6 off the beaten track hotels
Fancy a break somewhere away from the crowds? Check out our hotels in some of the UK's less well-trodden destinations, from Lytham to Selkirk.
Published: Tuesday, 16 September 2025
Fancy a break somewhere away from the crowds? Check out our hotels in some of the UK's less well-trodden destinations, from Lytham to Selkirk.
Published: Tuesday, 16 September 2025
From chilled-out coastal spots to quiet country escapes, we’re turning the spotlight on locations you might not immediately think of for a break.
Consider these six Best Western hotels for a refreshingly different off-the-beaten-track experience.
How about a quieter alternative to the whirl of Blackpool? We give you The Glendower. This immaculately presented seafront hotel on the Fylde coast overlooks St Annes North Beach, giving you calming views of the dunes and Victorian pier. Dine in style in the hotel’s Coast Brasserie or watch amazing sunsets from the terrace with a cocktail (or two).
Dogs are welcome to stay too. They’ll love the freedom to chase balls on the unrestricted parts of the beach. It all feels lightyears away from the white-knuckle rides and flashing slot machines of Blackpool. But you’re only 3 miles down the coast if you do want to experience the bright lights of Lytham’s more boisterous neighbour.
Escape to our hidden haven in the Scottish Borders. The family-run Philipburn Hotel is set in private gardens and woodland on the outskirts of Selkirk, overlooking the serene Ettrick Water. It’s a peaceful bolthole for exploring the winding glens and forests that make this part of the world so special.
The hotel offers its own in-house taxi and minibus service for guests and even has an outdoor fishpond for koi carp-spotting. No two rooms are the same, so you could be breakfasting on the balcony, sleeping in a four-poster bed or indulging in a long soak in a jacuzzi bath.
A 16th-century former coaching inn, Brome Grange Hotel is cosy and welcoming, with definite ‘off the beaten track’ vibes.
Tucked away on the Norfolk-Suffolk border close to the market town of Eye, it’s handy for the Broads National Park and Suffolk Heritage Coast if you want to head off exploring.
When you come back ravenous after a day out, the hotel’s courtyard restaurant is the ideal spot to tuck into classic cuisine or dine alfresco on the terrace in summer. And when it’s time for bed, settle down in one of Brome Grange’s spacious rooms for a restful night’s sleep. Countryside relaxation at its best.
The Channel Island of Guernsey is well away from the usual tourist resort traps. But it boasts one of the British Isles’ sunniest climates and amazing beaches, often making it feel more like the Med than Britain.
Bask in style at Moores Central Hotel in Guernsey’s capital St Peter Port. For superior comfort, why not book one of the elegant suites, with separate seating area, air-conditioning and smart TV? The hotel also boasts three superb restaurants, making mealtimes a doddle. Those with a sweet tooth should head straight to Anni’s Austrian patisserie. Let’s just say the sachertorte is worth crossing land and sea for.
For getting away from it all in the North East, it’s hard to beat The Parkmore. The name of its spa – The Hideaway – instantly gives you a clue about the feel of the place. You can potter around, spoiling yourself with skin treatments, taking a dip in the hydrotherapy pool and indulging in leisurely brunches in The Birdcage restaurant.
With all these onsite facilities, it’s understandable if you find it difficult to tear yourself away. But if you do want to get out and about, there’s plenty in the local area to keep you busy. At just 3 miles from Stockton-on-Tees and within walking distance of the charming market town of Yarm, you can take your sightseeing in either direction.
Warm hospitality awaits at this sumptuous family-run hotel in rural Leicestershire. With its perfectly manicured lawns and grounds that sweep down to the River Eye, it has a distinct English country garden feel to it.
The attention to detail runs throughout, whether you’re kicking back in the individually styled bedrooms or sipping coffee in the garden. Here on a Sunday? The hotel does a cracking roast with all the trimmings, served in the airy, light-filled conservatory restaurant.
Sysonby Knoll is less than a mile from Melton Mowbray, famous for Stilton cheese and of course the humble pork pie.
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