MIAM Approved Retreats

Britain’s Finest Countryside Retreats

A considered edit of Britain’s most exceptional countryside escapes, from grand manor estates and spa sanctuaries to culinary hideaways and design-led rural retreats just beyond London.

21 retreats shown

Back to all places

OxfordshireExceptionalDog friendly

Estelle Manor

From ~£640

85-acre Grade II listed manor and private members’ club on a 3,000-acre parkland estate. 108 rooms, four restaurants and the Roman-inspired Eynsham Baths spa. Runs on nearly 100% renewable energy and grows much of its produce.

OpulentModernRoman bathsFamily friendly

Thermal journey and Ayurvedic tea room

Four restaurants including Japanese and a dim sum billiards room

Gym, padel courts and workspace

MIAM take

Estelle Manor feels like modern luxury done right, with serious sustainability credentials. The Roman-style Eynsham Baths are a highlight, and dining is strong across the board. It is expensive and day visitors can soften the retreat feel, but service is warm and activities are memorable.

Address

Eynsham Park Estate, Oxfordshire

BerkshireNotableDog friendly

Cliveden House

£600–£1,800

Italianate mansion from 1666 set in 375 acres of formal gardens and woodland overlooking the Thames. Grand interiors with some spaces open to National Trust visitors.

RomanticHistoricGrand gardens

Historic house tours and riverside walks

Vintage boat trips on the Thames

Two restaurants and spa with indoor and outdoor pools

MIAM take

Cliveden’s manicured gardens and Italianate architecture feel timeless. Hot tub terrace rooms are special and breakfast stands out. Wear shows in places and day visitors can affect the sense of exclusivity.

Address

Taplow, Berkshire

Berkshire

Coworth Park

From ~£450

Georgian manor with more than 200 acres of parkland and polo fields. Seventy rooms across the main house, cottages and stables.

ElegantEquestrianCountryside casual

Equestrian centre and polo lessons

Eco spa with living-roof herb garden

Indoor pool, gym and wildflower meadows

MIAM take

Equestrian character sets Coworth apart. The eco spa feels fresh and service is polished yet relaxed. Corporate events can break the calm at times, but overall it is sophisticated without being stuffy.

Address

Ascot, Berkshire

SurreyDog friendly

Beaverbrook

From ~£500

Grade II listed Victorian mansion set in 400 acres of woodland and landscaped gardens with a playful, cinematic vibe.

PlayfulGlamorousFamily friendly

Spa and indoor/outdoor pools

Japanese restaurant and brasserie

Screening room and kids’ club

MIAM take

Beaverbrook is fun and characterful. The Japanese restaurant is excellent and the private cinema is a treat. Main house rooms have the most charm. It can feel short-staffed at busy times, but it is a lively alternative to traditional manor hotels.

Address

Leatherhead, Surrey

BuckinghamshireExceptional

The Langley

From ~£380

Grade II listed 1755 mansion with 45 rooms set in a 150-acre Capability Brown park. Boutique feel with a vast subterranean spa.

RegalTranquilSpa led

Large underground spa with indoor and outdoor pools

Gardens for walks and cycling with complimentary bikes

Restaurant and cocktail bar

MIAM take

The Langley’s spa is the star and can be hired privately. Handy for Heathrow, so great for a final-night stay. Lacks deep historic charm but modern rooms and wellness focus make up for it.

Address

Langley, Buckinghamshire

HertfordshireDog friendly

The Grove

£350–£600

Former home of the Earls of Clarendon on a 300-acre estate 18 miles from London. Lively resort energy with both family and romantic appeal.

Resort styleFamily friendlyGolf

Championship golf course

Sequoia spa with vitality pool

Walled garden with outdoor pool and sandy beach

MIAM take

A polished resort with a striking black-tiled pool and a beachy walled garden in summer. Great for families, so weekends can feel busy rather than serene.

Address

Chandler’s Cross, Hertfordshire

OxfordshireExceptionalDog friendly

Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons

From ~£750

Fifteenth-century manor with 32 rooms by Raymond Blanc. Legendary two-Michelin-star and Green Star restaurant set among art-filled gardens.

CulinaryRomanticBelmond

Two-star tasting menus using produce from on-site kitchen garden

Cookery school

Ornamental and produce gardens with sculpture and croquet

MIAM take

Arguably the UK’s ultimate culinary escape. The grounds and rooms are beautiful and the cookery school adds to the experience. Less of a spa retreat and priced accordingly, but unforgettable for food lovers.

Address

Great Milton, Oxfordshire

HampshireNotableDog friendly

Heckfield Place

£450–£950

Georgian manor set on a 400-acre estate with woodlands, lakes and a biodynamic farm. Home to Green-Star restaurant Marle and the more casual Hearth.

Rustic chicFarm to tableCinema

Produce from its own Home Farm

Spa, indoor pool and gym

Private cinema and lakeside and woodland trails

MIAM take

Like a contemporary Downton Abbey with a sustainable heart. Warm service, relaxed elegance and lovely walks. Less formal than old-guard luxury but that is part of the charm.

Address

Hook, Hampshire

BuckinghamshireDog friendly

Hartwell House

From ~£350

National Trust Grade I listed house in 90 acres with Rococo plasterwork and royal history. Former exile home of King Louis XVIII.

HistoricTraditionalQuiet

Indoor pool and spa

Landscaped park with lake and statuary

Afternoon tea, croquet and four-poster rooms

MIAM take

For lovers of history and calm. Rich with character and now with a welcome modern spa. Service can feel old fashioned but the setting is special.

Address

Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire

BerkshireDog friendly

The Retreat at Elcot Park

£200–£400

Eighteenth-century country house on 16 acres with boutique rooms and strong family credentials.

RelaxedPlayfulGood value

Infinity pool, croquet lawn and tennis court

Walled garden with children’s area

Signet Spa with sauna and steam room

MIAM take

A stylish, well-priced countryside escape with family appeal. Design is fun, food is relaxed and service continues to bed in. Great value overall.

Address

Elcot, West Berkshire

Hertfordshire

Sopwell House

£250–£450

Former Georgian manor with heritage and contemporary wings built around a standout spa experience.

ModernSpa drivenGroups

Club at Cottonmill spa with hydrotherapy pools and large thermal suite

Indoor pool and gym

Multiple dining options and cocktail bar

MIAM take

A serious spa with varied dining and room styles. Standard rooms can feel tired, but Mews Suites are spacious and private. Popular for wellness breaks and celebrations.

Address

St Albans, Hertfordshire

HampshireDog friendly

Chewton Glen

Rooms ~£350+, suites ~£535+, treehouses ~£845+

Country-house hotel and spa in 130 acres on the edge of the New Forest with traditional rooms and elevated treehouse suites.

Family friendlyTreehousesCookery school

Spa and Country Club with indoor and outdoor pools, golf and tennis

Treehouse suites with hot tubs

Cookery school by James Martin

MIAM take

A magical mix of forest, luxury and family facilities. Weekends can be busy and prices are high, but the experience feels special.

Address

New Milton, Hampshire

WiltshireDog friendly

Lucknam Park

Rooms ~£475, suites ~£900+

Palladian mansion from 1720 on a 500-acre estate with a Michelin-starred restaurant and a strong equestrian and spa offer.

AristocraticEquestrianCulinary

Equestrian centre for lessons and hacks

Spa with 20 m pool and indoor–outdoor hydrotherapy pool

Walled garden restaurant and cottages

MIAM take

Classic country luxury with excellent facilities. The style is traditional but service is attentive. Cottages add privacy for families and groups.

Address

Colerne, near Bath, Wiltshire

SurreyDog friendly

Great Fosters

£300–£600

Tudor estate with 50 acres of formal gardens, moat and a Japanese bridge. Fifty-six individually designed rooms and suites.

HistoricWhimsicalMichelin dining

Formal parterre gardens and terraces for al fresco dining

Estate Grill and one-Michelin-starred Tudor Pass

Art deco heated outdoor pool and hot tub

MIAM take

A fairytale setting with standout dining. Newer rooms can feel less characterful than the historic suites, and there is no full-service spa, but the atmosphere is enchanting.

Address

Egham, Surrey

SurreyDog friendly

Pennyhill Park

From ~£295

Victorian manor in 123 acres with a serious spa and a contemporary country-house vibe. Home to Michelin-starred Latymer.

ResortSpa giantMichelin dining

45,000 sq ft spa with eight pools, hot tubs and thermal experiences

Latymer Michelin-starred restaurant and brasserie

Tennis courts, nature trails and England Rugby training facility

MIAM take

A destination spa with breadth and depth plus serious dining. It feels more like a resort than a manor and service can be impersonal, but the facilities are excellent.

Address

Bagshot, Surrey

WiltshireDog friendly

Whatley Manor

From ~£400

Cotswolds manor with 23 rooms set in 12 acres of gardens. Rustic charm meets contemporary polish with two restaurants and a tranquil spa.

IntimateSecludedPolished service

Dining Room and casual Grey’s

Aquarias spa

Cinema and sustainable measures

MIAM take

Generous rooms, lovely gardens and refined dining in a peaceful setting. Availability is limited and prices reflect the small scale, but it feels personal and memorable.

Address

Easton Grey, Malmesbury, Wiltshire

GloucestershireNotableDog friendly

Lords of the Manor

From ~£400

Seventeenth-century former rectory set in 8 acres of gardens in one of England's most beautiful villages. Twenty-five individually designed rooms with acclaimed 3 AA Rosette dining.

HistoricVillage settingFine diningTraditional

3 AA Rosette restaurant and intimate 14-cover tasting menu venue

Eight acres of manicured gardens and lawns

Individual room designs with period features

MIAM take

A quintessential Cotswolds experience in one of England's most photographed villages. The dining is consistently excellent and gardens provide peaceful sanctuary. Rooms vary in size and some period features can feel restrictive, but the village setting and refined atmosphere create lasting memories.

Address

Upper Slaughter, Gloucestershire, GL54 2JD

GloucestershireNotableDog friendly

Barnsley House

From ~£350

Seventeenth-century Cotswold manor with world-renowned gardens created by Rosemary Verey. Eighteen rooms combining period charm with contemporary comfort.

Garden lover's paradiseBoutiqueDesign-led

Four-acre gardens designed by legendary Rosemary Verey

Potager restaurant using garden produce

Cinema and spa treatments

MIAM take

The gardens are genuinely exceptional and rooms blend country elegance with modern design. The restaurant showcases garden-to-plate dining beautifully. Some rooms feel compact and the property can lack the grand scale of larger manors, but the intimate atmosphere and horticultural heritage create a unique charm.

Address

Barnsley, Cirencester, Gloucestershire

HampshireNotable

Crowley Manor

From ~£500

Fifteenth-century manor house set in rolling Hampshire countryside with individually designed rooms and contemporary gastronomy.

HistoricIntimateContemporary dining

Historic architecture with modern interventions

Contemporary restaurant with seasonal menus

Peaceful countryside setting

MIAM take

A lesser-known gem offering refined hospitality in a genuinely historic setting. The contemporary approach to dining works well with the period architecture. Limited facilities compared to larger properties but the intimate scale and personal service create an exclusive feel.

Address

Crowley, Winchester, Hampshire

HampshireExceptionalDog friendly

Lime Wood

From ~£450

Regency manor in the heart of the New Forest with 29 rooms, Herb House Spa and acclaimed dining. Wild forest location with deer often visible from rooms.

Forest settingDesign-ledSpa sanctuaryNew Forest

Herb House Spa with forest-inspired treatments

Hartnett Holder & Co restaurant

Forest activities and nature trails

MIAM take

An intoxicating blend of forest wildness and sophisticated design. The spa feels genuinely restorative and forest views from rooms are magical. Can feel isolated for some and dinner reservations are essential. The natural setting and contemporary approach to country luxury feel fresh and rejuvenating.

Address

Beaulieu Road, Lyndhurst, Hampshire, SO43 7FZ

SomersetExceptionalDog friendly

The Newt in Somerset

From ~£600

Georgian manor on a 1,000-acre estate with working farm, cider house, and extensive gardens. Twenty-three rooms plus farmyard cottages with a focus on horticulture and sustainability.

Estate experienceHorticulturalFarm to tableSpa garden

Botanical spa in Victorian glasshouses

Cyder Farm and orchard experiences

Hadspen Gardens and kitchen garden

MIAM take

A completely fresh take on the country estate experience with exceptional attention to sustainability and horticulture. The botanical spa in converted glasshouses is magical and farm experiences feel authentic. Prices reflect the comprehensive estate offering and some may find the focus on gardens less appealing, but the innovation and environmental commitment set new standards for luxury rural hospitality.

Address

Bruton, Somerset, BA10 0NB