16 British & Irish Historic Estates You Can Stay In Overnight
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10 hours ago
Grand country houses to visit for a beautifully British stay
Fancy staying overnight in a castle? Or in one of the National Trust’s grandest homes? Britain and Ireland certainly deliver when it comes to heritage hotels, many of which date back thousands of years and hold fascinating histories within their walls – not to mention breathtaking interiors. We round up the top historic estate hotels to book in 2025, from Scottish stalwarts frequented by A-listers to spa hotels in Bath and manor houses in Devon. All these reviews were taken from Great British & Irish Hotels 2025.
Britain’s Best Historic Estates & Heritage Hotels
Ashford Castle, Cong, Co. Mayo
This magnificent 800-year-old castle on the shore of Lough Corrib was restored by Red Carnation Hotels a decade ago, reopening under the umbrella of the family-owned brand in 2015. Rooms and suites are every bit as opulent as you’d expect, with antique furniture, plush curtains and Murano chandeliers. Plus, there’s a romantic Boathouse for two, dating back to when the 350-acre Ashford Estate was owned by the Guinness family. Dress up for supper in the George V dining room where the signature beef is carved tableside; tuck into steaks cooked on the Josper grill in the medieval dungeon; or keep it casual at the charming Cullen’s at the Cottage. Activity options here suit all ages and interests, from country classic pastimes such as horse-riding and fishing to golf and cycling; there is also the oldest falconry school in Ireland and tastings in The Wine Cellars, housed in secret passageways once used by servants. If the weather turns, it’s the perfect excuse to head to the spa, which has recently partnered with Augustinus Bader on treatments, or to watch an afternoon film at the cinema. Doubles from €855
Junior State Room
Bovey Castle, Dartmoor National Park, Devon
First opened as a hotel and golf resort in 1930 by Great Western Railways, Bovey Castle is set in 275 acres of Devon countryside, surrounded by Dartmoor National Park, and is part of the Eden Hotel Collection (see Mallory Court on page 104). Choose from cosy, elegant rooms in the historic manor house or private mews across the courtyard. There are also three-storey self-catering lodges in the grounds, ideal for families or friends travelling together who want independence while still being able to dip into all the hotel has to cover. This could include watching a complimentary falconry display, collecting eggs from the estate’s chickens or booking in for a massage at the Elan Spa (the lodges come with fully equipped kitchens, open plan living and dining, and housekeeping). Executive head chef Mark Budd uses fresh ingredients from Devon and the South West to create seasonal menus for one-AA Rosette Smith’s Brasserie (in the summer, sit on the outdoor terrace that overlooks the River Bovey) and three-AA Rosette Great Western Grill. Activities available include everything from golf to archery, and from off-road driving to fly fishing and cider making. Doubles from £325
Ellenborough Park
Ellenborough Park, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
The finest estate in the Cotswolds, Ellenborough Park is located within 90 acres of glorious grounds, just moments away from Cheltenham Racecourse. The lovingly restored 15th-century manor house was once home to the Earl of Ellenborough, former governor-general of India in the 1830s (the influence of his travels is visible in the Great Hall and Minstrels’ Gallery); today it has been elevated to contemporary glory. The 61 rooms, suites, and private hideaway, The Lodge, have appealing country house character (think antique furniture, rich fabrics, heavenly beds and rolltop baths). Alongside an outdoor heated pool and soul soothing spa, the new Spa Garden Retreat is home to a hot tub, sauna, ice-bath, relaxation area and modern sun loungers. From fresh seasonal produce to an inviting atmosphere, there is a dining experience to suit everyone. Spring and summer see an al fresco dining delight in quirky dining carriages on the South Lawn and the Taittinger Terrace. Guests can also enjoy a glass of Champagne from the converted Horse Box trailer bar while watching the sunset over the racecourse. Doubles from £269
Hartwell House, Vale of Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
One of the great pleasures of visiting hotels is that they’re often very special buildings to which you’d never normally have access. One shining example is Hartwell House, a Grade I-listed stately home that was occupied from 1809 to 1814 by the exiled Louis XVIII. Inside, there are beautiful rooms with antique furniture and paintings. The Morning Room, for example, is a masterpiece of English design by Henry Keene, virtually unchanged since its completion in 1740, with a stunning Rococo ceiling by Thomas Roberts of Oxford. There’s also an extraordinary Jacobean staircase, lined with statues of the knights of Europe, leading from the Great Hall. If you think all this grandeur means pomp and ceremony, worry not. As with fellow National Trust Historic House Hotels, Bodysgallen Hall and Middlethorpe Hall, the hospitality is natural and attentive, the bedrooms as comfortable as they are grand, and the food as delicious as you would expect. An afternoon tea is served daily in the magnificent drawing rooms. And the hotel’s spa is a classically themed delight. Doubles from £392
Cliveden, Taplow, Berkshire
Built for the second Duke of Buckingham’s mistress in 1666, Cliveden House is a renowned English country estate famed as a five-star setting for lavish entertaining and scandal. Standing in 376 acres of magnificent gardens and parkland (now owned by the National Trust), the hotel has 47 spacious rooms and suites in the elegant main house. Elsewhere, there’s Spring Cottage, a summerhouse on the banks of the River Thames, which offers guests the ultimate in luxurious privacy and escapism. The property has two outstanding restaurants: the opulent chandeliered Cliveden Dining Room, which is complemented by the relaxed informality of e Astor Grill. A luxurious spa, open to members and hotel guests is the spot for relaxation; unwind by the indoor pool before wandering into the garden where you will find the Profumo pool – the last remaining listed outdoor pool in England. Cliveden is imbued with a palpable sense of history, for this is a house that, for over 350 years, has been dedicated to the pursuit of pleasure, power and politics. Doubles from £635
© David Cheskin
Prestonfield, Edinburgh
Let’s face it, they don’t make hotels like Prestonfield anymore. Or very rarely. It’s romantic, it’s opulent and it’s shamelessly seductive. It has welcomed presidents, princes and stars of stage and screen – everyone from the Dalai Lama to Elton John and Sean Connery. The mansion, in a quiet location just five minutes’ walk from Edinburgh’s Old Town, gives no hint of what lies inside. Minimalism be damned. There are swags and columns, brocades and velvets, rich colours and intimate corners. Bedrooms are better described as boudoirs, where velvet, silk and antiques mix with high-tech playthings, and surfaces are scattered with flowers, fruit and candles. Suites are even more lavish: a Gothic day bed, a velvet-hung four-poster, silk toile wallpaper, a silver chariot bath. e two oval-shaped dining rooms become a candlelit Gothic fantasy at night, and the food and the hotel’s impressive wine cellar live up to the ambience. Staff are relaxed and friendly, and will track you down in whatever intimate sitting room (there are at least four) you are curled up in. And, once you manage to uncurl, the city awaits. Doubles from £345
Ockenden Manor, Cuckeld, West Sussex
You get the best of both worlds at Ockenden. If you prefer reassuring, traditional comfort, look no further than this charming Elizabethan manor house. If you want slick, sophisticated modernity, that’s yours, too. As well as the elegant drawing room, there’s an oak-panelled bar (where the wine list boasts over 40 English wines, many produced by local vineyards), the Burrell Room for private dining, with its original Tudor ceiling, and an airy restaurant where Stephen Crane serves some of the finest food in Sussex. There are 27 bedrooms, full of character; some with original panelling and four-posters, others fresh and pretty. And then there’s the spa, utterly modern on the outside, airy and natural inside, with an indoor-outdoor pool, hot tub, Jacuzzi, walkthrough rain shower, steam room, sauna, gym, sun deck and guest lounge. As for the six knockout first-floor spa suites – they pack a thoroughly contemporary punch, with shutters in the bathrooms that open onto the bedrooms, which in turn open onto a roof garden with marvellous views across to the South Downs. Doubles from £245
Middlethorpe Hall, York, North Yorkshire
If the exterior of this gorgeous, mellow red brick 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. Doubles from £295
Sean Elliott
Matfen Hall, Matfen, Northumberland
Nestled in 300 acres of peaceful Northumbrian parkland, Matfen Hall pairs Grade II-listed charm with five-star comfort to create a haven of calm luxury. Inside, 63 grand rooms boast high ceilings, twinkling chandeliers, and uninterrupted views of the estate. For the ultimate indulgence, opt for a Luxury Suite, arriving by chauffeur to a refined oasis, complete with an emperor bed, antique furniture and a roll-top bath. When it comes to dining, you’re spoilt for choice. Award-winning Emerald Restaurant is an opulent showstopper, with book-lined walls, decorative ceilings, and a seasonal tasting menu focusing on locally sourced ingredients. Cloisters, set in the original courtyard, offers relaxed, table d’hôte dining – choose a table on the mezzanine for views of The Great Hall’s magnificent stained glass window. Spend your days on top-rated parkland golf courses, unwinding in the spa’s glass-roofed pool and thermal suite, or exploring must-see sights like Hadrian’s Wall. In the evenings, settle into the opulent 1832 Bar for a chilled aperitif as the sun sets on the Northumbrian hills. Doubles from £285
Grantley Hall, Ripon, North Yorkshire
A shining north star, Grantley Hall is a real destination for luxury, fun and fine dining. Dating back to 1680, this Grade II*-listed mansion house on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales boasts an English Heritage-listed ornamental Japanese garden in its grounds. Opened in 2019, following a huge restoration project by the Sykes family, the Georgian mansion’s Palladian beauty has been restored to its former glory, capturing its elegant grandeur as well as adding several new buildings. Guests are spoiled rotten, with 47 beautiful bedrooms, an indulgent spa and wellness oering, an engaging programme of events, five exceptional restaurants, including pan-Asian eatery Restaurant EightyEight, picturesque terraces for alfresco dining, and a glamorous late-night Champagne and cocktail bar, Valeria’s. Foodies will rub their hands with glee because the hotel’s principal restaurant, overlooking the formal gardens, has menus by Yorkshireman and culinary maestro, Shaun Rankin, and one Michelin star. Gastronomic delights, 17th-century splendour and contemporary design all add up to an unforgettable experience. Doubles from £555
Palé Hall, Snowdonia, Snowdonia, Wales
Blissfully located in the tranquil Dee Valley, Palé Hall is a triumph of a country house hotel, with its elegant bedrooms, spectacular food and excellent service. It holds many accolades: it earned one Michelin Key recently and is an AA Five Red Star holder, as well as being part of the esteemed Relais & Châteaux stable. A grand, historic, high Victorian mansion, there are 18 individually styled bedrooms (think reams of Zoffany and Sanderson wallpaper), as well as three charming garden suites within the estate grounds (some of which are dog-friendly). This includes two duplexes, created from a sympathetic restoration of the original Victorian Coach House. The food is definitely worth travelling for: the restaurant boasts three AA Rosettes and holds Wales’ first Michelin Green Star. Dishes are adapted seasonally, incorporating produce grown in the hotel’s own organic kitchen garden. During the day, work up an appetite with a bracing walk or a spot of fishing: the hotel has an idyllic 16-acre garden, plus Snowdonia National Park and the less-explored Berwyn Mountains are just on the doorstep. Doubles from £320
Bodysgallen Hall, Llandudno, North Wales
Bodysgallen Hall is a dignified, gentle-paced oasis of calm, only a short distance from Llandudno’s famous promenade and beaches. Climb its tower – the medieval core of the new 17th-century mansion was allegedly built as part of the outlying defences of Conwy Castle – and you’ll be rewarded with a panoramic view that includes the mountains of Snowdonia National Park. The Grade I listed house is filled with character, and boasts 15 bedrooms and 16 postcard-pretty cottages within the estate’s 200 acres of wooded parkland. Grass terraces overlook the award-winning gardens, which include a walled rose garden, follies, a cascade and a rare 17th-century parterre of box hedges enclosing herbs. There is a formal dining room in the main hall – Llandudno’s best restaurant, serving delicious, estategrown and locally sourced ingredients in dishes such as butter poached seabass and slow-cooked lamb rump. The former farmhouse now houses the luxurious spa, with a large indoor pool, spa bath, steam room, sauna and treatment rooms. All in all, Bodysgallen Hall is one of the most welcoming hotels in Britain. Doubles from £290
The Royal Crescent Bath, Bath, Somerset
Nestled in the heart of historic Bath, The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa is a sanctuary of elegance and refinement, set within John Wood the Younger’s iconic Georgian terrace. This five-star retreat offers impeccable service, warm hospitality and meticulous attention to detail. Most of the 45 rooms and suites boast captivating views, whether overlooking the hotel’s herbaceous gardens or the Royal Crescent’s grand lawn. Montagu’s Mews offers carefully curated menus by head chef Martin Blake, from a quintessential afternoon tea to indulgent four- and six-course tasting dinner menus, alongside a relaxed all-day dining selection to suit every mood and taste. e glamorous bar tempts with expertly crafted cocktails, while the heated outdoor terrace, set against the backdrop of a secluded acre of glorious gardens, provides a charming spot to unwind. For ultimate relaxation, The Spa & Bath House offers a haven of tranquility, featuring a relaxation pool, sauna, steam room, and a luxurious menu of GROUND wellbeing spa rituals designed to leave you feeling refreshed, restored and rebalanced. Doubles from £410
The Manor House in Castle Coombe, Castle Combe, Chippenham
Set in the 12th-century Cotswolds village of Castle Combe, this honey-hued countryside manor offers an idyllic escape – from the riverside drive to pretty Italian gardens, lawns and several inviting lounges, ideal for curling up with a book. Choose between traditional rooms in the manor house, a Cotswold mews cottage or one of the lavish suites dotted between the two, some with a hot tub, terrace or private garden. On the estate’s 365 acres, there’s an 18-hole par-72 championship golf course known for its tree-lined fairways, natural undulation and spectacular Wiltshire views. Meanwhile, e Castle Inn pub, in the heart of the village is the perfect spot for an afternoon pint (it also has two-AA Rosette dining). Grab a map from the hotel and borrow Le Chameau wellies from reception for a brisk walk to work up an appetite for supper in Michelin-starred restaurant Bybrook, where chef Robert Potter offers modern British tasting menus. Before retiring for the night, don’t miss the hotel’s Time Bar, which has a choice of over 180 gins. Doubles from £246
100 Princes Street, Princes Street, Edinburgh
Opened last year by Red Carnation Hotels, 100 Princes Street is housed in the former headquarters of the Royal Overseas League (it was previously a members’ club and retains the same discreet atmosphere). From the hand-painted mural celebrating Scottish botanists that stretches all the way up the five-storey staircase to Ghillie’s Pantry, a private dining room with 100 rare whiskies on display, it has a real sense of place. And that’s before you glance out of the windows at Edinburgh Castle or stroll next door to the National Gallery. A handful of tartans by Scottish designer Araminta Campbell cover the bedroom walls, with antiques and nautical design elements woven throughout to narrate the building’s illustrious history. At its heart is The Wallace, a bar, library, tasting room and dining room where executive chef Wilhelm Maree whips up dishes such as Scottish lobster rolls and dry-aged Aberdeen Angus burgers with whisky onions, smoked bacon and Isle of Mull cheddar. Exactly the kind of hearty fare you want after a hike to the top of Arthur’s Seat. Doubles from £575
The Cavendish Hotel, Baslow, Derbyshire
For a warm Derbyshire welcome and with the stunning Peak District on your doorstep, this 250-year-old former coaching inn turned-country house hotel on the Chatsworth Estate ticks all the boxes, and then some. The elegant interiors by Nicola Harding are inspired by Chatsworth’s art, history and people. Cue walls crammed with artwork sourced from the Devonshire family’s collection, with pieces by Elisabeth Frink, Phyllida Barlow, Lisa Brice, Elizabeth Peyton and Jeremy Deller, to name but a few. The 28 supremely comfortable bedrooms, including two suites, come with antique furniture, stone fireplaces and stunning views across Chatsworth Park. Punches of colour and texture add a sense of fun, from playful lamps made by a Chatsworth-based potter to upholstery and fabrics woven in Derbyshire and Yorkshire. Dining here is utterly thrilling. With executive chef Adam Harper at the helm, the elegant three-AA rosette Gallery Restaurant serves imaginative food using the freshest ingredients from the estate or local farmers. Alternatively, there’s the Garden Room, with fantastic views across the estate (take a table on the terrace). Service is relaxed, and the menu features an ever-changing selection of seasonal favourites (try the Chatsworth Gold Beer Battered Fish & Chips). The afternoon tea is also superb and done properly with fresh sandwiches and buttermilk scones handmade by the pastry chef. Work up an appetite with a walk across parkland, spotting the roaming semiwild deer, towards Chatsworth House. For a theatre-style, private dining experience, book the Kitchen Table which can host up to six guests. Perfectly positioned for a behind-the-scenes look at the busy kitchen, diners can chat to the chefs while they prepare a bespoke menu. Enjoy a glass of wine or a local gin beforehand in the 1950s-style bar, surrounded by an eclectic collection of 21st-century photography and Devonshire family photos. Just perfect. Doubles from £210
