UK destinations

The UK is rich in travel destinations that offer a variety of experiences and hidden hospitality gems. From country walks to Michelin-star gastronomy, city spas to ocean views, a holiday in the UK represents an array of opportunities to explore, relax and discover a small island that packs a punch when it comes to travel.

The West Country is known for Devon cream teas, the South West Coast Path, sailing, surfing and superb seafood. However, did you know it’s also a hive of artistic creativity and ecological advancement? Visit The Eden Project in Cornwall to learn about the living world, enjoy drama against an Atlantic Ocean backdrop at the open air Minack Theatre in Penzance and see Barbara Hepworth’s organic sculptures in St Ives.

West Country

  • The rugged southwestern tip of the UK that is Cornwall is known for its sandy beaches, wild moorland, mesmerising coastline and chocolate box villages.

    Cornwall
  • A stay in Devon offers so much to see and do and our hotels are as varied too. Enjoy cream teas, hearty home-cooking or fine dining at our choice of independently reviewed hotels.

    Devon
  • Wonderful meals and personal service await at the Good Hotel Guide hotels in Dorset. Choose from seaside locations, thatched countryside retreats and smart townhouse-style hotels - or indeed combine a stay to experience a true sense of Dorsetlife.

    Dorset
  • Somerset has rolling hills, beautiful gardens and historic jewels. It offers an eclectic mix of unusual, luxury and boutique hotels, from quaint converted cottages to majestic castles.

    Somerset
  • Wiltshire is a beautiful county in south-west England. It is perfect for exploring historic attractions, taking long walks over glorious landscapes or ambling around quaint towns and villages.

    Wiltshire

Head to the South East and the refined elegance of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and Kent will lead you to discover luxurious spa hotels and English vineyards. This genteel part of England will also reward you with abundant history, from Hever Castle – the childhood home of the ill-fated Queen Anne Boleyn in Kent, to Canterbury Cathedral and the tomb of the murdered Archbishop, Thomas Becket. If you’re in the area, don’t forget to pop past Whitstable – the seaside destination famous for its oysters.

South East

  • Berkshire – famed for links to royalty, Windsor Castle, the River Thames and its pure Englishness. Berkshire’s beautiful countryside, charming towns and villages almost makes you forget that you’re just a short train ride from London.

    Berkshire
  • Buckinghamshire
  • Known for its many attributes including its beaches, its English vineyards and its vibrant culture in locations like Brighton, Sussex offers a wide variety of attractions for visitors.

    Sussex
  • Hampshire is the largest county in South East England. Hampshire features two national parks: the New Forest and South Downs, along with three popular cities: Portsmouth, Southampton and Winchester. It was also the birthplace of Jane Austen.

    Hampshire
  • Kent has some beautiful countryside, notably in the Weald of Kent, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

    Kent
  • Oxfordshire
  • Surrey may be regarded as a commuter county for London but it is full of interest. Its star attraction is Hampton Court, which Henry VIII turned into one of the most, sophisticated palaces in Europe.

    Surrey

Travel to East Anglia and the likes of Norfolk, Cambridge, Essex, Hertfordshire and Suffolk will greet you, with the added bonus of being within easy reach of London. Visit the hallowed halls of Cambridge University, discover the magic go the UK’s largest nationally protected wetland – the Norfolk Broads, visit Colchester – the first capital city in Britain in Essex, head to the Henry Moore Gardens in Hertfordshire and explore the former home of Thomas Gainsborough and John Constable in Suffolk.

East Anglia

  • This historic county has much to offer in the way of outdoor pursuits. Its vast beaches include the one at Holkham made famous when Gwynetth Paltrow walked across it at the end of Shakespeare in Love).

    Norfolk
  • Famed above all for its beautiful university, the county has much else to offer. The flatness of the county makes it good for cyclists.

    Cambridgeshire
  • One of the largest counties of England, many people dismiss it as commuter country. But it is full of history, and it makes a good base to explore Constable country (he was born near here).

    Essex
  • Hertfordshire
  • Get refreshed with a visit to Suffolk – a county full of style and captivating history. A hotel break could see you taking a trip to quaint Flatford, captured by the painted John Constable, or Framlingham Castle, where Mary Tudor waited to see if she would be queen.

    Suffolk

The Midlands are blessed with the convivial charm and chocolate box beauty of the Cotswolds, the dramatic scenery of Rutland and Shropshire, and the natural wonders of the Peak District. The National Park is famous for its caves and its pure waters, while the region’s hospitality thrives on local produce. The Midlands are built on a history of innovation and creation – home to some of the UK’s best known manufacturers – not least, Cadbury’s.

Midlands

  • The writer J B Priestley once described the Cotswolds as ‘the most English and least spoiled of all our countrysides’. His observation continues to hold true many decades later.

    The Cotswolds
  • Derbyshire is perfect for active family holidays and romantic country house hotels. Its varied landscapes make for a captivating backdrop to holidays, while towns and cities have a vibrant buzz to them.

    Derbyshire
  • In the South West of England, Gloucestershire encompasses the Cotswold Hills, part of the fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean. Amongst its chocolate box villages and quaint country pubs, it is a part of the world that’s known as a hot spot for celebrity homes and one of the most beautiful parts of the UK.

    Gloucestershire
  • Known for its rich history, Herefordshire in the West Midlands is a hiker’s haven and a foodie’s paradise. Outdoor adventurers can surf River Wye rapids or scale rock faces, festival goers can celebrate in summer, and everyone is captivated by the area’s rich cultural offerings from art and history to poetry and literature.

    Herefordshire
  • Worcestershire
  • Northamptonshire
  • Rutland
  • Shropshire is a peaceful but beautiful part of the UK. It is deceptive in its tranquil aspect and within that calm exterior, home to a wealth of attractions for visitors and tourists.

    Shropshire
  • Stafford
  • Warwickshire
  • The so called heart of England, the West Midlands has so much to offer visitors. Magnificent country house hotels and family holiday adventures.

    West Midlands
  • Marked trails for cycling and hiking, peppered with villages in which to stop and refuel, are all parts of the Peak District experience. Locally sourced food and drink add to the enjoyment, and amongst it all, the hotels in the area have their own particular brand of rustic charm to add to the getaway.

    Peak District

In the North East of England, visitors are enchanted by the sometimes rugged, sometimes refined charm of Yorkshire and its magnificent country house hotels. The North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales are a magnet for walkers, while pubs-with-rooms and cosy inns deliver a welcome rest for the night and a well-deserved pint. In the North West meanwhile, visitors to Cumbria and the Lake District delight in long walks and water sports on Windermere, not to mention delicious food and drink to refuel at the end of the day. Lancashire has a proud history as the seat of the Royal House of Lancaster, the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and the creators of such delicacies as Lancashire Hotpot and Butter Pie.

North East

  • Co. Durham
  • Tyne and Wear
  • Northumberland is a historic county, infused with character, charm and plenty of stories to tell. Its hotels, B&Bs and pubs with rooms are a living embodiment of all those things, coupled with exemplary hospitality that offers a true flavour of the region.

    Northumberland
  • Hotels in Yorkshire offer a wide variety of excellent experiences. Stay at a mock-Gothic castle, a hotel reminiscent of an Agatha Christie novel, a welcoming pub or a converted cottage - quaint, quirky or stylish and elegant - the Good Hotel Guide's hotels in Yorkshire each have their own distinct character.

    Yorkshire
  • A heavenly part of North Eastern Yorkshire that's characterised by its large expanses of heather moorland the North York Moors are a designated National Park making for a tranquil and beautiful holiday destination. Visit for walking holidays or romantic escapes, bring the dog and spend evenings enjoying good food and good company.

    North York Moors
  • From the famous spa town of Harrogate to the Yorkshire Dales, North Yorkshire is a tantalising holiday destination whether for a weekend or a week. It is no wonder it is a popular part of the world for weddings and even mini-moons as well as romantic getaways with its wealth of natural beauty and historic intrigue, but for anyone it is a warm, welcoming place to visit, brimming with opportunities.

    North Yorkshire
  • In a particularly scenic part of the Pennines, the historic county of Yorkshire counts the Yorkshire Dales National Park as one of its prime jewels. The area is filled with stone-built villages, stunning landscapes and vibrant communities.

    Yorkshire Dales

North West

  • Cheshire
  • With its lakes, fells and mountains, Cumbria is one of the most enchanting places to visit in Britain. Blessed with abundant outdoor activities, this is obviously a hiker's dream destination, but it's also brimming with water sports opportunities, bird watching, historic sites, superb food and drink and a myriad of charming places to stay.

    Cumbria
  • Lancashire
  • Merseyside
  • With its lakes, fells and mountains, this is one of the most beautiful places in Britain. Japanese visitors love it because of Peter Rabbit (Beatrix Potter lived in the area) and cream teas.

    Lake District

Head to Scotland and you’re met by breathtaking scenery, mesmerising tradition and superb hospitality. From Edinburgh to the Hebrides, there’s so much to experience and see in Scotland. Each area has its own character and charm, whether you are looking for a remote retreat in the Highlands, a tranquil escape on the Isle of Islay or creative inspiration, much like Robert Burns, in the lowlands around Dumfries and Galloway.

Scotland

  • Aberdeenshire
  • Magical seascapes and a foodie haven in Scotland Blessed with awe-inspiring landscapes, Argyll and Bute is a region home to 23 inhabited islands. Each offers beautiful and tranquil beaches, magnificent rugged vistas, and their own unique subcultures.

    Argyll and Bute
  • This mountain range in the eastern Highlands of Scotland offers visitors spectacular landscapes. A National Park and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Cairngorms are the perfect place for tranquil retreats and breathtakingly beautiful walking holidays.

    Cairngorms
  • In the beautiful lowlands of Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway and the surrounding area is an outstanding location for an escape. From the rocky and sandy Solway Coast to the lush green inland forests and hills, it’s the place that inspired writers such as Robert Burns, and with good reason.

    Dumfries and Galloway
  • Fife
  • East Lothian
  • From hill walking, golf and golden beaches on the Isle of Harris to the Isle of Skye, the largest island in the Inner Hebrides archipelago, connected to Scotland’s northwest coast by bridge. Hike amongst the Cuillin mountains, fish on the lochs or kayak along the coast.

    Hebrides
  • Magnificent scenery and welcoming B&Bs in Scotland Described as the Queen of the Hebrides, the Isle of Islay is one of the jewels in Scotland’s crown. Part of the Southern Hebrides, it is inhabited by less than 4000 people, but that does not stop it from being home to eight working whisky distilleries and some of the most spectacular scenery Scotland has to offer.

    Isle of Islay
  • Connected to Scotland’s northwest coast by bridge, the Isle of Skye is a place of awe-inspiring natural landscapes. It possesses beautiful fishing villages and medieval castles worthy of historic movies.

    Isle of Skye
  • Perthshire has a reputation for its beauty, from serene glens to lush forests. It is an inspiring place for a weekend getaway, romantic break or simply some time to yourself in some spectacularly beautiful hotels.

    Perthshire (Perth and Kinross)
  • With rolling Hills, moorland and picturesque coastlines, the Scottish Borders conjures the spirit of adventure that attracted novelist Sir Walter Scott to write his epic tales. This beautiful area has all the romance of TV’s Outlander, courtesy of its enchanting landscape.

    Scottish Borders

Last, but by no means least, Wales once again delivers visitors with a whole smorgasbord of treats. Head to the pretty coastal town of Anglesey (where Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge once lived). The Brecon Beacons are deliciously beautiful and are well known for the hills, mountains and the Brecon Mountain Railway steam train! Gwynedd brings views of Cardigan Bay and ancient inns. The county is also home to the intriguing Italianate village of Portmeirion.

Wales

  • History and wildlife on a Welsh island An island in Wales, off the northwest coast of the mainland, you can reach Anglesey by the 19th-century Menai Suspension Bridge and the Britannia Bridge. Like so many other parts of Wales, Anglesey is a wonderful mix of mesmerising natural landscapes, warm hospitality and historical intrigue.

    Anglesey
  • Beautiful hotels in a Welsh mountain range. The National Park is blessed with some of the most spectacular scenery including limestone caves and mountain trails for walkers and keen adventurers to explore.

    Brecon Beacons
  • Ceredigion
  • Gwynedd