89 Best Hotels in England

On a quiet corner, this upscale boutique B&B has spacious guest rooms with carefully chosen fabrics and wallpaper, comfortable mattresses, and contemporary touches. Stained glass, wooden floors, shelves of books, and a grand piano help give the place a cultured air. Breakfast options include local sausages, fresh fruit, and eggs Benedict. Your hosts will also prepare picnic baskets, cheese plates, and other delicious savory platters on request.

Wonderful modern art lines the walls of this former Victorian pub a mile east of the Tower of London, which has been beautifully restored and converted into a modern bed-and-breakfast. It's all the work of Julian Cole, the gregarious and charming owner, who spent decades making arts documentaries for the BBC. Guests can use the sitting room, which doubles as the breakfast room in the morning. There's also a roof terrace, overlooking a striking historic mural that covers one side of a nearby building. Titled The Battle of Cable Street, it commemorates a clash between local Jewish protestors and British Fascists that took place here on October 4, 1936.

This B&B in the medieval quarter is just a three-minute walk from Lincoln Cathedral and almost as old—the exposed-beam roofs you'll be sleeping under date from the 12th century. Hosts Christina and Paul have renovated the place themselves, their care and attention to detail shines through in the small but stylish guest rooms, where beds have cast-iron or solid wood frames and are draped in contemporary fabrics. There are a few modern touches such as flat-screen TVs.

At this hotel tucked behind the Fitzwilliam Museum on the banks of the River Cam, punters drift by in a steady stream, restored punts adorn the walls of the lobby and staircase, and rooms conjure romantic notions of nostalgia (think wood paneling, writers' bureaus, and Voysey-esque headboards). The on-site Garden House restaurant is excellent.

This hotel in a black-and-white timber-frame building in the center of town has a great location opposite Shakespeare’s New Place and a gorgeous, stripped-back feel that works well within the confines of a historic building. Originally called the Falcon, it nods to this past in the wood-paneled tearoom, where it is said wood from Shakespeare's New Place was repurposed when the house was torn down. Far from a museum, though, this well-thought-out hotel has different areas to suit moods and tastes, from a cozy bar to a lovely courtyard garden to a light-filled lobby. Each room comes with a Hypnos bed dressed in Egyptian cotton, beautiful tiled bathroom, and charming splashes of color. Opt for one of the rooms in the 16th-century part of the building for more Tudor character (contemporary rooms are also lovely, and larger), and make sure you dine in the handsome Woodsman pub downstairs at least one night, where local deer, wild boar, and lamb are cooked in front of diners on a wood-fired oven and charcoal grill.

This historic B&B, which dates back 600 years and was written about by Dickens, offers a unique and stylish stay not far from Canterbury West Station. Many of the rooms make use of the building's lovely original features; others, in the converted stable block, are more modern. Either way, they are decorated with a contemporary touch (ask for the Paris room with its lovely roll-top tub). Breakfasts are delicious, with plenty of local specialties and healthier options.

The name of this unpretentious, family-run B&B means "the mistake" in Italian, and it also provides the punchline to the unlikely tale of how the original owners (the parents of the current proprietor) met in the 1950s. Standard rooms in this converted mid-Victorian terraced cottage are tiny but clean. Amenities are few, but all rooms have free Wi-Fi and some have four-poster beds (the honeymoon suite even has its own Jacuzzi). There's a summer patio in the enclosed courtyard and the complimentary breakfast gets high marks. The excellent prices mean it books up quickly, and there's a two- to seven-night minimum in high season.

Built in 1740 and at one time the village’s library, this small guesthouse, tucked away on an old lane, is a very short walk from the Iron Bridge. The house has been beautifully restored, with plenty of original and Victorian features brought to the fore. In a nice nod to its former life, its old library shelves still line the guest room walls. Rooms are furnished with elegance—the Chaucer Room even has its own private terrace—and service is warm without being obtrusive; they’ll even furnish you with a hot water bottle on cool nights.

There's a lot to love about this modestly priced, mid-range hotel—it's housed in the city's commanding stone Municipal Building a short hop from Lime Street station, its Palm Court restaurant is decadent, its Seaforth Restaurant salutes refined British cuisine, and its gorgeous spa and pool are serene retreats. Upstairs, stylish rooms come with high ceilings and plush muted grey furnishings that complete the hotel's classy showing.    

This vibrantly modern apart-hotel is so much more than just a place to lay your head: it attracts visitors and locals alike as a social hub that hosts a lively, ever-changing roster of events including supper clubs in its Dulcie Street Warehouse restaurant (a fine spot for shared plates with a summer terrace), pop-up markets, cultural talks, and screenings in the mini-cinema. It also has its own BLOK fitness studios. The building is a charmingly reincarnated cotton warehouse with its original brick barrelled ceilings, exposed beams, and wrought-iron girders now painted a hip powder blue. Accommodations, all with compact kitchens and lounge areas, range from studios to two-bedroom duplex penthouses with private terraces affording panoramic city views. This is a great option for groups of friends traveling together, with apartments that link either via a private outer corridor or a door in the living room. 

Halfway between Cockermouth and Keswick at the northern end of Bassenthwaite Lake, this traditional 17th-century coaching inn exudes English coziness without the usual Lakeland fussiness. Tasteful, modern bedrooms have soft but comfortable beds and tiled bathrooms with large tubs, and they overlook a garden and 60 acres of forest. The restaurant serves British fare and has a light bites menu during the day. The intimate old bar remains the star of the show, however, and is popular with locals as well as guests.

The most luxurious boutique hotel in Cheltenham occupies a grand neoclassical building that opened as a hotel in 1838 (the year of Queen Victoria's coronation) and has been lovingly converted and updated while retaining many of its period features. Rooms are tastefully decorated and calming, with fluffy bath robes and bath products from British brand 100 Acres. Standard rooms are remarkably good value, but If you do splurge, book one of the Renascence Suites with sky-high ceilings, four-poster beds, and Bose sound systems. All guests have access to the hotel's Summer Garden, perfect for alfresco dining in summer. The restaurant, Victoria's, serves perfectly crafted British dishes with an international flair. The hotel's afternoon tea (£30) is also an excellent choice.

The owner of this quirky B&B, set in a quiet neighborhood a 10-minute walk from the center, was previously an antiques dealer and has decorated the Victorian building with period furnishings, fascinating artwork (including a collection of prints by Bob Dylan), and a trove of objects that invite lingering. There's no sense of clutter, however; rooms are scrupulously clean and the breakfasts are superb.

The decor in this charming converted warehouse is hip and warm, with handpicked British signature furnishings from the likes of Tom Dixon, Paul Smith, and Scottish-based Bute Fabrics. Rooms range from great value small doubles to the Secret Garden Suite sleeping up to five, all with mini-kitchens for limited self-catering. Communal areas are equally inviting. 

It's hard to find a more welcoming spot than this lofty Victorian house right in the center of town, thanks to hosts who know a thing or two about local walks. They'll also supply a packed lunch if you plan to be out exploring all day. Although space is at a premium, the rooms are pleasantly decorated with prints and wood furniture.

Perched at a busy traffic intersection on the edge of Chester’s old town, this gleaming, modern hotel from the trendy ABode chain may not occupy the city’s most romantic spot, but it’s well run and comfortable. Guest rooms are spacious and quiet, with comfortable beds. The top-floor bar has sweeping views of the city; come up here for a drink as you gaze over Chester Racecourse and the Welsh hills. There’s also a lounge bar on the ground floor. The city center is a pleasant, 10-minute stroll down winding backstreets.

Those keen to explore Greenwich at a more leisurely pace than a day trip from central London permits should seek out these unexpectedly elegant rooms above a pub, a quick walk from the Old Royal Naval College in one direction and the National Maritime Museum in the other. The seven individually furnished rooms are all extremely cozy thanks to abundant plush furnishings and higgledy-piggledy windows that look out over the rooftops—and masts, in the case of the Cutty Sark—of Greenwich. Bathrooms are modern and scrupulously clean. There's no breakfast served at the pub so fill your mini-refrigerator with supplies from the small grocery store around the corner or pop out to one of several convenient cafés nearby.

This design-led option in a historic building combines a central location and hip vibe with affordable rates. Rooms with their original features including steel girders have emperor-size beds and smart TVs with Bluetooth speakers and smart concierge technology, while the all-day restaurant champions local British suppliers including an artisanal butcher from the nearby Northern Quarter. There’s also a lively feel thanks to locals who use the hotel as a co-working space, with day passes that include lunch, unlimited tea and coffee, superfast Wi-Fi, and curated playlists.

The architecture and the original features—green-marble wall tiles, sleek dark-wood paneling, a grand staircase winding up to a domed rotunda—are the real stars of this hotel in the city's landmark Victorian Royal Insurance Building. The loft-style rooms and suites are contemporary and high-tech without being jarring. Amenities include giant beanbags and super-comfortable platform beds. The communal spaces are welcoming, too, among them WXYZ Bar, NYL Restaurant & Bar, and Re-Fuel café with snacks and light bites.

Built in 1640, this family-run B&B atop the cobbled main street, opposite the Brontë church, has comfortable rooms with lots of light and brightly colored if simple decor. Rooms in the back have views of the moors. An excellent full English breakfast is included (though you have to order by 9 am).

A cozy family home less than a mile south of the village, Banerigg House has unfussy, well-appointed rooms, most with lake views. Games and books fill the guest lounge. The simple B&B is walker friendly, which means you get hiking advice from the owners, drying facilities, and a roaring fire when needed.

For a no-frills stay in the Cotswolds, this minimalist but well-appointed hostel offers comfortable, different-size rooms with self-catering facilities in a refurbished building that was once a store for the town brewery. The hostel rooms are basic but clean with strong Wi-Fi; there are also single and double rooms. The neighboring New Brewery Arts center runs day courses in arts and crafts.

This budget hotel in the Jewellery Quarter has pod-style bedrooms and a selection of mini-apartments for those who want to use their hotel as little more than somewhere to sleep between exploring. The rooms are updated with smart controls and decorated in cool tones of autumnal brown, green, and gray, and have amenities such as pocket-sprung mattresses, monsoon showers, and high-definition LED TVs. You can order a rather basic "breakfast bag" for the morning or just try one of the many local cafés. Guests can also make use of many local discounts, including free entry to the nearby Jam House live music venue.

The welcome is friendly, the breakfast is hearty (salmon fish cakes with poached eggs and a full English breakfast are among the options), and the rooms have patterned wallpaper and heavy, luxurious fabrics at this Victorian terraced house. Purples and browns predominate, and one room has a four-poster. The single room is a very good value. This is one of a cluster of B&Bs on Portland Place, a short walk north of Penrith's center.

This half-timber Elizabethan building reveals its long history with stone-flagged floors, bowed and twisted oak beams, and heavy antique furniture. Creature comforts offset the smallish size of the bedrooms, which retain their original character—some are crooked, with sloping floors. The restaurant serves good, crowd-pleasing pub food. Pets are welcome in some rooms.

Centrally located in the heart of Bury St Edmunds, the Bushel is a classic inn with homey rooms above a lively pub. Run by the Greene King pub chain (the national company based in Bury St Edmunds), the pub is a traditional old boozer that serves solid pub grub in the bar.

Right by Peveril Castle, this former coaching inn—also known as The Castle and reputed to be haunted—has rooms that blend modern convenience and slick bathrooms with original features such as old wooden beams and exposed stone walls. The cozy pub and restaurant serves seasonal local fare.

You're treated to an exceptional view of Windsor Castle's Changing the Guard ceremony from this former coaching inn, parts of which date from the 16th century. In the older section of the Georgian-style house, guest rooms have gently tilting floors and some suites have standing bathtubs in the room; in the modern part, it's smooth elegance, with tasteful neutral tones enlivened by a judicious sprinkling of red or yellow. The cozy lounges are perfect for afternoon tea.

A stone's throw from the Russell Square Tube station, this is a reliable budget choice whose key attraction is its proximity to the West End and the British Museum. Rooms are clean and comfortable, but with basic amenities (cheapest rooms share bathrooms). Breakfasts are generous and the Wi-Fi is free. A nice touch is the residents' private garden.

The modern rooms at this central London outpost of the trendy Dutch hotel brand have been cleverly designed to maximize storage space, enabling a more comfortable stay than you might expect from such a small space. Ask for a room on the mews side for views of nearby Westminster Cathedral.