Six affordable UK country-house hotels for a winter spa break

The Guardian highlights six affordable UK country-house hotels offering winter escapes with spa facilities and countryside or coastal walks to counter the January blues. The selection spans locations in England, Scotland and Wales and includes properties with on-site pools, saunas and treatment options.

The Alfriston in East Sussex is a red-brick manor house with parts dating back to the 14th century; it reopened under new owners and features Arts and Crafts–inspired interiors, a year-round heated 10-metre outdoor pool, a small spa with sauna and steam room, and the 1554 Brasserie.

Doubles from £135 B&B. Wildhive Callow Hall, near Ashbourne in Derbyshire, combines a Victorian mansion with a glass-box restaurant, on-site spa and yoga studio, complimentary bikes and access to the 13-mile Tissington Trail; doubles from £157 room-only. The Cliff Hotel & Spa on a headland above Cardigan Bay offers contemporary rooms with Atlantic views, an underground spa with hydrotherapy pool and steam room, and activities from coastal walks to golf; spa treatments start at about £70 for 50 minutes and an hour’s use of the spa facilities is included in the room rate.

The Barnsdale, near Oakham in Rutland beside Rutland Water, has 45 bedrooms around a courtyard, a bistro-style restaurant, complimentary 4pm drinks, access to the sauna, hot tub and outdoor pool from midday on arrival to the same time on departure, and massages from £90 for 60 minutes; doubles from £125 (£105 on Sundays).

Key Topics

Culture, Country House Hotels, The Alfriston, Wildhive Callow Hall, Cliff Hotel, Barnsdale