In the January, 2020 issue of the ‘The Sunday Times Travel’ magazine, some of the best country house hotels -‘cosy country retreats’- are listed. These places with different features look really cosy and warm where it would be very pleasant to stay at. An escape from the routine and different from standard touristic travels. Below are the ones I liked most:
Grantley Hall, Yorkshire (grantleyhall.co.uk): Close to Leeds and York. Also close to Harrogate where you could drop by the world-famous ‘Bettys Cafe Tea Rooms’ (bettys.co.uk) for tea and scones -an English tradition of great taste. (Photo above: ‘The Sunday Times Travel’).
Photo: telegraph.co.uk
Hambleton Hall, Rutland (hambletonhall.com): Close to Birmingham or Nottingham. A victorian mansion which has a Michelin star restaurant. Has beautiful gardens and a lake-facing pool. You can have afternoon tea by the fire or drinks in the gentlemen’s pub.
Holbeck Ghyll, Cumbria (holbeckghyll.com): Close to Manchester or Liverpool. Has beautiful gardens with a nice view of Lake Windermere. You can have tea on the terrace or cocktail with canapés or fine wines. Walks are organized from your doorstep. (Photo above: ‘The Sunday Times Travel’).
Thyme, Gloucestershire (thyme.co.uk): Close to Bristol or Bath. Converted cottages with rooms having rolltop baths and open fires. It also has a cookery school (‘Thyme’s Cookery school) which is said to be one of the country’s best. This seems to be true as I see the above pictured dish which looks pretentious and must be delicious! It would be nice to go to a cooking school in such a cosy place. (Photo above: ‘The Sunday Times Travel’).