Where to Stay in United Kingdom
A regional guide to accommodation across the country
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Regions of United Kingdom
Each region offers a distinct character and accommodation scene. Find the one that matches your travel plans.
The UK's most expensive accommodation region encompasses the capital and its commuter belt, plus historic cities and coastal areas. London offers everything from backpacker hostels in King's Cross to five-star luxury in Mayfair, while the Southeast provides easier access to countryside charm in the Cotswolds, university cities like Oxford and Cambridge, and coastal towns like Brighton. Accommodation here ranges from Victorian guesthouses to ultra-modern design hotels.
Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, and Somerset offer Britain's most popular beach holiday destinations with a strong tradition of family-run B&Bs, surf lodges, and coastal hotels. The region's accommodation reflects its relaxed seaside character, from clifftop retreats to harbor-side inns. Self-catering cottages dominate in rural areas, while cities like Bath and Bristol offer sophisticated urban stays.
This quintessentially English region features honey-colored stone villages, market towns, and rolling countryside dotted with some of the UK's finest country house hotels and coaching inns. Accommodation tends toward the traditional and upscale, with many properties occupying historic buildings. Stratford-upon-Avon and the surrounding Shakespeare Country attract theater-goers, while the Cotswolds draw weekend escapers from London.
From the vibrant cities of Manchester and Liverpool to the dramatic landscapes of the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales, Northern England offers excellent value accommodation without sacrificing quality. Industrial heritage cities have reinvented themselves with stylish urban hotels, while national parks provide traditional inns, farm stays, and mountain hostels. The region's accommodation scene is characterized by genuine hospitality and lower prices than the South.
England's premier national park region offers accommodation ranging from luxury lakeside hotels to basic mountain hostels and camping barns. The area's natural beauty attracts outdoor enthusiasts year-round, with properties ranging from Victorian-era grand hotels in Windermere to simple fell-side inns. Advance booking is essential during summer and autumn color season, but excellent value can be found in shoulder months.
Historic York anchors a region of medieval abbeys, moorland landscapes, and traditional market towns, while the Northeast coast offers dramatic castle-topped headlands and fishing villages. Accommodation reflects the region's heritage, with many properties in converted monasteries, Georgian townhouses, and Victorian seaside hotels. This area provides some of the UK's best value, particularly outside York itself.
Wales offers diverse accommodation from Cardiff's urban hotels to remote mountain refuges in Snowdonia and coastal cottages along Pembrokeshire's dramatic shoreline. The country's strong tradition of Welsh-language hospitality and local pride means many accommodations are family-run with genuine character. Self-catering cottages are particularly popular in rural areas, while the Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia National Parks offer mountain hostels and farm stays.
Edinburgh ranks among the UK's most expensive accommodation markets, particularly during August's festivals, but offers unparalleled choice from Georgian townhouse hotels to modern aparthotels. Glasgow provides better value with a growing boutique hotel scene. The surrounding Lowlands feature historic properties, golf resort hotels along the coast, and traditional Scottish inns in the Borders region.
Scotland's most dramatic landscapes offer accommodation ranging from remote island B&Bs and wilderness lodges to luxury castle hotels and shooting lodges. The Highlands require careful planning as properties can be sparse and distances vast. Island accommodation (Skye, Orkney, Shetland, Outer Hebrides) needs advance booking, especially in summer. Many properties close in winter months, and some remote locations offer basic but atmospheric bothies for adventurous travelers.
Northern Ireland offers excellent value accommodation with a warm hospitality tradition. Belfast has developed a strong hotel scene from budget chains to luxury properties, while the Causeway Coast provides dramatic clifftop hotels and village guesthouses. The Fermanagh Lakelands offer peaceful country house hotels and waterside cottages, while the Mourne Mountains attract hikers to traditional inns and mountain lodges.
Accommodation Landscape
What to expect from accommodation options across United Kingdom
The UK market is dominated by both international chains (Hilton, Marriott, IHG, Accor) concentrated in major cities and airports, and strong domestic budget brands like Premier Inn, Travelodge, and Britannia Hotels offering reliable, affordable accommodation nationwide. Mid-market chains like Best Western and Mercure have significant presence in regional cities and tourist towns. Luxury groups including Firmdale, Rocco Forte, and The Red Carnation Collection operate distinctive British properties, while pub chains like Wetherspoon and Marston's offer budget rooms above their establishments.
Independent B&Bs remain the backbone of UK accommodation outside major cities, offering personal service, hearty full English breakfasts, and local knowledge. Country house hotels, many members of consortia like Pride of Britain or Relais & Châteaux, provide luxury experiences in historic properties. Traditional coaching inns dating back centuries operate throughout market towns, while seaside guesthouses maintain Victorian-era hospitality traditions. Farm stays and rural B&Bs offer authentic countryside experiences, particularly in Wales, Scotland, and Northern England.
The UK's unique accommodation options reflect its rich heritage: stay in National Trust historic buildings ranging from medieval castles to Victorian follies; sleep in converted railway carriages, signal boxes, or station masters' houses; experience lighthouse keeper's cottages on remote coastlines; book shepherd's huts and glamping pods in countryside locations; or try canal boat accommodation on the extensive waterways network. Scotland offers traditional bothies (basic mountain shelters) for wilderness adventurers, while luxury 'shooting lodges' provide upscale Highland experiences. Historic pubs with rooms, some dating back 500+ years, offer atmospheric stays with character and excellent food.
Booking Tips for United Kingdom
Country-specific advice for finding the best accommodation
Many UK independent hotels and B&Bs offer better rates and more flexible cancellation policies when booking directly through their websites or by phone, avoiding third-party commission fees. This is particularly true for family-run properties and country house hotels. Direct booking also allows you to request specific rooms, dietary requirements, or special occasions, and many properties throw in extras like welcome drinks, parking, or room upgrades for direct bookings.
Accommodation in city centers and tourist hotspots commands premium prices, but the UK's excellent public transport network means staying in suburban or nearby towns can offer significant savings. For London, consider hotels near Tube or rail stations in Zones 2-3 rather than Zone 1. In Edinburgh, Leith or areas beyond the Old Town provide better value with easy bus access. Regional cities often have park-and-ride schemes making peripheral stays practical.
UK accommodation pricing varies significantly based on whether breakfast is included. Traditional B&Bs typically include a full cooked breakfast in the rate, offering excellent value. Many hotels charge £10-25 per person for breakfast, which can significantly increase your total cost. Budget chains rarely include breakfast, while luxury hotels may offer optional breakfast at premium prices. Always check what's included and compare total costs including breakfast when evaluating options.
Many UK hotels, particularly country house properties and coastal resorts, offer dinner-bed-and-breakfast packages that provide better value than room-only rates. Multi-night stays often come with discounted rates, especially in shoulder season. National Trust and English Heritage members can access special rates at affiliated properties. Weekend breaks (Friday-Sunday) in business-focused city hotels can offer significant discounts, while rural properties may discount midweek stays outside peak season.
City center hotels, particularly in London, Edinburgh, and other major cities, often charge £20-50+ per day for parking, which can dramatically increase costs. Many city locations have no parking at all. Conversely, rural and suburban properties typically offer free parking. Also check for resort fees, service charges, or tourist taxes that may not be included in the initial quote. Some historic properties charge extra for WiFi or in-room amenities that are standard elsewhere.
For stays of 3+ nights, particularly with families or groups, self-catering cottages, apartments, or holiday homes often provide better value and more space than hotels. Organizations like Sykes Cottages, Classic Cottages, and National Trust Holiday Cottages offer thousands of properties nationwide. This option is especially economical in expensive areas like the Cotswolds, Cornwall, and Scottish Highlands, and allows you to save on dining costs by preparing some meals yourself.
When to Book
Timing matters for both price and availability across United Kingdom
For July-August travel, book 3-6 months in advance, especially for popular coastal areas, the Lake District, and Scottish Highlands. Edinburgh Festival Fringe (August) accommodation should be booked 6-12 months ahead. London requires 2-3 months advance booking for summer, though last-minute deals occasionally appear. Bank holiday weekends (especially late May and late August) need early booking for popular destinations. Major events like Wimbledon, Royal Ascot, or Edinburgh Hogmanay require 6+ months planning.
April-May and September-October offer excellent availability with 4-8 weeks advance booking usually sufficient for most destinations. This period provides good weather with lower prices, though popular weekend destinations still benefit from booking 6-8 weeks ahead. Half-term holidays (February, May, October) create brief demand spikes in family-oriented areas, requiring earlier booking for those specific weeks. Autumn in Scotland and the Lake District attracts color-seekers, so book 2-3 months ahead.
November-March (excluding Christmas/New Year) offers the best deals and most flexibility, with many properties accepting bookings just 1-2 weeks in advance. However, some rural and coastal properties close entirely during winter months, particularly in Scotland and remote areas. City hotels maintain year-round operation and offer significant discounts during winter, making this ideal for urban exploration. Christmas and New Year require 3-6 months advance booking despite being low season, as many properties close or host special events.
For the UK, booking 2-3 months in advance provides the sweet spot of good availability and reasonable prices for most destinations and seasons. However, flexibility varies enormously: London and Edinburgh need longer lead times, while rural Northern England and Wales often accommodate shorter notice. Always book earlier for weekends, festivals, sporting events, and school holidays. Last-minute deals do exist, particularly for city hotels during quiet periods, but relying on this strategy risks limited choice and higher prices during busy times.
Good to Know
Local customs and practical information for United Kingdom