The Great Inns of Britain, a hand-picked collection of 9 traditional coaching inns and small independent luxury hotels, have some crisp, winter offers to provide the perfect excuse to celebrate the season.
Imagine: toasting your toes beside a roaring fire; warming comfort food showcasing glorious seasonal produce; gorgeous country walks; and a bracing stroll on the beach in the winter sunshine. Just some of the reasons to sneak a seasonal getaway – but if you need more …
Pick your perfect location:
From The Selkirk Arms, on the glorious coastline and rocky shoreline of Dumfries & Galloway, to the stunning scenery of the Peacock at Rowsley near the stunning Peak District, owned by Lord & Lady Edward Manners at Haddon Hall, find the Great Inns of Britain located amongst some of the most beautiful scenery of Scotland, England and Wales.
Choose an award-winning Inn:
The Shibden Mill Inn has recently been added to the prestigious Michelin Guide to Great Britain and Ireland, serving immaculately presented modern British food. The winner of the Good Hotel Guide Best Pub with Rooms award, the Inn at Whitewell resides in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, perfectly located for those who like to revel in the beauty of The Forest of Bowland’s fell and moorland. Planning a winter seaside getaway? Look no further than The White Horse & Griffin, a charming haven brimming with rustic character. Recognised among The Times’ 25 Best Hotels by the British Seaside for 2022, this gem is your ideal retreat in the enchanting town of Whitby, especially during the magical winter season.
Bring your four-legged friend:
The Great Inns of Britain extends a warm welcome to your four-legged friend, with well-mannered dogs invited to join their owners at all of our inns. The Boars Head at Ripley Castle offers a whole host of dog-friendly activities for you and your canine friend, from local towns to National Trust sites, you will be spoilt for choice! The award-winning 18th century Rose and Crown Inn, in the pretty Teesdale village of Romaldkirk, is the ideal location for you and your dog; the website even has its own ‘Dog Hall of Fame’ with photos of dogs who have visited and left their ‘paw prints’. Your canine companion will be made to feel at home with locally made ‘Welly-bix’ dog treats and their very own dog bed, with a dedicated ‘dog hosing/drying area,’ which caters for all weathers and levels of mud! Find out more by checking out our Dog-Friendly Guidebook!
Sample some seriously gorgeous seasonal menus:
The Hundred House has been heralded as one of the best places to eat in Telford & Shropshire and have held their AA Rosette for over 25 years. They grow their own herbs, fruits and vegetables in their gardens, and executive chef Stuart Phillips is passionate about using the best quality, seasonal, local produce in our state-of-the-art kitchen, using techniques that deliver amazing flavours you’ll want more of.
Enjoy fine wines or a well-kept pint:
Shibden Mill Inn, near Halifax, has won Best British Pub of the Year and Yorkshire Pub of the Year several times, This recognition is due in no small part to the exceptional dining coupled with an extensive and award-winning wine list, serious gin list, and drams of connoisseur whiskey. The King’s Head Inn are also delighted to have been named in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide, their bar has the character of a bygone age and the people who choose to drink in the bar have created a warm and intimate atmosphere. At the Inn at Whitewell, Ales from the area and old favourites fill the bar, not forgetting the extensive wine list sourced from their very own on-site vintners, Bowland Forest Vintners.
Explore an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB):
From beautiful countryside to dramatic coastlines, there’s plently to explore. The Rose and Crown in Romaldkirk is located on the edge of the North Pennines AONB, upper Teesdale is a walker’s paradise, with stunning scenery, quiet paths, and everything from leisurely strolls along the riverside to serious yomping on rugged fells with pretty dales villages along the way. The Cotswolds provide a rich choice of relaxation from undulating landscapes and picturesque villages to pretty market towns. From the comfort of The King’s Head Inn located in the heart of the Cotswolds explore this area of outstanding natural beauty.
Walk this way:
Base yourself at the charming, family-run Hundred House Hotel and you’re in the heart of Shropshire’s rolling countryside, close to the beautiful Severn Valley, there are plenty of stunning walks and it is just ten minutes away from the picturesque World Heritage site of Ironbridge with its many museums. The beautiful historic village of Ripley is on the route of several footpaths and cycleways – and they all pass at the front door of The Boar’s Head, on the Ripley Castle Estate. On the castle grounds, a walk through the park, past several ancient trees and the landscaped lake is highly recommended. For more inspiration, visit our Walking Guidebook.
Get set to cycle:
Many of the Great Innkeepers are cycling fans, but that’s what comes of living amongst some of the UK’s finest scenery. As well as exploring numerous cycling routes and trails, you can also get up close to some major cycling events. The first stage of the Tour of Britain kicked off in Glasgow ending in Kirkcudbright, where Innkeepers Chris and Sue Walker of The Selkirk Arms welcomed cycling fans to explore the fantastic scenery, nestled between the rugged coastline and dramatic heather-clad hills of Scotland’s beautiful south-west coast. The White Horse and Griffin always welcomes tired and hungry cyclists, approaching Whitby from any direction on a bicycle is not for the faint-hearted! The North Yorkshire Moors are both beautiful and challenging in equal measure. If you’re still unsure which inn to visit, our Cycling Guidebook is a great place to start!
Go fishing:
The Peacock at Rowsley is renowned for offering some of the country’s finest and most extensive dry fly fishing for wild trout. Tuition is available and the sessions operate in a strict catch and release policy with fish being released unharmed. With origins as the 14th century home to Walter Urswick, keeper of the King’s Forest of Bowland, the best pub in Britain as voted by the 2020 Good Pub Guide, The Inn at Whitwell’s seven-mile stretch of the River Hodder offers fishing with a historic pedigree; residents are welcome to fish for salmon, brown/sea trout and grayling according to the season.
