UK spotlight: 6 great places to stay, 6 great walks

Beyond the 16 country houses that we own and manage, we work with carefully selected partner hotels that allow us to offer you even more incredible places to explore. Our expert teams go above and beyond to find unique places to sleep that put some of the UK’s most incredible walking and sightseeing on your doorstep.  

Here are a few of our favourite UK places to rest your head and the memory-making walks you can expect, all guided by our experienced HF Holidays Leaders.

The Portbyhan Hotel has an unrivalled position right in the heart of Looe. From the sun terrace, you can gaze out over the vibrant harbour, and when you fancy a stroll into town, it’s just a five-minute walk away. When it comes to dining, the hotel’s restaurant is rapidly becoming a Looe hotspot for its mouth-watering selection of meals made with local Cornish produce. 

The walk: One of South East Cornwall’s finest walks starts in Lansallos, just a 15-minute drive from Looe. Join the Hall Walk at the head of Pont Pill and follow it to the scenic wooded creeks of the Fowey Estuary. Pass through Polruan and head east along the seafront trails of the South West Coast Path to finish the day in picturesque Polperro.

Book: South East Cornwall Guided Walking

Surrounded by stunning countryside, this lovely hotel is set in the wild landscapes of Dartmoor National Park. You’ll be just a stone’s throw from the striking granite tor of Haytor and a wealth of well-trodden walking routes.   

The walk: Discover Dartmoor’s myth-steeped landscapes and fascinating prehistoric sites as you explore the best of this much-loved national park with the help of our experienced HF Holidays Leaders.  Direct from the hotel, you can head out across Dartmoor following the granite tramway past a Bronze Age settlement. Visit the ruins of a medieval village before crossing Becka Brook, as well as Holwell and Saddle Tors. Then it’s back to the hotel via Haytor Rocks and the serene ponds in Haytor Quarry. 

Book: Dartmoor Guided Walking 

Perfect for those seeking sea views and Victorian splendour, this 4-star hotel overlooks the golden sands of St Aubin’s Bay and has an outdoor pool open year-round (heated May to September).   

The walk:  Starting in St Brelade, follow the Coast Path to the south-west tip of the island where you can cross the tidal causeway to Corbière lighthouse. Head inland across Le Quennevais dunes, one of Europe’s most diverse habitats for flowering plant life, before passing a Neolithic standing stone known as La Dame Blanche.  

Book: Jersey Guided Walking 

This 16th century laird’s manor has bags of historic charm, a roaring fireplace for chilly days, and a well-stocked whisky selection. Best of all, thanks to the hotel’s remote location, clear nights allow you to gaze up at the skies in search of the swirling ribbons of green, pink, and purple known as the northern lights.   

The walk: Just five miles from Busta House, a walk along the magnificent granite coastline around Muckle Roe offers a chance to admire squawking seabird colonies and experience the windswept isolation and remote beauty of Shetland. 

Book: Orkney & Shetland Guided Island Hopping 

This hotel is one of the region’s oldest buildings. Part of it was once a 15th century Pele Tower and it later became a Manor House and a coaching inn. In keeping with the hotel’s standout location on the official Hadrian’s Wall Path trail, the restaurant serves a Roman-themed banquet for your final evening.  

The walk: A stay at the Centre of Britain puts the best-preserved sections of Hadrian’s Wall within easy reach. Spend time at Housesteads Roman fort, explore the southern part of Northumberland National Park, and visit Vindolanda – an archaeological site where some of Britain’s oldest Roman relics were discovered.   

Book: Best of Hadrian’s Wall Guided Trail 

We’ve had a long love affair with Orkney’s family-run Merkister Hotel, not least for its enviable setting on the shores of Harray Loch. It’s just six miles from Skara Brae and has an award-winning restaurant overlooking the loch, serving outstanding Scottish seafood and Aberdeen Angus beef. Rooms are simple but homely and all come with TV and tea and coffee making facilities. You’ll find comfortable public areas with free Wi-Fi, as well as a cosy bar, and handy drying facilities, too. 

The walk: More akin to the Scottish Highlands than the rolling countryside and crofts of Orkney, the beautiful and rugged isle of Hoy is just a 30-minute ferry ride from the mainland. Depart from Stromness and come ashore to cross the stunning central part of the island to reach the famous sea stack known as the Old Man of Hoy. 

Book: Orkney Guided Island Hopping