Eight English Summer Countryside Retreats

Dotted around England are a handful of summer countryside retreats perfectly suited for a quick getaway from the city. We’ve selected eight of our favourites, but it’s up to you whether you’d prefer the secluded treehouses of the New Forest’s Chewton Glen or the white-washed beach of The Scarlet in Cornwall.

Limewood

This beautiful hotel in the New Forest fosters a sense of calm that is almost impossible not to melt into - a calm which transcends the walls of the buildings and works itself into each of the rooms. Spend your stay poolside at the spa or take advantage of the forest and get active - horse riding, clay pigeon-shooting and hikes can easily be arranged. End your day with dinner at Limewood's exceptional restaurant, Hartnett Holder & Co, which serves up English dishes with an Italian flare.

Rooms from £315 per night

Address

Beaulieu Road Lyndhurst SO43 7FZ

Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa

Just two hours from central London and nestled in 130 acres of Hampshire countryside is the Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa. Dating back over 200 years, the estate's original appeal was in its setting on the edge of the ancient New Forest and its proximity to the sea. What draws in guests today, however, are the expansive Treehouse Suites.

Address

Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa New Milton Hampshire BH25 6QS

Soho Farmhouse

The Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire is the UK's newest venture for the Soho House Group with 40 different cabins set in an estate that spans over 100 acres. The Farmhouse offers its guests countless day-to-day activities such as swimming in their outdoor pools or lakes, horse riding, cycling, tennis and boating.

Rooms from £330 per night, if Soho House member from £250

Address

1 Tracey Farm Cottages Great Tew, Chipping Norton OX7 4JS

The Pig on the Beach

Studland, United Kingdom

This charming estate in the heart of Dorset overlooks the beautiful shores of Studland Bay. The Pig on the Beach's homely vibes are completely in sync with the design aesthetic of the other three Pig Resorts. They've somewhat ironically transformed sheep huts into a spa as well as a greenhouse, where they grow vegetables and fruits. Stay in either the 23-bedroom country home or book one of the cottages or huts to make your visit truly one of a kind.

Rooms from £145 per night

Address

Manor Road Studland Dorset BH19 3AU

St. Moritz Hotel

This seaside escape is the perfect weekend getaway for a family trip. Between the indoor and outdoor pools and the surf lessons right on Polzeath beach, everyone will have something to do. The St Moritz is a buzzing Cornwall hotel equipped with rooms suited for anywhere from two to eight people. At any point of any season you can take in the beauty of the Cornish coasts and appreciate the luxurious amenities of The St. Moritz. Rooms from £155 per night

Address

Trebetherick Wadebridge PL27 6SD

hotel

The Scarlet

Cornwall, United Kingdom

The Scarlet is an adults-only hotel situated on the cliffs of Cornwall with breathtaking views and unrivalled access to a beautiful beach. While the focus here is on outdoor activities - kayaking, horse riding and rock climbing, to name a few - we like to think of this hotel as the perfect opportunity to truly unwind. Our favourite method? Grabbing a bottle of wine and heading to one of the hot tubs overlooking the ocean.

Rooms from £210 per night

Address

Tredragon Road, Newquay TR8 4DQ

hotel

The Reading Rooms

Margate, United Kingdom

With only three rooms, this quaint townhouse is the ideal getaway for a private and low-key weekend. Each room, decorated in crisp colours and furnished with antiques, equates to a floor of the expansive Margate home. Just a short walk from Botany Bay, you can roam the (recently) charming town for ages taking in all it has to offer.

Rooms from £170 per night

Address

31 Hawley Square, Margate, CT9 1PH

Cowley Manor

The gorgeous green grounds of Cowley Manor are some of the most important in the UK. The stunning estate is surrounded by lakes, woods and meadows of flowers that have earned wide recognition from landscapers and gardeners across the world. Another attraction is the Church of St. Mary's, a historic place of worship with which the manor shares its grounds. The church dates back to the early 13th century and is still used for wedding ceremonies. Enjoy beautiful grounds, outdoor activities and a seriously laid-back atmosphere.

Rooms from £225 per night

Address

Cowley, Cheltenham, GL53 9NL

Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Kent

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