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The best honeymoon hotels in the UK for 2025
50 wonderfully romantic honeymoon hotels and minimoon hideaways that all deliver something special
With a wealth of romantic stays on our very doorstep, it makes sense to start the honeymoon search close to home. From lavish London hotel suites to cosy countryside cottages, spectacular Lake District spas and Michelin-starred pubs with rooms in Yorkshire, the UK is blessed with a plethora of dreamy escapes. More couples than ever are choosing to honeymoon on home turf, or book a British minimoon before jetting off to far-flung shores later in the year, and it makes perfect sense – what could be more ideal after the whirlwind of the wedding than a spoiling close-to-home getaway? Here’s our pick of the most beautiful boltholes that are just right for newlyweds (and all romantics, for that matter).
How we review
Every hotel in this curated list has been visited by one of our expert reviewers, who are usually hosted on a complimentary basis. They stay for a minimum of one night, test at least one meal and trial other experiences that the hotel might have to offer. We will earn a commission if you book via the links below, but this never affects our rating.
At a glance, the best honeymoon hotels for 2025
- The best five-star honeymoon hotel in the UK – The Newt, Somerset
- The best honeymoon suite in the UK – Claridge's, London
- The best honeymoon spa hotel in the UK – Middleton Lodge, Yorkshire
- The best boutique honeymoon hotel in the UK – Penally Abbey, Pembrokeshire
England
The best Cotswolds honeymoon hotels
A couple of hours’ drive west of London, the rolling hills of the Cotswolds have long been a minimoon magnet thanks to a scattering of honey-hued villages, hip boutique hotels, unstuffy manor house retreats with chic spas, and fine-dining destinations. Enjoy days spent hand-in-hand walking through ancient woodlands, browsing antiques, visiting palaces and castles and perhaps even spotting a celeb – they tend to orbit around Burford, Broadway and Kingham.
This gracious, 17th-century manor house is tucked into the heart of handsome Barnsley village. With its golden stone, gables and mullion windows, good food and a glorious spa, this is a dreamily romantic spot. But for all that, the building is magnificently upstaged by its grounds – which include four acres of formal gardens including a knot garden and a potager, and a terrific vegetable garden just beyond which, in summer, supplies the restaurant. Soothingly furnished in cream, greys and browns, the 18 bedrooms feature artworks inspired by nature, and bathrooms are a big thing: Room 14 in the stable yard has a dramatically glass-sided bathroom up spiral stairs; Room 15 has a sunken Turkish bathtub.
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£
429
per night
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Cowley Manor Experimental sits a 15-minute drive from the heart of elegant, happening Cheltenham. Walk through the front door and you’re in a very tall reception space, its grandeur softened by easy chairs. Ahead and to the side are sitting rooms, a library and a shiny bar manned by seriously professional mixologists. The bedrooms offer generous space and even the smallest have little lounge areas – most are furnished in contrasting colours: greens or blues and terracotta or ochre, while wicker chairs and potted plants give them a conservatory feel. One of the biggest attributes is the spa – strikingly designed and featuring indoor and outdoor pools, a steam room, sauna and gym, plus treatments based on products from Monuskin. It would be perverse not to start an evening here with a cocktail, and the fabulously carved, wood-panelled restaurant is helmed by cool London chef Jackson Boxer.
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£
516
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Dormy House, near the village of Broadway, is a complete treat of a hotel with very stylish and deeply relaxing décor, terrific food and impeccable service. The core is a 17th-century farmhouse, complete with big stone fireplaces and flagstone floors, and the facilities are glorious, especially the outstanding spa. Highlights include the lavender sauna, salt-infusion steam room, infinity pool and hydrotherapy hot tub which is best in winter when you can slip off your robe, sink into the warm waters and gaze into the flames of the outdoor fireplace. Treatments are from Temple Spa, which ups the relaxation factor with CBD therapy, plus massages by Beata. Rooms are plush; with its own hot tub Rose Cottage is best for couples.
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£
399
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The best Lake District honeymoon hotels
One of the most beautiful pockets of the UK, the Lake District draws in couples looking for a destination that’s genuine and timeless. The fact it has some of the country’s most unpredictable weather just makes a honeymoon here all the more exciting, right? When the sun shines head outside to enjoy lakeside walks, watersports and wildlife – if there’s rain there’s nothing much more romantic than tucking into a Michelin-starred meal at L’Enclume or Forest Side, or being holed up in one of the many smart spa hotels with roaring fires, free-standing tubs and heavenly treatments on tap.
The location is the charm of ‘the Duck’: it's at a crossroads in the middle of nowhere with glorious fell views, yet is just a couple of miles from bustling Ambleside, with its shops, tearooms and cruises on Windermere. The 300-year-old farmhouse retains a sense of a country inn mixed with a quirky contemporary style: think faded rugs on oak floors, pale-washed beams hung with hops, tan-leather tub chairs, wood-burning stoves and a slate-topped bar. Food is served without fuss or pretension – the short-choice menu, which kicks off with a savoury taster, might include treacle-glazed beef shin as starter then hake with pickled samphire and fennel jam as mains. No two of the cottage-cosy rooms are identical.
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165
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Set in delightful landscaped gardens, on the back road to Windermere, the Gilpin seems like a lost world, which makes it one the best honeymoon hotels in the UK for romantic seclusion. Life here is all about kicking back: from fishing and horse riding to fine dining and spa treatments in the Lake House. The 31 rooms vary widely but are fanatical in their detail and levels of luxury. In the main house, expect contemporary country-house comfort, a Scandi feel in the separate open-plan garden suites (with private hot tubs), and ultra privacy in the chic spa lodges which are stand-alone glass-and-wood affairs with their own private spa facilities (know that this is also easily one of the most romantic honeymoon spa hotels in the UK). A mile away, wrapped in 100 private acres, is the six-bedroom Lake House that comes with its own staff.
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374
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Simon Rogan's three-Michelin-starred restaurant with rooms stays true to both the simple village location and rich surrounding land. All spaces retain an unadorned authenticity, which leaves the food to take centre stage. Go for the tasting menu and you'll get at least 14 courses of exceptional skill, balance and creativity: an egg shell containing a yolk in mushroom broth; a finger of turbot in nasturtium butter; the dinkiest caramel mousse sitting on compressed apple, for example. Everything is presented exquisitely – on rustic pottery, perhaps, or handmade glass, even a pebble. The Coravin wine system allows you to try top-rank or small-producer wines. You can then roll upstairs to bed – only to roll downstairs again the following morning for an exceptional breakfast.
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From
£
270
per night
The best New Forest and Hampshire honeymoon hotels
Some of the UK’s top spa hotels lie in this idyllic region, so look no further for a post-wedding place to really switch off and reset. When you’re not being pampered, fill your days exploring the jumble of footpaths, cycle tracks and bridleways winding through the forest, where wild ponies roam, drive to the coast to the Blue Flag beaches of Hayling Island or soak up culture and city vibes in Winchester. Choose your favourite vintage car in the Beaulieu National Motor Museum, feast on foraged food or wild boar in one of the area’s fine restaurants or sip some Dancing Cows New Forest gin. The New Forest is also an easy hop from London or the home counties so doesn't require miles of driving if you're travelling from these areas.
Billionaire Gerald Chan’s luxury country house hotel, only an hour from London and surrounded by 400 acres of gorgeous grounds, is something rather magical. Homely yet stylish rooms, swims in the lake, cocktails based on ingredients from the estate, and bath and spa products inspired by the 18th-century horticulturalist William Wildsmith (who created an arboretum here) are just a few of the many intelligent and surprising touches. The gorgeous grounds feature a farm that really does go straight to table at Skye Gyngell’s Marle, awarded one of Michelin’s new Green Stars, and rooms are beautiful, with bespoke minibars and exceptional artwork – the sort you just don’t want to leave. Fire pits to the rear of the house make for lovely sundowner spots looking out over the grounds.
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650
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It’s the attention to detail throughout Lime Wood that makes it special. In the sybaritic Herb House Spa – airy, encased in glass and surrounded by greenery, there are private bathrooms with deep copper baths, sensuous swimming, hydrotherapy and steam pools, a pioneering raw food café, a mud house, relaxation rooms and a beautiful rooftop garden, all with sylvan views. Go for one of the Pavilion rooms, which melt into their New Forest surroundings and are specially designed with honeymooners in mind. At Hartnett Holder & Co, Angela Hartnett has joined forces with chef Luke Holder and to produce Italian inspired dishes that are as informal, yet polished as their surroundings.
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From
£
395
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A traditional country house hotel with a world-class spa and award-winning restaurant. It's a popular family spot owing to the activities on offer, but couples should hide out at one of the treehouse suites, high in the forest canopy, which are a world away from ordinary life. Built atop stilts, they have hardwood private decks, wood burning stoves and floor-to-ceiling windows. Staff will drive you – as well as DVDs, pizza hampers, wine, beer and breakfast – to and from the main hotel in electric buggies. If you make it out of your balcony-located hot tub, you can enjoy an ozone-treated indoor pool, a pool in the gardens, aromatherapy saunas and crystal steam rooms. There's also archery, buggy riding and duck herding.
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£
730
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• The best hotels in Hampshire
The best honeymoon hotels in Devon
Glorious, often uncrowded beaches, towering sand dunes, brooding moors and seaside villages encompassed in great swathes of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty – little wonder many couples think Devon is best for a minimoon. Closer than Cornwall, with trains from London taking just two hours, it’s a quicker, easier and cheaper bet and it’s quieter too, with plenty of secret corners for whispering sweet nothings, even in the height of summer. Devon’s most romantic hotels tend to be a combination of traditional charm mixed with modern touches, like a nautical pub with a fancy spa or a country house hotel with wellies by the door and Michelin-starred food.
Built in 1812 as the holiday home for the Duchess of Bedford, this wildly romantic Regency fishing lodge, set in verdant grade I-listed gardens, is now owned by hotelier Olga Polizzi and part-managed by her daughter, Alex – aka The Hotel Inspector. No surprise then that this is one of Devon’s most perfect hotels. Rooms are purposefully low-tech; Room Five is the winner for romance, with original hand-painted wallpaper, poetry-inspiring views of the River Tamar and a chaise longue that’s made for swooning. The cream teas are worth the journey alone: a help-yourself affair of just-baked scones and massive urns of clotted cream and strawberry jam. As are the gardens, dotted with grottos and dells.
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315
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Romantic Combe House slips tantalisingly in and out of view as you approach – it can be found at the end of a mile-long drive that begins in the thatched village of Gittisham. It's sexy and fun as well as romantic: trompe l’oeil, vintage finds, comfy shabby-chic furniture, velvet and gently patterned fabrics all feature. Outside, there are terraces, vintage sun umbrellas, and deck chairs on the lawn. In the conservatory-style dining room, expect locally sourced ingredients such as venison, lamb and scallops and Pig favourites such as slow-cooked crispy pig cheek. There are two Potting Shed treatment rooms in the garden.
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£
219
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Welcome to Britain's most exciting country house hotel in decades, with BBC Great British Menu icon Michael Caines MBE at the helm, and showstopping Michelin-starred food. Many chefs get bogged down in zany experiments with foams and moleculars. Michael prefers to poke at the boundary between sumptuous and sickly: pan-fried duck liver with marinated raisins and caramelised walnuts, for example. Book a room with an outdoor bath overlooking the golden syrup sunsets of the Exe estuary (sunsets are notorious here). Otherwise, borrow one of the free bikes or put on your Wellington boots and walk down to the Estuary, via the orchard and primrose-scattered grounds.
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550
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The best honeymoon hotels in Cornwall
Cornwall is perennially cool for couples. Firstly there’s the incredible seafood scene – think Rick Stein and Paul Ainsworth – then there’s the white-sand beaches, snaking rivers, hidden harbours and plentiful stylish hotels, from modern spa escapes to Georgian boltholes. England’s southernmost county is also a hotspot for honeymoons because who needs a far-flung adventure when hiking rugged coastlines, surfing in sparkling water, browsing art galleries like the Tate Modern in St Ives and enjoying long, lazy sunshine-soaked lunches at exceptional restaurants is on your doorstep?
Positano meets Cornwall at this cosy-but-chic seaside escape in the pastel-washed fishing village of St Mawes. The unassuming entrance – an arched entryway in a white stone wall – belies what’s behind: a collection of houses which pepper the steep hill, surrounded by subtropical planting, behind. Colour abounds in Cornish art, textiles and materials – local artists such as Barbara Hepworth hang on walls, patterns and prints add whimsy, while antique furniture gives the feel of someone’s home. No two bedrooms are the same – most offer postcard-perfect views out over the rooftops and palm trees, and many have terraces. The hotel used to be a yachting club and it still very much retains that essence – guests can charter an eight-metre yacht from May to September, and it has its own sophisticated beach club, which you'll find just across the road.
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355
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Glorious sea and sunset views make this an ideal honeymoon hotel in Cornwall, while a child-free policy will be attractive to any other couples looking for a bit of peace and quiet. The womb-like spa specialises in Ayurvedic ‘journeys’, with tented treatment rooms and pods suspended in the dark for ‘deep relaxation’ and an all-glass sea facing roof for ‘light relaxation’. The reed-fringed, rock-strewn outdoor pool extends from the indoor one, punctuated by two bright scarlet wood-fired hot tubs perched between boulders overlooking the sea. Most rooms have a floor-to-ceiling glass wall that slides back to access outdoor space.
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The hotel is situated just 150 yards from the charming Padstow Harbour and a five-minute ferry ride across the Camel Estuary from Rock. Both Padstow and Rock are renowned for their watersports as well as being a real hub for foodies, home to some fantastic restaurants from chefs including Rick Stein, Paul Ainsworth and Nathan Outlaw. Coswarth House dates back to 1825, and many original features have been retained: flagstone flooring, exposed ceiling beams and stone walls combine with faux fur drapes and velvet cushions. Each room has a roll-top bath. The clincher: guests staying at the house are also treated to breakfast at Rick Stein’s Café.
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289
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The best Bath honeymoon hotels
The ultimate romantic city break, Bath is brimming with culture, smart hotels, fine dining and, of course, spa’ing – this is the self-proclaimed ‘original wellbeing destination’ thanks to its iconic Roman Baths. When you’re not floating around in therapeutic thermal spring water together, there are Bridgerton-esque Georgian townhouses to admire, the National Trust’s Skyline walk, boat trips along the River Avon and glasses of champagne at rooftop bars to enjoy.
This luxury hotel spreads over two townhouses in the centre of Bath's showpiece Georgian crescent, overlooking the end of Victoria Park, the city's main green lung. The swanky Spa & Bath House is a big draw for many visitors. The main communal area includes a 12-metre indoor relaxation pool, vitality pool, sauna and steam room. There are also six treatment rooms and a Mediterranean-styled walled garden. Rooms range from palatial suites with ornate ceilings and fireplaces on the first floor of the townhouses, to much cosier (but still elegant – and more affordable) accommodation in the upper floors of the townhouses.
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485
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The first five-star hotel in Bath in 30 years, the grade II-listed Gainsborough is also the only one in Britain to have access to natural thermal waters. Roman columns and a glass roof dominate the compact and exquisite Spa Village, which comprises three thermal pools, a sauna, steam room and 11 treatment rooms including one for couples. Guests are encouraged to take the traditional and invigorating “Bath House Circuit” before their treatment, spending around an hour soaking in the three pools of varying temperatures, rubbing the body with crushed lavender ice and having a sauna. Book one of the Bath Spa rooms for baths filled with thermal water directly from the hotel’s well.
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217
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The best Somerset honeymoon hotels
Beyond the sprinkling wells and urban glamour of Bath (above), Somerset's rural charms are many, with its quintessential English countryside, pretty villages and mystical landmarks (such as Glastonbury) to explore. Discover world-class art galleries, swish landmark country house hotels and cosy pubs with rooms around Frome and Bruton. Head south west to Exmoor and things become a little wilder, with castles, caves, secret beaches and wild ponies on your doorstep. Low light pollution means Exmoor National Park is one of the best places in the UK for star-gazing.
The Newt is one of the most exceptional country house hotels Britain has seen. It was in the making for six years, and occupies beautiful Palladian-fronted red-gold limestone Hadspen House, first built in 1687. Former editor of Elle Decoration South Africa Karen Roos is responsible for the hotel’s interiors. There is plenty to admire, especially the simplicity: the rough-hewn walls of the natural, unadorned spa (with sauna, salt steam room and beautiful pool leading to a heated outdoor hydrotherapy pool); the unfussy, almost Scandinavian style of the 23 bedrooms and bathrooms in the house and Stable Yard. And then there’s the cyder press, bottling plant and bar, mushroom house, History of Gardening Museum, farm shop, treetop walk, thatched ice cream parlour and wild swimming ponds to enjoy.
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383
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Ecclesiastical elegance meets boutique verve at this former 12th-century chapel that has been stylishly repurposed into an eight-bedroom hotel in the arty village of Bruton. All rooms are different but share features such as cowhide rugs, mid-century seats, Egyptian cotton-dressed bespoke beds, modern art and monastic-like, grey-marble bathrooms with Ren toiletries – all but two rooms have a freestanding oval-shaped bath for two. Guests can look forward to chubby, still-warm croissants each morning in a paper bag hung on their doors, with extra butter and jam – or head downstairs for bacon sandwiches. For romantic wanderings, modern art gallery Hauser & Wirth is a five-minute drive away; Westcombe Dairy – and its award-winning cheddar – 10 minutes.
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£
125
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The original country outpost of Soho House remains very alluring to those seeking serenity together in the Somerset countryside (but without foregoing the sumptuous facilities for which the global membership club has become renowned). Inside the honey-coloured Georgian house and converted outbuildings are sizeable indoor and outdoor swimming pools (both heated year round), a sauna and steam room, plus a cinema showing films every evening. There's also the substantial, rustic-chic Cowshed Spa, and 33 individually designed, rather gorgeous and very comfy bedrooms, some of which feature working fires or wood-burning stoves, and baths. If you want to explore, complimentary bikes are available.
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360
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A memorable pub with rooms in a gorgeous, sleepy Somerset village. It dates from 1680 and oozes character from every pore. Inside, the interconnected bar areas have beams dripping with dried hops, boarded and flagstone floors and antique tables laid out with brass candelabras and fresh flowers. The garden is also a delight, with a mini French-style formal garden with a wisteria- and vine-shaded terrace and a boules court, plus a wilder orchard with picnic benches beyond. The six, characterful bedrooms all have freestanding roll-top or slipper baths. In-the-know locals come from afar to eat at the pub – the menu showcases what is special about the area, including beautifully presented pub staples along with more complex dishes that will appeal more to foodies.
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100
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The best Dorset honeymoon hotels
It’s possible to immerse yourselves in coast and countryside on a romantic retreat in peaceful Dorset, where beautiful beaches, woodland walks and luxe hotels are in abundance. There’s a wealth of ways to fill a long weekend: stroll along wind-whipped cliffs at Golden Cap, follow in the footsteps of Mary Anning fossil hunting at Lyme Regis, watch movies beneath the stars at Lulworth Castle, take a boat trip to Brownsea Island, sample wine in some the county’s excellent vineyards or kick back and enjoy a couples’ spa day.
A Georgian coaching inn, painted zaffre blue and popular with stars of Broadchurch and Far From the Madding Crowd. It's a favourite destination for city dwellers searching for country charm that retains urbane style, with a secret speakeasy for late-night cocktails. The 19 rooms each have their own identity but running throughout are French influences – Parisian side tables, French-style rattan beds – with an East Asian edge (an antique painted wardrobe from China, for example). The restaurant – informal, with a fireplace and neutral wood-panelled walls – serves a British menu with a speckle of Europe (and a commendable commitment to sourcing locally).
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113
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Dorset House has been one of the county’s secret boltholes, but this splendacious Regency nook is starting to attract national attention. It’s not hard to see why: gorgeous boutique interiors, a stroll from the Jurassic Coast and the best breakfast for miles. All rooms but one have decadently dressed king-sized beds, topped with Hungarian goose down duvets and Egyptian cotton linen, plus pillows that are marshmallow soft. Sea View is the ne plus ultra: a generous space with lofty sash windows opening to views of Lyme Bay. The snug honesty bar – packed with local tipples including Black Cow vodka, Conker gin and Gyle 59 craft beers – is a mellow place to unwind.
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The hotel stands in a stunning position overlooking the sea, with the dramatic chalk stacks of Old Harry Rocks in the foreground and the Isle of Wight in the distance. The beach is a five-minute walk away. It’s cosy inside, full of antiques and curios, and relaxing outside, with terrace, huge lawn and walled kitchen garden (which provides ingredients for the daily menu). All the rooms are delightful, many with interesting original features. They employ vintage style fabrics, chandeliers and beautifully dressed beds, with the Pigs’ signature Roberts radios, well-stocked ‘larders’ and excellent bathrooms. Two rooms are delightful two-storey thatched follies overlooking the kitchen garden, and another is in a converted shepherd’s hut under the trees, with its own bathroom.
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385
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The best honeymoon hotels in Norfolk
Whether splashing around on the broads, picnicking in sand dunes or scrunching along shingle beaches, Norfolk’s waterways and surrounding countryside are a romantic destination year-round (and, shhh, a little less touristy than Cornwall and Devon). Paddleboarding together along Hickling, the largest of the manmade broads, seafood suppers and sunset strolls along Holkham Beach are perfect in summer, while in winter seal pup-spotting in Horsey or Blakeney Point and muddy stomps through Thetford Forest, followed by celebratory drinks by a roaring fire in a cosy pub with a homely atmosphere, hit the honeymoon spot.
Morston Hall lies a five-minute walk from the quayside at Morston, the starting point for seal trips, and two miles from Blakeney. It's a flint- and brick-built Jacobean country-house hotel, with large conservatory extensions that provide extra dining space. Inside, you’ll find open fires, squashy sofas and cosy corners in a hushed, fairly formal atmosphere. Eating is the main reason to come here, one of only two restaurants with a Michelin star on this stretch of coast. Galton Blackiston’s cooking is rated highly by both visitors and locals: he offers a seven-course tasting menu based on fresh, local ingredients, served at 7.30pm daily.
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176
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Affectionately known as The Vic, this 19th-century inn lies equidistant between a vast, sandy beach and the parkland surrounding Holkham Hall. The location is a paradise for walkers, cyclists, birdwatchers and outdoor lovers. Staff are fitted out in tweed waistcoats, there are antler displays on the wall and pictures depict wild fowling and hunting scenes. One of the most popular bedrooms is the sun-filled Crabbe Castle Pit in soothing blue-greys, with large sash windows. Welcome touches include fresh milk in the mini-fridge (complimentary prosecco is provided in Ancient House rooms), a room gift of stripy seaside rock and a complimentary pass for Holkham’s beach and estate car parks.
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290
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The best Suffolk honeymoon hotels
From Southwold’s picket-fence and retro pier perfection to Aldeburgh’s pastel houses and pebble beach charm, Suffolk’s stretch of coastline is high dose of low-key loveliness. Enjoy fresh oysters at Walberswick, lounging on the shingle at Dunwich and exploring the hauntingly isolated, windswept hamlet of Shingle Street. Inland there are vineyards, castles and Constable country to discover. Hotels range from award-winning gastro pubs with rooms to Elizabethan stately homes with four-poster beds and grand gardens.
Retreat East has taken the idealised ‘house in the country’ and distilled it into the most relaxing of weekend escapes. It’s difficult to spot which of the standalone barns are part of the original 16th-century farm and which are the new-builds. They vary in size from one-bedroom ‘dairy barns’ to a full-on four-bedroom farmhouse, but all achieve a sweet and chic country home effect. In the spa area you’ll find a sauna, a steam room and two inviting treatment rooms. Therapists are highly skilled, and outdoors there’s a large hot tub in a suntrap of a spot. Retreat East's location in the midst of the Suffolk countryside feels wonderfully remote – take time to stroll to the nearest village, Hemingstone, just over 20 minutes away through rolling fields and over styles, head to the Suffolk Coast, or explore one of the many nearby market towns.
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190
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The best Surrey honeymoon hotels
Surrey is merely a hop, skip and a jump from London’s thump and thrum, yet as far as rural charm goes, this picturesque county doesn’t disappoint. From the tree-studded Surrey Hills and the charming villages of Shere and Ripley to its smattering of historic sights, world-famous gardens and Michelin-starred dining spots, honeymooners will find plenty to explore here.
This 19th-century manor surveys the Surrey Hills and sits in almost 400 acres of gardens, grounds and woodlands. Interior designers Susie Atkinson and Nicola Harding have had great fun recreating the house’s heyday while avoiding turning it into a museum or Twenties pastiche. The marble columns and oil paintings of the grand lobby are offset by a kaleidoscopic tapestry, for example, and while it’s certainly grand, there's a homely feel to it. The Coach House is a real highlight – the floral stained glass roof at the entrance to the treatment rooms sets the nature-themed tone, there's both an indoor and an outdoor swimming pool, and seriously special treatments blend Eastern and Western techniques. Rooms are divided between the grand main house, less formal Garden House and new Village area, and some of the suites feature four-poster beds and standalone bath tubs.
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529
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The best Yorkshire honeymoon hotels
Full of natural beauty, Yorkshire's moors, meadows and caves are captivating, and then there are the charming market towns, the wide, windswept beaches and the art galleries filled with rarely seen work by Barbara Hepworth and David Hockney. Giving the wide-open landscapes a run for their money are the bright lights of central York and Leeds, and the stylish city stays they're punctuated with. This stretch of northern England has got it going on when it comes to minimoon motivation and has some of the loveliest luxury honeymoon hotels in the UK as well as a whole milky way of Michelin-starred restaurants.
Middleton Lodge is a rambling Georgian country estate not far from the market town of Richmond. Every inch of the Forest Spa has been thoughtfully considered – it's incredibly romantic and has a scene-stealing heated outdoor pool at its heart. Nature-inspired treatments – courtesy of VOYA and Aromatherapy Associates – take place in woodland huts kitted out with tin baths and log burners. The thermal spa space meanwhile is home to a sauna, a steam room, an arch stone plunge pool, and a relaxation zone complete with sink-in sofas and a crackling fireplace. Explore the seemingly endless grounds on the complimentary bicycles, tuck into a six-course dinner at Michelin-starred restaurant, Forge, and then retire to one of the rustic-luxe suites.
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245
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This is a grand Georgian townhouse, 10 minutes from York Minster, brilliantly and sympathetically brought into the 21st century with bold colours, old-school charm, modern art and dollops of whimsy. Milky-white panelled walls, sheer curtains and four-poster beds create a feeling of airiness in the bedrooms and suites, while minimalist furniture and bare floorboards, both painted rust-red, lend warmth. The sitting room and bar, with grand sash windows, offer space to relax, and there’s a small street-facing terrace for warmer days. Snacks and starters at the hotel's Pearly Cow restaurant include oysters with aioli and nori seaweed, and tuna tartare with smoked watermelon, while mains include classic steaks and a sharing seafood platter. Meanwhile, the spa – set in the cocooning brick-vaulted basement – has a short menu of bespoke facials and massages.
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209
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The late-medieval, thatched pub is partly as you would expect – flagged floor, low beams – but opens into two smart yet comfortable dining rooms. Bedrooms are across the road in converted farm buildings. Whitby-born chef-owner Andrew Pern was one of the first champions of local sourcing – and why wouldn’t you be, he says, with his ‘back garden’ of moorland game and pasture-fed meat, coastal fish, Yorkshire Wolds’ fruit and vegetables… He now has a huge kitchen garden at the back of the pub. His menus are punchy, robust yet skilfully balanced and as much about texture as taste: crab stick with seashore vegetables and avocado ice, perhaps followed by roasted lamb chop with truffled faggot or honey-roasted duck with tea-poached quail’s egg.
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170
per night
The exterior is vast, impressive, turn-of-the-century metropolitan grandeur, with restored red brick and creamy moulded stonework. Original marble fireplaces, stunning washrooms and leaded windows lend a Golden Age glamour to the place. All bedrooms have opulent marble bathrooms, large beds and desks filled with free drinks and local fudge. The hotel also offers a helicopter transfer service – two choppers can pick guests up from anywhere in the country and transport them to a nearby airfield, to be whisked via Range Rover to the hotel.
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169
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The best Brighton honeymoon hotels
A short hop on the train from London and bursting with character, Brighton is one of Britain’s best-loved seaside cities and full of kitsch romance. Lose yourselves shopping, scoffing and quaffing in The Lanes, go for a dip in the sea, hang out in the flower-filled Royal Pavilion Gardens and take a champagne-fuelled ride on the British Airways i360 wheel for panoramic views all the way to the South Downs. And whether you’re holed up in a dreamy Regency townhouse escape or a suite in a grand seafront hotel, be sure to extract yourselves for at least one night to sample the city’s brilliant nightlife.
Spanning two smart townhouses at the top end of grassy Regency Square allows for fabulously lofty sea views. The look is cool private club meets East Village boho – with reclaimed furniture, exposed brickwork, densely pigmented colour schemes and a fabulous collection of paintings and prints by contemporary artists. There are 27 artist-designed rooms and even the smallest oozes character, with a bold life-sized stencil by Paris’s first graffiti artist, Blek le Rat. Pick a south-facing room for comfy bedside views over to the sea. Don't miss the fabulous array of unusual bevvies in the hip sea-facing cafe/bar/restaurant.
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161
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The best West Sussex honeymoon hotels
Home of the South Downs, which boasts some of the most romantic walks in the UK along ridges overlooking rolling, chalky hills and heathlands, West Sussex is where the Bloomsbury set hung out in the 20th century, but today it could rival Champagne with its venerable vineyards, Norman castles and stylish hotels. Drop into Glyndebourne for some summer opera and supper at its fine dining restaurant helmed by the Michelin-starred Galvin brothers, browse antique bookshops in Arundel or perhaps enjoy a spot of racing at Glorious Goodwood.
An attractive Elizabethan manor house in the pretty village of Cuckfield, with nine acres of grounds and fine views over West Sussex to the South Downs. The contemporary spa makes a startling contrast to the Elizabethan manor. An uncompromisingly modern building with a startling box-like exterior and an airy and natural interior, it has an indoor/outdoor pool, hot tub, walk-through rain shower, steam room, sauna, relaxation area, sundeck, guest lounge and café. Go for one of the 28 knockout rooms, some of which come with shutters in the bathrooms which open on to bedrooms that in turn open on to a roof garden with superb views.
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232
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The best Peak District honeymoon hotels
The Peak District National Park is a stellar spot for stargazing and covers more than 1400 wild kilometres from dreamy Dovedale in the south to the Pennines in the north. Within its steep valleys you’ll find secret caves and gorges, pretty villages, magnificent manor houses like Chatsworth and the architecturally pleasing spa towns of Buxton and Matlock Bath, where you can stroll along Lovers’ Walk. Adventurous couples might be tempted to hike to the peak of Mam Tor for the ultimate honeymoon high.
Wildhive Callow Hall sits on the southern edge of Derbyshire’s Peak District, just outside the attractive village of Ashbourne with its antique and vintage shops. There are 15 lovely bedrooms in the main house, designed with comfort and English style in mind by Isabella Worsley, and there are also wooden ‘hives’ and treehouses in the woods above for those wanting a more natural and private experience. Guests can walk up the hillside to their getaways, or a buggy can take them there. A stunning glass cube extension houses the restaurant and bar (don’t miss the venison carpaccio or the smoked eel pâté), and the small spa, as well as a map room for walkers, can be found in The Coach House.
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252
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The best London honeymoon hotels
From new-kid-on-the-block townhouses to reassuringly robust grande dames of the hotel scene, the cosseting and spoiling you’ll receive at these star-studded getaways is perfect for a minimoon to remember. Not only does the capital have iconic hotels, but it also captures the heart with its myriad of couple-friendly things to do. Picnics in parks, strolls beside the Thames at sunset, top-notch meals in rooftop restaurants and late-night drinks in candle-lit cocktail bars are all incentives to spend the first holiday of your married life in the capital.
One of London’s most glamorous and longest-established hotels, and a home-from-home for visiting royalty, is the place to exercise creativity if you're looking for a honeymoon hotel in London (they particularly love to host couples for this occasion or the wedding night itself. No request is too big – and if there's a more sultry, sexy spot for pre-dinner drinks in the capital than the cosy Fumoir Bar at Claridge's then we're yet to find it. In fact, the entire Art Deco style hotel is a fine example of 1920s inspired romance. Yes, the prices here are also some of the highest (for everything, the room rates, spa treatments, food, cocktails...) but there's a reason and it's all to do with utterly faultless service, the kind that anticipates your every move, yet never feels stifling.
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990
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The vast Raffles London at The OWO stands immediately opposite Horse Guards Parade and close to Downing Street. The look is certainly impressive, especially the entrance hall where the staircase, a massive sweep of Italian marble and Derbyshire alabaster, is crowned by a magnificent new Murano glass chandelier. There are five Heritage suites set in the former offices and conference rooms of the most illustrious figures to have planned and plotted here – the view from the Turret Suite is unforgettable, and the Granville Suite is wildly grand yet also wonderfully inviting. The Guerlain Spa and the huge, pillared pool with fireplace at one end are subterranean but feel amazingly light and airy, and there is a state-of-the-art gym, too. Paper Moon, where delightful Italian staff serve classic Milanese cuisine in comforting surroundings, feels convivial and pleasantly continental, and the low-lit Spy Bar is an atmospheric spot to while away an evening.
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£
850
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Wales
The best honeymoon hotels in Pembrokeshire
Honeymoon heaven, largely thanks to its dazzling section of coastline. Spot seals and dolphins on boat trips to remote island wildlife reserves, tuck into the freshest seafood at harbourside restaurants and take your pick of stunning beaches – Pembrokeshire has more than its fair share of golden sand, craggy cliffs and hidden coves. It’s also home to Britain’s smallest city, St David’s on the western most peninsular, home of a towering cathedral and the Gothic ruins of The Bishop’s Palace
A gorgeous boutique property that's suitably special for a break for two, but with a pleasingly fair price tag. It is not, in fact, an abbey, though the ruined chapel in its gardens certainly add to its charm. It’s a late 18th-century house, built in the rare Strawberry Gothic style that explains the snaking, arched windows and door-frames. There are 11 rooms, all lovely and all unique in character. Room six is perfect for a romantic stay, papered in gorgeous Zophany wallpaper in a pastoral print. Rooms five and seven are both huge and have sea views – five has a four-poster bed, and seven has a Narnia wardrobe (open it, and it leads into a secret bathroom). It's set above the sea, amid tumbling gardens, and is just a 30 minute-walk from Tenby (and is probably Pembrokeshire's loveliest bolthole).
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230
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The castle is grafted onto a rocky outcrop above grounds of sloping lawns. It is on the outskirts of the modern village of Roch, roughly halfway between St Davids and Haverfordwest. The coast is five minutes' drive away at Newgale, a vast strand popular with surfers. A key part of the appeal of staying here is the panoramic views from most of the rooms: far out to sea across St Brides Bay, and inland across the rolling Pembrokeshire countryside and up to the gaunt Preseli Hills. Though 800 years old, the castle has designer interiors with 21st-century comforts and specially commissioned works of art.
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296
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The hotel is set in 26 acres of grounds amid deep countryside, with distant views of the Preseli Hills. You may wake up to the sound of a woodpecker. The main building is a handsome three-storey residence with Georgian proportions and distinctive Arts and Crafts panelling and fireplaces. The lounges – cosy yet elegant, with real fires, window seats, plush sofas and modern prints and paintings of coastal Pembrokeshire – set the tone of the whole property. The 13 rooms in the main house have ornate fireplaces, gilt mirrors, well-lit modern art and floral or William Morris-style wallpaper. The Grove serves some of the best elaborate meals in Pembrokeshire, with an award-winning wine list.
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248
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The best Snowdonia honeymoon hotels
Snowdonia National Park contains so much natural beauty – mountains, waterfalls, forests and gorges – it’s impossible not to fall in love with the setting. Its under-the-radar 200-mile coastline is a Special Area of Conservation, resulting in unspoilt coves reached via rugged footpaths. In stark contrast, Portmeirion, an Italianate village overlooking the Dwyryd Estuary, is a paradise fantasy of pavilions, colonnades and piazzas with a certain je ne sais quoi that makes it ideal for a quirky honeymoon escapade.
Queen Victoria and Churchill have both sojourned at this fantasy Victorian mansion on the fringes of the Berwyn Mountains and Snowdonia National Park. It's furnished it with impeccable style, wows diners with imaginative riffs on regional, seasonal ingredients, and holds Wales’ first Michelin Green Star. When it comes to the rooms for a honeymoon, the vast suites really are something else. The Churchill Suite resembles an upturned ship with its vaulted wooden ceiling inlaid with stained glass. William Morris prints dance gracefully across walls and fabrics and an antique four-poster bed and marble bathroom with copper bateau bath up the luxury further still.
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286
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An elegant country house hotel set between the mountains and sea in rural Snowdonia. It was the ancestral home of the photographer Lord Snowdon, Princess Margaret’s husband. Historic family artworks and furniture are woven with bright, modern rural styling. Weather permitting, the well-kept gardens are pretty and peaceful for a pre-dinner stroll. Meals are cooked by an award-winning local chef, and most of the food is locally sourced, with specialities including Abedaron crab, Menai mussels and mountain lamb. The 10 bedrooms have strong, personal characters.
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242
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Scotland
The best Edinburgh honeymoon hotels
Scotland’s capital city makes a dramatic backdrop for romance, with its famous Royal Mile, 12th-century hilltop castle and glorious Gothic buildings at every turn. Aside from lounging around in a suite at one of the city’s big-hitter hotels, coupley things to do in Edinburgh include dining in smart restaurants and browsing galleries and indie bookstores combined with blustery hikes up Arthur’s Seat, watching sunset from Calton Hill, eating seafood by the shore in Leith and wandering around the Royal Botanic Garden.
This extraordinary hotel near Edinburgh Castle is the ultimate romantic hideaway with fantasy rooms that make ideal honeymoon hotel suites: sumptuous, indulgent, and slightly (delightfully) mad. If Pugin designed gothic revival love nests they would look like this: an outrageous riposte to modern minimalism. The nine accommodations are an antique dealer’s dream: the rooms set-dressed with fascinatingly eclectic clutter; all jewel-coloured velvets, silks and brocades, carved wood, gilding and candle-light - think decadent ecclesiastical. Beds are dramatically draped or four-postered (or both); chin-deep bateau baths are perfect for sharing.
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Although an Edinburgh landmark for more than a century, there's nothing old-fashioned about this Forte flagship. Built as a railway hotel, this is a splendid example of a Victorian take on Renaissance architecture with sweeping staircases, classical columns and royal icing plasterwork complimented by designer Olga Polizzi's calmly contemporary interiors. Classic rooms overlook an interior courtyard, so consider upgrading to Executive or Deluxe and ask for a city view, or go spendy on a Superior Deluxe – virtually a suite, with views across Princes Street Gardens to the castle. The spa offers treatments by Irene Forte and Ishga, and a 15-metre lap pool, sauna and steam room.
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330
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The best Inner Hebrides honeymoon hotels
With their landscapes flecked with greens and browns, vast stretches of tranquil water and some stand-out places to stay, these islands off the west coast of mainland Scotland are nothing short of irresistible. They're also a little magical, with their wild beaches, unusual rock formations and star-studded skies. Visitors to the Isle of Skye and the Isle of Islay are odds-on to spot breathtaking wildlife like eagles and otters while out walking, cycling or sea kayaking to secret bays, and along with some impressive distilleries, there are some great places to eat, with the spotlight placed on local produce like just-caught scallops and venison.
A former 16th-century hunting lodge and later family home to the Macdonalds, whose hands Kinloch is still in today. The destination restaurant is the focal point, though by the time you get there you'll have already been won over by the stellar views. The menu draws heavily on the local bounty of the island, so fish and seafood feature prominently. There's a decadent treatment menu for post-hiking relaxation (there's great walking to be had from here – try the route that takes you up over to the abandoned township of Leitir Fura, for epic views). Go for a room with a loch view.
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792
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You can’t beat this amazing location – behind a seven-mile stretch of dune-backed sands on the south-west coast of Islay – for sheer beauty. Not many hotels in Britain can offer such a sense of getting away from it all, and it's attached to one of Scotland's top golf courses. The fire-warmed interiors have the cosy vibe of a ski chalet, and the art collection, put together by the discerning owners, is a stand-out feature. The small on-site spa offers excellent massages and facials using ISHGA products, and you'll find indoor and outdoor wood-fired tubs to steep in pre and post-treatment. There's a daily programme of activities, too, including wildlife forays, fat-biking and guided walks.
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185
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The essential ingredients are all here: attentive service, attractive rooms with mesmerising views and a talented young chef. Choose from a three-course à la carte menu or the epic Skye Land & Sea menu, served at the ‘Kitchen Table’, right in the heart of the action. Dishes on the latter menu might include the likes of Dungvegan crab with black pickled fennel and crab ketchup, and Vatten Farm lamb with celeriac, miso, black garlic and sauerkraut. A road (albeit single-track and quiet) runs between the House Over-By and the shore of Loch Dunvegan, slightly eroding what would otherwise be a feeling of privacy, but not unduly distracting from the peaceful views.
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345
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The best Highlands honeymoon hotels
Northwest Scotland is wildly beautiful, sparsely populated and whether you’re cruising down Loch Ness, exploring an ancient castle, whisky tasting or cuddling together by a roaring fire, the allure of the Highlands is strong. This vast wilderness also manages to offer first-class digs along with all the natural wonders (and great food), from bucket-list hotels owned by international art dealers to restaurants with rooms rivalling some of the best in Scotland.
The delight is in the detail at this wildly romantic, sublimely comfortable, uniquely fascinating Highlands hotel. It's right in the centre of Braemar, a charming village famous for the Royal Highland Games and full of old-fashioned appeal with pretty stone houses, tea rooms and even a sporran shop. Plenty of outdoor pursuits are offered and there's a spa. For dinner and drinks, choose between the jolly bar serving good pub grub, traditional country house style in the Clunie Dining Room or Art Deco glam in Elsa's Bar. Even if your budget doesn't stretch to one of the stage-set-style suites, all the bedrooms are themed and just as characterful.
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250
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Queen Victoria said she ‘never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot’ than Inverlochy Castle in 1873, and it remains as impressive as ever.
Lying at the foot of Ben Nevis, girdled by a ring of highland peaks (particularly lovely when coiffed with snow), this is a place of quiet beauty, with no indication that the hustling, bustling tourist town of Fort William is only a mile or two up the road. Everything is possible, with activities including skiing, white-water rafting, off-road driving, stalking or fishing (the ghillie will assist). With Albert and Michel Roux Jr in charge of the kitchen the food is as good as the peerless service.
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Basking on the shore of Loch Torridon with sublime views of 3,461-foot Liathach, The Torridon could not be in a more attractive setting and makes a perfect opportunity to soak in the grandeur and solitude of the Highlands. You can hike into the hills from the back door. The former shooting lodge has an air of understated opulence and countless charming features. Each room has its own character, so select with care. Several boast beautiful baths; some have four-posters. Master rooms offer glorious vistas of loch and mountains. The 1887 restaurant is formal, but seriously impressive, showcasing the best of local produce, including beef from the shaggy Highland cattle grazing outside. Activities include rock climbing, sea kayaking and archery.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the UK a good honeymoon destination?
The UK is a fantastic place for a honeymoon, offering up plenty of choices for both destinations and accommodation. Many hotels cater to honeymooners often offering specific packages for your first night as a married couple or the chance to book a stay in a special suite – traditionally known as a 'honeymoon suite'.
Where is the most romantic place in the UK for a honeymoon?
It absolutely depends on the type of 'romance' you are after. If it's a five-star experience in lavish or opulent surroundings with excellent service then a London grande dame hotel would be ideal, or perhaps your version of romance is to hole-up in a remote lodge in the middle of the Scottish Highlands. Whatever honeymoon style you're looking for, you will find great options in this article.
How long should you stay on a UK honeymoon?
The UK has been viewed as more of a 'minimoon' destination, so a quick two or three night break immediately after the wedding to unwind (and then a long-haul honeymoon is often planned at a later date lasting between one to two weeks). However, it's entirely up to you (and your budget) how long you stay for in the UK. If it's your main honeymoon, you might want to stay for up to a week, or perhaps plan a longer road trip.
Contributions by Suzy Bennett, Sophie Butler, Jade Conroy, Tracey Davies, Cal Flyn, Lizzie Frainier, Linda Macdonald, Fred Mawer, Natalie Millar-Partridge, Harriet O'Brien, Ben Parker, Helen Pickles, Sarah Stirling, Nick Trend, Kerry Walker, Tina Walsh and Antonia Windsor
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