The Top 50 Boutique Hotels in the UK were unveiled last week at the quaint Lillibrook Manor nestled in the glorious leafy countryside of Maidenhead.
Upon arriving with my fellow food loving sister, we were welcomed by the soothing sounds of a group of talented musicians expertly playing the violin and cello.
A Champagne reception started the day off nicely, followed by perky espresso martinis courtesy of Taylor’s coffee. The glorious canapés floating pleasingly around included mini Welsh rarebits, smoked mackerel tarts and ham hock fritters drizzled with salad cream.
I learnt that the food was made by talented chef Dominic Chapman of renowned gastro pub The. Beehive.
After much mingling, sipping and nibbling, we took our seats at an elegantly made up dining table in a gorgeous Tudor style dining room and savoured a truly delightful three course meal before the highly anticipated 50 best boutique hotels list was read out by a charming host.
We feasted on silky smooth duck and chicken liver pate with fig jam and brioche, a melt in the mouth dish of slow cooked featherblade of beef with creamy mash and pickled carrots which complemented the meat perfectly. Dessert was a light-as-air bitter orange soufflé complete with vanilla cream to drizzle lavishly.
The much-anticipated list is curated and voted by leading industry experts, hoteliers, travel writers and influencers.
After listening to all 50 chosen hotels and their appealing attributes, it was excitedly revealed that his year’s number one is the glorious Lime Wood Hotel – my all time favourite English hotel.
This absolutely otherworldly property lies in the heart of the spectacular New Forest national park – views of which can be adored from the massive indoor jacuzzi.
Jumping up 18 places from last year’s list, Lime Wood Hotel features cosy eaves rooms as well as indulgent forest lodges. This secluded hideaway is home to the Herb House Spa, complete with indoor and outdoor pools with stunning forest views. With luxurious landscaped gardens, Lime Wood Hotel is only 90 minutes from London and 20 minutes from the coast.
Close behind, with nine of the Top 50 is the Southeast where The Newt in Somerset came in at second place and with The Pig at Bridge Place and The Gallivant also topping the group. The Northwest of England is well represented with seven in the list from Cumbria and the Lake District, including Another Place and Moor Hall Restaurant with Rooms. Scotland, with four from the list, including The Fife Arms and Foyers Lodge.
This year’s Highest New Entrant is Lympstone Manor at number five on the list. Based in Devon, this country house is set on 28 acres of grounds, including their 10-acre vineyard, elegant estuary suites and cosy shepherd huts by the water. Chef Michael Caines MBE heads up the Michelin-starred kitchen and focuses on seasonality and local produce.
Beaverbrook is this year’s Highest Climber, from 45th to 32nd. Set in the Surrey Hills, Beaverbrook is the quintessential English Country House. With each room named after a famous occupant, as well as the Gatsbyesque art-deco Bar, aptly named after Beaverbrook’s creative director, Sir Frank Lowe – this opulent boutique hotel is immersed in history.
This year’s award winner for Food & Beverage, Number One Bruton, in the heart of Somerset. Most Unique Experience was claimed by Gilpin Hotel & Lake House in Cumbria, and the Best Service award taken by Gravetye Manor, nestled in the Sussex countryside. Beaverbrook is this year’s Highest Climber, moving up from 45th to 32nd on the list is another Southeast success, based in the Surrey Hills.
Chris Lowe, Group Director, Hospitality and Manufacturing at William Reed says “We’re delighted to be revealing this fantastic new list and see such strong movement in this year’s Top 50 Boutique Hotels. Our number one has jumped up 18 places from last year and the highest new entry is number 5 which is testament to those teams’ stellar efforts. With staycations continuing to be a focus for Britons, it is encouraging to see such strong regional presence this year and such a wide range of unique hotel experiences to enjoy.”
The Boutique Hotel list follows on from the success of the Top 50 Cocktail Bars, as well as the long running and ever-popular Top 50 Gastropubs. Now, consumers have the complete and definitive guide of where to eat, drink, and sleep throughout the UK.
The full list from 1 to 50, including special awards for food and beverage, best service and unique experience, is available to view here.
The Top 50 Boutique Hotels 2022 list is as follows:
| 1 | Lime Wood Hotel, Hampshire |
| 2 | The Newt, Somerset |
| 3 | Heckfield Place, Hampshire |
| 4 | The Pig at Bridge Place, Kent |
| 5 | Lympstone Manor, Devon |
| 6 | Grantley Hall, Yorkshire |
| 7 | Artist Residence London, London |
| 8 | Idle Rocks, Cornwall |
| 9 | Thyme, Cotswolds |
| 10 | Padstow Townhouse, Cornwall |
| 11 | Yorebridge House, Yorkshire |
| 12 | Hambleton Hall, Rutland |
| 13 | Beaverbrook, Surrey |
| 14 | Gilpin Hotel & Lake House, Cumbria |
| 15 | The Fife Arms, Scotland |
| 16 | The Queensberry, Somerset |
| 17 | Foyers Lodge, Scotland |
| 18 | Another Place, Cumbria |
| 19 | The Mandrake, London |
| 20 | Moor Hall Restaurant with Rooms, Lancashire |
| 21 | Scarlet Hotel, Cornwall |
| 22 | Hotel Tresanton, Cornwall |
| 23 | Titchwell Manor Hotel, Norfolk |
| 24 | Watergate Bay, Cornwall |
| 25 | Wild Thyme & Honey, Gloucestershire |
| 26 | L’oscar London, London |
| 27 | Middleton Lodge, Yorkshire |
| 28 | Rothay Manor, Cumbria |
| 29 | The Gallivant, Sussex |
| 30 | The Tawny Hotel, Staffordshire |
| 31 | The Wild Rabbit, Oxfordshire |
| 32 | Calcot Manor Hotel, Cotswolds |
| 33 | Grays Court Hotel & Restaurant, Yorkshire |
| 34 | Number One Bruton, Somerset |
| 35 | Hampton Manor, West Midlands |
| 36 | The Rectory Hotel, Wiltshire |
| 37 | The Zetter Townhouse Clerkenwell, London |
| 38 | Hipping Hall, Cumbria |
| 39 | Cliveden House, Berkshire |
| 40 | Links House at Royal Dornoch, Scotland |
| 41 | Great Fosters, Surrey |
| 42 | Dormy House Hotel, Cotswolds |
| 43 | Henrietta Hotel, London |
| 44 | Gravetye Manor, Sussex |
| 45 | House of Gods, Scotland |
| 46 | The Samling Hotel, Cumbria |
| 47 | Seaham Hall, Durham |
| 48 | Linthwaite House, Cumbria |
| 49 | Grove of Narberth, Pembrokeshire |
| 50 | Number 38 Clifton, Somerset |
More details can be found at www.top50boutiquehotels.com
