Time for some R & R on a country break
Whether you’re looking for a break from work or just want some quality time with your nearest and dearest, a country break delivers on so many levels. Country breaks are as diverse as they are relaxing. Hop on the plane to stay in a French chateau or bust out your sun cream for a weekend by the pool at a villa in Spain. Closer to home, the UK offers a medley of accommodation for those craving fresh air and lots of greenery.
Types of country breaks and holiday rentals
There are all kinds of country breaks with regional variations from chalets in the forest and village cottages to cliffside villas and grand houses. Depending on your destination, you could stay in a pub, a castle or a villa. Country breaks can be as simple or extravagant as you want, but rest assured, there is definitely the opportunity to play Lord or Lady of the Manor.
Romantic countryside breaks for couples
Carve out some quality time with your other half on a romantic weekend break in the country. A countryside break in your very own villa or cottage rental is made for hopeless romantics. They also suit practical romantics, who appreciate mod cons like Wi-Fi, a fully equipped kitchen and swimming pools. There are countless romantic getaway ideas: private suites in castles and stately homes designed for aristocracy with four-poster beds, cosy cottage retreats and log cabins in the forest, are just a few ideas to spark your imagination.
Country breaks with hot tubs
Hot tubs are always a welcome feature on a country breaks. They’re ideal for groups of friends celebrating birthdays, hen weekends or special events like graduations, while outdoorsy types like hikers and ramblers welcome the chance to soak their aching limbs. Couples on a country break will enjoy the romance of an outdoor hot tub under the stars at any time of the year. A country break with a hot tub provides a level of luxury most people don’t experience in daily life.
The ins and outs of country breaks at old converted inns
Inns are a particularly British phenomenon that have world-class appeal and you can rent a whole one for yourself! Converted coaching inns make extremely atmospheric accommodation for anyone on a country break. Inns are usually historical buildings with original features such as thatched roofs, wooden beams and fireplaces, but some have been expertly renovated in contemporary style that harmonises with their countryside setting. They are found in villages and rural areas along country lanes, particularly ones leading to bigger towns. They are also close to modern inns which are worth stopping by for their traditional ales and classic pub grub.
A guide to quintessential country breaks in the UK
You don’t need to travel far for the best country breaks with Britain’s green pastures on your doorstep. From the moors of Devon to the Scottish lochs and everything else in between, the UK does rural retreats really well. Walking along the beach at Whitby, windsurfing on Lake Windermere, visiting vineyards in Cornwall and hiking Snowdonia are some of the many country break options in the UK. Many holiday rentals offer blissful spas and swimming pools with a backdrop of rolling hills or lakes.
English country houses for a traditional country break
England is a dream for rural retreats. Crumbling castles, old manor houses and quaint cottage rentals have their own unique charms. English country house rentals are timeless and burst with character; some apparently even go bump in the night with their resident ghosts – are you brave enough to find out? The idyllic setting of England’s holiday rentals add to their appeal and they can be found in national parks, on moorlands and next to windswept beaches.
Country breaks near London
London has excellent connections to all corners of the UK, but you really don’t have to travel far for country weekend breaks near the city. Although the English countryside is easily reachable within an hour from the capital, it feels like an entirely different world. Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds have luxury group accommodation and manor houses, while the Sussex coast boasts beach houses and chalets close to Brighton. Around 90 minutes from London, Essex and Suffolk contain some of the UK’s best kept secret holiday rentals in period houses dating back to the 16th century among gently rolling hills.