Top 10 UK Hotels for Hiking

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Book a stay in one of these top 10 UK hotels for walking and hiking to enjoy the UK countryside. In this guide from Good Hotel Guide, we share the top 10 UK hotels for hiking. 

From hills to dales, coast to country, the UK is brimming with beautiful places to explore. Britain has 91,000 miles of footpaths and 20,000 miles of bridleways for individuals to enjoy free of charge. It’s one of the country’s great traditions, from the magnificent South West Coast Path to New Forest woodland and little-known local routes waiting to be explored. Coupled with the warm hospitality of boutique inns, hotels, B&Bs, and restaurants with rooms, it’s a weekend (or week’s) getaway with optimum feel-good factors. Here, the Good Hotel Guide shares 10 of their top UK hotels for walking and hiking.

The Peacock at Rowsley, Derbyshire

The Peacock at Rowsley is a 17th-century manor house in the Peak District. It has an excellent reputation for its food, courtesy of the brick-and-beamed bar and triple AA-rosette restaurant. Owned by Lord and Lady Manners, it was initially built for the steward of their stately home, Haddon Hall. Inside, It’s brimming with antiques and enjoys views of the verdant countryside waiting to be enjoyed. Popular walks include the six-mile circular stroll past Stanton Moor and another around the Haddon Estate.

Dolffanog Fawr, Wales

Dolffanog Fawr is an 18th-century farmhouse turned B&B set within a magical location in Wales. Inside, the heritage property introduces a contemporary style for optimum modern hospitality, with charming details including local artwork, Welsh throws, and fine toiletries in all the bedrooms. Wake to views of Cader Idris and Tal-y-llyn Lake before setting out on a walk to suit every mood. Take the four-and-a-half-mile route around the peak of Moel Cynwch above the Mawddach Valley, enjoy the various pathways along Cader Idris, or take on more challenging and less explored Tarren Hills. When you return, two-course suppers may be provided if enough guests request it.

The Pig in the Forest, Brockenhurst

The Pig in the Forest is so named because pigs have foraged in the forest since the Norman Conquest. The inn joined Robin Hutson’s collection of piglets in 2011, and it’s been popular ever since. There are various rooms, from hideaway suites in the stable yard to lodges and a forest hut. Food is a feast for the senses using ingredients from the kitchen garden or grown nearby. When it comes to walking, you can explore ancient New Forest woodland with recommended walks, including the Blackwater Tall Trees Trail, which starts and finishes at Rhinefield Ornamental Drive. There are even wellies to borrow.

The Grasmere Hotel, Grasmere

A Victorian villa at the end of a tree-lined drive, The Grasmere Hotel is a small country house with abundant charm. Open fires and a warm welcome greet guests, and modest rooms are the perfect place to find a peaceful night’s rest. Dinner is served in the conservatory overlooking the gardens and the River Rothay, complete with canapés and coffee for a sense of occasion. After a full Cumbrian breakfast in the morning, walkers might enjoy a circular walk around Easedale Tarn or Rydal Water. For those looking for a longer hike, head for the hills and tackle Stone Arthur, Nab Scar, Heron Pike, and Great Rigg in the footsteps of Wainwright.

Gregans Castle Hotel, Ballyvaughan

A rambling 18th-century manor house, Gregans Castle Hotel is a tranquil retreat with intriguing interiors. There’s a romantic charm to this hotel, which has been run by the same family since 1976. Modern art and antiques fill public rooms, there’s a fire and books to borrow, and you can choose between light meals in the Corkscrew bar or more indulgent fare with the daily changing tasting menu in the elegant dining room. Burn it all off with half-day guided tours of the otherworldly landscape of the Burren, or spot whales and dolphins from the dramatic Cliffs of Moher. Maps and books are available from the hotel.

The Baron at Bucknell, Bucknell

Stay in luxury lodges in the Shropshire Hills at Baron at Bucknell, where you can wake to see Red Kites over the Mynd and enjoy views through floor-to-ceiling windows in contemporary suites. Some even have a hot tub for two. Enjoy swimming in the natural pool. This hotel invites you to get out and explore, with 10 planned circular walks available for varying ambitions and abilities. Start and end at the door of the retreat’s popular village pub—perfect for an evening of local fare to recover and refuel.

Cambridge House, Reeth

Wake to sweeping views over Swaledale at Cambridge House, a large stone villa in Reeth. This is a place for total escapism, homemade cake, and charming interiors. Enjoy the pretty cottage garden, the cozy bathrobes, and the comfy beds with plaid throws. Tuck into a morning feast of pancakes, smoked haddock, local eggs, croissants, and the owner’s award-winning marmalade. Then, take a packed lunch, route cards, and local knowledge courtesy of your hosts to explore Swaledale on Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Walk and the Herriot Way.

Kylesku Hotel, Kylesku

A former 17th-century coaching inn overlooking Loch Glendhu, Kylesku Hotel sits in the most spectacular spot for enjoying the scenery and spotting the local wildlife. You can see seals basking from your bedroom window and enjoy fresh seafood that’s caught locally and landed on the slipway outside that morning. The hotel has a reverence for the environment it operates in, placing emphasis on sustainable Scottish produce and talking in food meters as opposed to food miles. For example, lobsters, langoustines, crabs, and spineys are caught and fished in the waters surrounding the hotel and the marine protected areas of the Summer Isles. The scallops are hand-dived along the coast. With all that outdoor inspiration, you can request a picnic from the hotel and spend a day exploring along the shores of Loch Glendhu, whether you fancy beach and river walks or munro and mountain challenges.

Soar Mill Cove Hotel, Salcombe

In one of the most prized positions just outside Salcombe, Soar Mill Cove Hotel is nestled into a dip in the landscape with unparalleled sea views. There are no other buildings in the view, and the valley undulates down below the hotel towards the eponymous beach only accessible on foot. The hotel is contemporary and understated, complete with a pool, tennis courts, and a popular afternoon tea. From here, you step straight out onto the South West Coast Path, taking you in all directions to sandy coves or across rolling farmland. You can request a picnic and a doggy bag for your four-legged friend – who’s also welcome to stay.

The Three Blackbirds, Woodditton

A much-loved 17th-century village pub in Woodditton, The Three Blackbirds is in the heart of horse racing country near Newmarket. Having been rebuilt after a devastating fire in 2018, the inn now offers the best of modern hospitality with all the charm of its heritage. The barn-style atmosphere welcomes you into a relaxed environment where you can tuck into award-winning local food and drink before retiring to one of their nine cozy rooms in The Barn. With welly boots at the ready, spend the day hiking across heath and fen, woods and farmland, with a popular seven-mile walk along Devil’s Dyke or a circular Studland Stomp both recommended.

Exploring the Top 10 UK Hotels for Walking and Hiking

The UK is filled with boutique inns, hotels, B&Bs, and restaurants with rooms, and so many of them are within easy access to walking and bridle trails. This Good Hotel Guide list of the top 10 UK hotels for walking and hiking will help you plan the perfect countryside escape. We invite you to explore more about the UK and other favorite hotels and resorts on Wander With Wonder.

Top 10 UK Hotels for Hiking