11 Weekend Breaks & Getaways in the UK
From arty digs in the Scottish Highlands to Cornish seaside retreats — read on for the best weekend breaks in the UK.
1/11
BRAEMAR, SCOTLAND
THE FIFE ARMS
Melding Scottish heritage, craftsmanship and culture with world-class contemporary art and a strong sense of community, The Fife Arms is a traditional Victorian coaching inn, which sits in the sleepy village of Braemar in the Scottish Highlands. Launched in 2018 by Hauser & Wirth founders Iwan and Manuela Wirth, this year’s addition includes Bertie’s Whisky Bar — an elegant and glamorous venue named in honour of Queen Victoria’s eldest son, King Edward VII. Don’t miss out on exploring the surrounding scenery including the spectacular Dunnottar Castle.
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Drawing Room, The Fife Arms ©Simon Canetty-Clarke
Situated in the spectacular mountain scenery at the eastern gateway to the highest mountains of the Cairngorms National Park, Braemar is a haven for walkers, climbers or wanderers.
2/11
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND
THE BALMORAL
Looking up to Edinburgh Castle, The Balmoral is where old town meets new. The legendary hotel and landmark clock tower, a symbol of the city, houses 188 rooms and suites including the Scone and Crombie Suite (pictured), which offers glorious city views. For a quick change of scenery, venture out to Schloss Roxburghe Hotel, a twenty-bedroom luxury property with championship golf course, set on the outskirts of Northumberland National Park.
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Scone and Crombie Suite, The Balmoral
Schloss Roxburghe Hotel
3/11
THE COTSWOLDS
THE FISH HOTEL & RETREAT
This back-to-nature hotel and retreat is inspired by the Cotswolds legend of a local monastery that stored their fish within the cool caves deep under its hillside setting. Today, its village-style collection of houses, huts and hideaways are set within the 400-acre Farncombe Estate, surrounded by quintessential Cotswolds views. Inside, the interiors take on a pared-back vibe with modern amenities and luxury comforts. Opt for a stay in a Treehouse, these magical treetop hideaways will embody all your childhood pleasures and are every bit as fun as they are luxurious. Other nearby options include the honey-hued farmhouse Dormy House, The Lygon Arms and Foxhill Manor — a five star private manor house with heartfelt personal service.
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Treehouse Interior, The Fish Hotel & Retreat
Treehouse Accommodation, The Fish Hotel & Retreat
Hut Accommodation, The Fish Hotel & Retreat
4/11
HOOK, HAMPSHIRE
HECKFIELD PLACE
A Georgian family home lovingly restored into a classic 44-suite retreat nestled in the Hampshire countryside, Heckfield Place redefines hotel luxury with comfort and elegance at every turn. Standing on 400 acres of secluded landscape, the grounds are sculpted over centuries by ancient woodlands, gardens and meadows. Interiors by British firm BWT combine the grandeur of a Georgian manor with the informality of a modern farmhouse. A variety of treatments are on offer at the hotel’s Little Bothy Spa whilst the two on-site restaurants serve-up farm-to-table produce dreamt up by Skye Gyngell. Across the rolling hills in Hook, the Four Seasons Hampshire, a restored 18th-century manor, awaits adventurers looking for that quintessential country escape.
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Signature Room, Heckfield Place
"Resolutely natural, elegantly evolving, Heckfield Place is a beautiful piece of English history that redefines the idea of a hotel."
Exterior, Heckfield Place
5/11
OXFORDSHIRE
ESTELLE MANOR
Located on the edge of the Cotswolds, Estelle Manor is a country house hotel and private members' club housed in a Grade II listed building, set amidst a 60-acre estate in Oxfordshire. Offering 108 tastefully furnished rooms and suites, the hotel blends vintage and modern elements in its decor. Guests can choose from three locations: the main Manor House, the lush Walled Garden, or the Stable setting, all offering breathtaking views. Whether you’re seeking a relaxing retreat or an active getaway, don't miss out on visiting Eynsham Baths – a Roman-inspired spa spanning 3,000 sq metres with stunning architecture.
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Outdoor Pool
Suite
6/11
CANTERBURY, KENT
THE PIG AT BRIDGE PLACE
Since its opening 2018, The Pig at Bridge Place has shaken off its rock-n-roll past and has pleasingly become a haven of relaxation. The property is dotted with cosy nooks featuring large fireplaces and slouchy sofas, an open-plan kitchen restaurant and on-site spa with treatment rooms housed in individual ‘Potting Sheds’ to guarantee maximum peacefulness. If the thought of sleeping over seems too good to pass up, the hotel offers characterful bedrooms, Lodges, riverside Huts and a rustic two-storey hideaway in the former stables.
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7/11
HAMPTON COURT, SURREY
THE MITRE
Originally built to host visitors to Hampton Court Palace, The Mitre — a 36-room riverside retreat — has been reincarnated into a contemporary boutique hotel. Set over three floors, with lake and waterfront views, the rooms and suites ooze warmth and charm. Wicker, rattan, and bold florals are peppered with creatively chosen artwork in a nod to the hunting, boating and cultural traditions of the surrounding area. For a scenic tour to five-star bliss, head to Coworth Park. Here you’ll find pastoral tranquillity and a host of on-site activities.
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“A new chapter for an age-old story.”
8/11
CASTLE CARY, SOMERSET
THE NEWT
Over six years in the making, The Newt is a country estate featuring magnificent woodlands and gardens. Its simplicity is particularly appealing. The estate offers 23 stylish rooms, divided between the main house, Clock House, and Stable Yard. Guest facilities range from an indulgent spa with indoor-outdoor swimming pools to a cider bottling plant and a thatched ice cream parlour. These amenities make the hotel and its estate feel like a well-orchestrated haven. For those eager to visit the coast, Chewton Glen in Christchurch, located just moments from Highcliffe Beach, is a great choice.
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The Granary
“Relax and unwind in the spa with its indoor-outdoor pool, steam room, sauna and treatment rooms. Reconnect in the Medieval Herb garden, sit for a manicure, get some added stress relief through couples’ mud therapy, or enjoy a proper wash-down in the hammam.”
A Room with A View
9/11
DARTMOOR, DEVON
HOTEL ENDSLEIGH
Set in 100 acres of picture-perfect gardens on the border between Devon and Cornwall, Endsleigh is a serene boutique hotel and country cousin of the seaside Hotel Tresanton in Cornwall and The Star in Alfriston. Designed individually by Olga Polizzi, each of the 19 rooms are unfussy and stylishly furnished. For those who prefer a little more elbow room, opt for a suite such as Suite 20, which features ground and first floor spaces and a private entrance from the cobbled stable yard.
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@hotelendsleigh
“I defy anyone to find a more beautiful spot in the whole of England. There is no traffic or aircraft noise, no light pollution, just the sound of the Tamar river.”
10/11
EAST PORTLEMOUTH – SALCOMBE, DEVON
GARA ROCK HOTEL
Situated in the coastal resort town of Salcombe in Devon, Gara Rock is an easy, down-to-earth boutique hotel with rustic interiors, positioned on a clifftop with marvellous panoramic sea views. Renowned for its natural beauty, wild and windswept coastal walks and empty sandy beaches, the hotel’s location near East Portlemouth beckons city-breakers, families and couples. With heated indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, cinema, restaurant, sun terrace, cosy bedrooms and stylish self-catering cottages — the property is the perfect Great British getaway.
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@gararockhotel
11/11
CAMBRIDGE
UNIVERSITY ARMS HOTEL
Cambridge's historical landmark hotel the University Arms is the latest addition to the city's hospitality scene and draws inspiration from its college heritage. Overlooking Parker’s Piece a hop, skip and jump from the historic city centre, the 192 light-filled rooms and suites designed exclusively by Martin Brudnizki, draw inspiration from the building’s Edwardian past — picture bespoke, leather-padded writing desks, low ottomans and antique chandeliers in playful colours.
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For information, rates and bookings at any of the properties listed, contact us directly via the link below.