Northamptonshire: The Cotswolds’ chic cousin
Driving time from London: Around 2 hours
Forget everything you thought you knew about the English countryside. While the Cotswolds still draw crowds, the style set are slipping away to Northamptonshire – where rolling hills meet a subtle, more understated glamour. This is the new rural cool: think country manors, Soho House types, and antique-stuffed drawing rooms without the Insta-influencer overload.
Start your stay at Rushton Hall Hotel & Spa, a grand 16th-century stately home that balances history with full-blown indulgence – yes, there’s a chandelier-lit spa and yes, it’s absolutely divine. For something a little more secluded (but no less swanky), Fawsley Hall blends Tudor architecture with heritage romance and velvet-soft beds overlooking green parkland.
Dinner is not to be rushed here. For an elegant and refined experience, make a booking at The Olive Branch in Clipsham, a Michelin-recommended restaurant that serves sophisticated dishes such as roast duck breast with foie gras and truffle oil, all prepared with precision and care. Or drive out to The White Horse Inn in Stoke Albany for a candlelit meal of modern British dishes in a setting that feels like stepping into a Merchant Ivory film.
Folkestone: Art, sea air & lobster rolls
Driving time from London: Around 2 hours
Folkestone isn’t just a day-trip pitstop anymore. This once-sleepy seaside town has undergone a quiet creative renaissance, and it’s now home to a buzzing arts quarter, a wildly stylish food scene, and some of the most soul-soothing coastal views within easy reach of London.
Check in to the Rocksalt Rooms for boutique luxury by the sea – sleek interiors, plush linens, and just a few steps from the harbour. Or, if you’re craving a little old-school elegance, The View Hotel up on the Leas offers floor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping views of the Channel and a refined, grown-up atmosphere.
Your weekend here should orbit around food. Start with lunch at Rocksalt itself – chef Mark Sargeant’s coastal cuisine is all about fresh catches and bold flavours. Dinner at Marleys is a more relaxed affair: offering a fresh, vibrant menu with locally sourced ingredients and a laid-back, yet refined atmosphere. The relaxed vibe and delicious dishes make it a perfect spot for winding down after a day by the sea.
Bruton: Somerset’s art-meets-apron hideaway
Driving time from London: Around 3-4 hours
Nestled in the Somerset hills and steeped in countryside charm, Bruton feels like a rural fantasy whispered between art dealers and ex-Londoners. It’s the kind of place where wildflower meadows border Georgian townhouses, and gallery-hopping is followed by Michelin-level tasting menus.
If you can get a room at The Newt, take it. This country estate is more than a hotel – it’s a sprawling, design-led wonderland complete with Roman-inspired gardens, a cider press, an exceptional spa, and some of the most charming luxe rooms in the country. Alternatively, No.1 Bruton offers a more intimate stay – a beautifully restored townhouse with thoughtful interiors and just the right amount of quirk.
Dinner should be at Osip, a tiny Michelin-starred restaurant run by chef Merlin Labron-Johnson. Expect hyper-seasonal, farm-to-table menus that read like poetry and taste like something out of a dream. And don’t leave town without stopping by At The Chapel for brunch in an old converted church – sourdough still warm from the oven, locally roasted coffee, and a wine list that could rival any London sommeliers.
Totnes: Bohemian charm in Devon’s lush heart
Driving time from London: Around 4-5 hours
Totnes is where creatives go to recharge. A riverside town with an eco-ethos and quietly luxurious soul, it’s all about hidden bookshops, artisan bakeries, and the kind of food that feels good for the soul and the Instagram feed.
Dartington Hall is your base here: a medieval estate turned boutique stay, wrapped in ancient trees and sculpture-dotted gardens. The rooms strike a balance between simplicity and elegance, and the whole place hums with history. For something a bit more current (and very chic), The Bull Inn is a design-led, sustainability-first boutique inn with serious attention to detail.
Eat at The Bull itself – vegetable-forward, deeply flavourful, and entirely organic – or book a table at Circa, a modern British restaurant that offers a creative approach to dining with a focus on sharing plates, fermented elements, and open-flame cooking. Totnes isn’t flashy – it’s the kind of place that gets under your skin and stays with you. Ideal for when you want to unwind, unplug, and still eat like a king.
So whether you’re yearning for fireside glamour, coastal breezes, or a rural reset, these bank holiday escapes will make you forget all about airport queues and rail strikes. Just a car, a great playlist, and a weekend of well-deserved indulgence. Where to first?