The 4 Best Rural Retreats in The UK
Image Credit - Country and Townhouse
Looking to escape the nine to five grind of city life for a few days? We've all been dreaming of far-flung escapes and sandy beaches but, the sad truth is, no one really knows when international travel will truly be back on the menu. Instead, taking a break at a tranquil countryside oasis is the ideal way to enjoy your summer holidays.
One of the surprise blessings of the last year has been a renewed appreciation for the best weekend breaks. Thankfully, the UK has an array of luxurious lodgings for a glorious UK staycation to choose from, grand country estates, and magnificent converted castles, some of the world's finest hospitality offerings are right on your doorstep waiting to be discovered – all without the hassle of setting foot in an airport.
Think of it as an opportunity to explore the fine accommodation England has to offer, which so often get overlooked in favour of sunnier climes. Embrace endless walks, historical pubs, fresh air, and a variety of country comforts
Here at Lilla Rugs, we know that countryside breaks and rural escapes can be just what the doctor ordered, so we’ve hand-picked a range of hotels to showcase the best of what the UK has to offer. Here are some of our favourites.
BIBURY FARM BARNS, GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Image Credit - Bibury Farm Barns
Bibury Farm Barns have successfully filled the gap in the market. On a charming Cotswold farm, owners Polly and George have transformed five neglected stone barns into stylish self-catering accommodation.
Turning the key to one of Bibury's barns is like scooping up Mayfair and Park Lane in a heated game of Monopoly. There's a dramatic feel to this beautifully renovated Cotswold building with bold art and swanky bedrooms and bathrooms.
Together with help from design hero Pippa Paton, they pulled the derelict 19th-century barns back from the brink, converting them into five plush pads focused on luxurious comfort featuring some of our very own Lilla Rugs, from our Persian rug collections.
It's as modern as it is rustic and as homely as it is immaculate, mixing the Stockholm-Scandi aesthetic with a splash of Soho Farmhouse and the centre pages of Architectural Digest.
Featured Rugs (left to right) - MALIN, ROME, PARIS
HECKFIELD PLACE, HAMPSHIRE
Image Credit - Anna Barnett, Where's Brent Been
Holing up for a UK weekend break used to mean leaky taps and curling wallpaper. But the landscape has changed. Handsome, historic Heckfield Place is an eco-friendly estate in the Hampshire countryside - cushioned amongst 400 acres of rolling greenery. A wander around its vast perimeter plays out somewhat like a Jane Austen novel.
The house is beautifully done with masterful little touches, including some of our Traditional Persian rugs. Heckfield Place has that can’t-quite-put-your-finger-on-it magical blend of fresh, relaxed luxury seamlessly complementing the house’s 19th-century grand features.
This is a stately stay Mr. Darcy would be proud to call home. Mixing contemporary, mid-century, and antique furniture and accessories with the same ease with which Kit Kemp blends pattern and colour. Heckfield Place is proof that a country hotel of this size can still feel like a house, unlike Soho Farmhouse, rustic it is not.
Featured Rugs (left to right) - WILLA, MILKA, FOX
BEAVERBROOK, LEATHERHEAD
Image Credit - Societe Magazine
Nestled in the Surrey Hills, this heritage country house ticks all the staycation boxes. With acres of space for meandering, two delectable restaurants, an outdoor pool, spa, and picturesque pockets aplenty for cocktail hour, a post-lockdown break at Beaverbrook is soul-stirring stuff.
It’s the perfect hotel for lovers of luxe interiors, fine dining, and country walk. There are 35 rooms dotted around the estate – in the Main House, Garden House, and Coach House – each one oozes class and refinement thanks to interior designer Susie Atkinson. It’s relaxed, timeless, yet on-trend without being too overbearing or intimidating.
Drenched in light, with bright staff and a nurturing ethos, they favour wellbeing over beautifying. You can take a walk around the manicured gardens, to the lake, or hike through the meadows and woodland trails.
Featured Rugs (left to right) - DUSTY, ADLER, HANA
LIMEWOOD, LYNDHURST
Image Credit - Susie Atkinson
Lime Wood, true to form, presents a perfect picture of 18th-century gentrification. Located in the heart of the New Forest National Park, this 5-star hotel is the Georgian manor home of your dreams.
When you’re feeling the harsh burnout effects of London’s gradual wear and tear, take a break in this beautiful part of the UK. Featuring thick forests, heathland, and plenty of wild horses that you’ll find roaming the roads and fields - quite the spectacle if you live in a city and aren’t used to this!
Like a Tuscan retreat in the UK, Limewood boasts an outside terrace, cooking classes, manicured sprawling lawns, and calming herbs at every corner. The Courtyard is the hub of the hotel, with a variety of surrounding rooms such as the Drawing Room and Library that offer multiple nooks to lounge in, each displaying beautiful Persian and Oriental rugs.
It was no surprise that the interiors have been directed by Susie Atkinson (the same mind behind multiple Soho House properties).
