Best Staycations
20 February 2026
Britain's fifteen National Parks encompass some of the most beautiful landscape in Europe. From the granite tors of Dartmoor to the ancient Caledonian pinewoods of the Cairngorms, from the limestone pavements of the Yorkshire Dales to the volcanic peaks of Snowdonia, these protected areas represent the best of what the British countryside has to offer. And yet, finding the right place to stay within them can be surprisingly difficult.
The challenge is twofold. National Parks, by their nature, restrict development, which means that the supply of high-quality accommodation is limited. And the popularity of these areas, which welcome over 100 million visitors annually between them, means that the best properties book up quickly. This guide identifies the finest places to stay in each of Britain's major National Parks, from country house hotels to intimate B&Bs, so that you can plan your visit with confidence.
The Lake District
The Lake District is Britain's most visited National Park and, for many, its most beautiful. The combination of lakes, mountains, and valleys creates a landscape of extraordinary variety within a compact area. Wordsworth called it the loveliest spot that man hath ever found, and two centuries later, it is difficult to disagree.
Where to Stay
Gilpin Hotel and Lake House is our top recommendation for the Lake District. The hotel sits in a hundred acres of gardens and grounds, with a private lake, a spa, and rooms that are decorated with the kind of understated luxury that feels entirely appropriate for the setting. The Lake House, a separate property reached by a short walk through the grounds, offers suites with their own hot tubs and lake views.
Forest Side, a Victorian mansion on the edge of Grasmere, offers a different experience: a Michelin-starred restaurant that draws on the surrounding landscape for its ingredients, with bedrooms that are comfortable and well-designed. The hotel's foraging programme, led by the kitchen team, provides a unique perspective on the Lake District's natural larder.
The Peak District
The Peak District, Britain's first National Park, lies at the heart of England. Its accessibility from Manchester, Sheffield, and the cities of the Midlands has made it one of the most visited landscapes in the country, but venture beyond the honeypot villages and you will find a landscape of genuine wildness: dark gritstone edges, limestone dales, and moorland that stretches to the horizon.
Where to Stay
Fischer's Baslow Hall is a country house hotel on the edge of the Chatsworth Estate, one of the great country houses of England. The hotel's restaurant holds a reputation for ambitious, ingredient-led cooking that draws on local suppliers. The rooms are comfortable and traditionally decorated, and the position, on the boundary between the park and the Chatsworth parkland, is ideal for exploration.
Losehill House Hotel and Spa, set on a hilltop above the Hope Valley, offers panoramic views across the Peak District and a spa that takes full advantage of the setting. The outdoor hot tub, with its views across the valley to Mam Tor, is a particular highlight.
Snowdonia
Snowdonia contains the highest mountains in England and Wales, and the landscape here has a grandeur that is unmatched south of the Scottish Highlands. The park encompasses not just the Snowdon massif but a wider area of mountains, valleys, coastline, and forest that provides extraordinary variety.
Where to Stay
Pale Hall is a Victorian country house near Bala that combines the grandeur of a bygone era with contemporary comfort. The rooms are individually decorated, the restaurant is excellent, and the grounds, which include a riverside walk and extensive gardens, provide a peaceful counterpoint to the wildness of the surrounding mountains.
Plas Dinas Country House, the former home of Lord Snowdon, offers a more intimate experience closer to the Snowdon massif. The rooms are decorated with family photographs and antiques, creating an atmosphere that is more private home than hotel. The mountain walks from the doorstep are exceptional.
The Yorkshire Dales
The Yorkshire Dales offer a landscape of austere beauty: limestone walls, rolling hillsides, and valleys that are green and lush even in the depths of winter. The walking is superb, the villages are characterful, and the pace of life is refreshingly slow.
Where to Stay
Yorebridge House in Bainbridge is a boutique hotel that has been converted from a Victorian headmaster's house. The rooms are contemporary and well-designed, the restaurant is excellent, and the village setting, in the heart of Wensleydale, is peaceful and attractive. The Pennine Way passes close by, and the surrounding landscape provides walking of the highest quality.
Grantley Hall, a seventeenth-century country house in the southern Dales, offers a grander experience with a spa, multiple restaurants, and grounds that include a Japanese garden and a wellness centre. It is a place that encourages you to stay in as much as go out, which is no bad thing when the weather closes in.
The Brecon Beacons
The Brecon Beacons, recently renamed Bannau Brycheiniog, offer some of the finest walking in Wales. The park encompasses the high peaks of Pen y Fan and Corn Du, the waterfalls of the Ystradfellte valley, and rolling farmland that is quintessentially Welsh.
Where to Stay
The Coach House Brecon is a boutique B&B in the heart of the park, offering stylish rooms and a genuine welcome. The position, in the town of Brecon itself, provides easy access to the major walks and the restaurants and pubs of this pleasant market town.
Lake Country House Hotel and Spa, set in fifty acres of grounds on the northern edge of the park, offers a more luxurious experience. The hotel's spa, its lakeside setting, and the tranquillity of its gardens make it an excellent choice for those who want to combine walking with relaxation.
Pembrokeshire Coast
Pembrokeshire Coast is Britain's only truly coastal National Park, and the walking here is exceptional. The Coast Path, which runs for 186 miles around the peninsula, takes in cliffs, coves, beaches, and headlands of extraordinary beauty.
Where to Stay
Roch Castle Hotel commands views across St Brides Bay and is within easy reach of the finest sections of the Coast Path. Grove of Narberth offers Georgian country house luxury in thirty-five acres of garden and woodland. Crug Glas, a Georgian farmhouse near St Davids, provides an intimate base with suites that look out across the Celtic Sea. Twr y Felin Hotel in St Davids combines contemporary art with coastal proximity in a converted windmill.
The New Forest
The New Forest is unique among British National Parks. Its landscape of ancient woodland, heathland, and coastal marshes is home to free-roaming ponies, deer, and cattle that have grazed here for a thousand years. The forest is compact and accessible, making it an excellent choice for a short break.
Where to Stay
Lime Wood is a country house hotel that has achieved something remarkable: it feels both luxurious and relaxed, formal and informal, traditional and contemporary. The spa, designed by Herb Ritts, is one of the finest in Britain. The rooms are beautiful. And the forest, which begins at the garden gate, is endlessly rewarding to explore.
Chewton Glen, just outside the park boundary, is a legendary country house hotel with its own treehouses. The hotel has been welcoming guests for half a century, and the combination of experience, investment, and attention to detail means that standards are consistently high.
Practical Advice for National Park Stays
Book early, particularly for summer weekends and school holidays. The best properties in National Parks are small, and demand consistently outstrips supply. Midweek stays are often available at shorter notice and lower prices.
Bring proper footwear and waterproofs, regardless of the forecast. National Park weather can change rapidly, and the mountains in particular can be significantly colder and wetter than the valleys.
Use the National Park visitor centres, which provide excellent free advice on walks, wildlife, and local events. The park rangers are knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and their recommendations are often better than anything you will find online.
Consider visiting outside peak season. The National Parks are at their most crowded in July and August, and the best time to visit most of them is September and October, when the crowds have gone, the autumn colours are spectacular, and the weather is often surprisingly good.
