Born and raised in London, I grew up with royalty, country estates, and historic tales as the norm. As a child, some of my fondest memories were exploring historic sites like the Tower of London or taking the train across the country to see the rolling hills and dotted castles. But anywhere else, that way of living was hard to fathom.
Now, that’s no longer the case thanks to Bridgerton's lords and ladies and other period dramas that have taken over both the big and small screens. And as a result, more travelers visiting the United Kingdom are looking to plan trips that replicate their favorite programs. One of the easiest ways to do so is by selecting a historic hotel with a strong sense of place.
From stately manor houses and castle hotels to elegant countryside retreats, here are nine UK hotels where you can live out your own period-drama fantasy.
In this article
- The Witchery in Edinburgh, Scotland
- Prestonfield House in Edinburgh, Scotland
- Lumley Castle in County Durham, England
- Glenapp Castle in Ayrshire, Scotland
- Grantley Hall in Ripon, England
- Royal Crescent in Bath, England
- The Cavendish Hotel at Baslow, England
- Chateau Rhianfa in Anglesey, Wales
- Pale Hall in Bala, Wales
- The Shortcut
The Witchery in Edinburgh, Scotland
It’s impossible to wander the tapestry-lined halls of The Witchery without sensing the grandeur and intrigue of its past.
Throughout the building, carefully preserved details pay tribute to its rich history: paneled walls crafted from 17th-century oak salvaged after a fire at St Giles’ Cathedral; the original carved inscription of former merchant Thomas Lowthian, for whom the building was constructed in 1595; and the stone doorway set within the Secret Garden tower, bearing the arms of the Duke of Gordon, Keeper of the Keys to Edinburgh Castle.
Rooms are just as impressive, with gothic-inspired suites that have tapestries, historic portraits, and antique furniture. Period-drama lovers will swoon over the Secret Garden restaurant, which features a gilded ceiling with tarot imagery and angels playing bagpipes, plus a topiary-filled terrace and stone walls.
Prestonfield House in Edinburgh, Scotland
Originally designed in 1687 by the King’s architect Sir William Bruce, Prestonfield House began as a home to medieval monks before transforming into one of the UK’s most opulent hotels in the 1960s.
Set on 20 acres of parkland at the foot of Arthur’s Seat, Prestonfield feels like you’re staying in your own private estate with small period-drama touches like the velvet boudoir couches, gilded mirrors, and ornate painted ceilings.
You’ll especially feel like royalty staying in any of the suites, which come with ornately carved furniture and four-poster beds. But, to top off the feeling of luxury, the hotel’s whisky room features over 350 rare bottles with a whisky sommelier, wingback chairs, tartan, and a moody decor.
Lumley Castle in County Durham, England
Overlooking the River Wear and surrounded by parklands, Lumley Castle dates back to 1389 when the property was built by Sir Ralph Lumley.
Once a manor house, the castle now operates as a 72-bedroom hotel for those who want to travel back in time.
An overnight stay here found me at an Elizabethan banquet, listening to ghost stories from the staff, and sampling whiskies in the drawing room, all of which are regularly on offer for guests.
The rooms are elaborately decorated with four-poster beds, canopy curtains, and ornamental fireplaces. I thought my room was luxurious, but a friend of mine was staying in the room that was once occupied by the hotel’s resident ghost. Think vaulted ceilings, an elevated bed, and whirlpool bath in addition to a possible otherworldly spirit.
Glenapp Castle in Ayrshire, Scotland
Glenapp Castle feels worlds away, in the best way possible, which makes sense since it’s set on a 110-acre private estate.
The castle overlooks the Irish Sea, Ailsa Craig Island, and dense woodlands, located in a region that’s part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Built in 1870 with turrets and crenellations, it feels like something from a fairytale. But grandeur isn’t just reserved for the exteriors.
Inside you’ll find oak-paneled halls, carved fireplaces, and a penthouse suite spanning 4,500 square feet (the entire top floor and largest in Scotland). Sweeping staircases rise past portrait-lined walls, while deep-set drawing rooms are layered with velvet upholstery, ornate cornicing, and tall windows dressed in heavy drapery.
Grantley Hall in Ripon, England
There’s something so lavish about a tree-lined driveway and river views like those you’ll find at this 17th-century Palladian estate.
It underwent several transformations over the years, evolving from a private aristocratic residence to a World War II convalescent hospital, and eventually into a five-star hotel in North Yorkshire.
Grantley Hall boasts sprawling gardens, hidden nooks, and rooms adorned with portrait walls and eccentric design touches.
I’m a huge fan of dark interiors and moody atmospheres, so spending an evening in the Norton Bar was easily one of my favorite pastimes. Think chandeliers, deep wooden furnishings, and a bookcase filled with old books labeled by year, each containing a card for a cocktail inspired by that particular year.
Royal Crescent in Bath, England
From a 1st-century Roman spa to an 18th-century historic town, the streets of Bath already feel like stepping into a period drama and have served as filming locations for favorites like “Bridgerton,” “Queen Charlotte,” and various Jane Austen adaptations.
Built between 1767 and 1775, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a prime example of Georgian architecture and wasn’t used as a hotel until 1950 when it became the Royal Crescent.
The interiors blend historic details with modern touches, but what truly feels like dining with the lords and ladies is the Georgian drawing room, with its triple-sash windows, elegant fabrics, and original plasterwork.
It’s the kind of setting that makes it easy to imagine Bath in its Regency-era heyday. Even a simple afternoon tea feels like a scene straight out of a period drama.
The Cavendish Hotel at Baslow, England
Said to have inspired Pemberley in Pride and Prejudice, The Cavendish Hotel sits within the 105-acre Chatsworth Estate, making it a dreamy setting in which to imagine Mr. Darcy.
Its 28 rooms offer sweeping countryside views, and there are two main restaurants on site: the Garden Room for a spot of tea, and The Gallery Restaurant, which holds 3 AA Rosettes.
Guests can also explore the estate’s landscaped gardens, woodland walks, and nearby attractions, all of which add to the sense of stepping into a classic English novel.
Whether you’re a devoted Austen fan or simply looking for a countryside escape, Cavendish offers a blend of history, scenery, and understated luxury.
Chateau Rhianfa in Anglesey, Wales
It doesn’t get more grand than a Grade II-listed French Renaissance-style château with turrets.
Set along the picturesque Isle of Anglesey in northern Wales, Château Rhianfa was commissioned between 1849 and 1851 by Sir John Hay Williams as a dower house for his wife, and was heavily inspired by their travels through the Loire Valley.
Inside feels like a fairytale, with dark wood panelling, stained-glass windows, grand fireplaces, carved detailing, and richly decorated reception rooms.
What really gives the hotel its storybook and romantic appeal, though, is the location, perched on the Menai Strait with views toward Snowdonia (Eryri). It's easy to imagine aristocratic house parties and scenes worthy of Downton Abbey.
Pale Hall in Bala, Wales
Built between 1869 and 1871, Pale Hall has enjoyed a storied past, first serving as a royal retreat, then a World War I hospital, and a shooting lodge before becoming the elegant country house hotel it is today.
Rather than a conventional reception area, arrival feels more like stepping into a private estate, with guests welcomed in a grand entrance hall featuring gleaming wood floors and an impressive carved staircase.
Each of the hotel's 22 rooms has its own distinct character, but those seeking a touch of regal grandeur should consider the Victoria Suite, which retains the original bed and bathtub used by Queen Victoria during her stay in 1889.
For an evening of opulence, the Henry Robertson Restaurant features floor-to-ceiling windows, a grand chandelier, and a menu showcasing the flavors of Wales.
The Shortcut
These hotels are actually historic; they don't just look it. Lumley Castle dates to 1389, and Pale Hall's Victoria Suite still has the original bed and bathtub Queen Victoria used in 1889.
A few properties lean into the theatrics. Lumley Castle includes an Elizabethan banquet and ghost stories with your stay, and Grantley Hall's Norton Bar organizes its cocktail menu by year.
Literary fans have options too. The Cavendish Hotel sits on the Chatsworth Estate, said to have inspired Pemberley in "Pride and Prejudice."
Looking for a historic hotel closer to home? These five U.S. hotels feel like sleeping in a museum
