Best historic hotels in the UK

Our secret inspectors stay at hundreds of UK hotels to bring you honest and impartial reviews you can trust.

From Gothic-revival manors to reinvented Victorian townhouses and revamped Georgian coaching inns, the UK is awash with historic properties offering characterful stays. All the historic hotels, inns and B&Bs featured here date back hundreds of years. There's everything from the history of Rob Roy and King Charles II to a former boot factory in Bristol that's now one of the UK's most stylish stays.  Each scored at least four stars out of five from our undercover reviewers. 

We completed stays at the hotels included within the past three years. Prices are for a Saturday night (peak price) and correct at the time of publication. All scores are out of five.

The best historic hotels we’ve reviewed in Wales

 Ty Glyn, Ceredigion

Peak price £155

Score 4.5 stars

Book direct at Ty Glyn

When TS Eliot came to Ty Glyn in 1933, he was the high priest of gloomy modernist poetry. By the time he left, he’d started the almost obnoxiously cheerful Old Possum’s Book Of Practical Cats. This reinvented Victorian mansion may not have that effect on everybody but, with birdsong the only sound outside and green fields the backdrop to every window, it’s hard to be down. Not much remains of the house where Eliot spent happy summers, but a 2025 refit has brought it back to life. Floor-to-ceiling glass in the dining room lets the countryside right in. Theatrically lit bookcases and 1950s-style brass lamps give the lounge bar the air of a London club. The original fireplace now has a pretty ‘mock fire’ created by a spray of water vapour and LED lights. Plus, the charming harbour of Aberaeron is just a 10-minute drive up the road.

Rooms All 13 rooms have glorious views over the fields. However, the less said the better about the view from the bedroom into the bathroom via a frosted-glass door in front of the toilet. This is the one fail, as everything else is stylish in the room – clean and comfortable – as is the rest of the hotel.

Food and drink Breakfast is always cooked fresh to order – there’s no buffet – and the porridge was as good as any we’ve had. A full Welsh uses quality local ingredients, and the shakshuka was a bracingly spicy start to the day.

Our verdict Fabulous value for a wonderful stay, but can we have proper doors on the toilets, please? 

This hotel was reviewed by an inspector for the May/Jun 2026 issue of Which? Travel.

Penmaenuchaf, Snowdonia

Peak price: £299

Score: Four stars

Book direct at Penmaenuchaf

The manicured topiary and geometric gardens of this ivy-clad manor come as a surprise amid the craggy scenery of southern Snowdonia. Located at the foot of the rocky massif of Cadair Idris, Penmaenuchaf sits at the top of a driveway that winds through dense woodland until you’re high above Mawddach Estuary.

Rooms Recently decorated bedrooms are awash with colour and floral patterns – a playful homage to the hotel’s Victorian architecture. Our spacious, slightly mismatched superior room hasn’t had a makeover, but it makes up in comfort what it lacks in style – the rolltop bath is a treat after a hike. Request a room at the front of the house for estuary views.

Food and drink Choose between a daintily plated three-course menu in the conservatory (£76) or a casual meal in an oak-panelled lounge. We plump for the latter, tucking into local smoked trout (£10) and moreish pumpkin pesto pasta (£20). The room rate includes a cooked-to-order breakfast, such as perfectly spiced kedgeree, hollandaise-smothered eggs Benedict and a full Welsh.

Our verdict A romantic hideaway with great views and classy food. 

This hotel was reviewed by an inspector for the Jul/Aug 2025 issue of Which? Travel.

The best historic hotels we've reviewed in England

Wildhive Callow Hall, Derbyshire

Peak price £309

Score 4 star

Book direct at Wildhive Callow Hall

There can’t be many hotels that provide the Downton Abbey fantasy as convincingly as Callow Hall. It starts with the sweeping driveway. The Gothic-revival building, with its grey stone turrets and towers, is austere but handsome. Mullioned windows at the stairwells look across the Hall's own fields and woodlands. The old coach house is now a spa, complete with sauna. Yoga classes on Monday mornings or Thursday evenings cost £30.

Rooms For £300+ you get an extremely snug 'cosy double', which, no doubt, would have once been occupied by a chambermaid. The 'lovely doubles' £350+) are well named, with clean carpets that are deep and springy as turf, beautiful views and bold, modern colours. Want a bath? That will be £400+ for a 'fantastic double'. Dotted around the grounds are timber-cabin Hives (£400+) and even two Treehouses (£700+) complete with hot tubs.

Food and drink Breakfast is à la carte and freshly cooked. Our kippers (£14) were fine, but the views from huge windows across green fields were better.

Our verdict Wonderful, if you’re not put off by the price. 

This hotel was reviewed by an inspector for the May/June 2026  issue of Which? Travel.

The Grand, Brighton, East Sussex

Peak price £320

Rating 4.5 stars

Book direct at The Grand Brighton

Many know it as the hotel bombed by the IRA in a bid to assassinate Margaret Thatcher. In the 40 years that followed, at times, it was grand in name only. Fresh from a refurb, this seafront grande dame is shabby no longer – wowing from her plush Art Deco carpets up to her stately chandeliers. In the lobby bar, guests nurse champagne cocktails on dark-cyan, deep button-back banquettes – beneath the original 155-year-old marble columns that have been thoughtfully preserved. All of this comes without a hint of pretension: everyone from the coat-tailed bellhops to the friendly waiters were exceptionally attentive.

Rooms Nautical chic was the aesthetic in our newly revamped classic inland double: think navy and white striped cushions, herringbone throws and beach-themed prints. The spacious white marble rainfall shower pumped out lashings of hot water (welcome after a chilly sea dip). Our only complaint was the creaky corridor floor announcing every late-night guest with a groan. Sunday night stays are a bargain, but seafront king superior rooms, with wrought-iron balconies, typically set you back another £100.

Food and drink The restaurant specialises in seafood and grills. Afternoon tea is served in the sea-facing Victoria Terrace. Breakfast left us loosening belts: copious fresh continental and cooked options (which almost spanned the length of the sprawling ballroom-style Albert Room), plus a made-to-order omelette station.

Our verdict A high-end beachside stay without the haughtiness. 

This hotel was reviewed by an inspector for the July/Aug 2025 issue of Which? Travel.

Hort’s Townhouse, Bristol

Peak price: £145

Score: Four stars

Book direct at Hort’s Townhouse

This beautifully restored Grade-II-listed guesthouse feels like somewhere Gatsby might call home. The bar is a sumptuous cavern of wood panelling, fringed lampshades and retro prints in gilded frames. In the heart of the old city, Hort’s is a 10-minute walk to the harbourside.

Rooms The Roaring Twenties theme continues upstairs in our spacious boutique double, overlooking the old Guildhall – with scalloped blue velvet armchairs, marble-topped cabinets and Art Deco mirrors. 

There’s an honesty bar stocked with treats, including relaxing face masks (£3.85). The complimentary homemade port and chocolates were also a nice touch. Only a few stray crumbs on the parquet floor brought us back down to earth. Book direct to request a lazy late check-out until 1pm.

Food and drink The Hort family apparently served Bristol’s first cocktails – and you’ll find plenty in the bar downstairs (from £10), alongside classic pub dishes (including a Scotch egg flight, three for £19). Our made-to-order breakfast of avocado and poached eggs on toasted sourdough was first-rate.

Our verdict An opulent 1920s city-centre bolthole at a great price. 

This hotel was reviewed by an inspector for the November/December 2025 issue of Which? Travel.

The Mitre Hampton Court, London

 Peak price £288

Score: Four stars

Check rates at The Mitre Hampton Court

King Charles II was onto something when he ordered The Mitre to be built for guests of Hampton Court Palace in 1665. Overlooking the River Thames, this stylish boutique guesthouse couldn’t have a better location if you’re visiting the royal address (even better, a pair of £60 entrance tickets are free with your stay). 

Rooms Tasteful interior design and vibrant art breathe life into this Grade II-listed, 40-bedroom guesthouse. Pastel panelled walls, an original fireplace, deep plum armchairs and a sprawling king-sized bed almost distract us from the view and thrum of cars crawling in traffic over Hampton Court Bridge.

Food and drink Complimentary Pimm's is served at check-in, then attentive waiters in the 1665 Brasserie and the riverside terrace (there are four eateries) easily juggle a wedding next door, couples sipping Bollinger and young families in an upmarket yet unstuffy setting. Our short rib burger (£20) is cooked to perfection. And while the included breakfast buffet in the Boathouse is generous, a moreish full English set us up for the day (£13).

Our verdict A romantic, slightly isolated bolthole, but ideal if you’re off to the Palace. 

This hotel was reviewed by an inspector for the May/June 2025 issue of Which? Travel.

Hotel Endsleigh, Devon

Peak price: £270

Score: 4.5 stars 

Check rates at the Hotel Endsleigh

This Dartmoor hotel was once the enviable rural retreat of the Duke and Duchess of Bedford, who, in 1814, enlisted the help of landscape designer Humphry Repton to transform its grounds. Now part of The Polizzi Collection, both the Grade I-listed house and surrounding gardens are resplendent. Pick up a map and explore the 108 acres – you’ll discover follies, grottos, waterfalls and an arboretum, as well as a yew arch and fragrant rose walk with views down to the River Tamar.

Rooms: All 19 rooms have been elegantly designed by Olga Polizzi, and many retain period features – we loved the fire buckets and hose reels on the landing upstairs. Our 'classic double' (room 16), with its botanical paintings and roll-top bath (not all rooms have separate showers), overlooked the stables and clock tower. For the best garden views, choose one of the Repton rooms. Original hand-painted wallpaper is still on show in the Bedford rooms. A two-night stay is often required.

Food & drink: Venison, duck breast and turbot with seaweed beurre blanc were among the mains on our three-course dinner menu (£67.50), although many people visit simply to enjoy a garden stroll followed by afternoon cream tea (£35).

Our verdict: Everything about Hotel Endsleigh is enchanting, including the attentive staff. A first-class escape.

Reviewed: May 2023. Price checked December 2025.

Boys Hall, Kent

Peak price: £240

Score: 4.5 stars

Check rates at Boys Hall

The ordinary location (deep in the Ashford suburbs, tucked behind a Wickes and a car dealership) only makes this Jacobean manor house more spectacular. It's clad in wisteria from bed rock to gable. Charles I may have stayed here when hoofing it from the Roundheads, but this is Boys Hall’s first turn as a hotel – its historic old bones of beams and fireplaces lavishly restored. With just 10 rooms set around the original carved oak staircase, it feels intimate, and we’re ushered inside for tea and cake.

Rooms: While our spacious double has a four-poster bed and the sort of hefty timbered wardrobe that could house Narnia, contemporary fixtures and decorative tiles make it brighter and happier than most historic stays. Everything feels luxurious; from the sweeping floral drapes you need two hands to close, to a tea and coffee station with a choice of milks.

Food & drink: The restaurant is the main event. You’ll find fabulous fine dining (the Michelin Guide is sure to catch on soon) under huge timber joists in the brightly lit conservatory, or on the terrace overlooking the landscaped gardens. Service is warm, prices are fair and there’s lots of local flavour, from Romney Marsh lamb to Kentish wines.

Our verdict: There’s little to recommend the location, but this luxury stay is almost faultless.

Reviewed: September 2023. Price checked December 2025

Artist Residence, Bristol

Price: £205

Score: Four stars

Check rates at Artist Residence

Relics of this Grade I-listed Georgian townhouse’s former life as a boot factory are everywhere – from the exposed brickwork (plastered with quirky, pop art prints) to the lofty skylights and industrial sliding doors. A five-minute walk from Cabot Circus shopping centre, it captures all the vibrancy of Bristol within its distressed walls. Soak up the buzz as staff mix liberally garnished cocktails at the long brick bar, or find a slouchy velvet sofa in the more sedate library room.

Rooms: Reclaimed furniture, potted lavender and a vintage rug set the tone in our modish double. But even the cheapest room (the pocket-sized crash pad, still with a king bed) is crammed with thoughtful touches – including a well-stocked Smeg mini bar and a coffee machine. There’s even a multi-adaptor phone charger should you forget yours.The brass Anglepoise lamps weren’t very illuminating, and the tiled bathroom floor needed a mop, but really we’re nit-picking.

Food & drink: Even on an unremarkable soggy Tuesday, the bar was packed. Cocktails, small plates and pizzas dominate; a rosemary paloma with tequila and grapefruit was the perfect pairing for the zingy squash and quinoa salad. But at breakfast, the colossal ‘veggie full’ with crispy grilled halloumi, smashed avocado and sriracha potatoes could have been served hotter.

Our verdict: A well-equipped home from home; you’ll only wish your own abode was this stylish.

Reviewed: January 2023. Price checked December 2025

Eleven Didsbury Park, Manchester

Peak price: £180

Score: Four stars

Check rates at Eleven Didsbury

The leafy suburb of Didsbury is famously well heeled, and this Victorian townhouse hotel certainly holds its own. Communal rooms are almost womb-like, filled with tactile rich-toned fabrics and curiosities – from toucan bookends to Moroccan lanterns. The pretty walled garden, with century-old yew trees and a heated patio, feels a world away from the frenetic city centre of nearby Manchester.

Rooms: Snug is often a euphemism for shoebox, but not here. The smallest 'snug' room is still spacious enough and has a walk-in monsoon shower. We were upgraded to the cavernous 'comfy', with a claw-foot roll-top bath in a geometric-tiled alcove. Attention to detail is everywhere, from the coffee pod menu for the in-room machine to the brimming bookcase (we only wish we were staying long enough to read all the books).

Food & drink: Small plates (such as the Thai butternut squash soup with roti) and mains are available, alongside a well-stocked bar. Take breakfast in the garden lounge, or on wicker chairs in the exposed-brick conservatory. Or hang your order on the back of your door for room service. We couldn’t fault our fresh fruit salad and eggs benedict, but the full buffet (£16 when we stayed) is a little on the steep side for what it is.

Our verdict: Luxurious without being stuffy, this lovingly furnished bolthole feels joyously indulgent.

Reviewed: May 2023. Price checked December 2025

The best historic hotels we’ve reviewed in Scotland

The Ship Inn, Fife

Peak price £295

Rating Four stars

Book direct at The Ship Inn

East Neuk’s charming fishing villages are a highlight on Fife’s Coastal Path, and many walkers rest and recharge in Elie. The ancient port, home to the welcoming Ship Inn (open since 1832), surrounds a sheltered bay with almost a mile of uninterrupted golden sand. The beer garden in the terrace above the sea wall offers the best vantage point.

Rooms Six rooms, named after British naval heroes, are decorated in sea green and duck-egg-blue hues. Our dog-friendly double, Sir Francis Drake, had a subtle seafaring theme, but alas no sea view. If that’s a priority, opt for a Captain room (£351) or the bay-windowed, top-floor Admiral Nelson (£384). Binoculars are provided.

Food and drink Book ahead if you want to nab a view, as tables beside the picture window get reserved first in the upstairs restaurant and breakfast room. Cullen skink (£12), a soup made with smoked haddock, potatoes and leeks, was one of the hearty starters on the menu when we visited. Mains included steelhead trout (£32) and Scottish wild mushroom stroganoff (£22). 

Our verdict A beautiful beachside bolthole, popular with locals, walkers and their sea dogs. Nautical and very nice.

This hotel was reviewed by an inspector for the July/Aug 2025 issue of 'Which? Travel'.  

Bonnie Badger, East Lothian

Peak price: £270

Score: Four stars

Check rates at bonniebadger.com

From the surprise chamomile cordial and lavender pillow spray I find in my room after dinner to the still-warm flapjacks at checkout, our stay is full of unexpected touches that make it feel especially welcoming. Of course, nothing is free – not when you’re staying in a historic inn given a sophisticated makeover by Michelin-starred chef Tom Kitchin in Scotland’s most expensive village (Gullane). The Bonnie Badger is pricey, but this is no mere pub with rooms. These are some of the most beautiful bedrooms outside of London’s Mayfair, matched only by a scene-stealing location between famous golf courses and the stunning East Lothian coast. 

Rooms The 12 bedrooms, spread across the main house and garden cottages, are striking for their modern elegance. Pearl-grey walls frame custom-designed Highland Tundra wallpaper of dabbed browns and dappled yellows, while luxurious bedding from up the road in North Berwick almost sparkles white. Bathrooms are marbled, and welcome essentials such as a hairdryer, coffee machine and proper kettle are included.

Food and drink Eating in the Stables restaurant feels special too – a wood-panelled and hardwood-floor dining room with exposed rafters. The menu is Bib Gourmand-awarded (almost one-star Michelin food without the associated prices). Our pork tomahawk, served with sage and onion tortellini, was generous and buttery rich – at £36, a bargain too. Breakfast (£25pp) is cooked to order.

Our verdict Stays as special as this typically cost twice the price.

This hotel was reviewed by an inspector for the January/February 2026  issue of Which? Travel

The Roseate, Edinburgh

Peak price £207

Score 4 star

Book direct at The Roseate

With its dusky sandstone facade and steep gables, this mansion 15 minutes from the city centre is a statement in Scottish baronial style. But it’s no stuffy guesthouse: glass chandeliers and stained-glass windows, alongside peacock feather wallpaper and saffron wingback chairs let waistcoated staff create a sense of occasion. 

Rooms Bedrooms are split between the main building and Roseate House across a main road. Reception and the restaurant are in the main building, and crossing the road in your robe detracts from the glamour. Our double in the attic lacked the four-poster bed of pricier rooms, but Persian rugs and tartan cushions on a comfy bed felt luxurious.

Food and drink Fiery-orange armchairs and a mirrored bar stacked with whisky make for a glamorous but intimate atmosphere in the Dunstane restaurant. Food is equally sophisticated. The deep flavours of our Inverurie sirloin and silky bone marrow jus are skilfully paired with sweet, butter-poached lobster ravioli (£42). Porridge prepared with double cream for breakfast is decadent. 

Our verdict The ultimate boutique B&B stay. 

This hotel was reviewed by an inspector for the March/April 2026  issue of Which? Travel

Monachyle Mhor, Perthshire

Peak price: £360

Score: Four stars

Check rates at the Monachyle Mhor 

It’s a six-mile, single-track drive to this remote lochside hotel, a pink 18th-century farmhouse that’s been owned by the Lewis family for 40 years. Its position overlooking Loch Voil and Loch Doine offers numerous scenic walks – including a short trek to the grave of Rob Roy MacGregor, Scotland’s answer to Robin Hood. There are also five Munros (mountains more than 3,000ft high) to climb, or simply admire, nearby.

Rooms: Each of the 17 rooms is individually styled, but regardless of where you sleep, the lavish decor has a modern Highland twist – more wall-mounted stag antlers than twee tartan. We stayed in the spacious 'But and Ben', with its own walk-in shower-cum-steam room. It’s one of seven 'courtyard' rooms, so when we went to the bar in the main house we needed a coat and umbrella.

Food & drink: Maria Paszkowska has been executive chef since 2010, and food is sourced mostly from the Mhor farm. A set dinner menu (three courses, £85) may include cured venison carpaccio, Blackface lamb and hazelnut frangipane. In the loch-facing breakfast room, we had fresh Scottish berries with crème fraîche and a traditional Scottish breakfast, complete with haggis.

Our verdict: An exclusive hideaway with attentive, friendly service – it’s worth pushing the boat out for a special occasion.

Reviewed: March 2023. Price checked December 2025

How we review hotels

Unlike all other national UK travel magazines and newspaper travel sections, Which? Travel never accepts freebies. We pay wherever we stay.

All our hotel inspections take place anonymously. We book a standard double room online, just as you would, and we sample the hotel’s facilities, just as you would.

That means no special treatment, no reviewer upgrades and no opportunity for the hotel to influence our verdict.

And no matter how badly the hotel fares, we always publish the review, warts and all. 

Our ratings

We use an overall star rating for the hotel based on what we think you should expect for the type of accommodation (B&B, luxury hotel etc) and price.

All our ratings strictly adhere to the following criteria:

• 0 stars – A dreadful hotel. We would not recommend staying here.
• 1 star – A sub-standard hotel we think is well below average in its category.
• 2 stars – An adequate hotel we think has room for improvement.
• 3 stars – A solid hotel that meets our expectations.
• 4 stars – An excellent hotel we think is above average in its category.
• 5 stars – An exceptional hotel we think is among the best of its type.