The Good Hotel Guide is the leading independent guide to hotels in Great Britain & Ireland, and also covers parts of Continental Europe. The Guide was first published in 1978. It is written for the reader seeking impartial advice on finding a good place to stay. Hotels cannot buy their way into the Guide. The editors and inspectors do not accept free hospitality on their anonymous visits to hotels. All hotels in the Guide receive a free basic listing. A fee is charged for a full web entry.
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Country house hotels for Christmas
Country house hotels across the UK and Scotland have something particularly majestic about them and at no time is that more magical than at Christmas. Here are some of our favourite country house hotels for Christmas.
Headlam Hall, Darlington
Featured Hotels with Special Offers
Dukes Bath
Bath, Somerset
Christmas Three Night Special Offer
As it awaits the playful Kaleidoscope s treatment, this hotel, occupying two handsome Georgian townhouses on an iconic thoroughfare, has a range of classic bedrooms from cosy doubles at the top, to four-poster rooms and suites.
The Cottage in the Wood
Malvern Wells, Worcestershire
Christmas and New Year Package 10% discount Special Offer
At Christmas they include a range of packages to really help you celebrate the season. It includes fine dining with a five-course lunch on Christmas Day, welcome cocktails on Christmas Eve, a Bucks Fizz breakfast and lots of seasonal decorations.
The Montagu Arms
Beaulieu, Hampshire
Dog Friendly Special Offer
Treat the family to exquisite festive dining or country pub comforts at the Montagu Arms Hotel in The New Forest.
Lords of the Manor
Upper Slaughter, Gloucestershire
'Taste of the Cotswolds' Special Offer
This honey coloured former rectory is surrounded by magical gardens; an environment that's ideal for summer strolls and winter walks in a pair of wellies.
Knockinaam Lodge
Portpatrick, Dumfries And Galloway
'Knock 30 Package' Special Offer
A Victorian hunting lodge overlooking the Irish Sea, Knockinaam Lodge celebrates Christmas complete with a traditional Christmas lunch, boardgames, Boxing Day suppers, long walks and plenty of time for a good snooze
Hartwell House
Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
'Three Nights for the Price of Two' Special Offer
This historic house has many a compelling reason to visit during the festive season. It has a history as the periodic home of royalty and its palatial style continues to this day.
Middlethorpe Hall & Spa
York, Yorkshire
'Tailor-Made Break' Special Offer
A walled city filled with history, few places are as beautiful as York and even fewer are as lovely as Middlethorpe Hall and Spa, a country house hotel built in 1713 and now owned by the National Trust.
The Horn of Plenty
Gulworthy, Devon
Up to 25% off Dinner, Bed and Breakfast Special Offer
When guests return from days exploring art galleries and nature trails, they can nestle in with dog in tow for superb meals, a well stocked library and, always, a toasty log fire at Christmas.
Ty Mawr
Brechfa, Carmarthenshire
Stay and Dine Jan/Feb Special Offer
Spend Christmas in Snowdonia tucking into homemade winter vegetable soups and a sumptuous festive menu at this homely retreat.
The Devonshire Arms
Skipton, Yorkshire
'Taste of Yorkshire' Special Offer
A former 17th-century inn, which is part of the Duke of Devonshire's 30,000-acre estate at Bolton Abbey, is today an impressive country-house hotel, with fine dining and a spa.
Widbrook Grange
Bradford-On-Avon, Wiltshire
Dog Friendly 'Petaway' Special Offer
Widbrook Grange is a Georgian farmhouse with whimsical charm from up-cycled farm paraphernalia as part of the decor, there is a distinct homeliness alongside its luxe hospitality.
Homewood
Bath, Somerset
'Complimentary Night' Special Offer
The yellow submarine in the 'beautiful grounds' and the hedge sculpture of a giraffe set the scene at this 'playful, quirky hotel', in a traditional honey-stone building.
Hambleton Hall
Oakham, Rutland
'Rest and Relax' Special Offer
With log fires and spectacular Christmas trees, this magical country house hotel is perfect for Christmas and New Year.
Shieldaig Lodge
Gairloch, Highland
'Romance Getaway' Special Offer
This magnificent Highland retreat is set in a 26,000 acre estate and is nestled next to Shieldaig Bay. With all the warmth of its original 19th century origins, it's all log-fires, snug lounges and an extensive whisky and gin collection.
Forss House
Thurso, Highland
'Hidden Highlands Getaway' Special Offer
On the banks of the Forss River and surrounded by woodland, Forss House is a country house with traditional style. Bedrooms have high ceilings and lovely views, and foot has a reputation for excellence.
The Cavendish
Baslow, Derbyshire
Three Nights for the Price of Two Special Offer
The Cavendish marries a sense of grandeur with the warm welcome of a boutique hotel. Exquisite food is the order of the day, while luxurious furnishings add a sense of plush decadence as well.
The Pheasant
Helmsley, Yorkshire
10% Discount Special Offer
This popular hotel and restaurant in a former smithy, shop and barns overlooking the village duck pond might have changed ownership, but it is 'as good as ever', reports a returning guest.
The Priory
Wareham, Dorset
'A Night To Remember' Special Offer
Riverside gardens and a country house hotel in a former 16th-century priory, The Priory in Dorset is known for the personal touches, like remembering everybody's name.
The Eastbury Hotel & Spa
Sherborne, Dorset
'Garden Escape' Special Offer
Fun, food and relaxation await at The Eastbury on a Christmas festive break.
Bishopstrow
Warminster, Wiltshire
Christmas 2025 Package 10% Discount GHG Reader Special Offer
A four star hotel in the heart of Wiltshire, Bishopstrow Hotel and Spa offers the height of excellence in everything they do, from the award-winning restaurant to the achingly romantic hotel.
Trigony House
Thornhill, Dumfries And Galloway
D,B&B Special Offer
Dog friendly and wallet friendly, this country hotel in an 18th-century sporting lodge is now owned by Peter and Wendy Beddows, who had been customers for 14 years, and loved it so much they bought the business along with chef Adam Moore.
The Traddock
Settle, North Yorkshire
Yorkshire Gourmet Break Special Offer
Few places could be more perfect for a traditional Yorkshire Christmas, than this gorgeous manor hour. Bring the dog and combine good food with brisk walks on Christmas Day.
Watersmeet
Woolacombe, Devon
Three Night Ramblers Package with Dinner Special Offer
'The location is stunning, with views of the Devon coast with its sandy beaches and tumbled rocks,' writes a reader delighted by this family-friendly hotel.
Plumber Manor
Sturminster Newton, Dorset
Autumn/Winter Three Night Special Offer
A Jacobean country house hotel set in immaculate gardens is in the heart of Thomas Hardy's 'Vale of little dairies'.
Cringletie House
Peebles, Scottish Borders
'Summer Break' Special Offer
A small baronial mansion surrounded by magnificent gardens, Cringletie House adds a real touch of Scotland to the Christmas period.
Mallory Court
Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
'Winter Stay' Special Offer
Mallory Court is a four-star hotel and a member of the Relais and Châteaux group, which means you know when you visit you're in for a superb treat, especially when it comes to food at Christmas.
Congham Hall
King's Lynn, Norfolk
'Sleep Soundly Package' Special Offer
From spa treatments to exceptional food, Christmas at Congham Hall is always luxurious.
Cavens
Dumfries, Dumfries And Galloway
Summer Three Night Special Offer
'It is hard to better this small country house hotel,' write readers of Angus and Jane Fordyce's Georgian mansion, set in open countryside close to the dunes and salt marshes of the Solway coast.
Wrea Head Hall
Scarborough, Yorkshire
'Summer Breeze' Special Offer
A splendid Victorian-gothic mansion in parkland, minutes' drive from Scarborough, Wrea Hall has been repurposed as a luxury hotel with very characterful bedrooms and a fine-dining restaurant.
The Farmhouse at Redcoats
Hitchin, Hertfordshire
Foodie Staycation Package Special Offer
With many features dating from the 15th century, this well-restored old farmhouse stands in large, landscaped gardens amid serene countryside. The hotel and restaurant, part of the Nye family's Anglian Country Inns, have intimate sitting areas and warming fires in inglenook fireplaces.
More Country house hotels for Christmas
Pale Hall
Bala, Gwynedd
Pine and spices, roaring fires, beautiful trees, swags and garlands abound at Pale Hall - the best place for an old-fashioned hearth-and-home Christmas.
Rothay Manor
Ambleside, Cumbria
The streets of Ambleside are illuminated with Christmas Lights and the aroma of coal fires fill the air as you arrive at this blissful hotel.
Brockencote Hall
Chaddesley Corbett, Worcestershire
The Middleton Lodge Estate
Richmond, Yorkshire
Leave the fuss and fret of the AI(M) at Scotch Corner to reconnect with the land at this idyllic hotel, centred on a Georgian coach house amid gardens, parkland and woodland.
Gravetye Manor
East Grinstead, West Sussex
This historic location is what magical Christmases are made of, complete with roaring fires, private dining menus and a talent for superb mince pies.
Fischer's at Baslow Hall
Baslow, Derbyshire
An Edwardian homage to 17th-century style, this beautiful manor house with rich Jacobean-inspired interiors is run as a luxury hotel with fine-dining restaurant where you can enjoy a 'truly memorable meal'.
Gilpin Hotel and Lake House
Windermere, Cumbria
Lakeland luxury at its finest comes courtesy of Gilpin, with its Michelin-starred dining, private hot tubs in the majority of its indulgent rooms and attentive staff. Its flagship rooms are extravagantly large glass-cube spa suites that extend over a pond and offer private garden, spa room and circular bath.
The Dabbling Duck
Great Massingham, Norfolk
They have all their ducks in a row at this wisteria-decked gastropub-with-rooms overlooking the green in a village where mallards glide on old abbey fishponds.
Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons
Great Milton, Oxfordshire
For 40 years, Raymond Blanc has held two Michelin stars at this beautiful country-house hotel 'and it's not surprising – every mouthful of every meal is a triumph', say Guide insiders.
Summer Lodge
Evershot, Dorset
Country-house luxury abounds at this child-friendly, dog-friendly hotel, a Georgian mansion, its ‘well-maintained gardens a huge joy to visit’.
The Barnsdale
Oakham, Rutland
In the cosy surroundings of this former hunting lodge, celebrate the festive season in country style. Delivering comfort and joy and the most wonderful time of the year, they host dedicated Christmas packages and parties filled with rustic charm and Boxing Day rambles. Immerse yourself in festive traditions complete with flowing drinks, sensational food, Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, Breakfast & Bubbles on Christmas Day, a classic Christmas lunch, plenty of cake and even a holiday quiz.
Biggin Hall
Buxton, Derbyshire
For a relaxed house party ambience, Biggin Hall is the perfect location for Christmas celebrations - settle in and join them from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day.
Lime Wood
Lyndhurst, Hampshire
This luxurious Georgian stone mansion is surrounded by exemplary grounds, and offers both sumptuous suites and rustic family cottages to reside in.
Augill Castle
Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria
A fairytale retreat if ever there was one, Augill Castle in Cumbria is a Victorian-folly castle complete with towers and battlements. Decorated in sumptuous style, it is also relaxing and welcoming, complete with a level of whimsy and warmth that makes it a favourite for families as well as couples over Christmas. It's so tempting you could imagine Santa himself turning up.
Storrs Hall
Bowness-On-Windermere, Cumbria
With an enviable position on Windermere, this Georgian hall has a relaxed country house feel, with formal and casual dining options, and bedrooms ranging from family friendly to seriously swanky.
The Falcondale
Lampeter, Ceredigion
A magical place for a Welsh Christmas, The Falcondale is about seasonal walks, afternoon teas, fine dining and beautiful decorations.
Old Church Farm
Bristol, Gloucestershire
A Saxon royal hunting lodge in the Gloucestershire countryside, rebuilt over centuries, is run today as a private hotel by 'lovely hosts' Christopher Trim and Kathryn Warner.
Chewton Glen
New Milton, Hampshire
A five star country house hotel with a superb reputation that continues to keep Chewton Glen at the forefront of British hospitality after 50 years, it is also the home of one of the UK's most luxurious spa experiences.
Matfen Hall
Northumberland, United Kingdom
Enjoy Victorian Gothic splendour and fine or more casual dining at this country mansion with a spa and golf course in parkland.
Langar Hall
Langar, Nottinghamshire
Farlam Hall
Brampton, Cumbria
With the arrival of Michelin-starred chef Hrishikesh Desai, this smart country house hotel in beautiful, leafy grounds has become a top foodie destination.
Kilcamb Lodge
Strontian, Highland
Candlelit dinners, Bucks Fizz breakfasts, plenty of mince pies, canapés and even a take home a gift each are all part of Christmas here.
Goldstone Hall
Market Drayton, Shropshire
'In the middle of nowhere down narrow country lanes', John and Sue Cushing's Georgian manor house hotel sits among five acres of brimming gardens, a prolific source of fruit and vegetables, cut flowers and perennial joy.
Corse Lawn House
Corse Lawn, Gloucestershire
This beautifully proportioned Queen Anne-style mansion, in a hamlet between the Cotswolds and the Mendip hills, is as traditional as its owner, Baba Hine, who has been at the helm for more than 46 years.
ANRÁN @Tidwell Farm
Devon
On a working farm, this wedding and events venue and B&B offers beautiful and pristine manor house bedrooms and adaptable self-catering suites in four converted barns.
The Elms
Worcester, Worcestershire
The Elms is perfectly poised to help you celebrate the Christmas and New Year season in style, whether you wish to stay with us or visit as a non-resident.
The Mole Resort
Umberleigh, Devon
A family- and dog-friendly leisure resort in the Mole valley, this deconstructed hotel offers a choice of traditional rooms and eco-friendly lodges, morning-to-night activities, formal and casual dining.
Orestone Manor
Torquay, Devon
In sub-tropical gardens with views over Lyme Bay, this family-run hotel offers a wide choice of accommodation, and imaginative, locally sourced food.
Mansion House Llansteffan
Llansteffan, Carmarthenshire
An elaborate menu and superb service make you feel like the most important person in the world on a Christmas break at Mansion House Llansteffan.
Sopwell House Hotel
St Albans, Hertfordshire
A favourite hangout of the England football team, the former home of Lord Louis Mountbatten is 'well-run', with contemporary bedrooms, cosseting suites, a good choice of eating and drinking spaces, and a magnificent spa.
Country house hotels across the UK and Scotland have something particularly majestic about them and at no time is that more magical than at Christmas. Here are some of our favourite country house hotels for Christmas. From castles to vast estates, romantic adult-only retreats to family-friendly escapes, between the roaring fires and the country walks, these are the places that turn the holidays into a true Christmas cracker. Christmas conjures many images, but perhaps chief amongst them is a nostalgic idea of historic country houses and Dickensian Britain. Well, while no one will be looking to emulate the ghost of Christmas past, the UK's country houses do give us a postcard perfect setting in which to enjoy the festive season, and most probably a prize turkey to go with it. Think log fires and sky high Christmas trees, sumptuous food and historic gardens to roam in wearing mud caked wellies and warm woolly jumpers, whisky by the fire sitting in wingback chairs, sumptuous food and plenty of carol sinking. Like something out of a storybook, country house hotels have a delicious ability to make everyday rituals into a special occasion. The spa hotel where a facial is followed by afternoon tea; the lakeside mansion with its own organic walled garden for fruit, herbs and vegetables; or the estate with its own vineyard. Invariably, it's the combination of history (maybe this is the former home of a Prime Minister or an aristocrat's former country pile), grounds (perhaps you will wake to horses grazing in the fields outside), style (four-poster beds maybe) and customer service (where nothing is too much trouble), that herald a truly classy joint.
