98 Best Hotels in England

This friendly family-run bed-and-breakfast is a great value given the location: it's only a short walk from the British Museum, Soho, and Covent Garden. Guest rooms won't win any design awards, but they're comfortable and clean. Breakfasts are tasty and filling, even if there's not much choice past the traditional full English breakfast. There's a small guest lounge and a pretty little garden out back—a nice touch for a B&B right in the center of town.

A short drive from Tetbury in a small hamlet, this pub and inn is a paragon of rustic chic, with cozy modern rooms furnished with big, soft beds. The ethos here is good, plain British fare and comfort, and plenty of it. With two holiday cottages supplementing the rooms above the pub, an outdoor pizza oven for the summer, and a loyal local crowd, you may have to fight for the chairs nearest the fireplace.

With their eclectic design, rare prints, and antique furnishings, the two spacious guest rooms of this charming B&B in a Queen Anne building are full of character. The real draw, however, is their view of the Avebury stone circles, which the Lodge sits within. Generous vegan and vegetarian breakfasts use mostly organic ingredients and are cooked to order.

Used as a guesthouse by the abbots of Cleeve in the 14th century and named for the family that occupied Dunster Castle for some 600 years, this classic inn harmonizes perfectly in style and atmosphere with Dunster village and castle. Opt for a superior or four-poster room for more space and views over the Yarn Market or the small garden. Bar meals and good ales are served in the log-fire-warmed bar, and there's a more formal restaurant.

Formerly a convent, this Georgian B&B sits directly opposite the abbey grounds, with views over the walls. The light and airy rooms are spotless and well equipped, and breakfast is served in a large kitchen, where you share one large table with other guests (choices include an energizing granola and yogurt compote). The three-story building has a chairlift for the mobility impaired; the house is a shoe-free environment (slippers are provided).

A warm, informal welcome greets all who stay at this Victorian establishment not too far from the Royal Crescent, where each room charms with period furniture, fresh flowers, and antique beds. Air-conditioned rooms have a fridge and complimentary sherry for evening relaxation. Leisurely breakfasts are encouraged; choose from scones, yogurts, and savory omelets. All the food is organic and vegetarian, and vegans and those with special diets will find their needs amply supplied.

If the rose garden, trout-filled pond, and sheep on the hill at this 18th-century golden-stone Queen Anne house aren't appealing enough, then the stone-flagged floors, leather sofas, and grandfather clocks of this plush B&B should satisfy. Booking ahead is essential to secure one of the three beautiful, traditional-style pastel bedrooms. Ask about discounted midweek and weekend packages. It's 1 mile from Broadway on Snowshill Road.

Filling a Victorian building in the heart of Grasmere, the chic and spacious Moss Grove Organic puts an emphasis on its environmental credentials. Private hot tubs, balconies, luxurious duck-down duvets, and flat-screen TVs appear along with reclaimed stained glass, old timbers, and organic clay paints. For a special treat, request the Champagne truffles on arrival.

It's worth seeking out this characterful 17th-century "country pub with cottages and rooms," located 10 miles north of Wimborne Minster in a lovely area designated a National Landscape. Despite a stylish makeover, the building retains many of its original period features, such as the bar, flagstone floors, and inglenook fireplace. Bedrooms, some with four-posters, have a country-house feel. Tasty local and seasonal food, like fish tacos with chipotle sour cream or a chicken supreme with gnocchi and oyster mushrooms, is available daily in the bar or in the more formal Shed restaurant on weekends. Dogs are welcome guests.

This handsome Victorian mansion, a five-minute walk from all of Oxford's action, is a sprawling, friendly place on three floors. Decent-size rooms are decorated in contemporary style with large-pattern wallpaper; some have original Victorian flourishes. The breakfast is varied, with yogurt and croissants along with the usual eggs and bacon. This is one of the best deals in the city center, so book early.

A calm oasis in the heart of Brighton, this guesthouse is filled with contemporary art and designer accessories. The rooms are compact but smartly designed, with beds supported on platforms of glass bricks that filter an ocean-blue light. Splash out on the beautifully adorned Gin Room, which boasts sea and pier views.

An early-19th-century Regency town house now contains this comfortable boutique hotel, which offers an elegant and tasteful but fresh and unfussy take on traditional country house style. Guest rooms, some with fireplaces and four-posters, are light, bright, and have quirky touches like tea and coffee stations disguised as dollhouses and vinyl turntables (there's a free record-lending library on site). Other amenities include complimentary pantries in each hall, a cozy spa in what was the cellar, and an excellent restaurant that's open all day and emphasizes locally sourced ingredients. Dogs are welcome.

Beyond the traditional Cotswold stone exterior of this former coaching inn—now a bed-and-breakfast—are three unfussy, spacious bedrooms done in soothing white and pale colors. Beds are super comfortable, with feather toppers on the mattresses. The inglenook fireplace is a draw in winter, and wholesome breakfasts include fruit salads and omelets.

This delightful old inn near the train station has a handful of comfortable, modern rooms—with private baths and free Wi-Fi—in a converted Victorian brewhouse. The pub serves tasty, predominantly British pub classics. True to the name the Old Brewery still makes its own beer, which is a great rarity in these days of brewery-owned chain pubs. The beer also goes into the batter for their fish-and-chips. How's that for holding up tradition?

Now part of the same group as the Buxton Crescent Hotel, this property overlooking the ornate Buxton Opera House occupies a refurbished 16th-century building claiming to be England's oldest hotel and rumored to have once accommodated Mary, Queen of Scots. Rooms are individually decorated in a classic style; a couple have four-poster beds. The Cockerel Wine Bar is popular with theatergoers, who stoke up on its hearty dishes; there's also a more formal restaurant on-site.

Ideally located opposite the cathedral, this 18th-century inn, now a gastropub with rooms, has received a smart, modern makeover without losing any of its character. Each of the guest rooms is named for a noted fabric designer, such as Nina Campbell or Zoffany, with textiles that pay tribute to their style, and the furnishings include traditional touches like sleigh beds. Few rooms have actual cathedral views, though the top-floor Design House suite is an outstanding exception. A two-bedroom apartment in an annex uses Designers Guild fabrics, and another self-contained apartment is ideal for families. The gastropub below serves superb food and drink, with warming open fires in winter and tables on the terrace in summer. Permits are issued for street parking nearby. 

Right on the main drag, this 16th-century cottage has authentic period charm and is strewn with antique knickknacks like a brass wind-up gramophone. The best feature is the lovely flagstone lounge with its inglenook fireplace; breakfast (including fruit smoothies and homemade breads) is served here. Rooms are clean and comfortable, and the immaculate garden has a grill for the use of guests.

Perfectly located just steps from the tranquility of Hyde Park to the south and the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street to the east, this sweet guesthouse oozes warmth, homeliness, and good value. With helpful hosts and simple but tastefully decorated rooms, it's the perfect little oasis in the middle of the hectic city. One grisly piece of historical trivia: it's situated near the site of the "Tyburn Tree," an enormous gallows used to execute prisoners from the Middle Ages until 1783 (and frequently referenced by Shakespeare)—a memorial on the street marks the spot. Tyburn is further immortalized in the small convent behind the hotel, which has a shrine dedicated to the hundreds of Catholics who were martyred there. The sisters conduct tours of the shrine.

Out of the center of Grasmere toward Dunmail Raise (hence the name; it's a mountain pass), this B&B has some of Grasmere’s more stylish rooms and a reputation for hospitality. The cozy rooms feature pleasant views and a touch of old Lakeland chintz. In better weather, sit in the flower-filled gardens to admire the views of the fells.

Roaring fires, cozy rooms, and friendly locals give this 500-year-old inn its wonderful feeling of old-world authenticity. The bedrooms differ in size, shape, and style, but all are comfortable and bright with armchairs, flat-screen televisions, and modern bathrooms with rolltop tubs. You can enjoy a pint with the regulars downstairs, or dine in the good restaurant, which serves locally sourced, seasonal produce; the lamb and beef supply can be found grazing in nearby fields, while the fish are delivered by the local Shoreham fishermen who caught them. The Ram is 4½ miles southeast of Lewes, off the A27 just before Charleston.

Built in the 19th century as the shooting lodge for Wray Castle, this upmarket B&B is filled with stylish, imaginative, and playful touches. The large guest rooms use slate and reclaimed timber, and instead of a minibar there's a "boudoir larder" with local beers and cheeses. A three-course breakfast is delivered to your room, and the owners will transport you to their excellent Jumble Room restaurant in Grasmere, should you wish to eat there.

Mere blocks from the British Museum and London's West End theaters, this handsomely fronted guesthouse has clean, neat, and plainly decorated rooms at bargain rates. The public areas are simple but welcoming, and residents have access to a quiet, secluded garden out back. Breakfasts are filling although choices are limited. An interesting historical note: No. 67 was once the home of Elizabeth Stride, who later moved to the East End and fell victim to Jack the Ripper.

Converted from what were once the offices of Beatrix Potter's solicitor husband, this Ambleside café and notable bakery has branched out into accommodations, with simple but stylishly furnished rooms decorated with photos of delights from the café next door. Guest rooms have comfy beds and wood floors. The handsome old building has been refurbished in contemporary style, complete with docks for digital devices and free Wi-Fi. And, of course, breakfast is baked fresh next door, where cake is only ever moments away. Also available are three stone cottages for self-catering. 

Looking onto a placid sward of lawn in the newly fashionable Royal William Yard district of Plymouth—formerly the navy's victualing quarter—this classic Georgian building once housed naval officers and now offers well-appointed guest accommodations with a touch of class. The rooms are bright and tastefully furnished and come with modern bathrooms. It's a brief walk to a selection of dockside eateries, or a stroll across the square to Bistrot Pierre, which has a range of French-inspired meals at reasonable prices (and is where guests must check in).

This historic, 15th-century pub certainly looks the part, with low-beamed ceilings and a fire crackling in the grate, though the uncommonly large guest rooms upstairs are a pleasant surprise, with a contemporary design that retains a few original features, such as exposed woodwork. The inn also serves good, unfussy British classics (beef and Guinness pie; sausages, mash, and gravy) which you can enjoy in the lovely terrace garden if the weather's good. On Sunday, stop in for the popular weekly roast.

Named after a classic climbing novel, Rum Doodle is an immaculately and imaginatively designed B&B. Fond attention has clearly been spent on sourcing retro furniture and on the many special and occasionally whimsical touches, from four-poster beds and bowler-hat lights to the special Rum Doodle coffee and prosecco in each of the nine rooms. Guests get fresh homemade cookies in their rooms on arrival, and there are homemade jams, too. Apart from Stornaway black pudding, all the food is locally sourced.

This is a classic example of what the British mean when they refer to an "inn"—a pub with bedrooms, albeit one of better-than-average quality for London. Guest rooms are air-conditioned and temperature-controlled, with decent-size beds and antique-style furnishings along with coffee-making facilities, fresh milk, and bottled water. The pub is open from 7 am, almost unheard of in central London, and offers a huge breakfast menu, which is free for hotel guests. It specializes in hearty British fare for lunch and dinner—think slow-braised beef and ale pie with roasted heritage carrots, beetroot, shallots, and red wine gravy. With a range of ales and a decent wine list, it draws the nearby Parliamentary and office crowds from 4 pm until late.

Amid the cobbled streets of old town, in a former workshop that served the jet jewelry trade, this charming little complex has shabby-chic guest rooms surrounding a courtyard tucked behind a health food store and a dress boutique. Although small, the rooms have pine furnishings and either four-poster or brass bedsteads; two rooms have balconies. No breakfast is served, but there's an adjacent café, and the owners will point you to other good alternatives nearby. Organic facials are available on the premises.

Huge beds and luxury bedding demonstrate the hosts' commitment to guest comfort at this intimate B&B in a former gentleman's residence. There's also a lovely garden with views across the valley towards Riber Castle. The airy drawing room has daily newspapers, books, music, and DVDs, and there are full Derbyshire breakfasts plus the option of homemade afternoon tea.