"The Independent" has selected the best country house hotels to allow you to quickly escape from London

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Early spring is the best time to escape from the countryside-a comfortable morning lying in bed and spending the evening by the fire. The long journey to see crocuses and daffodils heralds longer and warmer days.

You don't have to travel far to discover the best places in this country-here are some of the best havens that are close to London.

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Located in the picturesque village of Painswick, this unpretentious Georgian townhouse is an ideal base for strolling through the crisp Cotswold valleys. The hotel provides rolled paper maps, rain boots and food bags. Provide help for your journey. Grab one and wander through overgrown paths and sloping fields, through a cascading stream, to Slade Village, the birthplace and resting place of the poet Laurie Lee, where you can enjoy A hard-won pint of beer. Just make sure you come back on time, drink tea and eat scones by the fire, and take a walk around the quaint stone village.

Compared with some of its colleagues in the Cotswolds, Painswick is less boring and younger, and a series of pool tables and board games can help you pass the rain. The comfortable bedrooms are equipped with piles of books, retro radios and plenty of cushions, while the on-site spa provides a range of treatments for guests who are not too keen on outdoor activities. Breakfast even includes a Bloody Mary station made by yourself-the perfect place for a winter holiday.

Price: From £200 for a double room, bed and breakfast

Maybe it’s the mother and child’s ownership team, or maybe some small details—for example, fresh coffee delivered directly to your room in the morning—but spending a weekend in Whitley feels like living in your wealthy aunt’s country estate . Relax in the spa or spend a long evening lying on the sofa in front of the crackling fireplace in one of the several living rooms. Either way, you can have dinner in a two-star Michelin restaurant supervised by the 2018 Michelin European Young Chef of the Year, Niall Keating. The tasting menu is a fusion of Asian and traditional British flavors, and the breakfast menu is equally decadent.

The 21 rooms of the second-level manor are decorated with bold deep red-brown tones and eye-catching patterns; although the spa is small, it provides various treatment services. The beautifully manicured gardens and rolling grounds are perfect for winter strolls and there is no reason to leave, but if you really want to go, the town of Malmesbury and its towering 12th-century monastery are only a 5-minute drive away.

Price: From £274 for a double room, bed and breakfast

When the front door of this huge country house opened, the smell of firewood wafted in the luxurious lounge. The 42 rooms are elegant and traditional, bearing all the hallmarks of the hotel’s history as a wealthy merchant’s family residence—think sunken carpets, antique dressing tables, gorgeous four-pillars and huge marble bathrooms. Some are located in the main house, while others are located in the old stables and cottages around the quaint courtyard.

However, it is an award-winning spa, and Lucknam really makes a difference. A 20-meter indoor swimming pool, an outdoor heated area with views of the winter garden, and an amethyst room are just some of the leisure options, and innovative treatments include dry floating. You will want to drag yourself out of the restaurant Hywel Jones for dinner, which aims to recreate an old-fashioned dining room, with thick white tablecloths and heavy silver tableware clinking to create a dazzling atmosphere. Those who want a more relaxing evening do not even need to leave the spa building: head to the adjacent tavern to enjoy excellent bar-style cuisine.

Price: From £375 for a double room, room only

Slate floors, dark oak panelling and ornate armchairs in front of the blazing fire-this is the best fashion in the Cotswolds. The intimate bedroom follows a similar theme, with oak beams and rustic decorations that remind you of the past and present of this ancient farmhouse. Each room has its own characteristics: the loft suites provide comfortable hideaways, while the hot tub suites all over the grounds have their own jacuzzi.

After reading a morning book in one of the living rooms, then stroll to the spa, inhale the steam infused with lavender and relax in the outdoor jacuzzi. However, don't stay here all day-you will want to take the risk to explore the wider Farncombe Manor, Dormi is part of it. Take a map from the reception and head to the cozy sister hotel The Fish. At the Hook restaurant, you will participate in the evening board game and dinner, stopping on the way to enjoy the unobstructed view of the valley. If you want to go further, you can stroll to the picturesque Broadway Village with its quaint streets and the famous Lygon Arms Hotel, which dates back to the 13th century and was once the residence of Oliver Cromwell .

Price: From £299 for a double room, bed and breakfast

Located in 240 acres of rolling fields on the edge of Windsor Great Park, Coworth is an 18th-century manor house that has been transformed into a modern country hotel. It is part of the Dorchester Collection and provides the warm hospitality you expect without any luck. The guest rooms are modern and luxurious, equipped with a free-standing copper bathtub (equipped with bookshelves), oversized beds and decadent furnishings. They are scattered throughout the manor, some in the main house, and some in the villa group not far from the golf cart. The friendliness of the staff is just right, and they are happy to show you around the vast grounds.

Guests can choose from two restaurants: Michelin-starred restaurant Coworth Park serves British cuisine under the superb guidance of young chef Adam Smith; and The Barn provides a more relaxed environment. The hotel has its own polo club and often hosts royals-according to reports, Prince Harry lived here the night before the wedding. Only 25 miles from central London, it is perfect for a relaxing weekend getaway.

Price: From £625 for a double room, room only

This is the hotel of choice for the English football team, and it is not difficult to see why. The Three Lions stayed here before the game and used it as a base before the 2018 World Cup. Grove provides everything you need for a busy schedule, and is perfect for families with children. Championship golf courses, tennis courts, badminton and table tennis, plus bicycles and Segway rentals, even the most active guests can have fun, while those who want a more relaxing stay can enjoy the first-class spa.

In summer, the outdoor swimming pool and adjacent beach area with sun loungers are crowded with families. The Grove hosts a series of gourmet pop-up shops, including in its huge greenhouse, which turns fresh vegetables in the hotel’s walled garden into creative dishes. The hotel is large and feels a bit anonymous, but the rooms are modern and pleasant with Bose speakers. Most importantly, you don't even need to leave London, although 300 acres of grass and woodland means you can easily forget that you are still in M25.

Price: From £400 for a double room, bed and breakfast

Located in the heart of Dorking, this 13th-century inn offers a low-key luxury experience, but the price does not make people empty their wallets. After a £4 million renovation, it reopened in 2018. The 56 chic rooms feature original oak beams and vintage decor. Charles Dickens lived here when he was writing The Pickwick Papers. The novelist and his works were the subject of many installations and installations.

For those who want more country holidays, the hotel is close to North Downs and Surrey Hills, perfect for weekend walks. The restaurant serves meat-based British cuisine, including pork belly, braised game pie and various steaks, while the bar serves a variety of local beers. There is even a deli on site that sells Surrey produce.

Price: From £89 for a double room, room only

Hidden in a clearing in the New Forest of Hampshire, The Pig is a converted Georgian shooting hut that has not forgotten its roots. The greenhouse full of plants, the spa treatments in the converted potting shed, and the shepherd’s hut—almost a wooden house with a bed in the middle—create a peaceful, rustic feel. You can rent a bicycle to explore the forest, or take part in one of the organized foraging tours when the weather permits.

The walled kitchen garden delivers fruits and vegetables directly to the kitchen, paired with local meat and game. The 24 simple but charming rooms are divided into comfortable, comfortable or spacious categories, and offer roll-top baths and walk-in showers. If you really want to get away from all this, you can book two hideaways and a private forest cabin. This hotel is smaller and cooler than Lime Wood, yes, cheaper, just on the road.

Price: From £195 for a double room, bed and breakfast

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