10 British Hidden Gems & Off-The-Beaten-Path Hotels To Discover Next
By Fiona Duncan
3 weeks ago
C&TH's resident Hotels expert highlights the cosseting hotels hidden in unsuspecting corners of the country
Castle House Hotel, Hereford
Ticking Britain’s must-visit hotels off your bucket list is one thing, but isn’t it just deliciously ego-scratching when you discover a splendid hidden gem for yourself? Step off the beaten path with my guide to Britain’s very best hotels for those in-the-know.
Britain’s Best Hidden Gem Hotels 2025
The Maltings, Norfolk
Today a super-stylish destination, the 16th century former barley malting store The Maltings opened in August 2024 after a three-year renovation project. At its heart is the vaulted flint barn restaurant The Grain Store, with its cobbled terrace and creative yet unpretentious take on modern British cuisine. Expect 28 characterful, dog-friendly rooms across the main house, flint cottages, and converted stables; think original fireplaces, marble-tiled bathrooms, and plenty of quirks. The coast is just a stroll away. On return, unwind in the Boldings Bar, play chess, settle in the library and simply make yourself at home in this quiet pocket of North Norfolk. Doubles from £145.
Address: The St, Weybourne NR25 7SY
Coorie Inn Restaurant & Rooms, Crieff
Nestled in the historic village of Muthill, in the foothills of the Scottish Highlands, former 18th-century coaching inn Coorie Inn is a cosy retreat with buckets of rustic charm wrapped up in all the warmth of genuine Scottish hospitality. It recently scooped top spot in the Restaurant with Rooms category at the Scottish National Hotel of the Year awards, but it’s still a hidden gem, nailing that wonderful balance of being somewhere a little less formal yet with elegant bedrooms and top-notch cuisine. Think super-stylish bedrooms with plush beds and stunning ensuites, quirky accents, elegant touches, and equally impressive food. The menu features the best Scottish cuisine, with a creative twist, using locally sourced ingredients, including catch of the day from the local fish supplier. Whether it’s a relaxing family lunch, a romantic getaway or a special celebration, you’ll find pretty much perfection here in this quiet pocket of Perthshire. Doubles from £170.
The Sun Inn, Dedham
On the Essex-Suffolk border in the heart of Constable country, the bright yellow, independently-owned, handsome old coaching inn The Sun Inn is a charming base from which to explore pretty Dedham Vale. Rent a boat on the River Stour (a five-minute stroll away) or borrow bikes from the pub – staff will even make you a picnic to take with you. Back home, thick beams and meandering wooden floors, open fires, and an elm bar (often lined with locals and their dogs) create a warm atmosphere. There are boules in the garden, magazines and travel books to read, board games to play, and deep sofas to sink into, plus seven individually decorated bedrooms with centuries-old character and sumptuous beds – the perfect place to unwind. Doubles from £185.
The Riverside At Aymestrey, Leominster
Sitting on the banks of the River Lugg, this attractive black-and-white-timbered, 16th-century inn offers guests the perfect opportunity to unwind. Whether sipping local real ales and cider by the riverbank while spotting wildlife, or relaxing beside a roaring log burner, there’s a sense of tranquillity here. The six original bedrooms are homely and comfortable, but the three beautifully designed garden rooms – decked out with all creature comforts and full of character – are a standout. Each has its own veranda overlooking the glorious, unspoiled Herefordshire countryside. The Riverside is ideally located for walkers, as it’s on the central point of the scenic Mortimer Trail. It’s also perfectly positioned for fishing and other country sports. But what people really come here for is the food. Chef-patron Andy Link, a star of the local Slow Food movement, grows 50 different fruits and vegetables on-site and specialises in cooking with the best Welsh-border produce. His creative touch with local crops shines through in treats such as hay and meadowsweet ice cream or lavender fudge. Simply the very best – and always fabulous value. Doubles from £100.
Address: The Riverside Inn, Aymestrey, Leominster HR6 9ST
Castle House Hotel, Hereford
Close to the historic Hereford Cathedral, this family-owned elegant Grade II-listed Georgian mansion boasts an unrivalled – quiet – location. The 24 bedrooms and suites are stylish and individual, split between the main building and Number 25 Townhouse, where eight more striking rooms are hidden. All offer an array of treats, such as a decanter of sherry and a hospitality box filled with local produce. Light-filled public spaces include the beautiful Waterside Restaurant & Bar, with uninterrupted views over the hotel’s pretty garden and the old castle moat beyond. Doubles from £190.
Address: Castle Street, Hereford HR1 2NW
The Merry Harriers, Surrey
For a hidden countryside gem closer to London, The Merry Harriers is my top pick, set within the pretty village of Hambledon in the Surrey Hills. This historic pub was given a new lease of life at the end of 2023 when it was taken over by a dream team of Alex Winch and Sam Fiddian-Green – best known as owners of successful restaurant Hilltop Kitchen, near Godalming. Expect farm-to-fork dining centred around local and seasonal produce, including from their own farm, and a daily changing menu inspired by great British classics. The bar serves award-winning ales, innovative cocktails and has a carefully curated wine list celebrating English wineries alongside quintessential regions from around the world. There are also (of course) 15 bedrooms: four on the first floor of the inn, with ancient oak beams and contemporary furnishings; six garden rooms adjacent to the large pub garden; and five new shepherd’s huts. Doubles from £140.
The Gin Trap Inn, Norfolk
Nestled in North Norfolk’s picturesque village of Ringstead, just a stone’s throw from the coast, this charming 17th-century coaching inn has been welcoming guests for 350 years – but it’s still the discerning travelers making the journey, with just 10 unique rooms and suites on offer. Expect glorious freestanding cast-iron baths and far-reaching countryside views, plus the history of the inn woven into its character, with low black beams and gin-trap light fittings in the bar, contrasting beautifully with the soft pastels and airy ambience of the conservatory dining space. The ingredient-led restaurant is the honeypot, offering flavour-packed seasonal cuisine and a sun-trap garden come summer. Doubles from £120.
Address: 6 High St, Ringstead, Hunstanton PE36 5JU
The Cat Inn, West Sussex
A spell at The Cat will leave you purring with delight. This is one of Britain’s greatest gastropubs, after all. With its regulars chatting at the bar, its blazing fire in the huge inglenook fireplace, its hops, pewter and mix of airy and cosy dining areas, this early 16th-century, timber-framed village inn exudes character and bonhomie. As for the food from chef Suphi Ergin, there’s no trumpeting and no fuss and, as a result, its superb quality is all the more delightful. Upstairs there are just four attractive, luxurious, well-equipped bedrooms, one very large, another with a view of the pretty church. In the morning, after a sophisticated breakfast, follow the path through the churchyard for a spectacular view across the valley or spend the day visiting the many beautiful gardens and vineyards nearby. Doubles from £180.
The White Hart Inn, Mersea Island
Part of the same family at the cheerily yellow-fronted The Sun Inn in Dedham, The White Hart Inn sits on England’s most easterly inhabited island (cut off from the mainland once a day by high tide), opposite the church green and minutes from the beach. A pub with rooms six cosseting, colourful rooms, expect superking beds, huge walk-in showers and contemporary local art. The seasonally changing menu features local ingredients: oysters and seafood, fruit and vegetables grown on the island and meat from East Anglia. Relax in the snug or head out to explore, from beach strolls to a circuit of the island (around four hours on foot, or less on borrowed bikes), boat trips to watersports and bird watching. Doubles from £185.
Lennon Suite
Hard Days Night Hotel, Liverpool
Die-hard Beatles fans, meet your new favourite hotel. Hard Days Night is the world’s only Beatles-inspired hotel, fittingly located in Liverpool’s bustling ‘Beatles Quarter’, and fully worthy of The Fab Four. Sitting adjacent to the world-famous Cavern Club (where the band rose to fame, but you already know that), behind the gimmick guests can enjoy the 110 individually designed rooms in the magnificent Grade II-listed Central Buildings, dating back to 1884, that this beautifully restored hotel calls home. (The Lennon Suite is a fan favourite, with a white baby grand piano.) During the day, Liverpool’s best sights are all on the hotel’s doorstep for further Beatles fun. Doubles from £88.
Address: Central Buildings, N John St, Liverpool L2 6RR
