The coronavirus pandemic has caused much heartache for couples looking to get married this year and those who should be excitedly planning the arrival of their new baby. With domestic trips looking more likely at the moment, here is my top choice of UK based luxury hotels should you need some inspiration on where to go for a UK honeymoon, minimoon or babymoon until international travel picks up again.
Heckfield Place
Billionaire Gerald Chan’s luxury country house, only an hour from London and surrounded by 400 acres of grounds, is something rather enchanting. Rooms are cosy yet stylish, Skye Gyngell is the brilliant culinary director and guests can swim in the lake or sit back in the glamorous film screening room when looking for a relaxing time-out. 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 clever and unexpected touches. There is a small spa with three treatment rooms, including one for couples. However, this is due to be expanded, with the addition of an infinity pool. Rooms are beautiful, with bespoke creative minibars and unique artwork, and gardens or balconies in some cases; fire-pits are provided. During our trip we almost did not want to leave our suite!
The Newt in Somerset
The Newt is one of the most exceptional hotels I have been too in the UK. It was in the making for six years, and occupies the beautiful Hadspen House, first built in 1687. Former editor of Elle Decoration South Africa Karen Roos created the hotel’s interiors. There is plenty to admire, stunning gardens, a chic spa (with sauna, salt steam room and beautiful pool leading to a heated outdoor hydrotherapy pool); the simple, almost Scandinavian style of the 23 bedrooms and bathrooms. Whilst exploring the gardens you can also visit the cyder press, where the hotel makes delicious homemade cider.
Dormy House
Dormy House, near the beautiful Cotswold village of Broadway, is a complete treat of a property with very stylish and deeply relaxing décor, terrific food, and flawless service. The main building is a 17th-century farmhouse, complete with big stone fireplaces and flagstone floors. Facilities are memorable, especially the outstanding spa, with a lavender sauna, salt-infusion steam room, infinity pool and more. Treatments are from cutting-edge brand Natura Bisse, Temple Spa and Pure Massage whose facials are said to have a better effect than Botox. Rose Cottage is best for romantic getaways and has its own hot tub!
Babington House
The honey-coloured Georgian house and converted outbuildings sit in expansive grounds that is surrounded by rolling Somerset countryside. Babington House's spa is particularly impressive with sizeable indoor and outdoor swimming pools (both heated year-round), a sauna and steam room, plus a cinema showing films every evening. You can also enjoy wonderfully indulgent Cowshed treatments, whilst if you are keen to explore the surrounding countryside complimentary bikes are available. The 32 individually designed, cosy and comfy bedrooms include gentle colour schemes, big, soft sofas, generously stocked minibars and big TV screens; several rooms also have working fires or wood-burning stoves, and baths.
Soho Farmhouse
This is not your standard rural retreat: about 70 minutes from London you will find a wonderfully unique farm. Approximately 40 timber cabins surround lakes and the original 18th-century farmhouse buildings across 100 acres of Oxfordshire countryside. Enjoy the onsite Cowshed spa with sauna, hammam, hot tubs and a broad range of treatments. There is also a luxurious cinema and cookery school. Add to this an indoor and outdoor pool, boating lake, tennis courts and horse riding. The cabins offer rustic interiors with creature comforts: untreated floorboards, hurricane lamps, wood-burning stoves, and huge beds, plus private decks complete with copper bathtubs, rocking chairs and waterfront views.
