There’s always a perfect time for a country escape – cosy mornings in bed, evenings by the fire and long walks to see the crocuses and daffodils heralding longer, warmer days.
You don’t need to go far to discover some of the best the country has to offer – here are some of the best boltholes within easy driving distance of London.
The best country hotels are:
Whatley Manor boasts a Michelin-starred restaurant
(Whatley Manor)
Neighbourhood: Malmesbury, the Cotswolds
Maybe it’s the mother-and-son ownership team or perhaps it’s the little touches – fresh coffee delivered straight to your room in the morning, for example – but a weekend at Whatley feels like a stay at your rich aunt’s country manor. Relax in the spa or spend long evenings sunken into a sofa in front of the crackling log fire in one of the several living rooms. Either way, rouse yourself to sample dinner at the Michelin-starred restaurant overseen by head chef Niall Keating, 2018’s Michelin European Young Chef of the Year. The tasting menu features a fusion of Asian and traditional English flavours, and the breakfast menu is scarcely less decadent.
The Grade II-listed manor’s 21 rooms are decorated in bold, dark hues of red and brown and eye-catching patterns; the spa is small but offers a good range of treatments. With beautiful manicured gardens and rolling grounds perfect for a wintry wander, there’s no reason to leave, but if you did want to then the town of Malmesbury and its towering 12th-century abbey are a five-minute drive away.
Read our full review of Whatley Manor
Price: Doubles from £279
Lucknam Park’s indoor/outdoor pool
(Lucknam Park)
Neighbourhood: Chippenham
The front door of this sprawling country house opens on to the scent of wood fire wafting across luxe lounges. The 42 rooms are elegant and traditional, bearing all the hallmarks of the hotel’s history as a wealthy merchant’s family home – think sink-in carpets, period dressers, ornate four-posters and huge marble bathrooms. Some are in the main house, while others are in the former stables and cottages laid around a quaint courtyard.
It is the award-winning spa, though, where Lucknam really comes into its own. A 20m indoor pool, a heated outdoor section for taking in the wintry garden views and an amethyst room are just part of the chill-out options, while…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at The Independent Travel…