The cheapest, nicest hotels in the UK for 2023 – from just £59 a night
When it comes to planning a weekend break or longer, we've always got our eyes peeled for the smartest, cheap hotels in the UK. From cosy pubs to city townhouses, road trip pitstops to country farm stays, our editors have selected the below properties because they go above and beyond in the design stakes while staying friendly on the pocket. For more recommendations, see our edit of the best hotels in the UK.
The Mitre, Surrey
Initially built in 1665, during King Henry VIII’s reign, to house the ‘overspill’ of esteemed visitors invited to Hampton Court Palace (that sits, quite literally, just across the road), The Mitre has undergone significant renovation since then. However, the ‘higgledy piggledy’ boutique hotel still manages to retain a feeling of olde worlde charm and a pervading sense of history, entwined with whimsical interiors, a library – complete with honesty bar – and three dining spaces edging the famous river that runs, somewhat lazily at this point, by the distinctive curved windows. Dining options are plentiful. 1665, named after the year that the original Mitre was built, offers an upmarket brasserie experience that spills out onto a marquee-covered, decorative terrace. Then there's Coppernose Bar (the nickname given to Henry VIII when funds ran low at the end of his reign and he was forced to issue cheap copper-coated coinage) and The Boathouse, a stylish bar complete with giant balthazar bottles of Whispering Angel and Bollinger on entry. Rooms all thoughtfully benefit from a burlap sack of cookies on the doorknob and a bottle of the hotel’s homemade liqueur on the side, as well as an eccentric smorgasbord of chaise lounges, gauche side table – complete with tassels – topped by brightly-lacquered lamps and cottagecore antiques (all thanks to a 2020 revamp by interior designer Nicola Harding).
Best for: History buffs with an appreciation of all that is kooky
Room to book: As you might expect, the King Henry suite at the top of the building – tucked into the right-hand side of the hotel and thus enjoying vistas across both the palace and the river (from the freestanding copper bath) – is the grandest option available, complete with a sumptuous, separate living space and dressing area. However, lower down, the Palace room, one of The Mitre’s more understated rooms, is simply charming, featuring a bed so vast it requires a little jump to hoist yourself onto and floor-to-ceiling shelves stacked with well-thumbed literary masterpieces.
Insider tip: If you’re planning to visit Hampton Court Palace, make sure to collect free tickets (no time slot needed) from the front desk, included as part of your stay.
Address: The Mitre Hampton Court, Hampton Ct Rd, Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9BN
Price: from £150
Astrid TemplierThe Retreat at Elcot Park, Hampshire
The fact that The Retreat at Elcot Park is just 40 minutes by train from Paddington might be one of the reasons why well-heeled urban dwellers hot-foot it to this countryside bolthole, but it certainly doesn’t account for all of them. Here, tucked to the side of a winding country lane, Newbury’s inner-circle, on-the-pulse city residents and Downton Abbey enthusiasts (Highclere Castle is mere minutes away) can be seen, on arrival, mingling between an outdoor pool, croquet lawn, tennis courts and a charming courtyard, home to a farm shop from Clodagh McKenna (recognised by many as This Morning’s resident chef), a wine shop, hair salon and nail bar. Inside, after a complimentary welcome drink served on check-in, guests are free to relax in the giant Atlas Room – with its plush velvet sofas, sunken arm chairs and family games dotted about the tables – sandwiched between a private dining room, the hotel’s brasserie-style 1772 restaurant and the brightly-hued Orangerie. Towards the other side of the property, not far from the large outdoor swimming pool, Yu – the hotel’s pan-Asian, fine dining option – is found down its own corridor, clad with bamboo-framed mirrors and serving decadent sushi platters, while the Signet Spa – with its hydrotherapy pool – can be found just beyond.
Best for: Green-circumambient overnighters with a clutch of your chicest friends
Room to book: If you’re looking to splash out, then the Percy Shelley suite is – as you’d expect – a pretty romantic option (hello, roll top bath looking out over endless parkland views). However, the lead-in Classic Rooms also make for a cosy and cost-effective stay, each individually designed but all warmly decorated and comfortable.
Insider tip: Stock up on complimentary nibbles and drinks at one of the various pantries dotted about the upper floors. Midnight snacks (think cookies, popcorn and crisps) taste even better when they're free.
Address: The Retreat at Elcot Park, Elcot, Newbury RG20 8NJ
Price: from £150
Alex MaguireThe Rectory, Cotswolds
A forever favourite of staycationers up-and-down the country, the biscuit-hued villages and blooming boscafe of the Cotswolds offer an endlessly charming foray into the most picturesque parts of rural life – and the prices of hotels here are evidence of such popularity. The Rectory Hotel, however, with its field-to-village views and secluded, al fresco pool has managed to retain all the charm of its surrounding area without muddying its prices. Perched within Crudwell, a smart village just outside historic Malmesbury, the boutique property has often been likened to a “down-to-earth members’ club”, complete with upscale interiors, a sophisticated garden room – ideal for whiling away a Sunday morning with the weekend papers or enjoying an evening tipple after a day of exploring – and the garden-fringed glasshouse, which serves contemporary twists on the classics (as well as exceptionally buttery croissants come morning) headed-up by Rob Weston, who joined the team after 12 years at the helm of Michelin-starred La Trompette in Chiswick. Of the 18 bedrooms upstairs, many benefit from dual vistas across the gardens and the greenery that encircles the hotel, with even the smaller rooms still enjoying king-sized beds and a clutch of Bramley toiletries.
Best for: Low-key Londoners with an appreciation of understated luxury
Room to book: If it’s available, Room 6, the most spacious and luxurious bedroom – with a super-king, four-poster bed – is a sure-fire winner.
Insider tip: Head to the garden at sundown to enjoy a drink beside the formal pond and imaginative flower borders.
Address: The Rectory Hotel, Crudwell, Malmesbury SN16 9EP
Price: from £160
Boys Hall, Kent
Another royal-recognised property, Boys Hall – a reformed Jacobean manor house in the Garden of England – was rumoured to have once hosted Charles I while he was fleeing the forces of Oliver Cromwell circa 1642. Now, though, it’s a hideaway of a different type all together, offering guests the opportunity to dine out on produce from the garden, expertly woven into curious dishes by head chef Shane Pearson, who himself came through London’s esteemed Blacklock chophouse before retiring to roll-top baths tucked under beam-clad ceilings and, during the summer months, garden games on the formal front lawn. In fact, Brad and Kirstie's – the property's relatively new owners – restoration of the building has been nothing short of miraculously meticulous, with many of the repairs completed by Kirstie’s father to restore its original details, from rag stone rock walls to oak ceilings and floors, using natural and recycled products wherever possible. The lively restaurant with rooms is still very much in its infancy (with future plans including the addition of cabins peppered throughout the grounds, a garden room bar and outdoor pizza oven), though it has already made quite the name for itself among foodies and those in search of countryside frolics, including easily-organised day trips to one of Kent’s many vineyards such as Chapel Down and Westwell Wines. This is likely thanks, in-part, to its guests' acute awareness that it is rare these days to find top-notch food and sumptuous lodgings for anything approaching the kind of value for money offered here.
Best for: Couples after a roll-top bath peppered refuge and those in need of a hearty refuelling
Room to book: Ernest, named after one-time owner Major Ernest Bengough Ricketts, is dark and moody, with wooden cabinetry, a roll top bath and convex mirrors offset by clusters of dried flowers and a curving Windsor paisley headboard.
Insider tip: Stay for Sunday lunch if you can, as head chef Shane Pearson – via Blacklock and Caravan in London – cooks all roasts over an open fire to ensure a rich, smokey, not to mention, memorable, flavour.
Address: Boys Hall, Boys Hall Rd, Willesborough, Ashford TN24 0LA
Price: from £170
Rebecca HopeNative Manchester
Best for: Ensconced-in-the-city digs
Why here? This is the closest you’ll get to NYC-style loft living in Manchester. A much-loved Grade II-listed warehouse building on Ducie Street, right next to Piccadilly station, has been given a new lease of life as an apartment hotel. Either treat it as a hotel and book for one night (ignore the self-catering kitchen and tuck in at Ducie Street Warehouse) or gather a gang of up to eight and stay for a week without having to trawl through endless Airbnbs. Either way, expect surprising details in the design: exposed red brickwork ceilings, parquet flooring and black lamps next to Conran sofas. To make up for the lack of a concierge, the team has pooled together all their favourite restaurants in Manchester as well as neighbourhood hangouts to help you feel like a local in no time. Start the day with an espresso at nearby Ancoats Coffee, then move on to an egg-naan roll at Dishoom before exploring the rest of the city – there are tram stops less than a five-minute stroll away.
Room to book: You can go big and book the penthouse apartments, but the premium one-bedrooms for a little over £100 are just as lovely.
Insider tip: The gym is the first Northern launch of London’s BLOK studio, so start the weekend with a 45-minute power yoga class or a boxing workout.
Address: Native, Ducie Street Warehouse, Ducie Street, Manchester M1 2TP
Price: from £98
Yotel, Glasgow
Best for: A city-centre location at a great price.
Why here? Going by the philosophy ‘everything you need and nothing you don’t,’ this is a sleek and efficient stay smack-bang in the middle of town. Rooms are referred to as ‘cabins,’ reminiscent of a premium airline experience, with clever space-saving features such as beds that extend and withdraw at the press of a button like a flatbed on a plane. Not everything is tiny though – the in-room safes are large enough to fit a laptop and instead of minibars there are fridges in every cabin. For more, read our full Yotel Glasgow review.
Room to book: The Triple Cabins, of which there are 24, sleep three in a double bed with a single bunk overhead – a cosy configuration that is likely to please excited young occupants of the bunk. The rooms on the upper storeys also have superb views to the east of the glass roof of Central Station.
Insider tip: The hotel’s great USP is its top-floor bar and restaurant, Vega. The place is a hoot – space-themed, with a Mexican-inspired menu and cocktails that come in robot-shaped tankards. Plus a bowling alley.
Address: Yotel, 260 Argyle Street, Glasgow G2 8QW
Price: from £69 per night
Mollie’s Bristol, Cribbs Causeway, Bristol
Best for: a stylish UK road-trip stopover with Americana-diner feasting to boot
Why here? English roadside motels don’t typically rank highly in the style stakes, but Mollie’s Bristol – off the M5 in Cribbs Causeway – is disrupting that notion. Announced by crimson LED signage, the second outpost of Soho House’s ‘budget luxe’ offshoot brand is ramping up motel appeal with its affordable and contemporary bedrooms. Sage-green and oak-panelled walls wrap around a fuss-free space, kitted out with a sink-into-me Hypnos mattress, plush Conran furniture, GHD straighteners and techie Dyson hairdryers. Plus there are refillable Cowshed potions in the terrazzo-tiled shower rooms, and blackout blinds to foster proper rest. In short, it’s a room you actually want to linger in. Communal spaces are just as swish; laptop-tapping coworkers cluster in the laid-back lounge, while those enjoying downtime make a beeline for the garden to sip raspberry-shrub mocktails under smart red parasols. A stop in at retro-cool Mollie’s Diner is a must; try the sourdough grilled cheese followed by a moreish Oreo milkshake (or an off-menu special chocolate-banana mix).
Room to book: As style and decor are pretty consistent, it depends on who you’re travelling with. Bunk rooms – with two stacked solid oak bunk beds apiece – are a fabulous choice for sleepovers with pals, but there are accessible and interconnected options alongside doubles and twins, too. If you happen to be staying in August, when Bristol’s International Balloon Fiesta takes place, opt for a diner-facing room, and pull back the curtains for sunrise to glimpse a flurry of hot-air balloons rising in the distance.
Insider tip: Driving an electric vehicle? As part of Mollie’s ongoing sustainability drive, on-site EV charging bays are available to pre-book, free of charge.
Address: Mollie's Bristol, A4018, Cribbs Causeway, Bristol BS10 7TL
Price: From £64
Toby MitchellNo. 15 By GuestHouse, Bath
Best for: A boutique stay for the whole family
Why here? The townhouse recently underwent a mini-makeover which saw the original designer Martin Hulbert brought back to renovate the 37-room set-up. The result is a curious mash-up of Georgian splendour and modern whimsy. Think coffee machines encased in doll’s houses, decorative woollen ‘Do not disturb’ door hangers by textile artist Megan Grace, and a chandelier made of lost earrings. Children and dogs will also love staying here, with the hotel providing teepee hideouts and instant cameras for kids, as well as dog walkers. For more, see our full No.15 By Guest House, Bath review.
Room to book: For a one night stay at a great price, the Small Guest Rooms are bijou attic rooms that enjoy a bird’s-eye view over Great Pulteney Street.
Insider tip: To make the most of your visit, staff can meet you at the station to swap your luggage for a city map.
Address: No. 15 By GuestHouse, 15 Great Pulteney Street, Bathwick, Bath BA2 4BS
Price: from £151
Richmond Harbour Hotel, London
Best for: An on-the-fridges-of-London escape
Why here? This brilliant-white Georgian property was a much-loved hotel in Richmond for many years. However, like a few others in the area, it had become sadly stale, so it was a blessing when Harbour Hotels took over. The approach combines cracking design without a hike in price. Interiors bubble with personality, from the Mulberry Home wallpaper in the bedrooms to the hotch-potch of house plants and birdcage candle-holders in the restaurant. Eating is about being as relaxed as possible, but spa-going is taken very seriously. It’s Richmond’s only spa, with a 20-metre indoor pool, Scandinavian hot tub and extensive menu of treatments. For more see our full Richmond Harbour Hotel review.
Room to book: Each room has a unique and colourful personality, plus complimentary gin and sherry, so you can’t go too wrong. There are no interconnecting rooms, but families should choose 401 as it comes with a sofa bed for kids.
Insider tip: All rooms have complimentary access to the HarSPA so don’t forget to pack your swimming costume.
Address: Richmond Harbour Hotel, Richmond Hill, Richmond upon Thames, Surrey TW10 6RP
Price: from £130 per night
Paul MasseyArtist in Residence Bristol
Best for: Feeling like a local
Why here? There’s a bohemian home-away-from-home feeling to all Artist Residence hotels, but particularly for this Bristol outpost. Designed as a neighbourhood spot, the one-time boot factory seamlessly slots in with the surrounding sandstone houses. The only signifier is a neon pink sign inside a window alcove. Inside, it’s the kind of place where in-the-know locals come for a WFH escape during the week or huddle by the fire in the bar area for late-night drinks. The interiors are eclectic, with distressed walls adorned with antiques and knick-knacks, and rooms housing pastel-pink furnishings. The brown leather sofa in the bar, parked under a red ‘party like it’s 1999’ art piece, is the best seat in the building. Settle in with a smoky martini. For more, see our full Artist Residence Bristol review.
Room to book: The Broom Cupboard is the smallest, but still perfectly formed with room for a king bed overlooking an arched window. For a bit more space to stretch out, we love the Boot Room – available with king or twin beds, plus a writing desk and bathroom with a rainfall shower. There’s room for your furry friend too – the hotel is dog friendly.
Insider tip: The bar is a great place for lazy morning breakfasts and evening cocktails, but it’s the main restaurant that is the place to be. It sits underneath a gaping skylight, leaving an open-plan, light-filled room perfect for remote working, cosy suppers or a few drinks.
Address: Artist Residence Bristol, 28 Portland Square, St Pauls, Bristol BS2 8SA
Price: from £125 per night
One Hundred Shoreditch, London
Best for: A fresh and affordable city stay with a great rooftop bar
Why here? Right in the thick of London’s most frenetic neighbourhood – but with peaceful, softly lit bedrooms away from the thrum. Come for the underground cocktail lounge from London’s most renowned mixologist, the progressive sustainability efforts, the ethical seafood restaurant and what could just be London’s coolest new rooftop bar. For more, see our full One Hundred Shoreditch hotel review.
Room to book: The bedrooms are pockets of tranquillity, each filled with creamy carpets, fluttery ivory curtains and pearly vases with branches of eucalyptus. Book a studio room for the cheapest option – some have balconies or oriel windows looking out over the high street, and each one has bespoke artwork, including a hand-printed and paint-finished canvas and a floor-to-ceiling tapestry.
Insider tip: The hotel has six (six!) drinking and dining options, but the surrounding Shoreditch neighbourhood is one of London’s foodiest. Follow your nose around the area’s backstreets to stumble upon some of the best restaurants in London.
Address: One Hundred Shoreditch Hotel, 100 Shoreditch High Street, Shoreditch, London E1 6JQ
Price: from £175
The Shepherd’s Hut at the Artist Residence, Oxfordshire
Best for: Insider access to a sought-after country hotel
Why here? The group’s latest outpost is no secret – in fact, it has been widely shouted about since its opening back in 2018. But for some who were looking to book it may have seemed, budget-wise, a tad out of reach (as popularity grew, so did the prices for a double room). That’s where the Shepherd’s Hut comes in. As long as you’re fine with ever-so-slightly squashed but still smart accommodation, you can experience all that this delightful pub-with-rooms has to offer with potentially less than half of the cash splashed. At the back of the main building, where the terrace meets the vegetable garden, pick your way through the lettuces and you’ll find this navy-blue painted hut. The welcoming soft light on the wooden steps is created by a single bare lightbulb bolted next to the door. Inside there’s a raised double tucked into one corner, with little curtains over a teensy window you can draw from bed, an ensuite bathroom with a rainfall shower, a log burner (best not to light it in summer as it becomes furnace-like very quickly) and even a mini fridge stuffed with goodies. Ride the free bicycles, have a nose at the curated art collection and pull up a seat at the bar for a proper pint among tweed-wearing locals and young Londoners. For more, see our Artist Residence Oxfordshire hotel review.
Room to book: The Shepherd’s Hut or the Rabbit Hole, a cosy nook tucked away in the eaves of the main farmhouse, are where you'll get the best prices. Even if it’s a Tuesday remember to reserve a table for dinner.
Insider tip: Heavy rain can be deafening as it bounces and pings off the corrugated tin roof – so take ear plugs, just in case.
Address: Artist Residence Oxfordshire, Station Road, South Leigh, Witney OX29 6XN
Price: from £162The Fuzzy Duck, Warwickshire
Best for: A weekend with the little ones
Why here? With just four bedrooms, this terracotta-brick pub is the project of siblings Adrian Slater and Tania Fossey, the founders of Baylis & Harding. Kick off your Hunters (or borrow some of the ones they’ve laid out at the front door) and settle into the caramel-leather armchairs as soon as you arrive. Or, if it’s sunny, plonk yourselves on the pretty terrace at the back, order a G&T and don’t move until supper rolls around. It’s the little touches that make this hotel so lovable: a decanter of help-yourself sherry, cushions swaddled in Aran wool, one-of-a-kind artworks (framed duck eggs) and plenty of Baylis & Harding beauty products. The food here is what most people come for. Tuck into a delicious rabbit pie with mashed potato and Calabrese broccoli, or go for a totally different option with the zingy Vietnamese salad doused in chilli and lime. And don’t skip the ‘whatchamacallit’ pudding, a gooey mess of salted caramel and chocolate.
Room to book: Muscovy (rooms are named after breeds of duck) has a charming French antique rattan bed with crisp Frette linen.
Insider tip: Children are especially welcome – there’s a big garden to run off steam, a dressing-up box and the mini macaroni-and-cheese from the ‘ducklings’ menu is a massive hit.
Address: The Fuzzy Duck, Ilmington Road, Armscote, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 8DD
Price: from £135
The Yard in Bath, Somerset
Best for: considered design and city exploring
Why here? As a brand new addition, this 14-room bolthole attracts a smart, young creative set to the Georgian city. Rooms are carefully crafted, with vintage collectables, eco-friendly bath products and fabrics and textiles from local artisans and designers. This is the first property from owners Esther Newman and Ed Haskins, who hot-footed it out of London after quickly scooping up the former coaching inn to create a chic hideaway without the price tag. It’s charming and full of character and only minutes from Bath’s most famous sites.
Room to book: Number eight – along with the huge king-sized bed, there’s a gorgeous freestanding tub and shower, plus it has its own terrace. Grab a glass of quirky independent wine from the bar downstairs and spend an afternoon basking in the sun below the chimney pots and rooftops of the honey-hued city. This is the hotel’s most expensive space, starting at £175, with the equally sleek mid-sized rooms costing from £125 and the cosy option just £95 including breakfast.
Insider tip: Ask Newman and Haskins for the best restaurants in bath to book or activities to do in and around the area – they know all the hits around town that are low key, cool and definitely far from the madding crowd.
Address: The Yard in Bath, 1 Monmouth Place, Bath BA1 2AT
Price: From £90
Rachael SmithThe Royston, Wales
Best for: Artistic design and honest food
Why here? The wonderful thing about this part of Wales is that there are some stunning, affordable properties to be found. The Royston is a brilliant example, set in a wild, relatively untouched area of Snowdonia. Perhaps that’s why the latest owners, previously London-based Clive Sweeting and Rob Perham chose it. They completely revamped the Victorian building (the live-in-a-caravan-for-several-years kind of renovation) to create seven guest rooms with a distinctly modern feel – no farmhouse vibes here. Mid-century chairs sit under huge bay windows and quirky prints hang opposite striking brass light fittings with spherical, moon-like bulbs. It may be owned by two ex-city workers, but everything about it is as local as possible. Eggs are from hens that cluck by your feet as you arrive (they were gifted to the couple from a neighbouring farm) and other ingredients on the menu are grown in the flourishing kitchen garden. After a full English, homemade granola or ‘something spreadable’ for breakfast (we love the local hilltop honey on granary toast), ask for recommendations for walks right from the doorstep. Plus they’ll even prepare hefty sandwiches to take with you. Just don’t forget windproofs.
Room to book: Five of the seven rooms are priced between £129 and £149, but rooms 5 and 6 have giant bay windows framing the Cambrian mountains – possibly worth the extra £10 (from £159).
Insider tip: With its stucco pale-pink houses lining the seafront, Aberdyfi, the nearest and best beach, does get crowded but is still very worth a visit. Coast Deli is ideal for a quick brunch and Seabreeze restaurant does some of the best fish in the area.
Address: The Royston At Llwynaire, Llanbrynmair SY19 7DX
Price: from £140
Glebe House, Southleigh
Best for: Foodies looking for a south coast escape
Why here? Chef Hugo Guest and his artist wife Olive have renovated and refurbished the country B&B to create a restaurant with rooms or a guesthouse with chefs' experience. The late-Georgian manor is made up of five bedrooms, plus a vine-strung sunroom, a downstairs sitting room and a dining room. The house embraces an English version of agriturismo, with produce grown locally. Butter and yoghurt are made in a large kitchen in the cottage behind the main house, and a temperature-controlled ageing room yields pickles and charcuterie. The house even offers several experiences guests can try, from bread making to mackerel fishing followed by twilight dinner on the beach. Sunday lunch is a standout, served in the dining room or on the lawn overlooking a tennis court and a herd of inquisitive cows. For more, see our full Glebe House review.
Room to book: there’s a twin room and camp beds for children – plus a separate, dog-friendly annexe with a terrace at the back.
Insider tip: the seaside town of Beer is nearby if you fancy some sea air.
Address: Glebe House, Southleigh, Colyton EX24 6SD
Price: from £212.50 per night
The Fish Hotel, Cotswolds
Best for: Tacos and cocktails plus miles of walks
Why here? This property is the little sister to Dormy House and Foxhill Manor, two vastly popular hotels located on the sprawling Farncombe Estate near the Cotswolds village of Broadway. The idea behind the latest opening in the grounds was to give guests a similar experience to that of the big siblings but for a more affordable price, and they’ve done just that. Accents of colour are added to a lovely muted background, with a slightly different style in each room and the occasional vintage detail: sky-blue rotary telephones and cream radios on the desks. It’s set out almost like a village, so you’ll be given an illustrated map to help navigate the area (there’s 400 acres to explore), but realistically there's only two places to ping-pong between – the bedroom, and the main S-shaped building housing seafood restaurant Hook and the bar where tacos are served all day long. Not forgetting the white-tea-infused Prosecco and the chocolate brownie with a slug of rum. The place is perfect for kids too, and it's one of the best dog friendly hotels in the UK.
Room to book: Medium rooms are from £175. It gets more expensive if you add a terrace. The clutch of enormous tree houses with outdoor double bathtubs are from £370 and sleep four.
Insider tip: Just because you’re staying at The Fish doesn't mean you can’t have fun at Dormy House – book an afternoon in the House Spa for £99 and they will throw in a 30-minute express treatment and supper at The Greenhouse.
Address: The Fish, Farncombe Estate, Broadway WR12 7LH
Price: from £175
The Pheasant Inn, Berkshire
Best for: A Sunday-night treat
Why here? If ever there was an offer that felt like a steal, it’s the Sunday-night deal at this delightful inn. Spend £100 or more on lunch or dinner in the restaurant (it’s easy to do, not because the prices are sky-high but it's also one of the UK's best country pubs with rooms), and one of their guest rooms is included that night. Showcasing a mix of textures – stripped-back wood, fireplaces, wicker baskets, huge padded headboards with bright colours and patterns – the design is so fetching that it makes you forget about the road nearby (perhaps the only downside). The actual pub is full of chattery cheer and classic supper choices include fish and chips (battered with The Pheasant’s own beer), burgers with smoked Applewood Cheddar and steak with garlic butter.
Room to book: There are four small double rooms (the cheapest category) available from £130 – ask for the one with the bed tucked under the eaves.
Insider tip: Travel here by car, otherwise it’s a little tricky to get to (it’s literally 30 seconds off the M4), plus it’s worth driving to the nearby village of Inkpen where The Crown & Garter pub is a lovely lunchtime pitstop.
Address: The Pheasant Inn, Ermin Street, Shefford Woodlands, Hungerford RG17 7AA
Price: from £135
The Stump, Cirencester
Best for: Modern Italian cooking in a Cotswolds pub setting
Why here? Sometimes the best food is one or two simple dishes expertly crafted. That’s exactly what this scrubbed Cotswolds-stone roadside inn specialises in: pizza and pasta done astonishingly well. From the centuries-old interiors you might expect the usual pub grub; the furniture comprises wonky wooden side tables, mahogany chairs so well-used they’re smooth as boiled sweets and tall winged booths with chipped paint on the planks. Low beams made for stooping, three gigantic open fires and a rough timber bar all add to the charm. But following its recent refurb, it also has all the polished hallmarks of a boutique hotel. Each of the near-identical bedrooms has a deep-teal wall, setting off the magenta velvet cushions. For supper, share the chorizo and sobrasada hot rosemary honey pizza and the pappardelle with eight-hour beef-shin ragu.
Room to book: With a roll-top bath tucked into the corner, room 9 is the largest (from £130), but if you want to spend extra pennies on cocktails the small double has a king-size bed and starts at £72.
Insider tip: Try to have a chat with childhood friends Harry Henriques and Fred Hicks, the local duo who run the kitchen and owners of award-winning London pizzeria Baz & Fred.
Address: The Stump, Foscross Lane, Cirencester, Cheltenham GL54 4NN
Price: from £72
James BedfordHope Cove House, Devon
Best for: Salty cliff walking, sandy-toed lunches and surfing
Why here? This is a small family-run hotel with a handful of neat-as-a-pin bedrooms where the pared-back interiors let the sea views do the talking. And what a view – the property hugs the coast of Inner Hope bay, one of the sleepiest beaches in Devon. Looks-wise the rest of the hotel is very clever, the owners (who launched Six Portland Road restaurant in London's Holland Park) have worked with bright colours – neon pinks, royal blues, electric greens – but somehow there’s nothing bonkers about it. The whole place feels very homely. You’ll see pegs for just-used wetsuits, a vintage trike for toddlers to whizz around on and surfboards leaning against the walls. There's something wonderfully humble about the unfussy table settings; the centrepiece a single stem rose in a slim glass vase, most likely chosen so that the food is the deserved star of the show. Pick the fresh crab (delivered from a local fisherman in nearby Salcombe) served with crème fraîche, bitter leaves and pickled samphire.
Room to book: Room 6 has double windows overlooking the swathe of smooth sand, plus the L-shape means you can fit a cot if you’ve got a little one in tow.
Insider tip: Fancy having a go at surfing? Book a lesson with Dave Grover at Triocean on Bantham beach and you might even find a seal bobbing up next to you.
Address: Hope Cove House, Inner Hope, Kingsbridge TQ7 3HH
Price: from £145 including breakfastKeep scrolling for more pictures of the best affordable hotels in the UK