Discover Britain's Most Enchanting Winter Retreats
As winter blankets the British countryside in frost and snow, adventurous travellers are discovering the unique magic of rural escapes during the colder months. From waking up to snow-dusted landscapes to cosying up in historic inns after bracing walks, these reader-recommended destinations offer the perfect antidote to winter blues.
Snowy Serenity in the Peak District
Ruth Campbell experienced pure winter magic after staying at YHA Hartington Hall youth hostel in Staffordshire. Following a beautiful wintry walk along the Roaches, fuelled by traditional Staffordshire oatcakes, they awoke to find the entire Peak District transformed under a blanket of snow. The calm atmosphere and magical silence created a profound sense of peace across the landscape.
Welsh Wonders: From Mountains to Aqueducts
Gareth Roberts found historic charm at the Pen-Y-Gwryd hotel in Eryri (Snowdonia), which served as the UK training base for Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay's successful 1953 Everest expedition. The wood-panelled Smoke Room bar, lit by a roaring fire, remains a time capsule where guests share tales of adventures on Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon) or the rain-lashed Glyderau peaks. Brave visitors can test their resolve in the beautiful natural pool before reviving in the sauna.
Meanwhile, Mike discovered the perfect weekend escape in the Clwydian Range national landscape, staying at Faraway Follies in charming cottages nestled in the hills outside Llangollen. The experience was made magical by wood-fired hot tubs under crisp November skies. The drive along the Horseshoe Pass took their breath away, while gliding by narrowboat over the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Pontcysyllte Aqueduct proved unforgettable.
Ancient Landscapes and Cosy Pubs
Emily Gray embarked on a winter pilgrimage through Wiltshire's Neolithic landscape, basing themselves at The George in Amesbury. Their journey took them from Durrington Walls, where ancient peoples may have travelled hundreds of miles for celebratory feasts, past burial mounds of forgotten chiefs, to the iconic Stonehenge. Evenings were spent in cosy historic pubs, honouring the season with feasting of their own.
In Herefordshire, Jane and her university friends found Ledbury's impressive Tudor buildings, 17th-century market hall and Michelin-starred restaurant 33 the Homend utterly winning. The 12-mile ridge of the Malvern Hills, just 15 minutes' drive away, provided magnificent views across three counties during walks through ancient woodlands and common land.
Island Escapes and Forest Retreats
Ciaran Kearney experienced true isolation at Lusty Beg Island Resort and Spa in County Fermanagh, accessible only by a two-car ferry across Lough Erne. Their warm, spacious cabin offered views of the lough from both sides, with days spent walking or paddleboarding followed by hot whiskies in the cosy bar. The typically atrocious Fermanagh weather only enhanced the feeling of being completely cut off from the world.
For Amanda, the Forest of Bowland provides the perfect chilly retreat, with Little Oakhurst near Clitheroe offering toasty shepherd huts and lovely walks with great pubs nearby. The area excels for birdwatching, though getting in the hot tub when it's icy outside remains a favourite activity.
Coastal Wonders and Highland Adventures
Kayleigh Witts-Thomas described winter on the Gower peninsula as a windswept wonder, with long, empty beaches stretching beneath dramatic skies perfect for invigorating dog walks. After exploring dunes and salt marshes, the cosy Britannia Inn at Llanmadoc offers tender salt marsh lamb, rich with the taste of the land and sea.
In the Highlands, Eilidh recommends visiting Easter Ross north of Inverness and staying in a four-poster bed at ancient Tulloch Castle on the edge of Dingwall. Adventurous visitors can walk to see the deep eerie canyon at Black Rock Gorge or hike up Fyrish Hill for panoramic views beside the 18th-century Fyrish Monument.
Meanwhile, Cath found near-perfect cosiness at Barefoot Yurts in East Sussex, where two simply furnished but chic yurts overlook open fields studded with sheep and horses. The experience included brisk roams across Winchelsea beach, enormous burgers at the Ship Inn in Rye, and campfire s'mores for a perfect late autumn weekend.
