A Berkshire Country hotel has been named as the best place to stay in the UK, according to The Times and The Sunday Times.

The Retreat at Elcot Park, found between Newbury and Hungerford, was named the national winner in the 2023 list.

The newly re-imagined 18th-century country house hotel and spa is set within sixteen acres of grounds. 

The West Berkshire countryside property, which has two restaurants, topped the 100 best places to stay guide.

The Retreat at Elcot Park named best place to stay in the UK

The Retreat at Elcot joins its riverside cousin - The Mitre at Hampton Court - as the second hotel by the acclaimed Signet Collection.

The countryside hotel has a 4.5 out of 5 rating on Tripadvisor with 68 'excellent' reviews. 

Awarding it a total 5.0 rating, one satisfied customer posted:"We came here for 2 nights for a relaxing break. A very warm welcome with a drink as we checked in and very helpful and friendly staff. Lovely room, very clean and spacious and the food was excellent.

"We had dinner and continental breakfast - very good range and choice. Very highly recommended and we would certainly go again."

READ MORE: 8 Berkshire restaurants receive rosettes in AA Restaurant Guide – see the list

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Another guest shared their experience, writing:" My wife and I went to try this newly refurbished hotel in Berkshire and we loved it. The hotel is situated in some glorious walking country just north of Kintbury. We have previously done Christopher Somerville's walk around Kinttbury and this time did a walk on the Lambourne way and one around the hotel.

"The open air pool was still open and 28C. The spa is great. The staff are really nice and breakfasts superb. It's difficult to see how it could be improved - a nice blend of old and new and dog friendly. Oh and they have electric car chargers!!"

Read the rest of the reviews via the Tripadvisor website.

Reading Chronicle: The Retreat At Elcot Park ( Tripadvisor)The Retreat At Elcot Park ( Tripadvisor) (Image: Tripadvisor)

Best places to stay in the UK revealed by The Times and The Sunday Times

Claire Irvin is Head of Travel at The Times and The Sunday Times said: “Best Places to Stay 2023 is a celebration of the incredible properties we have here on home soil and, most importantly, the hard-working teams that have made each one of them such a singular success.

"Our recommendations are not easily won and all 100 hotels in this year's list – particularly The Retreat at Elcot, our deserving overall winner – should be extremely proud of the guest experience they've created.”

The Times and The Sunday Times interactive guide is available from Friday and will be followed by a supplement within the newspaper this Sunday.

Split into eight regions, the guide covers London, Southeast, Southwest, Central, East, North, Wales and Scotland.

The Sunday Times writers have travelled up and down the country from Cornwall's coasts to remote retreats in the Scottish Highlands.

The illustrious guide also features winners from 11 different categories; Bargain, Positive Impact, Sense of Place, Seaside, Pub, City, Bolthole, Spa, Romantic, Foodie and Family.

Find your best place to stay via the Sunday Times website.