Rectory, Wiltshire
Best for: Cotswolds charm
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
Rothay Manor, Lake District
Best for: dog walks and a feast in the fells
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
Lime Tree Hotel, Belgravia, London
Best for: the city break
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