In need of a post-Christmas boost? Escape the cold with our pick of the best British winter hotel breaks
The cold, crisp air makes this season a wonderful time to explore the great outdoors (if we’re wrapped up in hats and scarves!). After all that fresh air you’re sure to be tempted by one of our recommendations for cosy British hotels where you can get toasty in front of a roaring fire...
St Mary’s Inn, Morpeth, Northumberland
Rooms start from £80
Tucked away in a quiet spot near the village of Stannington, St Mary’s Inn provides a wonderfully warm welcome. This relaxed, informal pub and B&B is full of character, with red brickwork, mullioned windows, a striking central clock tower and numerous cosy wood-burning stoves. It’s hard to believe that it was once part of a psychiatric hospital less than a century ago, a fact which only makes it more intriguing.
The inviting oak bar is an especially lovely spot to relax after a day out – boasting a large bookcase brimming with history and geography books and lots of interesting artworks and sculptures to admire as you nurse a beverage.
What’s best – you can bring your pooch along, with several dog-friendly rooms available. Bowls and bedding can be provided if you need them.
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Out and about
Just five minutes from the A1, St Mary’s is well placed for exploring the surrounding Northumberland area. Blow away the cobwebs with a visit to Druridge Bay Country Park, with its lake, woodland and a stunning 3.5-mile stretch of beach and sand dunes. Then take a 30-minute drive to Alnwick Castle (below) to muse at magnificent medieval architecture, sumptuous state rooms, fascinating plants and water sculptures. If you’ve got a four-legged friend in tow, you won’t want to miss a trip to Northumberlandia – a huge land sculpture in the shape of a reclining female figure with four miles of footpaths to wander.
Dalhousie Castle Hotel, Edinburgh, Scotland
Rooms start from £95
This magnificent fortress stands within its own 11-acre parkland estate on the banks of the River Esk – all within a stone’s throw of Edinburgh’s vibrant city centre. Brimming with more than 700 years of history, Dalhousie is famed for being Scotland’s oldest inhabited castle with a quirky blend of old and new. In its corridors and passageways you’ll feel the history of what was once the seat of the Ramsay Clan. The oak-panelled rooms are filled with leather sofas, books and fireplaces.
Each bedroom is luxuriously decorated with rich Scottish fabrics and period furniture – fit for a queen (or king!). Whether relaxing in the spa, dining in the vaulted AA Rosette-winning dungeon restaurant, or retiring to your bedchamber, you can expect the royal treatment here.
Set within the grounds of the estate is a falconry, where you can meet hawks, owls, falcons and eagles, or try your hand at the medieval sport of archery (£45pp).
Out and about
Just a 30-minute drive away is Edinburgh, with its cosmopolitan mix of shops and eateries, historic monuments, family attractions and a thriving arts and entertainment scene.
Lake Vyrnwy Hotel and Spa, Powys, Wales
Rooms start from £80
Set high on the hillsides of the Berwyn Mountain range, this 19th Century hotel gazes over a vast flooded valley surrounded by green hills, as if it had been plucked from the pages of a fairytale. With luxurious lake-view rooms – many with their own balcony – this gorgeous country house hotel is full of character.
If the Welsh winter elements get too much, the hotel’s glass-fronted spa (£10pp for guests) is the perfect retreat with a sauna, steam room and whirlpool bath to enjoy with views overlooking the lake. Should you wish to pamper yourself further, treatments are available from £40.
Out and about
The hotel is situated in the Vyrnwy Nature Reserve, rural Wales at its best. With an incredible 24,000 acres of woods, fields and moorland it’s a paradise for nature lovers and walkers. There are villages (and a couple of nice cafés) within reach by car, but it is a wild and rugged landscape – a true escape from the hustle and bustle. You can walk or cycle around the lake and explore the hills and mountains, but come prepared with walking boots and a map.
The Vicarage Hotel, Cranage, Cheshire
Rooms start from £93
This 17th Century Grade II listed building is much more than just a country pub. Its exposed beams, wooden panelling and lovely warm log fires are inviting features in the winter months, thoughtfully complemented by vintage mirrors, paintings and ornaments – all of which create a comfy and quirky laid-back vibe.
Take a seat beside the cosy wood burner on a squishy sofa or armchair, perfect to sink into after a hearty meal. And speaking of food – this is the hotel’s highlight.
You can expect to find traditional favourites on the menu – pork belly, steak and chips, lamb stew – the ingredients for which are seasonal and locally sourced.
Out and about
Just opposite The Vicarage, the Dane Meadow Nature Reserve has delightful wooden sculptures, bird hides and viewing platforms waiting to be discovered by riverside paths. There is ample open space for dogs and children to run around and just ten minutes away is the world-famous Jodrell Bank Science Centre with its massive telescope.
The Swan at Lavenham, Suffolk
Rooms start from £130
Situated in the quaint village of Lavenham, this stunning 15th Century old coaching inn oozes medieval magic with a modern twist. Cosy nooks and elegantly furnished rooms blend contemporary features and splashes of colour with ancient beams and creaky floors. Downstairs there’s a snug little bar filled with fascinating Second World War US Air Force memorabilia, a romantic galleried dining room with amazing food and an airy brasserie –
the perfect spot for enjoying a long and relaxing lunch or catching up with friends over a glass of wine.
It’s the perfect place to while away the winter chill, with two hours of access (per day) to the top-notch spa, which has a hot stone room, steam room and vitality pool.
Out and about
Take a stroll down Lavenham’s cobbled streets, passing timber-framed buildings housing tearooms, quirky independent shops and art galleries. You’ll find unique examples of local and international arts and crafts – such as The Crooked House Gallery, which displays an eclectic mix of original works. Many of the buildings here are a bit lopsided, but that’s all part of the charm!
Handy contacts
The Swan at Lavenham www.theswanatlavenham.co.uk 01787 247477
St Mary’s Inn www.stmarysinn.co.uk 01670 293293
Lake Vyrnwy Hotel and Spa www.lakevyrnwy.com 01691 870692
Dalhousie Castle Hotel www.dalhousiecastle.co.uk 01875 820153
The Vicarage Hotel www.thevicaragecheshire.com 01477 533393