With winter now well on its way, we take a look at some of Britain’s best hotels offering guests just what’s needed to keep the winter blues at bay!
Recently ranked #1 by readers of Conde Nast Traveller, The Fife Arms in Braemar has become one of THE destinations under the ownership of Iwan and Manuela Wirth, of the international art gallery Hauser & Wirth. Located in the majestic grandeur of the Cairngorms, the former coaching inn dates back to 1856 and has been meticulously restored, reviving its splendour.
Not surprisingly, The Fife Arms is home to an extraordinary collection of art, from Scottish art acquired especially for the hotel including paintings by Archibald Thornburn (1860-1935), one of Scotland’s finest wildlife painters, to special commissions, including work by internationally renowned artists Zhang Enli, Guillermo Kuitca and Subodh Gupta.
From wild sketching to tailor-made tours, guests are invited to “Experience the Exceptional”, and The Fife Arms certainly seems to be setting new standards!
Named the UK’s best boutique hotel in the Top 50 Boutique Hotel Awards, The Newt in Somerset offers a luxury break in the middle of a working estate looked after by the same family for more than 200 years.
There is a wide choice of accommodation, including Guest Rooms in the 17th century main house and luxury suites in converted 18th century farm buildings and stables.
With acres of magnificent gardens, woodlands and orchards, nature is at the heart of a stay at The Newt, and there are no end of seasonal activities to enjoy.
Acclaimed by The Telegraph as one of England’s most romantic hotels, The Tawny is set in 70 acres of an ancient estate in the heart of rural Staffordshire. A “deconstructed hotel”, guests enjoy their own private space in gorgeous wildwood huts, treehouses and luxury retreats located throughout the estate with a magnificent central country house where fine dining, an exquisite outdoor heated pool and spa can be found.
“We took time to make Thyme,” say Caryn Hibbert, whose extraordinary vision has transformed a series of farm buildings adjacent to their family home in the Cotswolds to create what is now “a village within in a village”.
Featuring 31 exquisite guest rooms across a number of beautifully restored Cotswold stone buildings, with a fabulous restaurant, spa, cookery school, boutiques and event spaces, Thyme is an idyllic country retreat with a busy ‘Calendar of Happenings’.
Limewood, located in the New Forest, offers laid-back luxury less than two hours away from London.
Guests can choose between beautifully appointed rooms in the restored 18th century manor house or luxurious suites, nestled across the 17 acre estate.
Along with an award-winning spa, a highlight of the Limewood Weekend has to be the restaurant, Harnett Holder & Co, with exceptional cooking by Angela Hartnett and Luke Holder.
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Photo: The Fife Arms Entrance Hall with Red Haired Man – Portrait II, 1962 by Lucian Freud courtesy of The Fife Arms