The 9 Best Countryside Retreats in the UK
Dreaming of long country walks, crackling fires and weekends wrapped in soft blankets and quiet luxury? These are the retreats that transform the British countryside into something extraordinary.
There is a unique charm to escaping into the countryside, where the air feels clearer, the pace softens and the everyday noise fades into the background. Across the UK, historic estates, forest hideaways and design-led country houses offer a version of calm that feels both timeless and deeply modern. Days stretch into slow breakfasts, garden wanders, woodland trails and spa rituals, while nights unfold beside firelight, beautiful dining rooms and bedrooms designed for unhurried rest. Here are the retreats that define rural indulgence at its very best.
Best for Slow Living and Eco-Luxe Calm
Hampshire
Heckfield Place feels like a deep exhale. Wrapped in soft Hampshire hills, this Georgian estate blends natural materials, biodynamic gardens and warm, firelit interiors that invite you to unwind completely. Wander the grounds at first light, spend long hours at the Bothy spa and dine on hyper-seasonal dishes drawn from the estate itself. It is luxury rooted in nature, delivered with gentle elegance. From $870 per night including breakfast based on two people sharing.
Best for Grand Country Escapes with Modern Edge
Oxfordshire
Estelle Manor is country house living reimagined for the contemporary traveller. Behind its stately façade lies a world of soaring ceilings, flickering candlelight, velvet textures and an unmistakable members’ club energy. Days flow between woodland trails, restorative swims and the Roman-inspired Eynsham Baths, while evenings invite cocktails in low-lit bars and beautifully curated dining rooms. Equal parts opulence and modern cool. From $940 per night including breakfast based on two people sharing.
Best for Creative Souls and Laid-Back Cool
Somerset
Set within the Somerset countryside, Babington House is a countryside retreat with the warmth of a lived-in home and the buzz of a Soho House outpost. Lakeside lawns, mismatched armchairs and the scent of Cowshed spa oils create a setting made for long weekends and creative wandering. Swim outdoors beneath a pale sky, lunch in the Orangery and end the day beside a fire that never seems to dim. Effortlessly relaxed and quietly stylish. From $480 per night excluding breakfast based on two people sharing.
Best for Forest Romance and Spa Escapes
New Forest
Lime Wood sits deep within ancient woodland, a retreat where nature is present in every view. Inside, roll-top baths overlook forest canopies, the Herb House spa glows with herbal warmth and meals shaped by Angela Hartnett and Luke Holder honour seasonal simplicity. Wander the New Forest trails, sip wine by a crackling fire and let the hush of the woods settle in around you. From $530 per night excluding breakfast based on two people sharing.
Best for Garden Lovers and Modern Country Style
Somerset
The Newt is a masterpiece of landscape, heritage and contemporary design. Georgian architecture meets serene modernity, orchards stretch across sunlit hills and the gardens offer something new in every season. Dine on produce grown metres from your table, wander through the Roman villa museum or simply slow down among the estate’s quiet corners. A stay that feels both enriching and deeply restful. From $1020 per night including breakfast based on two people sharing.
Best for Grand British Adventure
Scotland
With its sweeping drive, vast Highland views and storied heritage, Gleneagles is the grande dame of countryside escapes. Days are shaped by falconry, horse riding, clay shooting and world-class golf, while evenings unfold in whisky lounges and dining rooms glowing with soft light. Equal parts adventure and indulgence, Gleneagles is classic British escapism wrapped in timeless glamour. From $660 per night including breakfast based on two people sharing.
Best for Regal Escapes and Old-World Elegance
Ireland
Ballyfin is a place where luxury takes its time. Set within acres of Irish parkland, this 19th-century mansion offers marble halls, intimate drawing rooms and an atmosphere of quiet grandeur. Wander lakeside paths, enjoy afternoon tea by the fire and sink into a stay where every detail is steeped in history and warmth. A regal retreat with a beating heart. From $1190 per night including breakfast based on two people sharing.
Best for Laid-Back Luxury and Field-to-Fork Feasting
Devon
The Pig at Combe captures the joy of countryside living with delicious ease. Surrounded by rolling Devon fields, the kitchen garden dictates the menu, the Folly bar invites long afternoons and the house itself radiates rustic charm. Nothing here is rushed, everything feels comforting and the food is always a highlight. Simple pleasures, perfected. From $260 per night excluding breakfast based on two people sharing.
Best for Cosy Cotswold Charm and Spa Serenity
Cotswolds
Perched above Broadway, Dormy House is all soft textures, warm fires and Scandinavian-inspired calm. The House Spa is a candlelit haven of pools and herbal steam, while the surrounding countryside invites long rambles through golden-stone villages. The kind of place where you instantly feel at ease, wrapped in blankets, warmth and gentle stillness. From $660 per night including breakfast based on two people sharing.
