A guide to the best luxury escapes in the UK
A guide to the best luxury escapes in the UK
Sometimes, we all need to get away from it all for a while. With all the upheaval and uncertainty that has entered our lives in recent times, it’s more important than ever to look after our mental health and to spend quality time with loved ones.
A luxury UK escape to the countryside or coast can be the perfect way to re-energise and reinvigorate your life. There’s no stress or expense of international travel, and no need to take time away from work (unless you want to, of course!). There are luxury weekend breaks and great escapes suitable for all, whether you love long country walks, unadulterated relaxation, or the chance to discover the diverse beauty of Britain.
In this guide, we take a closer look at destinations that may be ideal for your next UK luxury escape. We also highlight a few of our favourite luxury spa hotels that can turn your escape into an extra special getaway.
Why should you book a luxury escape?
However much we enjoy our lives, there come times when a short break from the routine is just what the doctor ordered. Indeed, there’s something incredibly freeing about throwing a few things in a bag, loading up the car and running away from life for a few days.
As well as simply recharging the batteries, short escapes can have lots of benefits for our health and wellbeing. A few days away somewhere calm and restful can boost your mood, while being surrounded by nature can improve your general happiness. In addition, a busy life and a hectic routine can cause you to lose touch with loved ones. Heading off on a great escape can help you to reconnect with your partner, family members or best friends. Also, if you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed, a little time away can give you the perspective you need, so you can return to everyday life with a renewed sense of purpose and new levels of motivation.
So, where are you going to escape to? Here are our suggestions for superb luxury getaways across the UK.
Yorkshire
Perfect for: Outdoor lovers
From the Yorkshire Dales to the North York Moors, the Peak District National Park to Bronte Country, if you’re looking for luxury breaks in the UK that offer beauty and diversity, Yorkshire is definitely the place for you. Head completely off the grid and lose yourself in acres of stunning countryside. Enjoy gentle walks and drives or more challenging hikes and bike rides. However you indulge your love of the great outdoors, end the day in a welcoming country pub to enjoy a home-cooked meal and a well-deserved drink. The diversity of the area is also reflected in the accommodation available, with boutique properties and grand estates, offering a comfortable bed, warm hospitality and a restful backdrop to your northern great escape.
Book your luxury escape: Rudding Park in Harrogate, North Yorkshire is set within 300 acres of picturesque grounds, offering the perfect base for luxury weekend breaks or a few hours of spa pampering. Book now.
Cornwall
Perfect for: Beach lovers
Not all great escapes centre on rural idylls! Indeed, maybe your perfect luxury getaway involves exploring scenic coastal paths and taking gentle strolls on the beach. If so, then Cornwall could be the ideal place for you. Located on the very edge of south-west England, this picture-perfect county is made for luxury escapes and memorable getaways. Discover endless miles of pristine coastline, secluded beaches and charming towns. You can also indulge in decadent Cornish cream teas, tasty pasties and the freshest seafood. Head inland for winding country lanes, lovely countryside and characterful villages.
Book your luxury escape: Overlooking Porthminster Beach and boasting wonderful sea views, the boutique St Ives Harbour Hotel & Spa is the perfect place to add a touch of spa luxury to your Cornwall escape. Book now.
Scotland
Perfect for: Golf lovers
For golf lovers, luxury weekend breaks mean time to play a round or two on a superb, challenging course set against a picturesque backdrop. If this is your idea of bliss, then Scotland might just be your ideal great escape. In addition to its numerous well-regarded and even world-famous golf courses (such as St Andrews and Carnoustie), Scotland boasts some of the UK’s loveliest landscapes. For example, you could spend your great escape to Scotland exploring the magnificent Highlands or spectacular Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. Complement your getaway with the finest in Scottish hospitality and spa luxury.
Lake District
Perfect for: Hopeless romantics
If your perfect UK luxury escape involves romantic country walks, leisurely picnics, and relaxed evenings in traditional English pubs, the Lake District [add link to the ‘best place to stay in the Lake District?], may be your ultimate getaway destination.
The Lake District is steeped in romance and beauty, from the majesty of Bassenthwaite and Windermere lakes to the charming town of Grasmere, once home to the English Romantic poet William Wordsworth. In the Lake District, you can truly get away from it all and discover the diverse landscape, while returning each evening to luxurious accommodation, fine dining and even some spa pampering.
Book your luxury escape: Armathwaite Hall Country House and Spa in Keswick, Cumbria is a wonderful Lake District escape perfectly situated on the banks of lovely Bassenthwaite Lake. Book now.
What to do on your luxury escape
The best thing about a luxury escape is that it gives you time away from your daily stresses to enjoy some of the things you simply can’t fit in to your normal routine.
Maybe you like long drives through picturesque country lanes that end with refreshments in a cosy village pub. Or maybe you crave time to curl up in a quiet space to catch up on some reading? You might even long to pull on the walking boots and head out for a bracing hike across a windswept landscape? On your UK luxury escape, you have ample downtime to indulge your passions.
Here are a few more suggestions for how to spend those precious days and hours away from the demands of the daily routine.
Enjoy an indoor or outdoor swim: Swimming is a wonderful, gentle exercise that can also give your mental wellbeing a boost. Fitting in a swim during a busy week can be hard. But on your luxury escape, you can swim to your heart’s content! For more, take a look at our favourite luxury hotels with indoor swimming pools [link] and outdoor pools and hot tubs.
Dine in style: During those busy weeks, finding the time to truly savour a meal can be impossible. However, during a luxury escape, you have the chance to relax over a delicious full English breakfast, a leisurely three-course evening meal, or decadent afternoon tea, all served in elegant surroundings. You could even pack a picnic and find a secluded rustic spot to dine al fresco.
Indulge in spa luxury: We may be biased, but a pampering spa experience is one of our favourite ways to leave the world behind and escape from the everyday grind. Spas are designed to promote complete rest and relaxation, with (mobile phone-free) spaces that are calm and serene. Combining a spa treatment or two, such as a luxurious facial or soothing massage, with some ‘me’ or ‘we’ time in the thermal suite can leave you fully refreshed and revived.
Sightseeing: The UK is home to plenty of stunning areas, from rugged coastline to beautiful National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A luxury escape offers the time to explore and see some wonderful natural sights. There are plenty of fantastic places to discover, and a country or coastal getaway is the perfect opportunity to lose yourself in your surroundings and appreciate the country’s natural beauty.
Additional Luxury Escape Possibilities
Finally, to leave you with a little more inspiration, we’ve picked out a few of our favourite luxury spa hotels that are perfect for your next great escape.
The Belfry, Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire: With its world-renowned golf courses and excellent facilities, this award-winning luxury spa hotel offers the ultimate escape in the marvellous Midlands. Book now.
Formby Hall Golf Resort and Spa, Southport, Merseyside: This luxury resort is set within 200 serene acres, offering great golf and a superb spa, as well as access to a beautiful beach. Book now.
Spread Eagle Hotel & Spa, Midhurst, West Sussex: This charming traditional (dog-friendly) inn nestled in the beautiful South Downs National Park is the ideal location for a tranquil rural escape. Book now.
The Vale Resort, Hensol, The Vale of Glamorgan: Escape to wonderful Wales at this stunning retreat set within a 650-acre private estate, which features a terrific golf course, as well as a restful luxury spa. Book now.
