We’ve become quite accustomed to grumbling about winter in the UK. Shorter, darker days and long, chilly nights make it an easy target. However, there is another side to the coin. While winter in the city can be a bit gloomy, the British countryside is brimming with gorgeous spots perfectly primed for the period. Crisp walks are followed by indulgent meals and topped off by a glass of something warming taken by the fire. There’s also a wealth of creativity and inspiration to be found peppered across the country. Whether you’re drawn to contemporary art galleries, natural splendour, or architectural wonders, there’s a lot to love about these quiet enclaves. Read on for a nudge in the right direction…

 

The Cotswolds

 

The Cotswolds aren’t exactly a new proposition, but their popularity keeps them evolving all the time. For example, the storied Cowley Manor has received a major update with Experimental Group putting their contemporary, playful stamp on the place. It’s got a livelier feel than ever, thanks in no small part to the vibrant interiors by Dorothée Meilichzon. She’s incorporated nods to the work of Lewis Carroll, who visited often back in his day, hinting towards the manor’s creative past. For a bit of history, head over to the Roman villa at Chedworth, the largest to be found in Britain. If you feel like a hearty roast in a pared-back yet wonderfully warm atmosphere, visit The Bull in Charlbury. It’s run by the team behind The Pelican in London’s Notting Hill, so you can be sure you’re in for a treat.

 

 

Somerset

 

Somerset is brimming with soft scenery and idyllic homes of honey-hued stone. It’s a naturally lovely spot with no shortage of artistic spark to it. Towns like Bruton and Frome have inspired many a city dweller to put down roots somewhere a little slower, where they can live intentionally, buoyed by fresh air. Bruton’s Hauser & Wirth gallery is a world-class destination with an ever-changing programme of exhibitions. Frome has a similarly artistic spirit, with a Christmas market showcasing a good spread of art and craft objects with a side of live music. For a dose of history, visit Montacute House, a stunning example of Elizabethan Renaissance architecture completed in 1601. Bath is well worth a stop as well, with its Georgian crescents alongside artistic enclaves like Francis Gallery. Stay at Tobias Vernon’s 8 Holland Street Townhouse for a more modern ambiance, peppered with iconic furniture designs. Finally, close the trip off with a roast at The Three Horseshoes in Batcombe, the latest foray by Margot Henderson of Rochelle Canteen fame.

 

 

Norfolk

 

If you’re prepared to lean into the wintery feel, Norfolk offers an excellent getaway with a slightly brooding coastal flavour. Base yourself at The Gunton Arms, a characterful pub situated in a 1,000-acre deer park featuring a church designed by Robert Adam. The pub itself emanates the charm one would expect from a traditional country outpost. What comes as a surprise are the various works of contemporary art which punctuate the place, introducing an anachronistic sort of contrast, in the most positive sense possible. Here you’ll find pieces by the likes of Tracy Emin, Damien Hirst, and Anthony Caro, adding up to a worldclass offering. If you’ve not yet had your fill of art, pop over to the Sainsbury Centre to explore both ancient and modern collections, along with everything in between, all housed in Modernist environs. Those with a penchant for history will particularly appreciate Oxburgh Hall, built in 1482 and surrounded by a moat for an added sense of spectacle.

 

 

The Scottish Highlands

 

If you’re feeling a touch adventurous, head north to Nairn in the Scottish Highlands. To arrive in peak style, consider making a larger trip of it by travelling on Belmond’s Royal Scotsman train. On arrival, you’ll be struck by spectacular, sweeping beaches populated by progressive communities like Findhorn eco-village. We’d suggest staying at Boath House, a place teeming with creativity in all its forms. The hotel comes from the team behind London’s Sessions Arts Club, who’ve billed it as a restaurant with rooms. They’re very serious about their gastronomical offering – although, the energy of the place is wonderfully homey and informal. Their art residency programme keeps the atmosphere vibrant as musicians, writers, and artists are encouraged to work from on-site creative studios and leave a little something behind. There’s a very open feel to the way they operate, infusing Boath House with an infectiously creative spirit.

 

 

The Cairngorms

 

The Cairngorms aren’t exactly the Swiss Alps when it comes to skiing – however, they do offer a bit of on-piste fun closer to home. The area has also got a character all its own, with Scottish craft and tradition reigning supreme. There’s a major emphasis on Scotch around these parts, with no shortage of opportunity to sample a dram. Make your way to Braemar for a peek at Balmoral Castle and a sense of its attendant history. This is where the Highland Games are hosted each summer; in the winter, however, there’s slew of other highlights on offer. Stay at the Fife Arms to catch Burns Night, for example, along with their February Art Room creative workshops. If you do opt for a day of skiing, it’s best closed with dinner in the hotel’s fondue hut. Head inside to be immersed in exceptional art, much of which was commissioned by the gallerist owners, Manuela and Iwan Wirth on a site-specific basis. Contemporary pieces intermingle with work by artists from Pieter Brueghel the Younger to Pablo Picasso. They also run an art residency programme which keeps the place evolving while honouring the town’s deeply seated and heartily Scottish traditions.

 

 

 

 

Text by Annabel Colterjohn