Open Travel Guide
Luxury travel in England

Luxury Travel in England 2026

England at the top end: the properties, tables, and experiences that justify their prices — and those that don't.

England is the largest and most populous country of the United Kingdom, offering a remarkable blend of ancient history, vibrant cities, and stunning countryside. From the iconic streets of London to the rolling hills of the Cotswolds, rugged moors of Yorkshire, and dramatic coastlines of Cornwall, England captivates visitors with its extraordinary diversity. World-class museums, medieval castles, Shakespearean heritage, and a thriving arts and food scene make England one of the world's most rewarding travel destinations.

Luxury hotels

Five-star and palace properties.

Luxury

Claridge's

The quintessential grand dame of London hotels, Claridge's Art Deco interiors, impeccable service, and royal connections (the suite suites of many visiting heads of state) make it the gold standard of London luxury. The Christmas tree installation each year is an event in itself.

Luxury

Cliveden House

A 17th-century mansion on a clifftop above the Thames, Cliveden was once the most famous private house in England (the Profumo Affair was plotted here). Now a magnificent National Trust hotel with an extraordinary spa, it retains an atmosphere of grandeur few places in England can match.

Luxury

The Connaught

One of London's most distinguished hotels, the Connaught combines Victorian architecture with contemporary excellence. The Aman Spa is superb; the Helene Darroze at the Connaught restaurant holds two Michelin stars; and the Connaught Bar is the world's most famous cocktail bar (Guinness World Record holder).

Luxury

L'Enclume Rooms

The rooms and suites associated with Simon Rogan's three-Michelin-starred L'Enclume restaurant in the Lake District village of Cartmel represent England's finest restaurant-with-rooms experience. The farm, the village, and the extraordinary tasting menu form a complete luxury immersion.

Fine dining

Michelin-starred and chef-driven restaurants.

Fine dining

The Fat Duck

Modern British / Molecular Gastronomy

Heston Blumenthal's surreal gastronomic journey in the Thames village of Bray. The multi-sensory tasting menu takes 4+ hours and includes the famous Sound of the Sea, Snail Porridge, and Mock Turtle Soup. One of the world's most innovative restaurant experiences.

Chef: Heston Blumenthal

Fine dining

Restaurant Gordon Ramsay

Classical French

Gordon Ramsay's flagship restaurant in Chelsea has held three Michelin stars since 2001. Classical French techniques applied to the finest British produce. The Chef's Menu is the definitive experience.

Chef: Gordon Ramsay / Matt Abé

Fine dining

L'Enclume

Modern British / Farm-to-Table

Simon Rogan's three-Michelin-starred restaurant in the Lake District village of Cartmel. Almost entirely sourced from Rogan's own farm a mile away. The pinnacle of English farm-to-table cooking in a spectacular rural setting.

Chef: Simon Rogan

Fine dining

The Waterside Inn

Classic French

The Roux family's Thames-side restaurant in Bray has held three Michelin stars since 1985, the longest-running three-star in the UK. Classic French cooking of the highest order in a beautiful riverside setting.

Chef: Alain Roux

Fine dining

The Ledbury

Modern European

Australian chef Brett Graham's two-Michelin-starred Notting Hill restaurant is one of London's most celebrated. The menu showcases exceptional British produce with superb technique; the wine list is outstanding.

Chef: Brett Graham

Exclusive experiences

Bespoke and once-in-a-lifetime activities.

Experience

Savile Row Bespoke Suit

The ultimate English luxury: a hand-made suit from one of Savile Row's historic tailoring houses. Gieves & Hawkes, Huntsman, Anderson & Sheppard, and Henry Poole have dressed kings, prime ministers, and film stars for centuries. The process takes 3-4 months and multiple fittings.

Experience

Private Tour of Kensington Palace State Apartments

Kensington Palace offers exclusive after-hours private tours of the State Apartments, including areas not open to the public, with a specialist curator as the guide. Maximum 20 guests; champagne and canapés included.

Experience

Exclusive Highland Shooting and Stalking Weekend

A private sporting estate in the Scottish Borders or Northern England (Yorkshire, Northumberland) for grouse shooting or deer stalking. Traditional country sports at their finest, with gamekeepers, gun dogs, and exceptional countryside. Typically includes accommodation in a private lodge.

Experience

Wimbledon Royal Box Experience

The most exclusive tickets in English sport, the Royal Box at Wimbledon's Centre Court holds 74 guests and is hosted by the All England Club. A small number of corporate hospitality packages occasionally include access. Seeing tennis from this vantage point, with champagne and strawberries, is quintessentially English luxury.

Experience

Private Charter on the Thames

A private luxury cruiser along the Thames from Tower Bridge to Hampton Court or Windsor, with catering, champagne, and a personal crew. The Thames views (Houses of Parliament, St Paul's, Greenwich) from the water are extraordinary.

Experience

Royal Ascot Hospitality (Royal Enclosure)

Royal Ascot in June is the most glamorous event in the English social calendar. The Royal Enclosure (by invitation only) is impossible without connections; however premium hospitality packages in the Grandstand include excellent food, champagne, and racing alongside extravagant fashion.

Experience

Afternoon Tea at The Ritz

The Ritz's Palm Court is London's most iconic afternoon tea venue, with soaring ceiling, Louis XVI decor, live harp or piano, and a legendary selection of sandwiches, scones, and pastries. A formal dress code applies (jacket and tie).

Experience

Private Helicopter Tour of England

A private helicopter flight over London, Windsor, Stonehenge, and the Cotswolds provides a perspective impossible from the ground. Several operators run customisable routes from London Battersea Heliport.

Spas & wellness

World-class spa retreats and treatments.

Spa

Aman Spa at The Connaught

The only Aman spa in London, nestled within The Connaught hotel. Utterly exceptional treatments and facilities.

Spa

Thermae Bath Spa

Bathe in the same natural hot spring waters as the Romans did 2,000 years ago. The rooftop pool with views over Georgian Bath is magnificent.

Spa

Chewton Glen Spa

England's most celebrated country house spa, with indoor and outdoor pools, extensive treatment menu, and New Forest surroundings.