Our UK Destinations

Cornwall

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Once you have spent some time in Cornwall it’ll come as no surprise to find out that it’s one of the UK’s most visited regions. People come here for the spectacular landscapes, golden sands and azure seas, but they also come to spend time exploring tiny coastal communities, picturesque harbours and granite-built villages. Then there are the towns, heritage sites and visitor attractions. Let’s not forget about The Eden Project or the fact that Cornwall is fast becoming a top foodie destination either. Rick Stein’s restaurant at Padstow and Jamie Oliver’s 15 Cornwall at Watergate Bay offer a delicious gastro-glimpse into this wonderful county. And from the Ship and Castle Hotel at St Mawes they are all just a hop skip and a jump away. Simply perfect.

Cumbria

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You’d be forgiven for thinking that Cumbria was all about The Lake District. However it includes a small part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, The North pennies, The Eden Valley and The Furness Peninsula. The county also contains England’s highest mountains as well as some of England’s biggest lakes. Of the 16 ‘official’ lakes, Windermere is England’s largest. As such, plenty find the time to mess about on the water – one of the best places to see the lakes at their best. The surrounding countryside, as you’d expect, is spectacular and has inspired many over the years, including Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter.  You’ll be inspired too when you stay at our hotels in Cumbria. Both The Windermere Hotel and The Derwentwater Hotel at Keswick, have beautiful lake views.

Devon

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They say that Devon is among the most desirable place to live in the UK. It’s easy to see why. Devon enjoys the best of both worlds, with quiet corners as well as two major cities. There are green fields, busy seaside resorts like Torquay and Paignton, wild moorland vistas on Exmoor and Dartmoor, fabulous coastal scenery on the Hartland peninsula, genteel beachside towns such as Sidmouth and Lyme Regis, a beautiful cathedral at Exeter and even one of the most fossil-rich stretches of coastline in the UK. So what’s not to love about it? Add great food, the classic cream tea and the charm and elegance of The Imperial Exmouth Hotel and you’ve got all the ingredients of a brilliant destination. And don’t forget to order the Ruby Red beef. It’s delicious!

Dorset Coast

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What is it about Dorset that has brought so many writers here? Perhaps it’s the breathtaking scenery of the rural area they now call ‘Hardy Country’, the dramatic sweep of Lyme Regis’ Cobb, the wild shingles of Chesil Beach or the utterly spiffing seaside towns of Enid Blyton’s adventures. Either way, plenty of people have gone mad in Dorset for its wonderful coastline, rolling green hills and geological marvels. They might have raised an eyebrow at the rude Giant of Cerne Abbas but surely no one could fault Durdle Dor, Corfe Castle, Swanage or Poole Harbour, with its nautical beauty and often colourful spectacle of gently bobbing boats. Bournemouth, where you’ll find the Savoy Hotel, is one of the UK’s favourite sunny day getaways. Why wouldn’t it be? They have 7 miles of sandy beaches, a beautifully restored pier at Boscombe and world’s oldest beach hut.

Norfolk

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You might not find mountains or moors in Norfolk but you really won’t miss them at all. Especially when you’ve explored monastic ruins under enormous skies, walked across expansive salt marshes,  strolled along the coast path, looked up in wonder at Norwich Cathedral or had a flutter at Fakenham races. You don’t need wilderness to enjoy space. Norfolk, of course, has it in spades. But if you fancy some seaside fun, head for the resorts at Great Yarmouth, Cromer or Sheringham. Lovers of history will always find something here too, especially when they stay at the Golden Lion Hotel, Hunstanton. It’s the oldest building in town. It has the warmest welcome too.

Northumberland

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For peace, quiet, beautiful countryside, wide open vistas and fewer crowds, Northumberland is hard to beat. It is England’s least densely populated county and also its most northerly. Here, at the very farthest reaches of the former Roman Empire, you can still see forts and sections of Hadrian’s Wall in the ancient landscape. You can walk on deserted beaches, with magical castles towers, like those at Bamburgh, watching over you. You can drive across tidal flats to visit Holy Island, a timeless place that now lies sleepily at the edge of the North Sea. Here you can see colonies of puffins and seals and marvel at your good fortune in choosing Northumberland as your holiday destination.

Somerset

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Base yourself in Somerset and you’ll find a little of everything, right on your doorstep. A stay at The Lansdowne Hotel in Bath, itself a Bath stone-built beauty, offers all the charm of one of England’s prettiest cities as well as the chance to head out into the Mendip hills or out on to the levels. You could be shopping in the morning in Bath’s markets and independent boutiques, enjoying a picnic in front of The Royal Crescent at lunch time and climbing Glastonbury Tor to survey the land of ‘Avalon’ in the afternoon.  The contrast couldn’t be greater. Likewise, from the Grand Atlantic Hotel in Weston Super Mare it’s just a few steps to the prom and pier and just a short drive to Minehead, Porlock and the wild beauty of Exmoor or the curious caves at Cheddar Gorge.

Warwickshire

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To stay or not to stay? It’s not much of a question really, especially since there is so much more to Warwickshire than Stratford-Upon-Avon and the Bard. Mind you, it’s a combination that brings visitors in their droves. As a base for exploring the rest of this historic county it’s hard to beat, especially when you stay with us at The Charlecote Pheasant Hotel. Its location beside the Avon makes it perfect for exploring Stratford and the Georgian town of Royal Leamington Spa. From here you can also visit Britain’s ‘greatest mediaeval experience’ at the spectacular Warwick Castle or enjoy a little peace and quiet among the sleepy villages of the Cotswolds. If you are looking for a little piece of England at its finest, it doesn’t get much better than this!

Yorkshire

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Villages like Robin Hood’s Bay, cling to steep sided valleys whilst Victorian resorts retain their composure next to gorgeous sands. Inland, the North Yorkshire National Park offers a moorland escape from the sunny seaside. The county town, York, is the place for architecture, cafe culture and quaint cobbled streets. What treasures lie within! To the west you’ll find Harrogate, an Edwardian Spa Town that’s brimming with attractions and historic sites. Our Hotel, The St George Hotel, shows off its Edwardian splendour with the best location in the town – right next to Harrogate’s famous Spa baths.

Pembrokeshire

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The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, which provides a safe, development-free zone around the edges of the county, makes Pembrokeshire a place of unspoiled beauty. Its coastal path covers 186 gorgeous miles, passes 58 beaches and 14 harbours on its journey from Cardigan Bay in the north to Amroth in the south.  There are islands where you can see vast colonies of seabirds and the UK’s ‘most beautiful beach’ at Barrafundle. Inland there are gardens and castles to explore. In fact, The Imperial Hotel in Tenby is built into part of the old ramparts of Tenby’s castle! Sitting atop a promontory and overlooking Tenby’s fabulous beach, the hotel is right on the coast path – a perfect place to begin exploring Pembrokeshire.

Dumfries and Galloway

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Locations don’t get much better than the Portpatrick Hotel in Dumfries and Galoway. On a hill overlooking the whitewashed houses of the old port, the hotel has fine views over the North Channel towards Ireland and England. It is spectacular. Mind you, the rest of the region has its moments too. The coast is punctuated by sandy beaches, lochs and rugged cliffs, whilst inland you’ll find botanic gardens, castles, historic houses and ancient sites. Among the favourites are Logan Botanic Gardens, Broughton House and Castle Kennedy. For the more romantic, a visit to the Galloway Forest Park will reveal more stars than you could ever hope to see. It’s official too – the park is one of just two places that are designated as a ‘Dark Sky park’.

Perthshire

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You could say that Perthshire is the heart of Scotland. It’s no more than an hour from Edinburgh or Glasgow and is on the main route to the Highlands and the north. However it couldn’t be further from the big cities of the lowlands. Fishing, walking, kayaking, golfing and relaxing are the order of the day here in summer whilst winter brings a whole different brand of sporting events. Pitlochry, and the Pitlochry Hydro Hotel, sit at the centre of the county and offer great access to destinations like Gleneagles, the ‘fair city’ of Perth and gardens such as the Hermitage near Birnam. Here you’ll find one of the biggest trees in Britain, the Fortingall Yew. It’s no wonder they call it ‘big tree country’.