Posh country retreats in the UK

Hotel Tresanton
27 Lower Castle Road
St Mawes
Cornwall
Tel: 01326 270 055
www.tresanton.com

The scene: Classic Cornish seafaring plushness
Ideal for: Al fresco dining and pursuing rarefied relaxing diversions

This row of cottages overlooking the harbour of St Mawes has been turned into this 26-room hotel by Olga Polizzi, the sister of hotel impresario Sir Rocco Forte. If the tastefully muted decor with its nautical theme, delicious fresh fish and fine wines aren't enough, perhaps you can amuse yourself with the in-house cinema, sailing yacht with crew for hire, and courses in bridge, painting and yoga.

Mullardoch House Hotel
Glen Cannich, by Beauly
Inverness-shire, Scotland
Tel/Fax: 01456 415460
www.mullhouse1.demon.co.uk/

The Scene: Remote Highland retreat, staggering in any season
Ideal for: Would-be novelists needing peace to complete their masterpiece

Overlooking Loch Sealbhanach and with a view of the Affric Mountains, Mullardoch House was built in 1912 as a hunting lodge, and is located eight miles up a single track road at the head of the glen. Expect elegant, spacious rooms and blazing log fires, plus fresh venison, salmon, and shellfish from the West Coast. By day search for the Loch Ness Monster, or nip over to the Isle of Skye.

Posh country retreat address book

Contact information was correct at time of publication

• Bailiffscourt Hotel, Climping, West Sussex (01903 723511) www.hshotels.co.uk/bailiffscourt-main.htm
• The Ickworth Hotel, Horringer, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk (01284 735 350) www.ickworthhotel.com
• The Waterside Inn, Ferry Road, Bray, Berkshire (01628 620 691) www.relaischateaux.com/waterside
• Babington House, near Frome, Somerset (01373 812 266) www.babingtonhouse.co.uk
• Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, Church Road, Great Milton, Oxfordshire (01844 277 201) www.manoir.com
• Lucknam Park Hotel, Colerne, Chippenham, Wiltshire (01225 742 777) www.lucknampark.co.uk
• Hurst House, East Marsh, Laugharne, Carmarthenshire, South Wales (01994 427 417) www.hurst-house.co.uk
• Whatley Manor, Easton Gray, Malmesbury, Wiltshire (01666 822 888) www.whatleymanor.com
• Hotel Tresanton, 27 Lower Castle Road, St Mawes, Cornwall (01326 270 055) www.tresanton.com
• Mullardoch House Hotel, Glen Cannich, by Beauly, Inverness-shire, Scotland (01456 415460) www.mullhouse1.demon.co.uk/