The best new hotels of 2021 for an autumn break in the UK

So, 2021 turned out to be a bumper year for new British hotels, making the allure of a holiday on home turf even more enticing.

Whether it’s a shiny seaside hotel in Devon or an updated Cotwolds coaching inn that you are after, the UK hospitality industry is now burgeoning with suitable options for everyone.

Here, we have created a round-up of the most hotly-anticipated venues that you can earmark for a well-deserved getaway this autumn or winter.

Best hotels in the UK that opened in 2021

The Double Red Duke, Clanfield, Cotswolds

This offering from Country Creatures, a collection of Cotswolds inns run by husband and wife duo, Sam & Georgie Pearman (formerly of the wildly successful Lucky Onion group), is its most ambitious to date. A romantic 17th-century wisteria-clad coaching inn has been converted into a sleek retreat with 19 individually decorated bedrooms, a warren of snug sitting rooms and an open-fire kitchen. To instil a homely feel, guests can order from the single menu (specialising in grilled meat and overseen by Richard Turner, of Hawskmoor and Pitt Cue fame) and eat wherever they choose. Design is British-focused: expect handmade baths and sinks from Kent-based Catchpole & Rye and intricate wallpaper from Lewis & Wood. 

Opened May 2021; countrycreatures.com

Glebe House, Southleigh, Devon

After visiting Italy’s agriturismi (working farms with rooms and restaurants), Hugo and Olive Guest were inspired to turn their old family home into a five-bedroom hotel with a foodie focus. With stints working at top London restaurants The Marksman and Sorella under his belt, Hugo runs the kitchen with chef Sam Lomas. The menu nods to Italy but champions local produce with dishes such as salt haddock and egg yolk raviolo and marinated English sardines. Its diminutive size doesn’t mean a lack of facilities: guests can take advantage of the tennis court and swimming pool, plus a bakery and charcuterie room, which hosts workshops and cookery classes.

Opened May 2021; glebehousedevon.co.uk

The Lamb Inn, Shipton-under-Wychwood, Oxfordshire 

Sequestered in a Cotswold backwater, The Bell Inn Langford is one of those country pubs you dream of stumbling across, which only actually happens in a blue moon. Owners Peter Creed and Tom Noest have since opened a sibling pub in the pretty village of Shipton-under-Wychwood. The Lamb Inn works more of the same magic; inspired by the auberges of France, the duo have given the 16th-century Cotswold stone inn an atmospheric makeover, creating 10 rooms and serving local ales, artisan gins and an affordable menu of woodfired pizzas and modern classics with a twist – duck frites and aioli, for example, and their bonemarrow flatbreads that Giles Coren rated 10 out of 10. 

Opened June 2021; thelambshipton.com

The Bradley Hare, Maiden Bradley, Wiltshire

On the Duke of Somerset’s estate in Wiltshire, The Bradley Hare is a super-smart country inn with 12 rooms (and a pocket-sized beauty salon), in the village of Maiden Bradley. The cool, contemporary-classic interiors – a mix of handmade pieces, antiques and modern art – have been created by co-owner James Thurstan Waterworth, a former Soho House design director. The inn is aiming for zero waste, using produce (lamb loin, pork belly) from the Somerset estate and vegetables from the community garden (barbecued asparagus, woodfired shallots).  

Opened June 2021; thebradleyhare.co.uk

The Loch & The Tyne, Windsor

Adam Handling, chef/owner of London’s Frog restaurant, has opened a pub with two rooms in Windsor, The Loch & The Tyne. Trademark Frog favourites such as Lobster Wagyu feature alongside seasonal British numbers (Balmoral chicken with foraged wild garlic and black truffles; beef Wellington with smoked hispi cabbage); while posh pub snacks include haggis scotch egg and Newcastle Brown Ale sourdough. Sustainability is key: using solar power, a greywater system, upcycled furniture throughout – and for guests, Nespresso Velosophy bikes made from recycled coffee capsules, and hot-water bottle covers knitted by Handling’s mother. 

Opened June 2021; lochandtyne.com

The Star, Alfriston, East Sussex

Olga Polizzi’s micro-group of hotels became a trio in 2021: The Star in Alfriston, hidden in a Saxon village in the South Downs National Park, joined her highly acclaimed Endsleigh in Devon and Tresanton in Cornwall. The medieval inn, which was once a pilgrim’s sanctuary and then a smuggler’s hangout of choice, has a place close to the Polizzi family’s heart: it was also once owned by Lord Forte, Olga’s father. Expect top-class interiors across the Grade II listed building which do away with the usual British hotel tropes. 

Opened June 2021; thepolizzicollection.com

The Tawny Hotel, Peak District 

In the grounds of Consall Hall Estate in rural Staffordshire is the ambitious Tawny Hotel. The estate’s owners spent three years working with conservation-focused architects to create an economically viable but sustainable future for the estate’s gardens, ultimately creating this unusual hotel. The 55 rooms are housed in various structures from Shepherds’ huts to treehouses and boathouses. Although inspired by the great outdoors, this is no rustic experience, with details such as complimentary minbars, outdoor bathtubs and private decks. Alongside the rooms is the Plumicorn restaurant, housed in a central glass-walled building, and serving hyper-local produce. 

Opened July 2021; thetawny.co.uk

The Alice Hawthorn, Nun Monkton, North Yorkshire

While the Alice (as it’s known to locals) is not new, the much-loved country inn has had a slick revamp to add eight barn-style bedrooms in its gardens. All come with large baths or showers, timber-clad walls and sliding glass doors that lead to a garden. There’s a foodie focus at this North Yorkshire pub with rooms, which was even featured in the Michelin guide. After a day spent exploring the postcard-pretty village surroundings, tuck into the likes of slow braised beef cheeks with rich aligot or local venison. 

Opened May 2021; thealicehawthorn.com

Callow Hall, Ashbourne, Derbyshire

An old country house hotel on the edge of the Peak District has been transformed into a hip hideaway, after a £3.5million makeover by new brand Wildhive. Interiors have come from Isabella Worsley, who previously worked with Kit Kemp at Firmdale Hotels, so think plenty of colour and quirky details. Among the 15 bedrooms are 11 self-contained woodland cabins and two treehouses (from the same team who designed the ones at Chewton Glen). A relaxed restaurant and bar overlook the 35 acres of grounds and serve seasonal, unfussy dishes, while the Coach House Wellness Centre are the spot for treatments and thermal experiences.

Opened August 2021; wildhive.uk

NoMad London, Covent Garden 

The unrelentingly cool NoMad brand can now be found in Covent Garden. The fourth opening for the American group (and its first foray outside of the US) transformed what was The Bow Street Magistrates’ Court. New York-based design firm Roman and Williams (also responsible for the look of Ace and Freehand hotels) were in charge of the 91-room hotel’s interiors. The restaurant is at heart of the hotel, housed in an impressive glass-roofed internal courtyard, and serving high-end American fare. Distinctive extras include an art programme celebrating the influence of post-war American art and European avant-garde and a cocktail bar focusing on Mezcal-based drinks. 

Opened May 2021; thenomadhotel.com

The Fellows House, Cambridge

There’s no doubt that aparthotels are in demand. The latest practical yet stylish option to open is The Fellows House in Cambridge, which has a winning location close to the River Cam and Jesus Green. On-site restaurant, the Folio Bar & Kitchen, focuses on plant-based dishes while the Sage of Cambridge doubles as both a coffee shop and wine bar. Facilities at the Curio Collection by Hilton property go beyond your average aparthotel with a swimming pool, gym, sauna, steam room and bicycles to hire.

Opened July 2021; hilton.com

Beaverbrook Townhouse, Chelsea, London

Fun, fancy and fashionable country house hotel Beaverbrook in Surrey has arrived in Sloane Street, following a £25million refurbishment of two Georgian townhouses. The interior design is courtesy of Nicola Harding – who’s responsible for the look of Beaverbrook, The Rose in Deal and the Mitre in Hampton Court – so it boasts a modern, feminine and exciting update on the traditional across the 14 bedrooms, which are named after celebrated London theatres. There is also a 60-cover Japanese restaurant whose design is inspired by 19th-century artist Hoksuai (of The Great Wave off Kanagawa fame) – a surefire, serene stop-off point for all the visitors to nearby Hermès, Gucci and Louis Vuitton.

Opened September 2021; beaverbrook.co.uk

Harbour Beach Club, Salcombe, Devon

Harbour Hotels secured a prime spot for its second Salcombe property, right on South Sands Beach with the relaxed Harbour Beach Club a popular new choice for families. The design maximises sea views, with balconies in many of the 50 rooms, wide outdoor dining terraces and a beach bar. Distractions include a well-equipped spa, with indoor pool, sauna, steam room, five treatment rooms and café, while outside all manner of watersports are on offer. Complimentary shuttles into the centre of town mean guests can make the most of Salcombe’s seafood restaurants. 

Opened July 2021; harbourhotels.co.uk

Fairmont Windsor Park, Surrey

A multi-million pound redevelopment is on the go to bring Fairmont Windsor Park to fruition in 2021. A clear draw will be the sprawling spa (a whopping 2,500 square metres), with indoor and outdoor pools, treatment rooms, a salt room, hammam and Japanese foot spa, as well as the countryside location (complete with courtyard and fire pit). A tea lounge, champagne bar, gin bar, and fine dining restaurant complete the picture. 

Opening soon; fairmont-windsorpark.com

Artist Residence Bristol

Up until now, Bristol’s bohemian spirit has not been successfully captured by any of its city-centre hotels. The latest masterstroke in the Artist Residence oeuvre will no doubt fill that void with a cool and creative boutique spot in a former boot factory, worthy of a weekend lingering in galleries, vinyl shops and independent cafés. It’s the fifth property from the group, which grew from humble beginnings when co-founder Justin dropped out of university to help run the family B&B and sent out an ad asking local artists to decorate rooms in exchange for a bed. Art is still at the centre of the design in this addition, with colourful prints a focal point in each of the 23 rooms. The most special spot to lay your head is set to be The Lookout, with a spiral staircase that leads up to your very own roof terrace. 

Opening soon; artistresidence.co.uk

The Pig in the South Downs, West Sussex

Having basked a little in the fanfare surrounding its Cornish outpost at Harlyn Bay, the Pig Hotels group took on another project. The Pig in the South Downs has arrived in the rolling West Sussex countryside, bringing all the brand’s usual staples – farm-to-fork restaurant, Potting Shed spa – as well as the very first Pig vineyard (expect varietal vines of Champagne and Burgundy). Aside from the comfy bedrooms in the main building, there is also accommodation in the ‘Chicken Shack’, the ‘Chicken Coup’ and some Garden Wagon rooms. 

Opened September 2021; thepighotel.com

The Grand Hotel Birmingham

The Grand Hotel first opened in 1879, and in its first century of life it welcomed high-profile guests such as Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin and King George XI into its opulent arms. The 21st century has not been its friend though, with the hotel falling into a less-than-polished state and having been closed for more than a decade. In 2021, a multi-million pound renovation set out to change that. As well as a mix of French Renaissance, Victorian and Art Deco features throughout communal spaces, there is also a historic ballroom for lavish parties and events. There are also two bars for cocktails in opulent surrounds, a restaurant, and a sunken rooftop garden terrace.  

Opened May 2021; thegrandhotelbirmingham.co.uk

Graduate Cambridge 

Graduate Hotels have made their mark in the United States by setting up in prime college towns with stylish bedrooms that evoke the sort of nostalgic charm that’s possible to feel warm and fuzzy about even if the titular town was never your alma mater. This, on the edge of the River Cam and close to Cambridge campus, is their first to land in the UK, with an Oxford iteration to follow (of course). It aims to reflect the city itself, swapping all-American retro vibes for historic collegiate-inspired style. It has materialised as lots of exposed wood, theatrical fabrics, moody lighting and curios relating to the university’s history and alumni. A restaurant, café, gym and swimming pool are all be added boons. 

Opened August 2021; graduatehotels.com

The Londoner, Leicester Square

The 16-storey, 350-room Londoner may name-check the capital but this ambitious project has a decidedly New York feel with architects Woods Bagot, who were also responsible for the Big Apple’s sky-high Manhatta restaurant, at the helm. Inside, the contemporary aesthetic has come from Yabu Pushelberg, the designers behind the Four Seasons in downtown Manhattan. Among the six food and drink outlets are a ground-floor gastropub with alfresco dining and a Japanese-inspired lounge bar with a rooftop terrace and fire pit. Other facilities include two Odeon Luxe cinemas, a swimming pool, spa, gym and hair/nail salon. 

Opened September 2021; thelondoner.com

The Harper, Norfolk

Bespoke glass features throughout The Harper reflects its history as a glass blowing factory many moons ago, but it’s the multitude of spaces with life being breathed into them that really catch guests’ attention. There’s Stanley’s, the restaurant, where north Norfolk’s natural larder takes prime position in the spotlight; The Harper for dining with a more casual atmosphere; Ivy, the living area, with a wood-burner, cosy corners and wine fridges; games room The Den for Monopoly marathons; outdoor space The Yard for sundowners; and outdoor kitchen The Shack. There’s also a bijou spa with indoor pool, hot tub, sauna and steam room and two treatment rooms. Four-poster beds will call you to sleep, but not before a fresh house cocktail from the mini-fridge.

Opened May 2021; theharper.co.uk

Chateau Denmark, West End, London

This independent hotel meets the moment with its collection of apartments and spacious “session” rooms, spread across 16 buildings on and around London’s legendary Denmark Street. An epicentre of rock and roll, the Rolling Stones recorded their debut album here, while the Sex Pistols were one-time residents, with the long-standing guitar shops a reminder of its illustrious past. Design from Taylor Howes will embrace the hotel’s musical location, with a dramatic blend of punk, gothic and psychedelic styles. A celebration of excess, rooms will feature maxi (rather than mini) bars. 

Opening autumn 2021; chateaudenmark.com

Contributions by Jade Conroy, Laura Fowler, Emma Beaumont, Lizzie Frainier and Tom Mulvihill.