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Cheap and cheerful hotels in the UK to book now
Finding a smart and stylish place to holiday is simple enough, but finding that in an also affordable hotel is like finding a diamond in the rough. Fret not, our editors have scoured the market to find the best cheap hotels in the UK for holidays near and far, from seaside Georgian houses to budget-friendly places to stay in London. There are cosy pubs with rooms here, American-style motels and farmhouse stays too, so something for everyone.
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1/20The George in Rye
Seventeen years after first working with Retrouvius on the design of this lovely pub with rooms, the owners called upon them again to apply their gentle stroke and thrifty know-how for reclamation and architectural salvage. The rooms, pub area and all-day brasserie, The George Grill, now have a fresh look, and it's better than ever. Right on Rye's high street, the 16th-century former coaching inn is the perfect base from which to explore this quaint medieval coastal town on foot. It is under 5 minutes from the train station and another five minutes to hilly cobbled Mermaid Street down along the High Street's string of antiques shops and eateries.
Design notes
Despite undergoing a recent makeover, The George in Rye has kept its pub-with-rooms charm intact. That is largely due to the gentle refresh carried by Maria and Adam at Retrouvius, who know perhaps better than anyone how to make the most of what already exists and tread lightly to elevate a space with reclaimed furnishings and salvaged materials. You'll find bobbin chairs, upholstered headboards, patterned wallcoverings depicting flora and fauna, tongue-and-groove panelled walls, beamed ceilings, generous Lefroy Brooks bathroom fittings and copper roll-top baths in the rooms.
Food and drink
Dining options include the smaller and more informal pub area, also known as the ‘Dragon Bar’, for light bites and snacks, as well as the brasserie-style George Grill, where the impeccable menu features hearty favourites cooked over a wood-charcoal grill. The Rye Bay scallops, hand-picked Cornish crab and Romney Marsh lamb served with salsa verde are sensational – Arta Ghanbari
Address: The George in Rye, 98 High St, TN31 7JT, Rye
Price: Rooms from £86
Mark Anthony Fox2/20Boys Hall, Kent
This 400-year-old Grade II listed manor less than an hour from London has been given a new lease of life as one of the UK's cosiest pub and restaurant with rooms, tastefully decorated in the English country style and with a spectacular menu serving local comfort fare
Design notes
Despite being largely traditional in design, Boys Hall feels at once familiar and somewhere we have yet to see. Working with Holloway Studio, husband-and-wife duo Kristie and Brad Lomas treaded softly to restore and reinstate the original features and charm across the maze of rooms up-and-down three floors. The interiors are unpretentious and unassuming, yet acutely considered and crafted – the result of a successful collaboration between Kagu Interiors and Kristie, who points out the GP&J Baker wallcovering in a bedroom paired with Little Green’s ‘Citrine’ paint.
Food and drink
The restaurant is housed within a light-filled, glass-walled atrium style space with timber beams and skylights brought to life with a punchy palette of citrus green and berry red on the upholstery. The menu offers fresh concoctions of familiar favourites sourced locally and slowly cooked over the fire, including beef from Chart Farm dry aged for 35 days. The coal fired Turbot with Kentish mussels, savoy cabbage, Kent cider and saffron was a highlight paired with a side of 10-hour ash roasted sweet potatoes. The more informal oak-panelled pub with maroon painted walls serves small plates and snacks. While Kristie oversaw the interiors, the growing wine cellar is Brad’s domain, and he’s already collected some 4000 bottles. It is well worth coming down from London for a roast even if not planning to stay for the night. – Arta Ghanbari
Address: Boys Hall Rd, Willesborough, Ashford TN24 0LA
Price: From £180
3/20Margate House, Kent
On Margate’s storied Dalby Square, first-time hotelier Will Jenkins has rescued a handsome Victorian building from neglect and poor taste with the help of his longtime friend and part-time designer Charlee Allan-Quiton. The hotel sits within the now trendy Cliftonville area, just a step back from Margate’s small centre, in good company of the excellent bars, small-plates restaurants and cafes that have popped up as the seaside town rises to popularity. The interiors are warm and welcoming, with a cosy salmon-painted sitting room on entrance typical of a Victorian home, but with a modern spin: boucle upholstered deep armchairs are paired with a dusty pink velvet sofa and travertine coffee table in front of an exposed brick chimney breast. High-impact shades of pink adorn the walls of the rooms and common areas, each custom-made in a collaboration with Yes Colours. Staying here feels more like spending the night in the home of a close friend, with the owner often hosting afternoon rounds of orange wine or evening gatherings with guests in the sitting and dining area. It is intimate, friendly and familiar – yet stylish without a hint of pretension. – Arta Ghanbari
Address: 6 Dalby Square, Margate, CT9 2ER
Price: from £135 per night
4/20Askham Hall, Penrith
Askham Hall is a turreted and rather austere medieval family seat-turned-hotel on the quiet northern fringes of the Lake District. Deep mullion windows in the bedrooms and sitting rooms frame bucolic views of the surrounding countryside. Sun-bleached heirloom rugs warm original flagstone floors, fireplaces are suitably sooty and elegant sofas and cushioned ottomans are the comforting trappings of an old-money country pile. There's a Michelin-starred restaurant on site (which is equally affordable as such events go at £125 per head for six courses) and aside from serious hikes or lake cruises at nearby Ullswater or fishing expeditions to the estate’s own beat, Askham’s main event is its gardens, whose manicured lawns are framed by vibrant flowers and whose fields are home to wandering hens, ducks and goats.
Address: Askham Hall, Askham, Penrith CA10 2PF
Price: doubles from £150
5/20The Albion, Cardigan, Wales
The Albion hotel, named after the ship which took numerous emigres to the New World, is the latest addition to dynamic husband-and-wife team James Lynch and Sian Tucker's Fforest empire, a holiday concept which began with the acquisition of nearby 200-acre Fforest farm and the development of wide-ranging accommodations - farmhouses, lofts, geodesic domes, tepees and cabins – for guests wanting to get stuck into nature. ‘Over the years we have slowly been creating a place where living, playing, inspiration, adventure learning can happen in the beauty of the great outdoors,’ says Sian of the concept that has expanded to a further site on the coast at nearby Manorafon. And now there’s the hotel, too.
The Albion is as robust on the inside as it is on the out – unashamedly embracing its industrial warehouse roots in the use of steel, lime wash, stone and, most notably, wood. Reclaimed timber abounds, on walls, on floors, in furniture, in fixtures and fittings creating a vibe that feels part Scandinavian, part Alpine – even a little bit Japanese. It is a masterclass in upcycling with church pews refashioned into shelves, benches and desks, old schoolroom cabinets into cupboards and storage units. Ceilings are low, spaces are tight (ship-shape and cabin-like one might say) and colours are dark and moody, save for the odd burst of red or yellow in the exquisite, locally woven woollen headboards, cushions and blankets.
Address: Fforest, Bridge Warehouse, Cardigan, Ceredigion, SA43 3aa
Price: from £145 per night
6/20The Drunken Duck Inn and Restaurant, Ambleside
The Drunken Duck is the characterful pub with rooms that foodie ramblers long for and, once discovered, will dictate walking routes and itineraries forever. Having traipsed around the shores of Windermere, it's heaven to pitch up here for a venison suet pudding or celeriac pie lunch, rounded off with the pub’s own ale, brewed on site. Then it's boots back on for afternoons spent pootling around nearby Ambleside and Hawkshead (of Beatrix Potter lore). A substantial revamp downstairs has spruced up this beloved pub without losing any of its character (see the olive beams festooned with brassworks and hops and the walls covered in framed Victoriana pictures). The rooms above the pub and in the courtyard are traditional with a touch of quirk, such as the odd splash of purple or French boudoir style headboard.
Address: Barngates, Ambleside LA22 0NG
Price: Doubles from £99
Brian Dandridge7/20The Suffolk, Aldeburgh
The Suffolk is a relatively new addition to Aldeburgh's hospitality scene, offering six bedrooms for guests who likely also want to visit the adjoining restaurant of the same name (this is a self-described restaurant with rooms). The colour palette inside relies on soft greys, greens, browns and blues to represent the marshes and the sea, fabrics – hefty linens in the main - are simply patterned, floors are wood or seagrass, painted tongue-and-groove boarding creeps up the walls, lampshades look like upturned lobster pots, and birds and boats provide decorative motifs throughout. The six bedrooms, all named after local beauty spots, have adjoining shower rooms apart from Orford Ness, which has a bath and is one of two rooms with a view of the sea. Little Japan is the biggest; the wonderfully named Abraham’s Bosom, the smallest. Vintage furniture, garnered from local shops and markets (Suffolk is famous for antiquing), sits alongside white-linened beds with upholstered headboards, wallpaper here and there cuts a dash.
Address: 152 High Street, Aldeburgh IP15 5AQ
Price: from £180 per night
8/20Wild Thyme & Honey, Cirencester
In the middle of the Gloucestershire countryside sits the quaint boutique inn, Wild Thyme & Honey. With pleasantly decorated rooms and suites whose views look onto rolling countryside and full gardens, guests can expect a sound sleep and a lovely wake-up. Food at the inn is tied to the cosy village pub, The Crown at Ampney Brook, which offers excellent dishes prepared with fresh local produce, as well as a thoughtful wine menu. In the summer months, guests can dine waterside, on one of the pub's ‘alfresco globes’. With plenty of country pursuits to choose from, such as local tours (including some to Cotswold vineyards and breweries), cycling and golf, days spent at Wild Thyme & Honey will be full and well-spent.
Address: Ampney Crucis, Cirencester GL7 5RS
Price: from £161 per night
ED REEVE9/20Fort Road Hotel, Margate
The seaside town of Margate is an easy escape from London, with The Turner Contemporary and revamped Dreamland drawing in the designer loving crowd. Now, directly opposite the Turner Contemporary is another design gem – Fort Road Hotel. Each of the 14 rooms are individually designed and feature local artworks and vintage furniture and cool Scandi fittings. The hotel's intimate restaurant is a must visit and serves locally sourced fare that changes seasonally (think nettle gnudi and cuttlefish & oregano orzo). Downstairs, grab a cocktail at the double-height basement bar, or up on the rooftop terrace, especially in sunset season. – Tal Dekel Daks
Address: 18 Fort Road, Margate CT9 1HF
Price: from £140 per night
Finn Studio10/20Glebe House, Devon
Since news of Glebe House in Devon opening up popped up on Instagram during one of the many lockdowns, it has become the darling of the travel world, and for good reason. Think of it as the British version of the Italian agriturismo model, where all the food grown on the smallholding is served up in the brilliant restaurant and it feels more like staying at a friend's house than in a fancy hotel, in the best way. The interiors are what you'd wish for in your own house, the surrounding countryside is breathtaking and it truly is one of the best places to unwind.
Read more: A family home becomes an outstandingly lovely English agriturismo
Good to know: this is a foodie hotspot and even if you can't stay, it's worth booking a table at the restaurant if you're ever in the area.
Address: Southleigh, Colyton EX24 6SD
Price: from £139 per night
Tom Griffiths11/20The Alice Hawthorn, North Yorkshire
Old meets new at this award-winning, Grade II-listed village pub in the sleepy North Yorkshire village of Nun Monkton. Newly renovated, The Alice Hawthorn now has 12 bedrooms, with guests choosing either a “pub room” above the inn. Those feature old exposed beams and great views over the village green, or they can pick a more modern “garden room" which can be found at the back of the red-bricked building. Those are beautifully detailed timber-framed, larch-clad buildings constructed from home grown. Either way, guests shouldn't hit snooze on a visit to the revamped beer garden with a pizza oven.
To find out more, read our full The Alice Hawthorn review.
Address: The Green, Nun Monkton, York
Price: From £150 a night
12/20The Double Red Duke, Cotswolds
Roaring log fires and honey-hued exteriors go hand in hand with dazzlingly bright floral wallpaper and burnt orange headboards at this idyllic Oxfordshire hideaway – less than a two hour drive from London. Newly renovated in 2021, the 17th-century Cotswolds coaching inn, formerly known as The Plough, makes for a perfect retreat for a weekend exploring the best of the Cotswolds. You’re staying in the lovely village of Clanfield, a few minutes away from Bampton (where much of Downton Abbey is filmed) or Kelmscott Manor, once home to William Morris. But you could just as easily while away a weekend on the hotel grounds. There are plenty of cosy corners for reading a good book, a shepherds hut spa for affordable bespoke massages and facials – and the real reason you should be staying here – the unmissable food. Swedish chef Henrik Ritezen is at the helm of the menu which revolves around an open fire. You can either sit at the lively chef’s table or the brick-lined dining room for some seriously delicious, fresh grub. – Tal Dekel-Daks
Read more: A Cotswold cottage that is almost too charming to be real
Good to know: Pet owners will be pleased to know that some of the rooms are dog friendly. Your furry friend is also welcome in the public spaces, bar the chef’s table. And the staff are on hand with lovely locally-crafted treats and cosy dog beds.
Address: Bourton Rd, Clanfield, Bampton OX18 2RB
Price: from £120 per night
13/20The Gallivant, Rye
This seaside boutique hotel near Rye has everything you want from a mini break covered; lovely rooms with stylish fittings and thoughtful amenities, proximity to lots of cultures, walks and sights, a yoga room, delightful restaurant and even a spa. It's the full package but for an affordable price, with options to add extra experiences as you wish. Rye is in the heart of East Sussex, so there are ample vineyards around to explore on day trips and try the best English wines on offer. All in all, a stay at The Gallivant can be as invigorating as a trip to the French Riviera.
Address: New Lydd Road, Camber, Rye, TN31 7RB
Price: from £170 per night
14/20Hoxton, London
The Hoxton Hotel group are well known for affordable, stylish stays in the capital, and with three London locations, there are plenty of rooms to accommodate those looking for an aesthetically pleasing and budget-friendly stay in the city. Covering Southwark, Shoreditch and Holborn (as well as other cities around the world), there's a location for whatever bit of London you're looking to explore. The Hoxton model is to bring the feel of a member's club or shared workspace together with a hotel, creating destinations with buzzy, friendly lobbies, full bars and peaceful rooms to retreat to. The rooms are dinky, but with so much space in the communal areas to enjoy, there's ample to explore.
Address: 81 Great Eastern St, London EC2A 3HU | 40 Blackfriars Rd, London SE1 8NY | 199-206 High Holborn, London WC1V 7BD
Price: from £174 per night
15/20Mollie's, Oxfordshire or Bristol
If you love the Soho House concept but have a slightly smaller budget, consider Mollie's. The diner-come-motel has two locations–Oxfordshire and Bristol–with a Manchester addition slated for 2023. It's kitsch but ultimately as sleek as its more expensive counterparts and works just as well for a road trip pit stop or as the destination itself when you're looking to live out your American dreams on home soil.
Address: Shrivenham Rd, A420, Buckland, Faringdon SN7 8PY | A4018, Cribbs Causeway, Bristol BS10 7TL
Price: from £60 per night
16/20The Yard in Bath, Bath
Young hoteliers Ed Haskins and Esther Newman jacked in life in London, bought a former coaching inn and set about transforming its old bones into a youthful, affordable and stylish bolthole in Bath. In June 2021, The Yard in Bath opened as a 13-room guesthouse. One main room leads off the yard and combines the discreet reception desk with an open log fireplace and simple café-cum-wine bar. The theme is set for the bedrooms the majority on the two floors above – where Esther has deployed her twin loves of Farrow & Ball’s ‘Setting Plaster’ paint and Lewis & Wood wallpapers and fabrics.
Read more: Little Gems: a coaching inn becomes Bath's loveliest new hotel
Good to know: Room 8, with its private terrace and lovely bathroom, is the best. All, though, are utterly charming – not ideal for families, perhaps, but perfect for couples on a short city break. There is no restaurant, but delicious pastries appear at teatime; plates of local cheese and charcuterie can be ordered with drinks; and breakfast, whether delivered to your room or eaten downstairs, comes in a picnic hamper containing fresh croissants and jam.
Address: 1 Monmouth Place, Bath , BA1 2AT
Price: from £95 per night
17/20Hope Cove House, Devon
The name Hope Cove House conjures all sorts of romantic ideas and this hotel does not disappoint. It's an eight bedroom property overlooking the cove at Inner Hope, with breezy interiors that suit its seaside position, and a sought-after terrace filled with locals sipping beer, eating ice cream and feasting on the kitchen's local fare. The restaurant is as good as the hotel itself and it all culminates to create the sort of hotel that you really wish no one else knew about.
Address: Hope Cove House, Inner Hope, Kingsbridge TQ7 3HH
Price: from £145 per night, including breakfast
18/20The Talbot Inn, Somerset
Only a stone's throw from the fifteenth-century St Andrew's Church in the exquisite Somerset village of Mells is The Talbot Inn, which is also neighbours to nearby Babington House. Much of the inn, accessed via an archway, is dotted around a pretty cobbled courtyard. The higgledy-piggledy interior conceals eight rooms, which–whether small or large–are beautifully designed. Food comes in the form of delicious, seasonal fare with much of the produce coming from the inn's kitchen garden. At weekends, food in the Coach House Grill Room is cooked on an open charcoal and wood fire, and served at communal dining tables.
Read more: The best country pubs with rooms in the UK
Good to know: Go for room one with its white four-poster bed and in-room roll-top bath. Room seven has two bedrooms, so it's perfect for travelling with children.
Address: Selwood St, Mells, Frome BA11 3PN
Price: from £100 per night
19/20Albion House, Ramsgate
Overlooking the marina and the beach in Ramsgate stands the Georgian beauty that is Albion House. This seaside idyll is a secret stylish find, with 14 rooms of all shapes and sizes, 12 of which boast sea views. Think velvet curving headboards, well-chosen antiques and Georgian proportions, with modern trappings to ensure every comfort is met. The hotel also has a restaurant and bar, with hyper local fish, of course.
Address: Albion House, Albion Pl, Ramsgate CT11 8HQ
Price: from £115 per night
20/20The Gunton Arms, Norfolk
Situated in the vast, early 18th-century deer park of Gunton Hall, the feeling of space and opportunities to explore stretch out as soon as you get out of the car. It is ten minutes away from Cromer beach, and a good base to explore Holkham and Wells-next-the-Sea further up the coast. There are 16 rooms decorated by the designer Robert Kime in his signature elegant country house style with luxurious fabrics, layers of texture and subtle lighting. Chef Stuart Tattersall (ex-head chef at Mark Hix) cooks on an open wood fire in the heart of the dining room, giving a medieval-banquet vibe to the feast. The Gunton specialises in locally-sourced meat, from sirloin steaks, pork chops and Gunton venison sausages to a rib of beef to share. A children’s menu is available, along with excellent Gunton art-themed activity sheets to help keep them amused.
Address: Cromer Road, Thorpe Market, Norfolk NR11 8TZ
Price: From £99 for a small standard double, including breakfast
