Wind, rain, plunging temperatures – it’s November, and it’s dreary out there. But the good news is that the grim weather spells the start of something cosy: fireplace season.
Whether you’re nostalgic for a classic wood-fired number or hankering for the consistent, long-lasting flicker of a gas-fuelled model, there’s no better time to book into a lovely hotel that puts its fireplaces front and centre. Grab a seat by the dancing flames, drink in hand, and settle in for a lazy day….
Glenmorangie House, Ross
It’s the ultimate Scottish winter pairing: a crafted single malt, and a roaring log fire by which to sip it. As you might guess from the name, Glenmorangie House in the Highlands is owned by the whisky brand and the spirit’s influence imbues every aspect of a stay here, from distillery tours to mixology lessons. And, of course, nightcaps: following a locally sourced feast in the Dining Room, kick back by one of two open lounge fires with a fragrant dram or hot toddy in hand.
From £310, theglenmorangiehouse.com
The Grove, Hertfordshire
If what you’re seeking is a roaring log fire steps from your bed, select suites at The Grove – just 18 miles from London – can oblige. Newly renovated rooms in the Grade-II-listed Mansion wing aren’t just furnished with swathes of marble, big windows overlooking the grounds and polished parquet, but in some cases ornate fireplaces that staff will light on demand. Meanwhile, a cracking (or should that be crackling?) example also exists in the residents’ lounge, where you can order tea or sushi all through the day.
From £370 (or £580 in a Mansion room), thegrove.co.uk
Heckfield Place, Hampshire
This exclusive Hampshire country house is so obsessed with wood-burning that they’ve made it the centrepiece of their Hearth restaurant, where dishes like lamb kofta are cooked over open fire. The theme echoes the hotel’s warren of stylish Georgian lounges, furnished with multiple fireplaces so you can curl up with a book on a drizzly afternoon in coddling warmth. Elsewhere, top suites The Long Room and two-bedroom cottage Church Lodge even boast their own private in-room working fireplaces.
From £550 (or £1,750 for Church Lodge), heckfieldplace.com
The Rectory, Wiltshire
When rain is lashing down outside, there’s no better place to hide away than in the three-bedroom cottage at Cotswolds pad The Rectory, where a central wood burner kicks out radiating heat. The classically comfy space is well-stocked with logs so you needn’t go out; not even to eat, as you have your own self-catering kitchen on hand too. But it would be a shame to miss out on the rest of the hotel. Beef short rib awaits in the sleek restaurant, while down the road sister pub, The Potting Shed, has its very own wood burner.From £170 (or £650 in the cottage), therectoryhotel.com
Wildhive Callow Hall, Derbyshire
A hike across the windswept wilds of the Peak District is all the more enticing when you know you’ve got a fire-warmed lounge waiting at the end of it. That’s exactly the set up at this woodland-wrapped haven, where a series of nooks dishes up the goods from tile-lined fireplaces. Outside gets surprisingly cosy too; open fire pits give you a place to warm fingers under the stars. When it comes to bed down, choose from pattern-splashed rooms in the main house or secluded treehouses with alfresco copper baths.
From £214, wildhive.uk
Bailiffscourt Hotel & Spa, West Sussex
For proper old-world mood, this historic stay on the Sussex coast by Climping pulls out all the stops – serving up four-poster opulence, regal tapestries, ornate metal-framed windows and clusters of antiques. And, sublime fireplaces. The lounge has an ace communal example but some of the 39 rooms also come with their own wood-burning fireplaces which can be lit on request. Just what’s called for following an afternoon in the onsite spa and a wine-soaked dinner in the atmospheric restaurant.
From £325, hshotels.co.uk
The Machrie, Argyllshire
Cast off the Scottish coast, the isle of Islay gets chilly in winter – which makes it all the sweeter when you do eventually step indoors. The Machrie is just the fit if you want to trade country house clichés for slick, contemporary style but still want a dose of cosiness. The soaring ceilings of the first-floor Stag Lounge, overlooking the thrashing Atlantic Ocean, are contrasted with warm flickering flames; or hole up in the south-facing Courtyard Lounge, painted a bold red. Meanwhile, the relaxed 18 Restaurant has its own centrepiece fireplace, to savour while nibbling on Islay scallops or maple-glazed pork belly.
From £276, themachrie.com
Fairmont Windsor Park, Surrey
The stone-carved fireplace in Fairmont’s Library Club lounge is a thing of beauty – one of few original 19th-century features remaining in the grand manor house. When it’s in the throes of illumination, grab a book from the surrounding shelves and settle into the button-back sofas for an afternoon of leisure. Lazing here is just one of the highlights of the hotel’s winter season, which also includes family scavenger hunts and gingerbread house crafting sessions in the lead up to Christmas.
From £400, fairmont-windsorpark.com
Moonfleet Manor, Dorset
In summertime walkers, families and dog-owners all flock to Moonfleet Manor for its brilliant Jurassic Coast location off Chesil Beach. In winter, they come for the cosy environs. Four of the bedrooms – all overlooking steely windswept sea – come with their own log burners so you can curl up in privacy after a bracing day out tramping the coast in borrowed wellies. Staying in another room? Communal log fire-warmed nooks await instead. On a stormy night, sit with cocoa in one hand, J. Meade Falkner’s Moonfleet novel in the other, and unwind…
From £175 (or from £365 for a log burner room), luxuryfamilyhotels.co.uk
Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Wiltshire
Guests typically come to this Relais & Châteaux mansion outside of Bath for two things: to eat (the restaurant has a Michelin star) and to spa (there’s a fab set of facilities). Both attractions get even better in winter, when the public rooms of the house are warmed by log fires, their crackling soundtracking afternoon teas or rounds of board games. If funds allow, book the Grand Master Suite, where the OTT lounge dripping in gold, red and glittering chandeliers comes with its own working fireplace.
From £295 (or £1,286 for a Grand Master Suite), lucknampark.co.uk
Bodysgallen Hall, Conwy
You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to roaring fires at this Grade-I-listed National Trust-owned hotel in Wales. After taking in the impressive display in the main hall’s entrance, drift to the library for afternoon tea in front of more soothing flames. Later on, a dinner of glazed local duck or slow-cooked lamb rump in the restaurant is the perfect precursor to a nightcap in the oak-panelled drawing room. Here yet another spectacular open fireplace will warm your toes, while a cocktail warms your cockles, until it’s time for bed.
From £280, bodysgallen.com
Culloden Estate & Spa, County Down
From the Beckhams to Van Morrison, One Direction to Kylie Minogue, the guestbook at this plush hotel on the slopes of the Irish Holywood Hills is already plenty hot enough. But in winter things are dialled up a notch with a roster of open fires burning in the many communal spaces. Take your pick of the comfy armchairs and settle in as if you were at home. Or book a table at onsite pub The Cultra Inn, and you’re guaranteed more flickering flames, perfectly poured pints and a festive menu through December.
From £350, cullodenestateandspa.com
The Lygon Arms, Worcestershire
Right in the heart of the honey-hued town of Broadway, the Lygon Arms combines higgledy-piggledy wood-beamed appeal with modern facilities like a spa. And, cosy fires: warming wood-burner in the lounge and theatrical stone-faced number in the Grill by James Martin, where you’ll feast on epic Sunday lunches or indulgent lobster tail. Rooms might not have their own fireplaces but they’re cosy nonetheless, with flashes of warm red fabric and, in the case of the Charles I suite, plenty of wood panelling.
