The Inspiration Room

The rise of Britain’s country house hotels

Paddington 2 – taking time for tea at Woburn

Britain’s new-found love affair with breakfast

Cocktail making equipment in the Moet & Chandon Bar - Hythe Imperial Hotel, Spa & Golf, Hythe, Kent

Why do we celebrate with champagne?

A rebel’s guide to the Cotswolds – for the independently-minded traveller

Fine Welsh dining in the Tower Restaurant - Lake Vyrnwy Hotel & Spa, Snowdonia

What makes a food romantic?

Great British walking breaks – 10 leafy escapes for lovers

Beautiful countryside wedding in the hotel grounds - Hintlesham Hall Hotel, Ipswich

Robert Carrier – The A-list chef & the country house

12 historic houses fit for a queen – Highclere Castle to Chatsworth

Secret Britain – ciphers to super spies. Bond to Bletchley Park

The BFG – James and the GB Giant

12 literary landscapes – The Bard to Beatrix. Miss Moneypenny to Middle Earth

Beatrix Potter, the National Trust and the natural world

Eccentric British explorers
(The Earthbound edition)

Garden courtyard – Rowton Hall Hotel & Spa

Aerial view – Waterton Park Hotel & Spa, West Yorkshire

Whitley Hall Country House Hotel, Peak District

The hotel and its grounds - Ilsington Country House Hotel & Spa, Dartmoor

Aerial view – Ilsington Country House Hotel & Spa, Dartmoor

Possibly the oldest hotel in England?

Indoor pool – Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa, Durham

Bordesley Executive Room – Abbey Hotel, Golf & Spa

Delicious dining – The Lensbury, Richmond/Hampton Court Palace

Champagne river cruise meandering past the hotel- Barns Hotel, Bedford

Riverside location – Barns Hotel, Bedford

The lounge – Lindeth Howe, Lake District

The traditional Victorian seafront building - The Imperial Hotel, Llandudno

The Imperial Hotel, Llandudno

The Crown: Season Two – romance like a royal

Play a game of solitaire in front of the roaring fire - Ilsington Country House Hotel & Spa, Dartmoor

The lounge – Ilsington Country House Hotel & Spa

Ultimate relaxation in the mood lit steam room - Ilsington Country House Hotel & Spa, Dartmoor

Steam room with mood lighting – Ilsington Hotel & Spa, Devon

Romantic ideas Liz Bennett would love – Jane Austen 200

Conquerors and kings –
The Norman Conquest and Edward’s ‘Iron Ring’

Paddington 2 – marmalade days in the Lake District

Locally sourced fine dining in the Coast Restaurant - Hythe Imperial Hotel, Spa & Golf, Hythe, Kent

Award-winning dining – Hythe Imperial Hotel, Golf & Spa

England’s greatest gardener – ‘Capability’ Brown 300

Sauna overlooking vitality pool – Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa, Durham

Room with a view – Seckford Hall Hotel & Spa

Peacock in the grounds – Whitley Hall Country House Hotel, Peak District

The hydrotherapy pool - Ilsington Country House Hotel & Spa, Dartmoor

Hydrotherapy pool – Ilsington Country House Hotel & Spa, Dartmoor

The courtyard of the Georgian building bathed in sunlight - Hintlesham Hall Hotel, Ipswich

Grade I Listed country house – Hintlesham Hall Hotel, Suffolk

Executive room – Maids Head Hotel, Norwich

Lounge bar – Tre-Ysgawen Hall Country House Hotel & Spa, Isle of Anglesey

Gothic hotel frontage – Melville Castle Hotel, Edinburgh

Reception – Smiths at Gretna Green, Scotland

Hotel across the lawns – Wyck Hill House Hotel, Cotswolds

Afternoon tea served on the lawn overlooking the pond - Frensham Pond Country House Hotel & Spa, Farnham

Afternoon Tea at the water’s edge – Frensham Pond Hotel & Spa, Surrey

The front entrance to the hotel at twilight - Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club, Edinburgh

Aerial view – Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club

The view of the straining tower on the lake in the Autumn foliage - Lake Vyrnwy Hotel & Spa, Snowdonia

View from the hotel – Lake Vyrnwy Hotel & Spa

18-hole golf course - Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club, Edinburgh

The West Course – Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club

Golf-themed interior design feature in Tawnys Bar - Abbey Hotel, Golf & Spa, Redditch

Tawnys Bar – Abbey Hotel, Golf & Spa, Worcestershire

The golf academy – Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa, Durham

9-Hole lake & parkland course – Lea Marston Hotel, Golf & spa

Championship golf course – Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa, Durham

Golfers in front of Walton Hall – Waterton Park Hotel & Spa, West Yorkshire

18-hole golf course backdrop to hotel – Waterton Park Hotel & Spa, West Yorkshire

A golfer on the fairway close to the Grade II listed club house - Donnington Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa, Newbury

Golfer in front of the clubhouse – Donnington Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa, Newbury

A birds eye view of the 18 hole golf course - Donnington Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa, Newbury

Aerial view of the 18-hole course – Donnington Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa, Newbury

Golfers strolling past the lake on their way to play 18 holes - Donnington Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa, Newbury

Lake on the 18-hole golf course – Donnington Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa, Newbury

9-hole golf course – Nailcote Hall Hotel, Golf & Country Club

Ivy clad Grade II listed Victorian Club house - Donnington Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa, Newbury

The clubhouse – Donnington Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa, Newbury

Sunrise over the golf course – Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa, Suffolk

The clubhouse – Nailcote Hall Hotel, Golf & Country Club

View of hotel from the golf course – Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa

9-hole golf course – Nailcote Hall Hotel, Golf & Country Club

Golfing groups – Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa

Terrace overlooking the golf course – Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa

Luxury lodges for golf groups – Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa

The 3rd hole – Abbey Hotel, Golf & Spa, Worcestershire

Executive Room with golf course views – Abbey Hotel, Golf & Spa, Worcestershire

The clubhouse restaurant – Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa, Durham

Ivy clad Grade II listed Victorian Club house - Donnington Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa, Newbury

The clubhouse – Donnington Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa, Newbury

The 17th hole – Abbey Hotel, Golf & Spa, Worcestershire

18-hole golf course – Shrigley Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa

Stream on the 8th hole – Shrigley Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa

18-hole golf course - Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club, Edinburgh

The East Course – Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club

Period building overlooking a frosty East Course - Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club, Edinburgh

Hotel and East Course- Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club

Fairway on the 9th hole – Shrigley Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa

Championship golf course – Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa, Durham

18-hole golf course - Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club, Edinburgh

The East Course and hotel – Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club

Aerial view of hotel and golf course – Abbey Hotel, Golf & Spa, Worcestershire

18-hole golf course - Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club, Edinburgh

The East Course – Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club

Deer on the golf course – Shrigley Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa

18-hole golf course - Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club, Edinburgh

Golf course aerial view – Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club

– Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa

Paston Suite Bathroom – Maids Head Hotel, Norwich

Luxury Room – Whitley Hall Country House Hotel, Peak District

Junior Suite – Rowton Hall Hotel & Spa, Chester

Bedroom and bath in a Junior Suite - Hythe Imperial Hotel, Spa & Golf, Hythe, Kent

Junior Suite – Hythe Imperial Hotel, Golf & Spa, Kent

Executive double room - Hythe Imperial Hotel, Spa & Golf, Hythe, Kent

Executive Room – Hythe Imperial Hotel, Golf & Spa, Kent

The bathroom in a Deluxe room - Hythe Imperial Hotel, Spa & Golf, Hythe, Kent

Bathroom – Hythe Imperial Hotel, Golf & Spa, Kent

Churchill Executive Room – Abbey Hotel, Golf & Spa, Worcestershire

Lodge double room - Gorse Hill Hotel, Surrey

Lodge Double Room – Gorse Hill Hotel, Woking

Lounge of the Presidential Suite – Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa, Durham

Champagne on Arrival – Lindeth Howe, Lake District

Bathroom in the Kniphofia feature room - Gonville Hotel, Cambridge

Kniphofia Room – Gonville Hotel, Cambridge

Delphinium feature room - Gonville Hotel, Cambridge

Delphinium Room – Gonville Hotel, Cambridge

Four-Poster Room – St James Hotel, Nottingham

Chilled Champagne and a fruit plate in the Swallows superior room - Hatherley Manor Hotel & Spa, Cotswolds

Swallows Superior Room – Hatherley Manor Hotel & Spa, Cotswolds

Executive Room – Wrightington Hotel & Spa, Wigan

Deluxe twin room - Ilsington Country House Hotel & Spa, Dartmoor

Deluxe Room – Ilsington Hotel & Spa, Dartmoor

Four Poster Suite – Whitley Hall Country House Hotel, Peak District

Junior Suite – Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa, Durham

Luxury Room – Whitley Hall Country House Hotel, Peak District

City mural in an Executive Bathroom – Maids Head Hotel, Norwich

Cedar Suite – Park farm Hotel, Norwich

Four poster bed in a Junior suite- Gorse Hill Hotel, Surrey

Junior Suite – Gorse Hill Hotel, Woking

Bathroom in the Lavendula feature room - Gonville Hotel, Cambridge

Lavendula Room – Gonville Hotel, Cambridge

Rosa feature room - Gonville Hotel, Cambridge

Rosa Room – Gonville Hotel, Cambridge

Oak suite bathroom – Park farm Hotel, Norwich

Courtyard double room - Gorse Hill Hotel, Surrey

Courtyard Double Room – Gorse Hill Hotel, Woking

Club Room – Wrightington Hotel & Spa

Classic double room - Hythe Imperial Hotel, Spa & Golf, Hythe, Kent

Classic Room – Hythe Imperial Hotel, Golf & Spa, Kent

Copper bath in the Celebration Suite – Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa, Durham

Bordesley Executive Room – Abbey Hotel, Golf & Spa, Worcestershire

Classic Plus Room – Park farm Hotel, Norwich

Papava feature room - Gonville Hotel, Cambridge

Papava Room – Gonville Hotel, Cambridge

Fireplace and desk in a Junior suite - Gorse Hill Hotel, Surrey

Junior Suite – Gorse Hill Hotel, Woking

Locally sourced fine dining in the Coast Restaurant - Hythe Imperial Hotel, Spa & Golf, Hythe, Kent

Scallops and samphire – Hythe Imperial Hotel, Golf & Spa, Kent

Prepared to order – Park farm Hotel, Norwich

Intimate dining in the award winning Samphire Restaurant - County Hotel, Chelmsford

Samphire Restaurant – County Hotel, Chelmsford

Award-winning cuisine – Morritt Country House Hotel & Spa, Barnard Castle

Chef whipping up some magic in the kitchen - County Hotel, Chelmsford

Chef – County Hotel, Chelmsford

Award winning dining in the Gallery Restaurant - Cavendish Hotel, Peak District

Award-winning dining – Cavendish Hotel, Peak District

Fine dining in the Winepress Restaurant - Donnington Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa, Newbury

Fish & chips – Donnington Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa, Newbury

The bar in Convive Restaurant – Weetwood Hall Hotel, Leeds

A master mixologist at work - Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club, Edinburgh

Mixology – Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club, Edinburgh

Dessert in Seasons Restaurant – Park farm Hotel, Norwich

Fine dining in the Winepress Restaurant - Donnington Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa, Newbury

Award-winning cuisine – Donnington Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa, Newbury

An impressive selection of wine in the Winepress Restaurant- Donnington Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa, Newbury

Wine cellar in the Winepress Restaurant – Donnington Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa, Newbury

Fine dining with paired wine in the award winning Winepress restaurant- Donnington Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa, Newbury

Dinner in the Winepress Restaurant- Donnington Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa, Newbury

Gentlemans afternoon tea with a bottle of champagne and a craft beer, dining al fresco - Donnington Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa, Newbury

Afternoon Tea al fresco – Donnington Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa, Newbury

Fine dining in the Winepress Restaurant - Donnington Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa, Newbury

Summer dessert – Donnington Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa, Newbury

Award-winning restaurant – Lindeth Howe, Lake District

Cream Tea – Lindeth Howe, Lake District

Cocktails – Lindeth Howe, Lake District

High Tea – Lindeth Howe, Lake District

All you need for a Peak District picnic - Cavendish Hotel, Peak District

Picnic on the Chatsworth Estate – Cavendish Hotel, Peak District

Charcuterie board in the Winepress Restaurant - Donnington Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa, Newbury

Charcuterie & cheese board – Donnington Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa, Newbury

A comfortable seating area with two images of feathers on the wall behind in Tawnys Bar- Abbey Hotel, Redditch

Tawny’s Bar – Abbey Hotel, Golf & Spa, Worcestershire

Afternoon Tea – Abbey Hotel, Golf & Spa, Worcestershire

Dessert in Bramblings Restaurant – Abbey Hotel, Golf & Spa, Worcestershire

Sushi in Fusion Restaurant – Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa, Durham

Award winning dining in the Gallery Restaurant - Cavendish Hotel, Peak District

Award-winning dining – Cavendish Hotel, Peak District

The Rib Room – Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa, Durham

The Rib Room – Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa, Durham

Asian Afternoon Tea – Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa, Durham

Enjoy fine dining in the Pentland Restaurant- Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club, Edinburgh

The Pentland Restaurant – Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club, Edinburgh

Deluxe blended scotch whisky named after the Dalmahoy Estate - Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club, Edinburgh

Dalmahoy blended Scotch whisky – Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club, Edinburgh

A selection of Champagne in the Moet & Chandon Bar - Hythe Imperial Hotel, Spa & Golf, Hythe, Kent

Moët & Chandon champagne bar – Hythe Imperial Hotel, Golf & Spa, Kent

Locally sourced seafood platter in the Coast Restaurant - Hythe Imperial Hotel, Spa & Golf, Hythe, Kent

Fresh seafood – Hythe Imperial Hotel, Golf & Spa, Kent

Award-winning dining – Whitley Hall Country House Hotel, Peak District

Mediterranean dining in Convive – Weetwood Hall Hotel, Leeds

Event canapes – Whitley Hall Country House Hotel, Peak District

Dessert in Fusion Restaurant – Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa, Durham

Award-winning dining – Whitley Hall Country House Hotel, Peak District

Cocktail making equipment in the Moet & Chandon Bar - Hythe Imperial Hotel, Spa & Golf, Hythe, Kent

Moët & Chandon champagne bar – Hythe Imperial Hotel, Golf & Spa, Kent

Private dining – The Woburn Hotel, Bedfordshire

Afternoon Tea – Abbey Hotel, Golf & Spa, Worcestershire

Award-winning dining – The Woburn Hotel, Bedfordshire

Award-winning dining – Whitley Hall Country House Hotel, Peak District

Table set for dinner service in the Coast Restaurant - Hythe Imperial Hotel, Spa & Golf, Hythe, Kent

Candlelit dining – Hythe Imperial Hotel, Golf & Spa, Kent

Outdoor vitality pool – Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa, Durham

Indoor pool – Abbey Hotel, Golf & Spa, Worcestershire

Treatment room in the Gresham House Spa - Gonville Hotel, Cambridge

Spa treatment room – Gonville Hotel, Cambridge

Spa relaxation room – Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa, Durham

Indoor pool – Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa, Durham

The relaxation room in the award winning spa- Donnington Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa, Newbury

Spa relaxation area – Donnington Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa, Newbury

Indoor pool- Hythe Imperial Hotel, Spa & Golf, Hythe, Kent

Indoor pool – Hythe Imperial Hotel, Golf & Spa, Kent

Relaxing and recharging in the Himalayan Salt Room - Fairlawns Hotel & Spa, Walsall

Salt room – Fairlawns Hotel & Spa, Walsall

Group spa – Rowton Hall Hotel & Spa, Chester

Treatment room in the Gresham House Spa - Gonville Hotel, Cambridge

Spa treatment room – Gonville Hotel, Cambridge

Pure indulgence in a treatment room - Hatherley Manor Hotel & Spa, Cotswolds

Spa treatment room – Hatherley Manor Hotel & Spa, Cotswolds

Poolside Mimosas whilst visiting the spa - Donnington Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa, Newbury

Indoor pool – Donnington Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa, Newbury

Nail bar – Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa, Durham

Spa treatment – Rowton Hall Hotel & Spa, Chester

Indoor pool – Wrightington Hotel & Spa, Lancashire

Hydrotherapy pool – Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa, Durham

Champagne in the Spa – Rowton Hall Hotel & Spa, Chester

Spa relaxation room – Waterton Park Hotel & Spa, West Yorkshire

Make up – Milford Hall Hotel & Spa, Salisbury

The thermal experience in the spa, refreshing ice treatment and warming Tepidarium - Fairlawns Hotel & Spa, Walsall

Tepidarium – Fairlawns Hotel & Spa, Walsall

Secret garden hot tub – Morritt Country House Hotel & Spa, County Durham

Warm herb poultices at the 5 bubble spa- Donnington Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa, Newbury

Poultice spa treatment – Donnington Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa, Newbury

Outdoor courtyard relaxation area - Hatherley Manor Hotel & Spa, Cotswolds

Spa garden – Hatherley Manor Hotel & Spa, Cotswolds

Double outdoor hot tubs and relaxed seating - Fairlawns Hotel & Spa, Walsall

Hot tubs – Fairlawns Hotel & Spa, Walsall

Welcome foot ritual at Gresham House - Gonville Hotel, Cambridge

Spa treatment – Gonville Hotel, Cambridge

A couple relaxing in the Relaxtaion room - Hatherley Manor Hotel & Spa, Cotswolds

Spa relaxation lounge – Hatherley Manor Hotel & Spa, Cotswolds

Balcony infinity pool – Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa, Durham

Spa relaxation room – Rowton Hall Hotel & Spa, Chester

Ice fountain and heated loungers - Hatherley Manor Hotel & Spa, Cotswolds

Ice fountain – Hatherley Manor Hotel & Spa, Cotswolds

Poolside loungers perfect for relaxing - Donnington Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa, Newbury

Loungers by the pool – Donnington Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa, Newbury

Pedicure – Wrightington Hotel & Spa, Lancashire

The spa terrace on a sunny day - Donnington Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa, Newbury

Spa terrace – Donnington Valley Hotel, Golf & Spa, Newbury

Outdoor vitality pool – Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa, Durham