Why Choose the Heart of England for a Hot Tub Break?
The primary appeal of the Heart of England is its unrivalled connectivity. If you are organising a reunion with friends scattered between London, Manchester, and Bristol, this region is the perfect middle ground. With excellent links via the M1, M6, and M40, it allows you to maximise your holiday time rather than spending hours on the motorway.
Beyond the logistics, the region offers a spectacular variety of landscapes. To the north, you have the wild, heather-clad moors of the Peak District, offering some of the best hiking in Britain. To the south, the Cotswolds provide a gentler, storybook scenery of limestone villages and tea rooms. To the west, Shropshire offers a quiet, unspoilt beauty often compared to the Dordogne, while the East Midlands is home to legendary forests and historic estates.
This diversity means you can tailor your break exactly to your mood. You can spend one day screaming on rollercoasters at a world-class theme park, and the next exploring the sombre history of a medieval battlefield or wandering through the opulent halls of Chatsworth House.
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Heart of England Hot Tub Lodges and Cottages
Our collection in this region is as varied as the landscape itself. We have curated a mix of properties that capture the distinct character of each county, from converted barns to traditional thatched cottages.
Romantic Countryside Retreats
For couples seeking seclusion, the Heart of England offers some of the UK's most private escapes. In the quieter corners of Shropshire and rural Leicestershire, we feature intimate shepherd's huts and log cabins set in private woodlands or overlooking sweeping valleys. These properties are designed for disconnection, often featuring wood-fired hot tubs and minimal Wi-Fi, allowing you to focus entirely on relaxation. You might find yourself staying in a converted folly on a historic estate or a contemporary eco-lodge with floor-to-ceiling glass, perfect for watching the wildlife from the warmth of the bubbles.
Dog-Friendly Rural Escapes
This region is a fantastic destination for dog owners. Unlike the coastal restrictions often found in the south, the Heart of England is open all year round. Our dog-friendly properties are chosen for their practical features, such as enclosed gardens and hard floors, as well as their proximity to walking routes. In areas like the Peak District and the National Forest, you can step out of your front door and onto miles of footpaths. Many of our cottages also provide thoughtful extras like dog showers for muddy paws and local guides to the best pet-welcoming pubs, ensuring your four-legged friend enjoys the holiday just as much as you do.
Large Group Celebration Houses
Because of its central location, the Heart of England is the number one choice for group gatherings. To cater for this, we have a strong selection of large-capacity properties. In Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, you will find spacious converted barns and Georgian farmhouses that can comfortably sleep 12, 16, or even 20+ guests. These properties are often designed for entertaining, featuring large open-plan kitchens, dining tables that seat everyone together, and games rooms. The hot tubs here are typically spacious, large-capacity models, providing the perfect social hub for your group celebration.
Explore Heart of England's Best Destinations
The region is vast and varied. Below are the key destinations to help you narrow down your search.
The Cotswolds
Famous worldwide for its golden stone and rolling hills, this is the destination for a quintessential English luxury break. It is perfect for couples and those who enjoy fine dining, antique hunting, and visiting historic gardens.
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The Peak District
Britain's first National Park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Split into the Dark Peak (wild gritstone moors) and the White Peak (green limestone dales), it offers dramatic scenery, cavern exploration, and charming towns like Bakewell.
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Derbyshire
Home to the Peak District but also offering much more, including the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site and stately homes like Chatsworth and Haddon Hall. It is a top choice for history buffs and walkers.
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Staffordshire
The thrill-seeker's capital. Home to Alton Towers and Drayton Manor, it is arguably the best location for families with active children. It also hosts the ceramic heritage of 'The Potteries' in Stoke-on-Trent and the natural beauty of Cannock Chase.
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Nottinghamshire
Synonymous with Robin Hood, this county offers deep woodland escapes in Sherwood Forest and vast country parks like Clumber Park. It is excellent for lodge-style holidays surrounded by trees.
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The Midlands
The broader Midlands area, including Warwickshire and the West Midlands, offers a mix of rural retreats and cultural heavyweights like Stratford-upon-Avon (Shakespeare's birthplace) and Warwick Castle.
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Shropshire
A peaceful, rural county on the Welsh border. It is home to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ironbridge Gorge and the rolling Shropshire Hills. It is generally quieter and offers excellent value compared to the Cotswolds.
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Leicestershire
Often overlooked, Leicestershire offers beautiful rural landscapes, the National Forest, and significant history, including the site of the Battle of Bosworth. It is a great location for a quiet, relaxing countryside break.
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Oxfordshire
Sitting on the edge of the region, Oxfordshire combines the scholarly history of Oxford's dreaming spires with the southern gateway to the Cotswolds. It is ideal for a sophisticated cultural break.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which counties are included in the Heart of England?
The "Heart of England" is a broad term covering the East and West Midlands. For holiday purposes, it typically includes Derbyshire (and the Peak District), Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, and parts of Gloucestershire (the Cotswolds) and Oxfordshire. It essentially spans the central belt from the Welsh border across to the East Midlands.
Which area is best for a walking holiday?
It depends on the difficulty you prefer. For challenging hikes and dramatic elevation, the Peak District is the superior choice, offering rugged terrain like Mam Tor and Kinder Scout. For gentler, scenic rambling that ends in a high-end gastropub, the Cotswolds or the Shropshire Hills are better suited. Both offer stunning views but with less strenuous gradients than the Peaks.
What's the best area for a romantic getaway?
If you want fairytale romance with chocolate-box villages, high-end spas, and fine dining, the Cotswolds is the classic choice. However, if your idea of romance is total seclusion, wilder scenery, and fewer crowds, Shropshire is a fantastic alternative. It offers a quieter, more intimate atmosphere where you can feel like the only two people in the world.
Is Heart of England good for a winter hot tub break?
Yes, it is a magical destination in winter. The region is famous for its festive atmosphere. You can visit the large Christmas markets in Birmingham or Nottingham, enjoy snowy walks in the Peak District, or visit stately homes like Chatsworth House, which are lavishly decorated for the season. Returning to a steaming hot tub when the air is crisp and cold is a highlight of a winter stay here.
Which location has the darkest skies for stargazing?
The Peak District is the best location for stargazing. It has three designated Dark Sky Discovery Sites (Parsley Hay, Minninglow, and Surprise View). If you book a secluded lodge or cottage in the darker northern parts of the National Park, you have a high chance of seeing the Milky Way from your hot tub on a clear night, far away from the light pollution of the cities.