Britain's 15 poshest towns (perfect for a spring getaway)

Telegraph

17-03-2025

Posh is a bit of a love-hate thing, isn't it? Most of us, the lesser-privileged masses, nurture an envious dislike for those who get to live in a whirl of Michelin stars, Barbour jackets, cashmere, Krug and organic everything.
But when it comes to a nice British mini-break? That's exactly the world we want to inhabit, just for a weekend. We want towns that have comely high streets, shops we can't afford, fancy bakeries, big, fat stately homes and a certain air of gentility. So, here are a few of those, where you can at least play at being posh for a while…
1. Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
A town best known for its Royal Regatta is surely the definition of posh. Many A-listers live hereabouts; £140 million Park Place, one of Britain 's most expensive homes, is nearby. No surprise: it's an idyllic spot, all weeping willows, alfresco Pimm's, swaying bunting and swooshing rowers – of which you can learn more at the River & Rowing Museum.
Foodies will love Pavilion, an indie deli and cookery school, and the Golden Ball, a husband-wife venture serving highly acclaimed seasonal menus. Everyone adores Asquiths, long-time purveyors of high-end teddy bears.
Where to see (and be seen)
The Leander Club, dahling. It's possible for non-members to stay overnight at this prestigious, Olympian-spawning rowing club, founded in 1818.
Where to stay
Opened in 2024, the Tavern Townhouse is a Grade-II listed Georgian building with six achingly-chic rooms, all with roll-top tubs. From £200 per night, room-only.
2. Bruton, Somerset
Bijou Bruton, hidden in Somerset's rural folds, is the Notting Hill of the South West, beloved of artsy London types. That's thanks to being pretty as a picture, reachable by train and home to Hauser & Wirth – the global gallery opened an outpost here in 2014, on 18th-century Durslade Farm.
The food scene has boomed in sync, from hot openings like Da Costa ('quintessential English, Italian flair') to Michelin-starred Osip, small but mighty Matt's Kitchen, hip bakery-restaurant At The Chapel and, close by, The Newt in Somerset, an uber-swanky hotel, gardens and reconstructed Roman villa.
Where to see (and be seen)
Swaying to Sunday jazz with a Durslade Cider at the new Roth Bar, a junkyard-inspired art installation-cum-food and cocktails joint at Hauser & Wirth.
Where to stay
Number One Bruton, 12 chic rooms and a lauded new restaurant inside a townhouse, forge and ironmonger's shop. From £240 per night B&B.
3. Harrogate, North Yorkshire
This Victorian spa town on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales has had a reputation for being well-to-do since the 19th century. Its centre retains a refined air, with elegant buildings, a strong boutique shopping scene and classily traditional eateries, from the century-old Bettys tea room to local institution William & Victoria, known for its long wine list and Yorkshire gins.
The Mercer Gallery occupies the oldest remaining spa building; fine art now hangs where the wealthy used to promenade. For further culture, see a show at the Royal Hall – first opened in 1903, glitteringly restored in 2008.
Where to see (and be seen)
Undergoing a fancy deep-clean surrounded by Islamic arches, Italian mosaic floors and 125 years of history at Harrogate's original Turkish Baths.
Where to stay
The Doubletree by Hilton Majestic, a palatial Victorian pile that's the only hotel in Harrogate with its own spa. From £79 per night room-only.
4. Salcombe, Devon
According to Lloyds Bank, yachtie Salcombe is the most expensive place to buy a house by the British coast – prices average £970,657. You can see why: hillsides a-tumble with cottages, an estuary a-bob with boats, a fringe of golden beaches, and subtropical Overbeck's garden clings to the clifftops.
Be sure to splurge on local goodies: gin, and gin-making classes at Salcombe Distillery, ice cream from Salcombe Dairy, seafood from Rockfish, soon opening a Salcombe branch and organics from Village Farm in East Portlemouth, reached via the cute foot ferry across the estuary.
Where to see (and be seen)
Lounging on a squishy daybed by South Sands Beach after a spot of marine-inspired wellness at the hip Beach Club Spa.
Where to stay
Right on the estuary, the Harbour Hotel offers nautical vibes, water's-edge dining, spa relaxation and sparkling views. From £175 per night B&B.
5. Ludlow, Shropshire
'Probably the loveliest town in England', reckoned John Betjeman. Well, the public school poet was probably right. For starters, Ludlow's a beauty, with its medieval street plan, 500-odd listed buildings, a ruined castle and a huge parish church (dubbed the 'Cathedral of the Marches').
Then there's the fancy eating scene. This Slow Food Town hosts the UK's original food festival as well as a trio of Michelin Guide-listed restaurants (Mortimers, the Charlton Arms, Forelles) and a raft of indie butchers, bakers, cheesemongers and deli's. Hipsters flock to Csons, a cool spot for flat whites and Oaxaca eggs, right by the river.
Where to see (and be seen)
Ordering chunks of Remembered Hills Blue at the lovely Ludlow Farmshop, which sells the finest Shropshire produce; there's an on site distillery too.
Where to stay
The elegant Town House has nine fresh, period-styled, wood-beamed rooms, concealed behind a Tudor façade. From £115 per night room-only.
6. Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan
Ever since Victorian shipping tycoons built their mansions on Penarth's Marine Parade, this has been one of the priciest addresses in Wales. It's a great location, fringed by pebble beaches and parkland, overlooking the Bristol Channel.
Come for the restored Art Deco pier, the Michelin-starred spot, Home by James Sommerin, the Danish bakery, Brød, and the indie shops – make a beeline for award-winning Griffin Books, just one of the delights in Grade II-listed Windsor Arcade.
Fun fact: the venerable Glamorganshire Golf Club, close to Penarth's cliffs, was the birthplace of the Stableford scoring system, now used worldwide.
Where to see (and be seen)
Sharing creative, local-sourced small plates at Penarth's hottest new dining spot, The Touring Club, recent winner of a Michelin Bib Gourmand.
Where to stay
The freshly spruced Apartment at Home sits above Penarth's Michelin-starred restaurant, complete with lounge, kitchen and copper bath. From £150 per night self-catering.
7. Holt, Norfolk
All flinty facades and cobbled lanes, Holt is the handsomest of Georgian market towns, and a favourite of well-connected families, thanks to its highly desirable Gresham's School.
Upmarket shoppers have good options, including Bakers & Larners department store (established 1770), the Scented Barn, for fine home fragrances and the monthly Sunday Market, a celebration of indie designers and makers.
The eating is excellent too, with even takeaways poshed-up, try Eric's wood-fired pizza. Best, the North Norfolk coast is close, and even accessible via steam train, the Poppy Line runs between Holt and Sheringham.
Where to see (and be seen)
Eating local crab, Brancaster oysters, Suffolk guinea fowl and more at the handmade tables of Meadowsweet, Holt's charming Michelin-starred restaurant with rooms.
Where to stay
The fine old Feathers has 14 freshly-refurbished rooms, plus ten more in a red-brick townhouse overlooking Gresham's fields. From £150 per night B&B.
8. Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Dead posh, that's Marlow. Setting for many a Midsomer Murder, and just seen in new cosy crime series, The Marlow Murder Club (author Robert Thorogood lives in town), this Thames-side spot is also known for its boutique shops and to-die-for river views – admire them like local-born Sir Steve Redgrave, from a rowing boat.
Marlow is also renowned for its food. Chef Tom Kerridge runs a trio of restaurants here: the Butcher's Tap, the Coach and The Hand and Flowers, the first pub awarded two Michelin stars. Or try Atul Kochhar's Sindhu, for contemporary Indian by the Thames.
Where to see (and be seen)
Raising a glass at the Oarsman, an AA Notable Wine List 2024 award winner and one of SquareMeal's Top 100 UK Restaurants 2025.
Where to stay
The Chequers is a fine 16th-century pub with nine vibrant rooms, and serves a particularly good breakfast. From £184 per night B&B.
9. St Andrews, Fife
Posh? Indeed so – well-heeled St Andrews even hosted the heir to the throne (Prince William and Kate met at university here). The town is all dramatic ruins, medieval streets, wild coast and, of course, golf – the game was born here. The ultimate coup is bagging a round on the Old Course, via the regular ballot.
If stick-swinging makes you hungry, head for Haar, where Dean Banks – finalist on Masterchef: The Professionals – serves top-notch modern tasting menus. Or try the Steak Barn, a sawmill-turned-wood-fired BBQ joint that sits alongside the farm shop and butchery school at Balgove Larder.
Where to see (and be seen)
Striding through the surf of West Sands – aka 'Chariots of Fire' – Beach wrapped in a woven-in-Scotland cashmere scarf from Johnsons of Elgin.
Where to stay
Fairmont St Andrews is a modern-luxe golf hotel, complete with fine-dining, Scottish-themed spa and two Championship courses. From £239 per night B&B.
10. Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
With its elegant terraces, excellent schools, sophisticated dining, world-class festivals, bountiful parkland and surrounding Cotswolds hills, this refined Regency spa town is a plum pick.
Need something to wear to the town's races? Stroll the tree-lined Promenade – Cheltenham's King's Road – and stylish Montpellier for boutique fashion and accessories; Martin & Co is the only Rolex retailer in the Cotswolds. Need to eat? Lumiere is the latest spot to earn a Michelin star, though Prithvi, an Indian reinvented by Michelin-trained Thomas Law, is maybe the hottest ticket. Finish with cocktails at the Nook on Five, Cheltenham's adult-only rooftop hang-out.
Where to see (and be seen)
Soaking up Ibiza-in-the-Cotswolds vibes at Dunkertons Park, a cider farm and events space compete with organic shop and pop-up food trucks.
Where to stay
Super-chic No 131 has Hockneys on the walls, high-spec design throughout and a hip Japanese restaurant and bar. From £142 per night room-only.
11. St Ives, Cornwall
Gorgeous St Ives, aka Chelsea-on-Sea, is perennially fashionable and reassuringly expensive. It's been popular with arty types since the mid-20th century, and now boasts the enormous Tate St Ives – be sure to be seen admiring the latest exhibition, on overlooked surrealist Ithell Colquhoun (until May).
Then there's the foodie scene, which involves eating local, seasonal seafood with superb sea views – try the Fish Shed or long-lauded Porthminster Beach Cafe. Finish at harbour-view Silco: this family-run bar serves its own St Ives Gin, made with botanicals foraged from the Cornish coast.
Where to see (and be seen)
Enjoying well-portioned, reasonably priced, Spanish-influenced dishes at Ardor, a new venture from Andalusian chef Dorian Janmaat, ex of Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons.
Where to stay
Reopening in May, refurbished Pedn Olva will be the snazziest spot, with the best views over St Ives. From £200 per night B&B.
12. Stockbridge, Hampshire
Ah Stockbridge. A few years ago, this pretty Hampshire town recorded the largest increase in houses selling for over £1million. It's very country chic – but in a jolly lovely way. Think Dubarry boots, Fairfax & Favor, posh pubs, the fishing set. The latter love it for the River Test, a classic chalk stream; indeed, Stockbridge is home of the Houghton, England's most-exclusive fly-fishing club, founded in 1822.
Take a stroll along the river, or wander the high street of delis, butchers, bakers and country outfitters. For dinner, head to the Greyhound on the Test, Michelin Guide-rated modern British dining by the river.
Where to see (and be seen)
Doing your shop at Leckford, just outside Stockbridge. This large estate grows for Waitrose, and has a farm shop, nursery, gardens, golf course and café.
Where to stay
The Grosvenor is a striking Georgian pile with a high-end yet relaxed vibe and a lovely walled garden. From £136 per night B&B.
13. Stamford, Lincolnshire
With its period houses hewn from creamy limestone, genteel Stamford looks less town, more Jane Austen film set. There are over 600 listed buildings here plus, looming on the outskirts, an opulent Elizabethan pile: Burghley House. The latter hosts the annual Burghley Horse Trials ('the world's greatest five-star equestrian event') as well as heritage fairs, Battle Proms and more.
In Stamford itself, there are boutiques to browse and eateries to indulge at. Try the taste-the-world small plates at Orbis. Or seek high-brow culture at Tolethorpe Hall's outdoor theatre, home of the Stamford Shakespeare Company.
Where to see (and be seen)
At Rennet & Rind, chatting over the counter with owner Perry James Wakeman, two-times 'Affineur of the Year' – that's someone who ages cheese.
Where to stay
The George is a former coaching inn with proudly old-fashioned values, an oak-panelled dining room and four-poster beds. From £250 per night B&B.
14. Wilmslow, Cheshire
It says something that Gail's, the poshest of bakery chains, chose Wilmslow as its first location outside London. There, in the town centre, it rubs alongside stores selling Rolex watches, Bang & Olufsen tech and Aston Martins. That's because Wilmslow – along with Alderley Edge and Prestbury – is part of Cheshire's 'Golden Triangle', beloved of TV stars and footballers.
Look out for them bling-shopping at Harrington & Hallworth, brunching at laid-back Nourish or dining at ritzy Piccolinos. Alternatively, grab the best coffee in town from more hipster Just Between Friends, then go for a yomp with the deer at stately Tatton Park.
Where to see (and be seen)
On a teal-velvet sofa seat, with a glass of wine, watching a classy movie at The Rex, Wilmslow's lovingly restored art deco cinema.
Where to stay
Nearby Mottram Hall is a Georgian manor with sprawling grounds, a fancy spa and high potential for celeb-spotting. From £109 per night room-only.
15. Aldeburgh, Suffolk
Benjamin Britten, who lived in Aldeburgh for many years, felt he was 'infinitely wise in choosing this place'. Quite. Aldeburgh is a gem, with handsome Victorian villas, an indie-lined high street, an endless shingle beach (home to Maggi Hambling's Scallop sculpture) and, thanks to Britten, a world-class arts scene. The composer founded the Aldeburgh Festival, which sees the greatest classical musicians play at Snape Maltings and the Red House, Britten's former home and now a museum.
Aldeburgh also does outstanding seafood – queue with the rabble at Aldeburgh Fish & Chips or buy it fresh from the fishermen's beach huts.
Where to see (and be seen)
Slurping Pinneys of Orford oysters on the roof terrace of the Suffolk, a 17th-century inn revamped by George Pell, formerly of Soho's revered L'Escargot.
Where to stay
The Brudenell sits right by the beach, serving great food with great views at its Seafood & Grill Restaurant. From £125 per night room-only.