Best Hotels For A Road Trip Around The North Of England

The George and Dragon – Clifton, Cumbria

A lovely place to stay, eat and relax, close to the Eden Valley. Part of the huge Lowther Estate, the village inn is owned by Charlie Lowther who is also behind nearby Askham Hall and The Queen’s Head Askham. Two summers ago, a fire broke out here which meant an extensive refurbishment by the Lowthers’ cousin Totty Lowther. However, regulars have no need to worry. The George and Dragon still has the same authentic look and convivial feel. The rustic bar, with its woodburning stoves and banquette seats strewn with kelim cushions, is a delightful place to while away time. And on sunny days, there is no better spot than at a chunky, weathered table in the courtyard. The menus are inspired by the estate-grown and reared produce. Head chef Gareth Webster creates just the sort of tasty, unfussy cooking one craves in the countryside. There are 11 comfortable, renovated bedrooms, with five more on the way, and guests should take advantage of its impressive fishing and stalking opportunities. Families and well behaved dogs are welcome. 

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Doubles from £160, +44 (0)1768 865381; georgeanddragonclifton.co.uk

Gilpin Hotel & Lake House – Windermere, Cumbria

Family-run and fabulous. In 1987, John and Christine Cunliffe bought John’s grandmother’s 1901 home and created a five bedroom B&B. Joined by their son Barney and his wife Zoë in 2001, the Cunliffes have created a haven of calm, style and comfort, a year-round retreat across two estates. Nowadays, Gilpin Hotel has an Arts & Crafts charm mixed with contemporary style; lots of luxury, but zero pretentiousness. Wellness is a big focus, with a gorgeous Spa Space for all guests to enjoy. Twelve of the rooms have hot tubs, and ten Spa Lodges and Spa Suites have hot tubs and private spas. A mile away is Gilpin Lake House. Set in 100 acres of private grounds, six rooms share an indoor pool, sauna, outdoor hot tubs and spa treatment rooms. As for the food, you’ll be bowled over. It’s home to Michelin-starred SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel, built around local ingredients, and relaxed Pan-Asian restaurant Gilpin Spice. Afternoon tea can also be enjoyed within the scenic surrounds of the spectacular Lake House. In short, a blissful hotel filled with love and laughter – even the resident alpacas look happy. 

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Rooms from £260, +44 (0)1539 488818; thegilpin.co.uk

The Grand – York, Yorkshire

Originally built in 1906 as a ‘Palace of Business’ for the North Eastern Railway Company, The Grand, York, lives up to its name, retaining much of its Edwardian splendour. With its city centre location, unique experiential packages and exquisite food and beverage offering, the hotel provides the perfect all-around stay. There are 207 luxury suites and spacious rooms that occupy the two main wings. Guests can experience the original building with its high ceilings, large windows and architectural quirks or the contemporary wing, a clever blend of heritage meets modern simplicity. The spa, housed in the former vaults, offers a blissful escape, while diners can eat in three AA Rosette fine-dining restaurant Legacy, with a tasting menu focused on seasonality, locality and sustainability, or modern British cuisine in AA Rosette Awarded The Rise Restaurant – both are sure to delight epicureans. Don’t miss the award winning afternoon tea either. In the evening, start with a cocktail on the terrace and finish off the night with a whisky at the 1906 Bar. And, as if all that wasn’t enough, The Grand has an award-winning cookery school, too. 

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From £169, +44 (0)1904 380038; thegrandyork.co.uk

Headlam Hall – County Durham

The Robinson family are exemplary hoteliers: not only have they created the quintessential English pub in the Rose & Crown at Romaldkirk, but also the archetypal country-house hotel at Headlam Hall, located between Barnard Castle and the A1 at Scotch Corner. It helps that the hall is a fine-looking, 17th-century building of the palest stone with an idyllic setting in the rolling Durham dales. In its beautiful walled gardens, you can play tennis and croquet or just stroll around and admire the immaculate lawns and rose borders. Vegetables, herbs and fruit are also grown here to provide the excellent kitchen with the freshest possible ingredients. Inside, the exquisitely proportioned space has wood panelling and elegant, comfortable furnishings, and the 38 restful bedrooms and suites (plus a recently added stylish self-catering apartment with private hot tub) contain everything you could possibly need. With its own nine-hole golf course, fabulous spa and classic cars available for daily hire in the summer, this is a hotel that absolutely everyone will enjoy… even the most dedicated of petrolheads. 

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Doubles from £150, +44 (0)1325 730238; headlamhall.co.uk

The Highland – Driffield, Yorkshire

Owned and run by interior designers Andy and Lindsey Lampard, this former merchant’s house on the outskirts of Driffield has been given a characterful makeover – think antiques, contemporary furniture, and bespoke fabrics and wallpapers. Each of the eight suites comes with its own quirky backstory. Room ‘1610’ is all Jacobean opulence with 610 hidden Batman symbols in the wallpaper (their son is an avid fan); Yes Mallard has train carriage-inspired details; while Sketch is based on the eponymous London restaurant (a former favourite haunt of the owners). You’ll find handmade Harrison Spinks mattresses, Bramley bath products and a complimentary pantry in the corridor with Yorkshire-made treats. The two AA Rosette 1864 restaurant opened last year and excels in modern British food: locally grown, foraged and seasonal produce drives the five-course tasting and à la carte menus. There’s also a children’s menu and kitchen garden trail for them to explore. Light lunches are served in the cosy Think Pink parlour; the library bar is the perfect spot for cocktails. Keep eyes peeled for the monthly Lunar Club music and comedy nights too. 

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Suites from £150, +44 (0)1377 256231; thehighfieldhouse.com

Hotel Victoria – Robin Hood’s Bay, Yorkshire

Set in the picturesque fishing village of Robin’s Hood Bay near Whitby, this newly refurbished hotel has some of the most spectacular coastal views in North Yorkshire. While away the hours on the newly created covered terrace in the cliff top garden, which looks out over the village and out to sea (the best rooms also have their own balconies). Indulge in a quintessential Yorkshire afternoon tea, with a selection of sweet and savoury treats. Then, before dinner, enjoy a signature cocktail in the newly named Osborne’s Restaurant & Lounge Bar – the sunsets from here are breath taking. Seasonal dishes include braised pork belly with crackling crumb and spring colcannon, and the more traditional North Sea cod in champagne batter. There’s also the adjoining Loxley pub, a relaxed, traditionally inspired bar that has Yorkshire ales and a menu to suit all tastes. Small plates such as beef cheek croquettes, crispy whitebait and salt ‘n’ pepper squid complement more hearty fare – and it’s the ideal place to cosy up after days spent on the beach or hiking the North York Moors. 

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Doubles from £109, +44 (0)1947 880205; victoriarhb.com

Langdale Chase – Windermere

Fresh from a top-to-toe refurbishment, this glorious Grade II-listed manor house sits right on the shore of Lake Windermere, surrounded by four acres of gardens. Split between the main house and a separate lakehouse, the 30 nature-inspired rooms and suites have Ikat wallpapers, botanical cushions, and marble bathrooms. The most romantic is The Boathouse, with a rooftop terrace and copper tub. Original features remain throughout the house, from the carved staircase and reclaimed fireplace in the hall to the octagonal turret lounges and stained-glass light well in some of the suites. The views are sensational, especially from the Dining Room restaurant and the wraparound terrace – just the spot for afternoon tea or watching the sun dip behind the Langdale Pikes. Do as much as you wish or simply kick back and relax. There’s also an intimate cinema, a reading room, and a sitting room where the all-day menu is served (think New England lobster rolls and club sandwiches). The food – Herdwick lamb, regional cheeses, Fell-caught fish – celebrates British ingredients and feels perfectly in keeping with the surroundings. 

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From £390, +44(0)1539 432201; langdalechase.co.uk

Linthwaite House – Windermere, Cumbria

Linthwaite House is in many ways the perfect Lake District hotel: understated, elegant, and professional, but also warmly welcoming and deeply relaxing. And the views over Lake Windermere, with the sun slanting across the water, are simply unbeatable. The bedrooms are the last word in lakeside luxury and, for those wanting a more back-to-nature experience, there’s also a tarn with a secluded cabin and six Fell Suites in the wooded grounds. Back in the hotel, you’ll find a crackling fire in the hall’s carved mahogany fireplace, beyond which beckons The Bar & Conservatory offering a culinary experience blending sophistication with charm. Its inspired menus (all-day dining, snacks, drinks etc) ensure flavourful and seasonal offerings. Guests can also dine in Henrock, overseen by much admired, multi Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan who makes sublime use of the freshest Cumbrian ingredients from his farm in Cartmel, known as Our Farm. Add their wedding, events and conferencing offers and array of activities around the grounds (croquet lawn, outdoor chessboard, bicycles and rowing boats), and you have a hotel that ticks all the boxes. 

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From £320, +44 (0)15394 88600; leeucollection.com

Lord Crewe Arms – Blanchland, Northumberland

In 2014, this wonderfully characterful and historic inn was superbly revamped by one of the best small hotel groups in the country, The Calcot Collection. In the honey-stoned medieval village of Blanchland, amid the gorgeous countryside of the North Pennine moors, this posh pub-cum-hotel dates back to the 12th century. Even before you walk through the door, you’ll find yourself smiling thanks to the warm welcome from Richard, aka ‘The Beard of Blanchland’, who’s as much of a hit on Instagram as he is with guests. The hotel’s 26 bedrooms range from cosy doubles to suites (five of which were added last year), with relaxed eating areas displaying baronial and monastic touches as befit the building, originally part of Blanchland Abbey. The look throughout is spot on: English country calm mixed with cosmopolitan beat and pace. As for the honest, robust food, it’s in the excellent hands of Paul Johnson. The restored 15th century gatehouse is now a slick spot for special events, culinary demos and private gatherings of up to 30 people. In short, a truly delightful haven in one of the loveliest spots in the country. 

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Doubles from £184, +44 (0)1434 677100; lordcrewearmsblanchland.co.uk

Matfen Hall – Matfen, Northumberland

A Gothic mansion house with all the trimmings, Matfen Hall is set in over 300 acres of Northumberland parkland. Inside, the 63 grand rooms have high ceilings, twinkly chandeliers and glorious uninterrupted views of the estate. Or splash out on one of the regal suites, which come with a cashmere mattress, antique Victorian furniture and a rolltop bath in the Carrara marble bathroom. You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to food: there’s fine-dining Emerald restaurant with its booklined walls, decorative ceilings and focus on locally sourced ingredients in the eight-course set menu; all-day casual dining at Cloisters in the courtyard (nab a table on the mezzanine level for the best views of the Great Hall’s magnificent stained-glass window); and The Drawing Room for afternoon tea by a roaring fire in winter. Spend days on the 27-hole championship golf course, relaxing in the spa with its glass-roof pool and thermal suites, or exploring must-see sights nearby such as Hadrian’s Wall. In the evenings, settle down in opulent 1832 for a pre-dinner glass of champagne or a negroni cocktail. An idyllic country escape. 

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Doubles from £239, +44 (0)1661 886500; matfenhall.com

Middlethorpe Hall – York, North Yorkshire

If the exterior of this gorgeous, mellow redbrick 1699 house looks straight from a Jane Austen novel, the interior is no disappointment. You’ll find a magnificent oak staircase, elegant sitting rooms each with a fire and views of the ha-ha. The atmosphere is serene and there’s a tranquil spa across the road. Expect classic country house bedrooms, floral bedspreads, homemade shortbread and kind attention from the staff. For dinner, try the catch of the day: perhaps plaice or halibut landed at Whitby, followed by Yorkshire poached rhubarb crumble soufflé with vanilla ice cream and white chocolate. A hotel that is as alluring and comfortable in winter as it is in summer, when you can stroll through the grounds and make friends with the resident deer. In 1878, Fanny Rollo Wilkinson – one of the first women to make a professional career as a landscape gardener – moved here. It is where she began to devote her life to gardening, and the historic gardens are well worth a visit. It also makes the perfect base for visiting York. Rescued from decay in the 1980s, Middlethorpe Hall is a National Trust-owned Historic House Hotel. 

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Doubles from £290, +44 (0)1904 641241; middlethorpe.com

Middleton Lodge Estate – Richmond, North Yorkshire

A restoration project with sustainability at its heart, Middleton Lodge is a stylish country estate that’s been restored by owner James Allison for the past 20 years. Working alongside Rebecca Tappin, the creative director, today the estate is a place to eat, gather and pause. Following an ‘estate to plate’ ethos, the Coach House and Forge restaurants serve seasonal dishes using produce from the two-acre walled garden redesigned by Tom Stuart Smith. The Coach House is relaxed and open all day, while Forge, recently awarded a Michelin Green Star, is more refined, bringing tasting experiences on Thursday to Sunday evenings. Scattered across the parkland, in the Dairy, Coach House, Walled Garden, Orchard, Main House, and the two self catered cottages, are 57 bedrooms, with tranquil, botanical influences. Some have log-burning stoves and giant, tin outdoor bathtubs. The breath-taking Forest Spa opened in summer 2023, with a large, heated outdoor pool, relaxation areas, sauna, plunge pool, steam room and hot tub. There are six treatment huts tucked away in the woodland for massages and body therapies.

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Doubles from £235, +44 (0)1325 377977; middletonlodge.co.uk

The Pheasant Hotel – Harome, North Yorkshire

Overlooking the duck pond in the pretty village of Harome, The Pheasant ingeniously combines a forge, shop and several barns into a country house hotel with oak beams and stacks of character. The stylish interiors are designed with flair using calm, natural colours. In winter, the country-style drawing room has a cosy fire, and leading off it a lovely stone-flagged vine-shaded terrace comes into its own in summer. The 16 bedrooms are equally restful and individually luxurious in an understated way. There are 12 in the main building and two family- and dog-friendly ‘homes from home’ in the courtyard, plus Plum Cottage, a romantic retreat, and the luxurious duplex Pheasant Suite. There’s even an indoor heated pool. Brilliant for shoots, there are gun cabinets available and delicious feasts can be found in the restaurant. Passionate head chef Vincenzo Raffone heads up the kitchen, producing sensational dishes, using local, seasonal ingredients. Standards are high, whether you sample the relaxed bar menu, afternoon tea or the spectacular tasting menu at dinner. As for breakfast, you will not find better, anywhere. 

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From £220 B&B/£320 DB&B, +44 (0)1439 771241; thepheasanthotel.com

The Queen’s Head – Askham, Cumbria

Part of Ciel Hotels since 2019, this 17th-century village pub has been lovingly renovated by the Lowther family. There are just six rooms dotted about the premises; some come with classic wooden furniture and floral wallpaper; others feel more modern with mint green walls and pretty bedside lamps. Most are big enough for families and all are dog-friendly. The restaurant – which has an AA Rosette – is equally intimate and offers refined seasonal dishes with a field-to-fork philosophy. Indeed, the Lowthers farm their own pedigree shorthorns and rare breed pork; any roe deer and red deer venison served is from their woods and fells, and fruit, vegetables and herbs are freshly plucked from their kitchen gardens. Following a redesign of the kitchen, a wood-fired pizza oven has just been installed, which offers a fabulous new menu, including wood-fired pizzas, salads, cured meats, cheeses and puddings. There are fantastic walks right from the front door, including on the fells and along the river Lowther. Afterwards, head back to the pub for a pint of ale by the copper bar to rest your weary feet. 

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Doubles from £130, +44 (0)1931 712225;

The Queen’s Head – Askham, Cumbria

Part of Ciel Hotels since 2019, this 17th-century village pub has been lovingly renovated by the Lowther family. There are just six rooms dotted about the premises; some come with classic wooden furniture and floral wallpaper; others feel more modern with mint green walls and pretty bedside lamps. Most are big enough for families and all are dog-friendly. The restaurant – which has an AA Rosette – is equally intimate and offers refined seasonal dishes with a field-to-fork philosophy. Indeed, the Lowthers farm their own pedigree shorthorns and rare breed pork; any roe deer and red deer venison served is from their woods and fells, and fruit, vegetables and herbs are freshly plucked from their kitchen gardens. Following a redesign of the kitchen, a wood-fired pizza oven has just been installed, which offers a fabulous new menu, including wood-fired pizzas, salads, cured meats, cheeses and puddings. There are fantastic walks right from the front door, including on the fells and along the river Lowther. Afterwards, head back to the pub for a pint of ale by the copper bar to rest your weary feet. 

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Doubles from £130, +44 (0)1931 712225; queensheadaskham.co.uk

The Rose & Crown – Romaldkirk, County Durham

For anyone seeking a quintessential English inn, loved by regulars and first-time visitors alike for its warmth, character, comfort and good food, with beautiful surroundings, look no further than the wonderful Rose & Crown. Run by the Robinson family, who also own the popular County Durham hotel, Headlam Hall, this 18th-century coaching inn continues to do what it has always done so well: fine hospitality in an archetypal rural hostelry. There are thick stone walls, beamed ceilings and stone fires, with enough contemporary touches to blend old-fashioned charm with modern comfort. Great food is at the heart of the inn, showcasing local ingredients of good provenance: typical dishes might include homemade parsnip and apple soup or venison bourguignon pie. The 14 bedrooms display a faultless combination of contemporary country design (including modern bathrooms) and terrific character and charm. It’s also brilliantly placed for walking in the spectacular Dales countryside, mountain biking through Hamsterley Forest and fly fishing on the Tees (tuition can be arranged). Well-behaved dogs are very welcome, too. 

Doubles from £150, +44 (0)1833 650213; rose-and-crown.co.uk

Rothay Manor – Ambleside, Cumbria

Dating back to 1835, this handsome white stucco Regency house sits in the heart of the Lake District, at the northern tip of Lake Windermere. Husband and wife duo, Jenna and Jamie Shail, have breathed new life into the property, completing extensive, stylish renovations on the main house’s 15 rooms, some with private terraces, others with balconies overlooking the landscaped gardens and wooded grounds. You can also stay in The Pavilion, which has eight beautiful garden suites, designed with a colour palette of deep, luscious greens, peppered with opulent fabrics, sumptuous furnishings, and luxury amenities. In the restaurant, new head chef Aaron Lawrence draws upon his passion for fresh, seasonal British produce to create an exceptional modern menu, including a delicious Sunday Roast. Dogs are welcome – Rothay Manor even has a dedicated dog wash room with Ruff & Tumble dressing gowns, so you can rinse off muddy paws after a day on the fells. This is a bucolic, boutique bolthole, perfectly situated for easy lake strolls and hilly hikes, and a ten-minute walk from the pretty village of Ambleside. 

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Doubles from £200, +44 (0)15394 33605; rothaymanor.co.uk

The Tawny – Consall, Staffordshire

Set in the heart of rural Staffordshire, The Tawny combines all the best bits from a traditional hotel – a fabulous restaurant, seamless service and an outdoor pool (heated all year round) – with your own private space. Spread across the estate (which dates back to 1246), there are wildwood huts, treehouses and romantic boathouses, each chic and cosy with superlative views – plus, all feature an outdoor bath on a private decking. There’s also a lovely treatment room housed in a quaint thatched cottage and, new this year, larger self-catered properties named The Fledglings, which are perfect for groups looking for extra space but all the trimmings of the hotel’s service. Headed up by Andrew Watts, The Plumicorn, with its stunning vistas, serves an inspired menu, using the best of local produce. There’s a delicious afternoon tea too. Guests can order a picnic to enjoy in the grounds – the hotel has 70 acres of undulating landscape, dotted with lakeside gardens, secluded dells and enchanting follies. The Peak District is only a stone’s throw away. Staff are super friendly and dogs are welcome. 

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Doubles from £230, +44 (0)1538 787664; thetawny.co.uk

Wildhive Callow Hall – Ashbourne, Derbyshire

Surrounded by 35 acres of gardens at the edge of the Dove Valley, Victorian Callow Hall opened in September 2021 as the first opening from Wildhive, a new hotel brand focusing on rural getaways. Stay in the main house where rooms with an eclectic, playful feel are the vision of interior designer Isabella Worsley, or in one of the 11 cosy, tucked-away woodland hives. There are also two spectacular self-contained treehouses, each with an outdoor tub on the deck. The wellness centre in The Coach House has a Pilates studio, sauna and steam room, botanical massages on the treatment menu and bicycles that guests can borrow to pedal along the scenic Tissington Trail. Picnic by the burbling Bentley Brook and take afternoon tea on the lawn but do leave room for the seasonal dishes using British produce at dinner – goats cheese tortellini with wild nettle pesto and a garlic and treacle-cured Packington pork belly with fidget pie, Yorkshire rhubarb, purple kale – in the Garden Room restaurant. A gorgeous retreat, perfectly positioned at the gateway to the Peak District. 

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Doubles from £214, +44 (0)1335 300900; wildhive.uk