THE SECRET LIST: NINE HIDDEN LUXURY HOTELS IN THE UK

On the edge of Windsor Great Park, this grand Jacobean private home-turned-hotel is within striking distance of blockbuster attractions which, depending on your interests, include Windsor Castle and LEGOLAND Windsor. The impressive arrival, across a bridge over the tranquil lake, perfectly sets the scene for what’s to come. Rooms are elegant (some have a balcony or terrace); suites include a dressing area and cocktail bar. Treehouses, each with a dedicated concierge, outdoor hot tub and a buggy for pootling to the main house, are in the pipeline too. At lunch, nab a table on the terrace of modern British 1215 Restaurant which overlooks the manicured lawn, for Moroccan spiced lamb flatbreads, crab and lobster sandwiches and seared tuna poke bowls (other dining options include the Mediterranean MOREISH restaurant). The Library Club is the place for morning lattes and reading the newspapers surrounded by shelves lined with first editions while the spa has a thermal suite, indoor pool and cryotherapy chamber. 

This grade II-listed manor near Stroud has just 18 country-chic rooms. Split between the main house and a coach house, they range from Cosy and Comfortable to Splendid and Top Notch: the best come with a four-poster bed or terrace (plus, there is a family suite with bunkbeds in a separate snug and a three-bedroom self-catering cottage). The atmospheric oak panelled restaurant, The Burleigh, is renowned for its seven-course Friday and Saturday night tasting menus and Sunday roasts (just-picked produce comes from the kitchen garden): think dishes such as pork fillet with fondant potatoes and burnt apple puree, lamb rump and mushroom wellington. For more casual fare, there is also a cosy lounge and bar, and a sun-trap summer terrace. The wellness garden is open all year and has a sauna, hot tub, Art Deco plunge pool for refreshing dips and a treatment hut where you can book in for pampering massages. There is no shortage of picture-postcard villages nearby or countryside walks, including on neighbouring Minchinhampton Common. 

From its hilltop position above Lake Windermere, this Arts and Crafts hotel has sensational views of the Coniston Mountains yet feels secluded too, thanks to the mature garden, planted over a century ago by landscape architect Thomas Mawson. Much of the action happens on and around the water, whether you fancy wakesurfing, wild swimming or booking a place on The Abigail Leah, a vintage Thames Slipper Launch which runs tours of the lake for guests (these are organised by sister hotel Storrs Hall). Back at base, the 1909 Restaurant caters for all appetites – from casual smoked salmon sandwiches at lunch to traditional afternoon tea and three-course dinners made using produce mostly sourced from within a 15-mile radius. Classic, comfortable rooms practically guarantee a good night’s sleep after days spent exploring the fells or pretty villages such as Bowness, a few minutes’ drive away.  

Billed by its family owners as a country house hotel by the sea, The Nare overlooks Carne beach, a quiet bay bookended by rugged headland on the Roseland Peninsula. Pretty gardens tumble down towards the shore and a path leads you straight to the sand for peaceful early morning swims before breakfast. The south west coast path weaves around the back of the hotel – stroll to the village of Portloe in one direction and Porthcurnick beach in the other (stop at the Hidden Hut for lunch). For downtime, there is a heated outdoor pool (May to October) and hot tub, plus an indoor pool, steam room and sauna; meanwhile, tennis courts, a croquet lawn and a pair of boats for charter will keep active types amused. As you’d expect, sea views are a major draw, whether from the rooms (some have a country outlook instead) or The Quarterdeck Seafood restaurant which serves up locally caught fish such as whole dover sole and grilled lobster. 

The vision of chef patron Raymond Blanc OBE, the renowned Oxfordshire restaurant at this hotel was known for its garden-to-table ethos long before the ever-increasing interest in growing our own. It has held two Michelin stars since it opened 40 years ago and there’s a real sense of occasion to eating here, especially if you’re tucking into the seven-course dinner menu (a bonus of staying overnight is a guaranteed reservation). Interiors of the rooms and suites draw inspiration from Blanc’s travels, evidenced in details such as French Toile de Jouy wallpaper, yellow blossom fabrics or hand-painted silk wallpaper reminiscent of the Far East. Feeling inspired by strolling through the gardens or what’s on your plate? Time your stay to coincide with workshops on everything from summer fruit pruning to apple pressing, souffles to stocks and sauces.  

One of three hotels owned by the National Trust, this grade I-listed Jacobean and Georgian house on the edge of the Chilterns sits in 90 acres of parkland designed by a contemporary of Capability Brown (green fingered guests can book a tour with the head gardener). Classic rooms, which are furnished with antiques, are split between the main house and Hartwell Court (a restored riding school and stables); plus, The Old Rectory, which sleeps seven, so ideal for families or small groups travelling together. During the summer, small plates are served on the terrace (Wednesday to Friday) but a fine dining supper is still the main event. The spa is housed in a Regency-style orangery where treatments range from revitalising massages to de-puffing facials.  

BFrom archery to air rifle shooting, fly fishing to falconry, the activities at Bovey Castle are brilliant for anyone wanting to get outdoors and make the most of the spectacular Dartmoor setting. There’s a John Abercromby-designed, 18-hole golf course (the hotel was originally opened as a golf resort by Great Western Railways nearly a century ago) and a PGA-pro on hand for lessons too. Opulent rooms (velvet sofas, thick drapes, marble bathrooms) are split between the historic manor and courtyard; estate lodges are a great self-catering option for those wanting more privacy but with hotel benefits. Choose from two restaurants: the Great Western Grill which specialises in classics such as steak and lobster, or Smith’s Brasserie, which serves imaginative international fare: Mediterranean fish stew, nduja sausage scotch eggs, falafel burgers. 

Set in the market town of Midhurst in the South Downs, this is one of England’s oldest coaching inns. In keeping with the age of the hotel, characterful rooms and suites are furnished with antiques (some have a four-poster bed and rolltop bath). The serene spa is centred around the mosaic tiled, heated indoor pool where floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with light and guests can swim laps under the Scandinavian-inspired vaulted ceiling. There’s a cosy bar and restaurant with a beamed ceiling and inglenook fireplace for suppers of, say, grilled seabass or slow baked shoulder of lamb. Nearby, there are market towns such as Arundel and Petworth (both are known for their antiques shops), local gardens and polo at Cowdray Park.