Fancy heading out of London for a short break in the countryside, and looking for something new? Here's our pick of the recently opened places to stay across the UK, all of which have notably interesting food and drink too.
Nest Farmhouse
Norfolk - Fakenham Rd, Docking, King's Lynn PE31 8PX
Deep in the heart of the Norfolk countryside, on a working farm, you’ll find Nest Farmhouse. The team here also run Restaurant St Barts in London. More of a restaurant with rooms at the moment they’ve reworked the farm’s former cattle shed to create an astonishing New England-style building housing the restaurant, bar and bedrooms. It’s very much farm-to-plate as far as the vegetables go, and a regularly changing menu shows their close ties with small producers. Plans are afoot for a deli and more bedrooms.
The rooms: There are five huge bedrooms, four of which open out on the veranda, all of which have views across the farmland. Every stay includes an epic breakfast.
Follow them on Instagram: @nestfarmhouse
The Merry Harriers
Surrey - Hambledon Road, Hambledon, Surrey GU8 4DR
One look at the CVs of new owners Alex and Sam explains why Londoners will want to try this new Surrey spot. Alex is ex-Portland and Smoke & Salt while Sam is Ballymaloe-trained and spent two years at The Harwood Arms. The duo gave this country pub a massive refurb when they bought it, and it now features a restaurant as well as a pub and bar. As for the food, the pair also own a restaurant nearby with its own kitchen garden which now supplies the pub. It doesn’t hurt that Sam’s mum owns Wintershall Valley Farm where she breeds Oxford Sandies, Herdwick sheep and her own Wagyu cattle too.
The rooms: There are 15 bedrooms - four in the inn, six off the pub garden and a further five shepherd’s huts by the pond.
Follow them on Instagram: @merryharriershambledon
The Pig in the Cotswolds
Cotswolds - Barnsley, Cirencester GL7 5EE
The cult-like devotion of fans to the Pig brand shows no signs of waning. The arrival of their new hotel in the Cotswolds (it used to be Barnsley House) hits the spot firmly as the area is about to be thrust into the limelight with Jilly Cooper’s Rivals on Disney +. If you haven’t been to any of The Pigs before, expect a strong focus on food sourced locally and on-point, friendly service. The USP here is the adjoining The Village Pub, which is also the group’s first country pub.
The rooms: There are 26 ranging in price from comfy to The Secret Garden which has its own walled garden. There’s also a three-room cottage in the village by the pub that you can stay in.
Follow them on Instagram: @the_pig_hotels
Native
Worcestershire - Netherwood Estate, Pensons Farm, Tenbury Wells WR15 8RT
Having started in London and at one point popped up on an Essex island, Native has now settled in at Pensons on the Netherwood Estate in Worcestershire. Their restaurant here continues their hyper-sustainable approach with the estate grounds supplying much of the menu. It’s a lovely space, set in an old barn with a tasting menu offering that could include their toasted hay sourdough with cultured butter and amazing desserts with bone marrow caramel.
The rooms: There are just two on-site, but they’re lovely bedrooms, facing out on the courtyard and featuring shower rooms. Breakfast here is included and not to be missed.
Follow them on Instagram: @eatnative
The Great Bustard
Wiltshire - Great Durnford, Salisbury SP4 6AY
This country inn on the Great Durnford estate reopened in the summer following a massive redo and expansion. That means it now houses a restaurant, pub, spa rooms and its own farm shop, stocking local produce. Chef Jordan Taylor (ex-Restaurant Gordon Ramsay and Moor Hall) has created a menu that makes the most of its position on the estate, featuring local game like venison and pigeon, while the wood-fired pizza oven is employed on Monday and Tuesday for a pizza/steak night menu. Bring a cool bag and stock up in the farm shop before you head home.
The rooms: There are ten in total - two above the pub and eight across the courtyard. Some are dog-friendly and all include a proper cooked breakfast in the price.
Follow them on Instagram: @the.greatbustard
The Feathers
Oxfordshire - 16-20 Market St, Woodstock OX20 1SX
This gorgeous 17th-century inn in the heart of the village adjoining the Blenheim Palace estate is now a vision, having just reopened after months (and millions) spent on a complete restoration. There are two places to eat here, the more casual Aviary bar and bistro, and the more formal Nest restaurant. Running the kitchen here is chef couple Luke Rawicki (head chef) and Shannon Mulholland (sous chef) serving up dishes like Cotswold wood pigeon with foie royale, blackberry and sage. Look out for the Argentinean BBQ out on the terrace in the summer months.
The rooms: There are 23 rooms and suites, all very tastefully done.
Follow them on Instagram: @featherswoodstock
Also opened recently
Holm
Somerset - 28 St James's St, South Petherton TA13 5BW
This gorgeous restaurant opened in Somerset back in 2021 from the team behind Levan and Larry’s in Peckham. But they only added the bedroom element late last year, allowing Londoners to come for dinner and an overnight stay. Set in an old bank, the dining room is situated in the old vault and co-founder and chef director Nicholas Balfe has the benefit of a large kitchen garden at his disposal. If you like being part of the action, book the dining counter by the open kitchen.
The rooms: There are seven bedrooms in total all with that exposed plaster aesthetic. Some have roll-top baths and one is a four-poster.
Follow them on Instagram: @holmsomerset
The Abbey Inn
Yorkshire - York YO61 4BD
Michelin-starred chef Tommy Banks took a trip back in time when he and his family took over this old inn - this was where he washed pots as a teenager. The pub reopened last summer and couldn’t be in a more fabulous setting looking out on the gothic ruins of Byland Abbey. The pub menu sounds traditional but you know that much of the produce comes from the family’s own farm and dishes like the pork pie comes with their homemade piccallili while the toad in the hole features Salt-Aged Dexter Beef with braised oxtail. The drinks list is particularly good here, with a strong (and interesting) cocktail offering
The rooms: There are three large bedrooms on the first floor of the inn, all furnished with antiques and boasting great views.
Follow them on Instagram: @abbeyinnbyland
On the horizon...
No 124 (Brighton) - If it’s a seaside trip you’re after, this upcoming opening from the Guesthouse Hotels boutique group (who also have places in Margate, Bath and York) is worth noting. It’s going to feature a restaurant, Pearly Cow, run by Executive Chef Andrew MacKenzie (formerly of The Salt Room and Soho House), 32 rooms and a cocktail bar. Opens 4 November 2024.
The Bat & Ball (Oxfordshire) - This Cuddestone inn has been taken over by the same team that run nearby award-winning country pub The Lamb Inn in Little Milton, a favourite of chefs. It’ll have five rooms when it reopens in winter 2024.
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