Five new and newly reopened luxury stays are giving travellers more choice for countryside getaways in the UK this late summer, spanning woodland treehouses, eco-cabins, country estates and a Highland lodge.
Demand for domestic holidays is also rising. Lovat Parks reported summer bookings 35% higher year on year, while UK searches for domestic summer trips on Booking.com increased by 10%, according to The Guardian. Warmer weather, flight costs and concerns about overseas disruption have all contributed.
1. Calcot & Spa treehouses, Cotswolds
Opened in June near Tetbury, Calcot & Spa’s two elevated treehouses provide a private woodland escape within a 220-acre Gloucestershire estate. Each sleeps four in a king-size bedroom and loft-style twin room, with a woodburner, private deck and sauna.
Built with reclaimed timber and low-impact foundations, the treehouses include access to Calcot’s spa, swimming pool, gym and outdoor activities.
2. The Ickworth, Suffolk
Set within 1,800 acres near Bury St Edmunds, The Ickworth reopened in May after a complete renovation of its 37 rooms, restaurants and wellness facilities. The Italianate country-house hotel is geared towards multigenerational breaks, with a cinema, activity spaces and family equipment available on request.
Larger groups can choose the private Dower House, Butler’s Lodge or two-bedroom Hervey Suite.
3. The Candover, Hampshire
The Candover opened in June in Preston Candover, transforming a former coaching inn into an intimate pub with rooms around 90 minutes from London. Its 10 bedrooms combine contemporary interiors with antique furniture, while log fires preserve the building’s traditional character.
Three family rooms and a garden playground cater to younger guests. Winchester, Jane Austen’s House and the South Downs are within easy reach.
4. Mad Swans, South Downs
Created from a former golf club in Alton, Mad Swans opened in June as an activity-led retreat with eco-cabins, lodge rooms and flexible family accommodation. Guests can play padel, pickleball or shuffleboard, then explore the surrounding South Downs countryside.
The site offers families and groups organised outdoor activities alongside its accommodation.
5. Hope by WildLand, Sutherland
Opened in May on Scotland’s northern coast, Hope by WildLand centres on a restored 1870s shooting lodge with seven bedrooms, cottages and private cabins. Guided experiences include waterfall swimming, coastal paddleboarding, foraging walks and tree planting
