Charlotte Eggleston-Johnstone

Sometimes the weekend calls for a touch of pampering away from the urban sprawl

Moated forts, four-poster beds, suits of armour and French tapestries – these are the stays of medieval dreams

From jousting tournaments to resident ghosts, play out your medieval fantasies with our pick of the best castle hotels

You don’t have to travel far from London to reach the beautiful English countryside, and areas like Surrey, Berkshire and Hampshire are particularly easy to get to by train with plenty of stations and direct lines from the city. There’s plenty of choice when it comes to spa hotels in the home counties too, so a weekend (or week!) of wellness is perfectly within reach. Whatever the season, spend your time lounging by the pools with a good book at Pennyhill Park, ironing the commuter creases out w…

Where to stay for a tranquil getaway, from natural pools in Zen gardens to whirlpools overlooking a race track