98 Best Hotels in England

Peace, seclusion, and magnificent views of the Wye Valley await 3 miles southeast of Hereford at this informal working farm, which dates back to the 16th century; there's even a hot tub from which to enjoy the scene. Guest rooms in the stone farmhouse are furnished nicely with period pieces alongside DAB radios, and breakfasts, including local bacon and eggs, are taken at the communal dining table.

This 16th-century inn on the harbor front has low ceilings, exposed timbers, and steep staircases that lead to rooms with simple but stylish modern furnishings. Two rooms have small balconies where you can enjoy the breezes. The split-level restaurant, with oak beams and pillars, serves supremely fresh fish, scallops, and crab dishes.

You can't stay at Stourhead, but you can stay just inside the main entrance at this popular inn built at the beginning of the 19th century. Guests are admitted free to Stourhead's gardens at any time. The five bedrooms are elegant and tastefully understated, with some period features like uneven wood floors and Georgian sash windows. The restaurant uses locally sourced ingredients and specializes in small plates and simple, traditional pub classics like beer-battered fish-and-chips.

The most luxurious Rick Stein lodgings in town are distinguished by their sophisticated and minimalist style. Excellently equipped, the spacious bedrooms have polished oak floors and either enjoy views over the harbor and estuary or have glass doors looking straight out onto the walled garden. Booking here guarantees a dinner table at the Seafood Restaurant, where breakfast is also served (unless you order the Continental breakfast in your room). You should reserve as far ahead as possible, and there might be a two-night minimum stay in peak periods.

Facing the churchyard in the heart of Chagford village, this inn dating from the 13th century retains its venerable character, from its part-thatched roof, granite facade, and mullioned windows to the grand inglenook fireplaces. Modern facilities are artfully integrated, most conspicuously in the smart restaurant located within a glass atrium in the courtyard. Although the guest rooms have remained essentially unchanged for several centuries, here too you'll find contemporary comforts including well-designed bathrooms. Everything from pub classics to evening specials is available in the restaurant, and the low-beamed bars exude warmth and conviviality, with St. Austell and craft ales on tap.

This bed-and-breakfast lies 1½ miles outside town and backs on to the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal; the grand building dates from 1837 and is brimming with character and charm. Queen Victoria once stayed here before taking the throne—look for her coat of arms, which can be seen in the gables and in some of the fireplaces in the bedrooms. Rooms come with smart TVs and power showers alongside more period-style decor. Guests are welcome to relax in the drawing room (where there is a fire in winter), play board games, or have a game of pool. The B&B is next door to the Stratford Parkway train station and the Park and Ride, which has a bus service into town.

This venerable 17th-century coaching inn has counted the eminent statesman William Pitt the Elder among its guests, and, since his visit, it has retained much of its antique style. Today, though, the guest rooms are spacious, comfortable, and modern, with all the amenities necessary for a night or two. A range of foods is available in the bar and restaurant, including a hearty brunch.

A watering hole since 1755, this pub with rooms near the cathedral and the college wears its Britishness proudly, with depictions of national heroes like Nelson and Churchill, military artifacts, and an assortment of pewter mugs hanging from the ceiling. The individually decorated rooms are comfortable and characterful, if on the small side, with freestanding baths and good modern showers. The seven rooms in an annex across the street are more modern. A well-regarded wine list sets off the Modern British dishes at the restaurant, which is popular with locals.