The loveliest historic hotels in the UK
When it comes to historic hotels, the UK certainly punches above its weight. For this reason, we believe that anyone travelling in the island nation can elevate their stay by simply opting for a hotel with a good backstory. There's a certain magic in staying in a place where the good, the great, the bad and the ugly have stayed before you – possibly even slept in the same bed. A place where political decisions were made; where scandals unfurled or celebrities escaped to. As a general rule, we always recommend speaking to the staff at the hotel, who will know the full intricate details, from verified facts to more raucous rumours. However, whether you see any ghosts may be more down to individual persuasion.
The best historic hotels and B&Bs in the UK
1/16The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, Bath
Few rows of terraced houses in England can be anywhere near as grand Bath’s Royal Crescent; built in the 1770s, it is well-known as one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in the country. Behind the doors of no.16 you can experience what it might be like to live in such an exalted place, thanks to the endlessly luxurious Royal Crescent Hotel. Beyond the terrace’s idyllic garden are a series of buildings that house the spa, restaurant, and many of the rooms. Within, the spa is all grace and elegance, with a small but beautifully-designed pool overlooking the garden, plus a hot tub and steam room. The room that contains these has the feel of a medieval abbey, enhancing the sense that you are steeped in history here. Treatments use gentle, therapeutic GROUND Wellbeing products, and we can only recommend wafting out into the garden afterwards to sip on some herbal tea and contemplate your serenity.
Address: 16 Royal Cres, Bath BA1 2LS
2/16Claridge’s, London
There are hotels, and then there is Claridge’s. Its name precedes it, its reputation is world-renowned but what’s more, it doesn’t for one single second rest of its laurels. What this means in practice is that the rooms, restaurants and bars have all had recent renovations to make them fresh and exciting for modern customers and loyal fans alike. There are still gilded mirrors and classical antiques, alongside curvy pink marble, sculptural mahogany in-room bars and all-singing, all-dancing Japanese loos in the rooms.
Claridge’s has probably seen more royals in its time than any other London hotel, having been a regal drop-in since the 1830s. Its walls have hosted everyone from the expelled Prince and Princess of Capua who lived out their exile in style to the Empress Eugenie of France, Napoleon III’s wife, who called it her ‘winter quarters’ and Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were regular visitors. As one newspaper in 1894 put it ‘half the crowned heads of Europe have had their London headquarters at Claridge’s.
Gliding through the hotel’s famous dark-wood revolving doors onto the gleaming Art Deco checkerboard floor feels elegant and indulgent. The dazzling lobby buzzes with staff. Larger-than-life flower arrangements by luxury London florist McQueens Flowers trim a chandelier-topped table. Opposite the smart reception, an elegant lift is manned by a dapper attendant in tails. It’s a fantasy world that feels far removed from the buzz of central London.
Address: Brook Street, W1K 4HR
READ MORE: The best hotels in London, tried and tested by our editors
3/16Prestonfield House hotel, Edinburgh
If maximalism is your thing, Prestonfield House in Edinburgh is your place. Designed by the king’s architect Sir William Bruce in the 17th Century, the opulent and theatrical five-star hotel shares many links with the royal family. Now ran by James Thomson OBE, Prestonfield has hosted many members of the monarchy for years, including Queen Elizabeth II during her 80th Birthday celebrations in Scotland. Fun fact: Sir Alexander Dick introduced the very first rhubarb to Britain at Prestonfield House. Hence the name of restaurant, Rhubarb – and of course there's plenty of the vegetable growing on the grounds.
Address: Priestfield Road, Edinburgh EH16 5UT
4/16The Lygon Arms, Broadway, The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is easily one of the most quaint regions in the UK, chock-full of historic structures that only add to the region’s charm. Case in point: the Lygon Arms, a 14th-century inn that, as of 1377, has welcomed guests to its hallowed rooms. Though, back then, it was a modest coaching inn and has developed considerably over the ensuing centuries. As a result, the Lygon Arms has remained one of the Cotswolds’ most historically significant former inns, hosting members of the royal family, American celebrities, and English Civil War heroes. If these walls could talk, we can only imagine they would have quite the stories to tell.
Address: High St, Broadway WR12 7DU
5/16Bodysgallen Hall, The Royal Welsh Way, Llandudno, Wales
Grade-I listed Bodysgallen Hall in North Wales has 200 acres of parkland and gardens – all owned by The National Trust - quite aside from Snowdonia’s mountains and coast right on the doorstep. Set amongst the gardens are 16 cottages and cottage suites, sleeping between one and four people. It's the gardens we really love to explore here. The elaborate 17th-century parterre is a highlight with an elaborate knot pattern of box, lavender and aromatic herbs surrounding a sundial dating back to 1678. The garden also has a rose garden, a working kitchen garden to supply the restaurant, and several follies. Time your visit right, and you may be able to join one of the regular garden tours led by head gardener Robert Owen.
Address: The Royal Welsh Way, Llandudno, LL30 1RS, Wales
Adam Lynk6/16Cliveden House, Buckinghamshire
Initially the home of English aristocrats, Cliveden House came into its own when William Waldorf Astor, America’s richest man, gave it to his son as a wedding present. From the 1930s, Waldorf and his wife Nancy Astor hosted brilliant parties at the country house. The 1961 Profumo Affair, which led to the fall of the Conservative government, had a famous episode at Cliveden, with politician John Profumo meeting the 19 year-old Christine Keeler by the house’s iconic swimming pool. Now owned by the National Trust, Cliveden has eased into its role as a hotel. As well as the high-end rooms and suites, a Luxury Spring Cottage, where Queen Victoria once had tea, is available to book.
Cliveden House, Taplow, Berkshire, England SL6 0JF
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The Savoy, London
The Savoy may be shyly set back from The Strand, but this is only a faux modesty. Built in 1889 by theatre impresario Richard D’Oyly Carte, on land originally owned by the Italian dynasty House of Savoy, he had been inspired by the standard of American hotellerie whilst touring and wanted to replicate such pleasures in The Old Smoke. The Savoy was an instant hit, with a list of notable guests (‘the great and the good,’ as the hotel put it) that is as long as it is impressive. The Savoy was the first place in Europe to serve ‘American’ cocktails, the story (and recipes) immortalised in Harry Craddock’s The Savoy Cocktail Book.
The Savoy, Strand, London WC2R 0EZ
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Joe Short8/16The Dorchester, London
When The Dorchester opened its doors in 1931, the reinforced concrete structure and canary yellow awnings caused some to worry that Mayfair was becoming Manhattan. Their worries may have been a little justified – during WW2 Dwight Eisenhower – who reportedly preferred The Dorchester to Claridge's – made a suite of the hotel his home. At the height of their fame the British-American movie star couple Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton frequently checked into the hotel, perhaps reassured by this slice of New York in London. Yet the address also has keen links to British royalty. Queen Elizabeth II came here with her future consort the day before her engagement and artist Oliver Messel decorated the façade to celebrate her coronation in 1953 (pictured are the copycat decorations adopted by the hotel to celebrate the 2023 coronation of King Charles).
The Dorchester, 3 Park Ln, London W1K 1QA
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9/16Great Scotland Yard Hotel, London
The Great Scotland Yard Hotel in Covent Garden may be new, but it is hallowed ground when it comes to London history. Launched in 2019 as part of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection, as you may have guessed, the address was the former HQ of London’s Metropolitan Police. Here, Jack the Ripper suspects were once interviewed, Charles Dickens is recorded to have popped by and Arthur Conan Doyle drew inspiration when writing his detective stories. The hotel includes 151 bedrooms, as well as a private five-storey townhouse.
Great Scotland Yard Hotel, 3-5 Great Scotland Yard, London, SW1A 2HN
Photograph by Andreas von Einsie10/16Hartwell House, Buckinghamshire
A distinguished estate stretching back to the time of Edward the Confessor, Hartwell in Buckinghamshire has long roots in English history. Yet the most noteworthy resident of the 17th century house is King Louis XVIII, who, whilst exiled from France in the early 1800s, came here with his wife, Queen Marie-Josephine and family members such as La Duchesse D’Angoulême, Marie Antoinette's daughter (it seems fitting the house's attic was turned into a miniature farm during the séjour by the French court). Affiliated to the National Trust as part of their Historic House Hotel group, among the rooms are those once occupied by the French monarchs and the wood-panelled bar is the King’s former chapel. Hartwell’s cosy-palatial ambiance has also been the stage for more modern histories. After a fire in 1963, the house was restored and reconceived, with the main dining room modelled after Sir John Soane's house and 11 Downing Street (the concave mirrors on the ceiling and strange acoustics are perfect for the nosy diner). In 2002, Bill Clinton visited the house whilst he was President and in 2013 it was selected as the location for the G7 summit. The CIA disguised themselves in the grounds as gardeners.
Hartwell House and Spa, Oxford Rd, Stone, Aylesbury HP17 8NR
Lee Searle11/16Thornbury Castle, Gloucestershire
Thornbury Castle in Gloucestershire’s handsome façade is matched by its impressive curriculum vitae. The Tudor castle was built as a residence for Edward Stafford in 1511, a rival of King Henry VIII. The monarch did not appreciate Stafford’s display of wealth, and in response, beheaded him for treason and took the castle for himself. In 1535, King Henry is supposed to have come here with Anne Boleyn on a (romantic) ten-day break. The Howard family took over the castle in the early 19th century when it fell into disrepair, and now a member of the Relais & Châteaux luxury group, the Castle is an atmospheric hotel that combines contemporary conveniences with courtly detailing – look out for the Tudor roses on the carpets, or, if you’re feeling brave, the ghost that allegedly haunts the massage room.
Thornbury Castle Hotel & Restaurant, Castle St, Thornbury, Bristol BS35 1HH%2520Birch%2520l%2520Exterior%2520Mansion%2520House%25202020%2520jpg%2520(1).jpg)
12/16Birch, Hertfordshire
Today reimagined as a ‘foodie haven…part wellness space, part foodie getaway,’ you don’t have to dig deep to discover Birch’s less contemporary interests. It was formerly the site of Theobolds Palace and once belonged to King James I. Sir Henry of the Meux family bought the estate in the 19th century. With them the brewing family brought a litany of intrigue and scandal that included call girls, Winston Churchill, Egyptian artefacts and pet zebras. (The eccentric Lady Meux attempted to set up a menagerie of exotic animals to the north east of the hotel and would ride zebras through London). The flamboyant fun sadly didn’t last. The Meux family sold off the Estate in 1929, which in 2020 became Birch, a interiors and wellness-focused hotel that is easily accessible from London.
Birch, Lieutenant Ellis Way, Cheshunt, EN7 5HW
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13/16The Spread Eagle, Sussex
The Spread Eagle in the market town of Midhurst has claims to be one the oldest coaching inns – that’s a resting place for weary travellers – in the country, dating back to 1430. Whilst the building was visited by Admiral Lord Nelson in the 1790s, the inn’s most famous guest is Queen Elizabeth I (The Queen Suite, in the oldest part of the house, is where she allegedly stayed). With its ornate four poster beds, charmingly wonky walls and latticed windows, stepping into The Spread Eagle is like stepping back in time, however modern additions such as a conservatory and spa keep things contemporary. Owned by Historic Sussex Hotels, The Spread Eagle is sistered with two nearby hotels, Ockenden Manor and Bailiffscourt.
Spread Eagle Hotel & Spa, South St, Midhurst GU29 9NH
14/16Hever Castle Bed & Breakfast, Kent
As Queen of England, Anne Boleyn lasted 1,000 days before her husband King Henry VIII decided to have her beheaded in 1536. Hopefully the Queen knew happier days at her childhood home of Hever Castle. Built in 1383, it was the historic seat of the Boleyn family, but passed into the possession of Anne Boleyn’s successor, Anne of Cleves after the execution. After a sequence of British nobility held court at the castle, American millionaire William Waldorf Astor worked his magic on the property, renovating it and installing a mock Tudor wing. The castle, which is open to the public, is also set up as a B&B. The offering are 27 bedrooms as well as Medley Court, a ‘cottage’ which, built by the Astors, feels fit for a king.
Hever Castle, Hever, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NG
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Traquair House, Peeblesshire
Dating back to 1107, Traquair House in Peeblesshire makes claims to be the oldest house in Scotland. It was taken over by the royal house of Stuart in the 1490s, who used it as their hunting lodge. Although converted into a BnB, it is still in part occupied by descendants of the Stuart Maxwell lineage. Traquair’s storybook good looks – it was built as a fortified mansion – make it a worthwhile day destination. Yet if that doesn’t feel like enough history, then consider reserving a room. The charmingly titled Pink, Blue and White Rooms are tastefully chintzy. With a view over the garden maze, the former is where Lord Traquair slept – although whether he painted the walls pink is another question.
Traquair House, Traquair, Innerleithen EH44 6PW
laryssaerratt16/16Beaverbrook, Surrey
Beaverbrook, an estate in Leatherhead, Surrey is synonymous with its former owner Lord Beaverbrook, a media tycoon who owned The Daily Express and The Sunday Express newspapers. He first bought Beaverbrook when driving in the Surrey Hills with Rudyard Kipling and noticed a ‘For Sale’ sign at the entrance. The hotel opened in 2018, with bright and beautiful interiors by Susie Atkinson, and the main house’s rooms are named after former guests such as Ian Fleming and Winston Churchill.
Sleeping options also include outhouses such as The Garden Room (with interiors by Nicola Harding) or the soon-to-launch Mickleham Cottages, but the eccentric spirit of Lord Beaverbrook is unavoidable. Note the model Spitfire on the lawn (Beaverbrook was wartime Minister of Aircraft Production) as you make your way to breakfast.
Reigate Rd, Leatherhead KT22 8QX
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