The Best Countryside Escapes in the UK

Escape the hustle and bustle of city life and immerse yourself in the charm and allure of the UK countryside. Whether it's the tranquil lakes, the historic beauty, or the untamed wilderness, there are numerous reasons why the countryside should be your next vacation destination. In this article, we will explore some of the top countryside destinations in the UK and provide tips on planning your perfect countryside escape.

Exploring the Charm of the UK Countryside

There's something enchanting about the UK countryside that captivates visitors from around the world. With its picturesque landscapes, charming villages and friendly locals, it offers a truly unique experience. From rolling green hills to breathtaking coastal cliffs, there is no shortage of natural beauty to behold.But it's not just the scenery that makes the countryside so alluring. It's the slower pace of life, the sense of community, and the opportunity to reconnect with nature. In the countryside, you can escape the noise and pollution of the city and breathe in the fresh air.[caption id="attachment_13302" align="aligncenter" width="1600"]

Cirencester, Cotswolds[/caption]

The Allure of Rural Britain

Rural Britain has a timeless appeal that continues to draw visitors year after year. With its quaint cottages, charming tea rooms, and centuries-old pubs, it feels like stepping back in time. Whether you're strolling through a local market, exploring a historic castle, or enjoying a traditional cream tea, you'll find yourself immersed in the rich history and culture of the countryside.Imagine wandering through a bustling farmer's market, where locals proudly display their freshly harvested fruits and vegetables. The vibrant colours and enticing aromas fill the air, tempting you to try a sample of the region's finest produce. As you make your way through the market, you can't help but strike up conversations with the friendly vendors, who are more than happy to share stories about their products and offer recommendations for the best local eateries.And let's not forget about the historic castles that dot the countryside. These magnificent structures stand as a testament to the country's rich heritage, with their towering walls and grand architecture. Step inside and you'll be transported back in time, as you explore the opulent rooms, admire the intricate tapestries, and imagine the lives of the noble families who once called these castles home.

The Pig at Bridge Place

Bourne Park Rd, Bridge, Canterbury CT4 5BH[caption id="attachment_12324" align="aligncenter" width="682"]

The Pig, Bridge[/caption]The Pig at Bridge Place brings charming stays to a storied Kentish estate near London. This countryside hotel applies The Pig's signature formula - rural countryside escape, hyperlocal cuisine, and cozy rooms in the main house and garden cabins. Visitors can unwind in lounges with local wines, dine alfresco from the on-site garden, and stroll the grounds crossed by a babbling brook. The Pig at Bridge Place provides an idyllic country escape just outside the city.After indulging, walk or cycle the grounds along the River Nailborne tributary at Middleton Lodge Estate. Nearby attractions include Simpsons Wine Estate, known for méthode traditionnelle like Chalklands sparkling, and other wineries in England's Wine Garden region like Biddenden and Chapel Down. Try punting down the River Stour in Canterbury, also home to photogenic cobbled streets. Howlett's Wild Animal Park provides exotic encounters minutes away. Within a 30-45 minute drive are seaside towns like Whitstable, Margate, and Deal. Middleton Lodge Estate places you amid top sites in southeast England.The Pig Hotel Group has implemented various marketing efforts to achieve its success. These efforts include a focus on unique buildings, eye-catching kitchen garden food, and authentic experiences to stand out from competitors:

• The group has also emphasised staff training, empowerment, and career development to build a skilled and engaged workforce.
• Grown its website revenues by 250% over the last two years through activities such as wine courses, getting suppliers to educate the staff, and offering kitchen apprenticeships.
• Committed to sustainable tourism, responsible sourcing, supporting society, and protecting the environment, which are also part of its marketing and brand positioning strategies.

Rooms From £200 per night.

Wilderness Reserve

Yoxford Rd, Saxmundham IP17 2LY[caption id="attachment_12359" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]

Wilderness Reserve Cottages, 5000 acre Suffolk estate[/caption]Wilderness Reserve is a collection of luxury holiday cottages and manors set in a stunning 5,000-acre estate in Suffolk, England. Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway, a family reunion, or a corporate retreat, Wilderness Reserve has something for everyone. You can choose from cosy cottages, spacious farmhouses, elegant manors, and even a 12th-century chapel. All the properties are beautifully restored and furnished with modern amenities, while preserving the original charm and character of the historic buildings.Wilderness Reserve is more than just a place to stay. It is a place to explore, relax, and reconnect with nature. You can enjoy a range of activities on the estate, such as cycling, fishing, clay pigeon shooting, archery and wildlife spotting. You can also book a private chef, a spa treatment, or a yoga session to pamper yourself. Or you can simply wander around the scenic grounds, which include lakes, meadows, woods, and gardens.Wilderness Reserve is the perfect destination for anyone who loves nature and luxury. It is a rare opportunity to experience the beauty and tranquility of the English countryside in style and comfort. Book your stay today and discover why Wilderness Reserve is one of the best luxury holiday cottages in the UK.Wilderness Reserve has built a seizable following on Instagram through consistent and high-quality posting. Their account likely features gorgeous photos of their campsites, trails, wildlife sightings and other aspects that highlight the natural beauty of their locations. By regularly sharing engaging content, they have organically grown their number of followers over time.[caption id="attachment_13297" align="aligncenter" width="2001"]

Wilderness Reserve, Suffolk[/caption]

Cottages from £504 per night.

Boys Hall

Boys Hall Rd, Willesborough, Ashford TN24 0LA[caption id="attachment_12309" align="aligncenter" width="722"]

Boys Hall, Ashford[/caption]Experience sophisticated stays at Boys Hall, a 17th-century manor house minutes from Ashford International station. This mature destination offers many adult delights like a timber-framed restaurant, 9 lavish bedrooms, an oak pub, sprawling gardens, and quintessentially English architecture.The restaurant is the heart of Boys Hall, a stunning venue with high ceilings, reclaimed beams, a huge fireplace and glass walls. Enjoy the views of the patio and gardens, where the kitchen gets many of its ingredients. Chef Shane Pearson and his team use Jolene, an asado-style grill, to cook over fire and coal. They showcase the best of Kentish cuisine, from the Boys big English breakfast to the grilled Romney Marsh lamb and Rare Breeds pork dishes. Don’t miss the crispy polenta, steak with bone-marrow sauce, and sparkling English wines from local vineyards.

Rooms from £180 per night.

The Double Red Duke

Bourton Rd, Clanfield, Bampton OX18 2R[caption id="attachment_12323" align="aligncenter" width="736"]

The Double Red Duke, Cotswolds[/caption]The Double Red Duke is a charming and historic hotel in Oxfordshire, where the owners Sam and Georgie Pearman have created a cosy and colourful countryside escape. Inspired by the nearby Arts and Crafts movement, they have used wallpapers, bathroom fittings, textiles and paints from traditional craftsmen across the country to decorate the rooms.The hotel also boasts two of the UK’s best chefs, Richard Turner and Richard Sandiford, who have worked at the Hawksmoor, Pitt and Cue and other renowned restaurants. They serve delicious dishes such as spit-roasted turbot, steaks cooked to perfection, retro starters with a twist, and indulgent desserts like sticky-toffee-apple-pudding. After a satisfying meal, you can relax in your super-soft bed upstairs. The Double Red Duke is a rare breed of hotel that combines history, style and flavour.https://www.tiktok.com/@wakinguphere/video/7180056291086241030?lang=en

Rooms from £192 per night.

Heckfield Place

Heckfield, Hook RG27 0LD

[caption id="attachment_12333" align="aligncenter" width="769"]

Heckfield Pl, Heckfield[/caption]Experience sustainable luxury at Heckfield Place, a handsome historic estate in Hampshire's countryside. This grand 1790 property underwent a masterful renovation with eco-friendly mission. Visitors can indulge in teas in stately rooms, dine on fare by star chef Skye Gyngell, and explore the lush grounds. With Jane Austen connections nearby, Heckfield Place provides a proud country escape like those featured in Austen's works.

After exploring Heckfield Place's 400 acres of lakes, woods, and farmland, indulge in spa treatments at the Bothy. Nearby Hampshire offers countryside activities from the hotel's farm tours and gardening classes to horseback riding at Wellington Estate, golf at Hartley Wintney, and clay pigeon shooting. Don't miss Wellington Country Park's 350 acres of public grounds gifted by the Duke and Duchess. Heckfield Place provides a quintessential Great British countryside estate experience.

Rooms from £550 per night.

Middleton Lodge

Kneeton Ln, Middleton Tyas, Richmond DL10 6NJ[caption id="attachment_12335" align="aligncenter" width="788"]

Middleton Lodge, Richmond[/caption]Middleton Lodge Estate delivers charming stays overlooking North Yorkshire's moors. Situated on 200 private acres amid farmland, this boutique hotel, restaurant and bar complements the estate's stately Palladian mansion with honey- hued character. Guests enjoy old-world appeal meets modern hospitality near Richmond.Middleton Lodge Estate's restaurant spotlights hyperlocal cuisine with menus changing daily based on seasonal Yorkshire produce, often sourced directly from the grounds. Head chef Jake Jones focuses on flavour and ingredients over fussiness. Expect homemade pastries, local yogurts, and lunch options from light to hearty. Outdoor dining by the fire under stretch tents provides an idyllic option as well. This restaurant's farm-to-table approach showcases the region's bounty.

Rooms from £200 per night.

The Wild Rabbit

Church St, Kingham, Chipping Norton OX7 6YA[caption id="attachment_12348" align="aligncenter" width="1080"]

The Wild Rabbit, Cotswolds[/caption]The Wild Rabbit is a food lover’s paradise in the heart of the Cotswolds, making it a perfect countryside escape. The kitchen serves up creative dishes that honour traditional British cuisine and add a modern twist to fine dining. The menus change with the seasons to showcase the freshest ingredients.The Wild Rabbit offers 13 cosy rooms and 31 charming cottages, designed by Carole Bamford with a blend of rustic simplicity and elegant comfort. You can enjoy natural linens, wool blankets and antique furniture in your home-away-from-home. The Wild Rabbit is part of the Daylesford Estate, which has been guided by sustainable principles for over 40 years. The pub and cottages are powered by renewable energy and the kitchen uses local produce from the farm.The Wild Rabbit has partnered up with Daylsford, an organic farm and wellness spa that is located on the same estate as the guest house. Daylsford offers a range of products and services that align with the Wild Rabbit’s values and appeal to its customers.The Wild Rabbit and Daylsford created a wellness package. It includes a stay at the guest house, a visit to the spa, and organic goodies. This package is relevant for their target audience. It provides a holistic and luxurious experience that caters to their needs.

Rooms from £175 per night.

Daylesford Organic

Kingham, Cotswolds, GL56 0YG[caption id="attachment_12354" align="aligncenter" width="895"]

Daylesford Organic, Cotswolds[/caption]The Farm is a place to enjoy organic food. It is also a place to explore the charming villages and countryside of the Cotswolds. The Wild Rabbit shares the Daylesford family's values. These values are organic farming, ethical sourcing and wellbeing.The Wild Rabbit’s restaurant has a Michelin Green Star and serves dishes that celebrate seasonal British ingredients from Daylesford’s organic market garden. You can also relax at the bar or the terrace with a drink or a snack, or stay at one of the pub rooms or cottages that combine pared-back style with honest creature comforts. The Wild Rabbit is just a short walk from Daylesford Farm and is a perfect destination for a relaxing and enjoyable getaway in the Cotswolds.

Gilpin Hotel & Lake House

Crook Rd, Windermere LA23 3NE[caption id="attachment_12364" align="aligncenter" width="719"]

Gilpin Hotel & Lake House, Windermere[/caption]The Gilpin is a beloved multi-generational family-owned Lake District hotel comprising two properties on 100 acres - the main Gilpin Hotel and the cozy Gilpin Lake House. Guests enjoy exclusive amenities like private hot tubs, steam room, and swimming access. Dine on innovative fare fusing Cumbrian ingredients and exotic spices at Michelin-starred HRiSHi Gilpin Spice or the laid-back Gilpin Spice.

Explore 21 acres of grounds and private lakes via walking paths. With limited guests and bespoke treatment, the Gilpin provides intimate, relaxing countryside escape surrounded by the area's natural splendour. This award-winning hospitality makes the Gilpin a top choice for luxurious accommodations in the Lake District.

They have been featured in several online and print publications, such as The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Week, and A Lady of Leisure, where they received positive reviews and recommendations from travel writers and experts.They are part of the Pride of Britain Hotels collection, a marketing concept that celebrates some of the best independent luxury hotels in the UK. Gilpin Hotel & Lake house also have a partnership with Relais & Châteaux, a global association of prestigious hotels and restaurants.

Rooms from £305 per night.

The Amber Rose

Lechlade-on-Thames, Gloucestershire, England[caption id="attachment_12356" align="alignnone" width="1620"]

The Amber Rose, Cotswolds[/caption]Enjoy a relaxing countryside escape at this charming cabin by the lake. This cosy accommodation is located in a beautiful lake resort near Lechlade-on-Thames, on the outskirts of the scenic Cotswolds area. It’s a perfect spot for nature lovers, whether you want to explore the trails by foot or bike, or try some water sports on the lake.The cabin has a rustic yet chic design, with colourful boho touches that create a serene atmosphere – and a lovely deck overlooking the lake where you can have your breakfast. You’ll also benefit from the amazing shared amenities at the resort, such as the spa, the cafe and the 850 acres of green spaces. You can even make your stay more adventurous by booking activities like zip lining and high ropes courses.

Cabin from £1,131 per night.

The Newt

A359, Hadspen, Castle Cary BA7 7NG

Discover the perfect fusion of luxury and nature at The Newt in Somerset. This boutique hotel is nestled within a captivating working estate, boasting resplendent gardens, enchanting woodlands and traditional cyder orchards. Throughout the year, immerse yourself in the changing landscapes, from spring's vibrant gardens to the lush summer grounds, the majestic autumnal woodlands, and the cozy winter warmth of the welcoming Georgian hotel.Hadspen House, the heart of The Newt, exudes history. The house is the seat of the Hobhouse family for over two centuries. It offers luxurious accommodations while preserving the estate's heritage. Guests can luxuriate in the main house. They can also choose the stunning Farmyard or Farmhouse rooms. Each room provides comfort without compromising history. Indulge in the spa's serene offerings. Dine on estate-grown delights at the Botanical Rooms. Explore the wonders of Somerset surrounding the estate. Book your stay and experience the ultimate blend of luxury and nature at The Newt.Rooms from £520 per night