Discover Britain's most exciting new country house hotels and countryside retreats, opening in 2019.

The Fife Arms

Located in the historic Scottish village of Braemar, The Fife Arms is a Victorian coaching inn that has been imaginatively restored by owners - art dealers Iwan and Manuela Wirth. Celebrating Scotland’s rich heritage and craftsmanship, the hotel is surrounded by the majestic landscape of Royal Deeside. Interior designer Russell Sage was tasked with breathing new life into the property’s 46 guest-rooms. The revamped interiors include commissions from international artists, museum displays and a collection of paintings, drawings and objects narrating the history of the hotel, Braemar and Scotland. A restaurant with river views focuses on traditional Scottish cuisine, while additional guest facilities include a public bar, cocktail bar, family room and spa.

Grantley Hall

The opening of Grantley Hall as a luxury, 47-bedroom country house hotel has been confirmed for spring 2019. Located in North Yorkshire on its own private island with a lake and listed Japanese garden, the historic Grade II - listed property is currently undergoing a multimillion-pound restoration and extension. The hotel will house seven drinking and dining venues including a fine-dining restaurant by Ormer Mayfair's Shaun Rankin, pan-Asian restaurant and a champagne and cocktail bar as well as a spa. Grantley Hall was built by Thomas Norton and his son Fletcher Norton, first Baron Grantley, in the 17th century, based on a Palladian design by English architect Isaac Ware. Pictured.

The Langley

Sitting in a former royal hunting ground and with landscaping originally designed by England’s greatest gardener, Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, the setting of this grand country manor (a sister hotel to The Wellesley Knightsbridge) amidst acres of formal gardens and parklands. The hotel’s boutique selection of 41 exquisite rooms and suites have been designed by Dennis Irvine Studio - and divided across the main house and The Brew House, a Grade II listed 18th century outbuilding. The Langley Spa, a world-class wellness centre features an indoor and outdoor pool, thermal area and five treatment rooms. A specially designed fitness suite by leading personal trainer and author, Matt Roberts uses technologically advanced systems and equipment. Opening from February. 

Hadspen House

The owner of Babylonstoren in South Africa is planning to transform Hadspen House in Somerset into an upmarket hotel. The 17th century mansion and estate had been owned by the Ford family since 1785. South African businessman Koos Bekker, who owns Babylonstoren, a preserved Cape Dutch farm estate in the Drakenstein valley with a hotel, spa, restaurant and winery, acquired the property in 2013. The Grade II-listed house and estate are set to be restored and transformed into a hotel with around 30 bedrooms, a spa and an 80-cover restaurant using fresh produce from the kitchen garden and farm shop - similar to those featured at Babylonstoren. The project is being overseen by Benjamin + Beauchamp Architects and AZ Urban Studio.

Monkey Island

This hotel is a centuries-old retreat in Bray-on-Thames with an intriguing history spanning 800 years, and was once popular with visiting monarchs, artists and famous performers. Surrounded by manicured lawns and gardens on seven acres - access by footbridge or boat - the white bricked Pavilion and Temple buildings will house 27 bedrooms and three deluxe suites designed by the people behind The Gainsborough Bath Spa, The Carlyle in New York and the Dorchester in London. There is also a stylish restaurant helmed by Will Hemming, previously head chef of Simpson’s in the Stran, a bar, lounge for afternoon tea, and a floating spa (occupying a converted barge).

The Pig at Bridge Place

Home Grown Hotels are expanding its Pig litter in January, with the 28-bedroom Pig at Bridge Place to be located within a Grade II*-listed, 17th-century manor house. Originally a family home known as Bridge Place Manor, the Kent property has operated for the past 50 years as a music venue, where the likes of Moody Blues and Manfred Mann played during the 1970s. Outside the main building a new Coach House accommodates 12 bedrooms; seven ‘Hop Pickers’ Huts’ will each have a double bedroom with a bathroom and wood-burning stove; and a newly restored gate lodge offers two further bedrooms. The Coach House also contains a greenhouse restaurant with an open kitchen; and the Old Stables houses two treatment rooms. The hotel - like its sister properties will feature a restaurant using produce from the kitchen garden or within a 25-mile radius of the hotel, as well as the distinct shabby chic interiors.

Ideal For

Weekenders, retreating, staycations