7 UK Autumn stays to book now
Curl up in one of these cosy boutique stays this Autumn
BOYS HALL, KENT
BEST FOR: WINING AND DINING
One of this year’s hottest new openings, and among the 12 new establishments added to The Michelin guide in September 2023, the lovingly restored 17th-century Boys Hall is offering perfectly paired wine evenings this autumn for wine aficionados and foodies alike. Guests staying at the hotel can delight in seasonal produce and a curated wine list celebrating the very best of Kent. After an evening of indulgence, sink in the deep gold bathtub of the brand-new Bishops Quarter Suite, surrounded by ornate wooden panelling, gifted by King Charles himself.
Doubles start from £180 per night on a B&B basis, boys-hall.com; Press imagery here.
ROTHAY MANOR, THE LAKE DISTRICT
BEST FOR: OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
This autumn, Ambleside’s boutique hotel – Rothay Manor – is teaming up with some of its favourite local partners to bring guests a host of exhilarating outdoor activities. Experience guided walks across wild, remote landscapes; stand-up paddle boarding on lake Windermere; or the ultimate off-road driving experience. Closer to home, guests can feast on the best of seasonal produce in the relaxed, modern-British restaurant, or indulge in the hot tub on the bedroom’s private terraces.
Doubles from £200 per night on a B&B basis, rothaymanor.co.uk; Press imagery here.
STAFFORDSHIRE CABINS, STAFFORDSHIRE
BEST FOR: WILD SWIMMING
Metres from a private lake in a sun-dappled field are 3 Staffordshire Cabins crafted from oak trees grown in local woodland. Inside, kingsize beds are layered with feather and down duvets, rainfall showers and outdoor bathrooms are stocked with natural soaps and colourful crockery is crafted just down the road by Emma Bridgewater. Outside is just as special: read a book on the deck: stargaze with a glass of wine as logs crackle in the fire pit; fill the outdoor tub and sink beneath the suds, or strip off for a wild swim in the lake.
From £175-200/night ~ Each sleeps 2; kiphideaways.com; Press imagery here.
ESSEX SHEPHERD'S HUT, ESSEX
BEST FOR: COSY COUNTRYSIDE SECLUSION
Less than 1.5 hours direct from London, the beautifully bespoke Essex Shepherd's Hut overlooks a stretch of countryside-on-the-coast. Warm, reclaimed wood cladding gives way to hand-sewn textiles and views over the fields, a shelf of paperbacks on foraging and rewilding and a glass-fronted design framing the trajectory of sunlight. Outdoors, a glorious Swedish-style bath is heated by a log-burner, soundtracked by the hum of crickets at nightfall. Gather autumn fruit from the kitchen garden, and eggs in the breakfast basket are supplied by the local rescue hens.
Sleeps 2. £175-200 / night, kiphideaways.com; Press imagery here.
KINGFISHER COTTAGE, HEREFORDSHIRE
BEST FOR: FAMILY
Kingfisher Cottage is situated on the Welsh border with the River Wye winding past the garden. Taking centre stage for outdoor play; days can be spent skimming stones and paddle-boarding to Hay-on-Wye. Pick berries from the bushes, bird-watch from the balcony and head into the Brecon Beacons for long walks. Evenings can be spent marshmallow-toasting around the campfire and a gorgeous greenhouse is set up for candle-lit suppers. Dive into the library of books and board games, cosy up for film afternoons with the pull-down cinema screen, or wander to the pub for warming Sunday roasts.
From £320-£600/night ~ Sleeps 6-7; kiphideaways.com; Press imagery here.
THE TAWNY, STAFFORDSHIRE
BEST FOR: RETREAT TO THE TREES
Located in a re-wilded 70-acre estate in the heart of Staffordshire, the dog-friendly Tawny Hotel has wellness at its core. The outdoor pool is heated throughout the year, while seasonal experiences are on offer for autumn, including kombucha workshops, abstract painting classes, foraging and Raku pottery. The Plumicorn Restaurant offers seasonal produce for a relaxed lunch or evening meal, or just cosy up by the Shepherd Hut’s log burner or enjoy a glass of bubbles in one of the hideaway’s heated outdoor spa baths, surrounded by the wonderfully changing autumnal colours.
Doubles start from £240 per night on a B&B basis, thetawny.co.uk; Press imagery here.
THE RECTORY,WILTSHIRE
BEST FOR: LEAF-PEEPING AND ANTIQUES HUNTING
Nestled on the border of the Cotswolds, The Rectory is a bolthole for a stylish set looking for an understated, cool design-led place to escape. Spend an autumnal weekend crunching over leaves at Westonbirt Arboretum, just a 10-minute drive away with over 2,500 tree varieties, or exploring the antique shops of the nearby Tetbury. Return home via the award-winning sister pub, The Potting Shed, for a pint. As the colder months set in, The Rectory’s Head Chef Tarryn Bingle (previously Michelin starred La Trompette) is offering a warming winter menu and a special game night, featuring Berkshire fallow deer and grouse from Yorkshire.
Doubles from £170 per night on a B&B basis; The game night will be hosted on the 16th Novemeber. Prices start from £65 pp, therectoryhotel.com; Press imagery here.