Where to Stay in England
A regional guide to accommodation across the country
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Regions of England
Each region offers a distinct character and accommodation scene. Find the one that matches your travel plans.
England's capital offers the country's most diverse and expensive accommodation market, from international luxury brands to budget hostels. Every neighborhood has distinct character and pricing, with central zones commanding premium rates. Excellent public transport means staying in outer zones can offer significant savings while maintaining easy access to attractions.
This prosperous region surrounding London offers historic cathedral cities, coastal resorts, and charming market towns with excellent accommodation infrastructure. Brighton's trendy seafront hotels contrast with Canterbury's medieval guesthouses and the genteel seaside elegance of Eastbourne. Proximity to London means higher prices but excellent quality and variety.
Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, and Somerset offer England's most popular coastal holiday destinations with extensive accommodation ranging from surf lodges to luxury spa hotels. This region epitomizes the English seaside holiday tradition with numerous family-run B&Bs, self-catering cottages, and boutique coastal hotels. Prices peak dramatically in summer and school holidays.
This quintessentially English region of honey-stone villages, rolling hills, and market towns offers charming country hotels, traditional inns, and luxurious country house hotels. Accommodation here emphasizes character and rural charm, with many properties in historic buildings. Popular with domestic tourists seeking weekend escapes and international visitors wanting classic English countryside experiences.
Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire offer a quieter, more affordable alternative to southern England with charming coastal towns, the Norfolk Broads, and the university city of Cambridge. Accommodation tends toward traditional B&Bs, country hotels, and self-catering properties, with excellent value compared to other regions. The area's relative remoteness means fewer chain hotels but more independent character.
England's industrial and geographic heart, including Birmingham, Nottingham, and Leicester, offers excellent value accommodation in rejuvenated cities with strong business hotel infrastructure. The region combines urban hotels with Peak District country retreats and historic market towns. Often overlooked by international tourists, it provides authentic English experiences at lower prices than southern counterparts.
This diverse region encompasses vibrant cities like Manchester and Liverpool alongside England's most dramatic mountain scenery in the Lake District. Urban areas offer excellent hotel infrastructure with boutique properties in converted warehouses, while the Lakes feature traditional country hotels, lakeside retreats, and mountain inns. The Lake District commands premium prices in summer and requires advance booking for popular villages.
From the historic walled city of York to the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors, this region offers exceptional variety and value. Leeds and Sheffield provide urban bases with good hotel infrastructure, while the Dales and Moors feature country inns and farmhouse B&Bs. The Yorkshire Coast offers traditional seaside resorts with Victorian hotels and guesthouses at lower prices than southern coastal areas.
England's most affordable region offers Newcastle's vibrant urban scene, Durham's medieval splendor, and the dramatic Northumberland coast and national park. Accommodation is excellent value with good quality independent hotels, traditional market town inns, and coastal guesthouses. Less tourist infrastructure than southern regions but authentic experiences and warm hospitality.
Accommodation Landscape
What to expect from accommodation options across England
England hosts all major international chains (Hilton, Marriott, IHG, Accor) concentrated in cities and airports, alongside strong domestic brands. Premier Inn and Travelodge dominate the budget sector with reliable, standardized rooms nationwide. Mid-range chains include Best Western and Mercure, while luxury is represented by Rocco Forte, Firmdale Hotels, and historic brands like The Savoy. Regional chains like Malmaison and Hotel du Vin offer boutique experiences in converted historic buildings across major cities.
England's accommodation soul lies in its independent sector: traditional B&Bs run by local families offering personal service and hearty breakfasts; historic coaching inns dating to medieval times; country house hotels in aristocratic estates; and characterful pubs with rooms. The B&B tradition remains strong, particularly in rural areas, coastal towns, and tourist destinations, offering authentic local interaction and insider knowledge. Many are family-run for generations, providing consistent quality and genuine hospitality.
England offers distinctive accommodation experiences rooted in its history and landscape: stay in medieval castles converted to luxury hotels, historic coaching inns that sheltered travelers for centuries, or National Trust properties offering heritage experiences. Unique options include lighthouse conversions along the coast, shepherd's huts in pastoral settings, canal boats on historic waterways, and quirky glamping from treehouses to yurts. University colleges in Oxford, Cambridge, and Durham open their historic rooms to visitors during vacations, offering affordable stays in centuries-old buildings. Traditional seaside boarding houses maintain Victorian charm, while converted railway carriages, windmills, and follies provide memorable alternatives to standard hotels.
Booking Tips for England
Country-specific advice for finding the best accommodation
Many independent English hotels and B&Bs offer better rates and more flexible cancellation when booking directly through their websites or by phone rather than through third-party platforms. This is particularly true for family-run establishments that avoid commission fees. Direct booking often includes perks like room upgrades, free breakfast, or late checkout that don't appear on booking sites.
English accommodation uses star ratings from VisitEngland and the AA (Automobile Association), ranging from one to five stars. These ratings assess facilities and services, not character or charm—a charming three-star country inn may offer a better experience than a generic four-star chain. Read reviews alongside ratings to understand what you're actually getting, as standards can vary significantly within the same rating category.
Self-catering cottages, apartments, and holiday homes are extremely popular in England, especially in rural areas, coastal regions, and the Lake District. For stays over three nights or for families, these often provide better value and more space than hotels. Book through established agencies like Classic Cottages, Sykes Cottages, or Airbnb, and note that many require Saturday-to-Saturday bookings in peak season with minimum week-long stays.
Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, and other university cities offer affordable accommodation in historic college buildings during vacation periods (primarily July-September, plus shorter breaks at Christmas and Easter). These provide unique experiences in centuries-old settings at budget prices, though facilities are basic (often shared bathrooms) and availability is limited. Book well in advance through individual college websites or aggregators like University Rooms.
English school holidays (late July-early September, two weeks at Easter, one week in late October, two weeks at Christmas) see dramatic price increases and reduced availability, particularly in family-friendly destinations like Cornwall, the Lake District, and coastal areas. If possible, travel in June, early July, or September for better weather than spring/autumn but significantly lower prices and crowds than peak summer.
Unlike many countries where breakfast is standard, English hotels vary widely: B&Bs typically include full English breakfast in the rate, many independent hotels include it, but chains often charge £10-25 extra per person. Budget hotels rarely include breakfast. Always verify what's included when comparing prices, as breakfast costs can add significantly to your total, especially for families.
When to Book
Timing matters for both price and availability across England
For July-August travel, especially to Cornwall, the Lake District, Yorkshire Coast, or popular Cotswolds villages, book 3-6 months ahead to secure preferred properties and avoid inflated last-minute rates. London hotels during major events (Wimbledon, Chelsea Flower Show, New Year's Eve) require 6-12 months advance booking for reasonable rates. Bank holiday weekends (Easter, early May, late May, late August) see similar demand spikes in tourist areas.
April-June and September-October offer England's best booking sweet spot: book 4-8 weeks ahead for good selection and rates without the premium pricing of peak summer. Many properties offer early booking discounts for this period. Weather can be excellent, crowds are lighter, and you'll have more negotiating power for direct bookings, especially for midweek stays.
November-March (excluding Christmas/New Year) allows last-minute booking with significant discounts, particularly in coastal and rural areas where some properties close entirely. Cities remain busy, but even London offers better rates outside December. Many country hotels offer winter break packages with dinner included. Book 2-4 weeks ahead or even last-minute for excellent deals, though selection is more limited as some seasonal properties close.
For England, book 2-3 months ahead as a baseline, extending to 4-6 months for peak summer, popular destinations, or specific properties with limited rooms. Budget chains and urban business hotels can often be booked closer to travel dates, while unique properties (castles, lighthouse conversions, highly-rated country inns) require longer lead times regardless of season. Monitor prices after booking, as many properties allow free cancellation and rebooking if rates drop.
Good to Know
Local customs and practical information for England