A book for every stay: perfect holiday reads to enjoy in all our hotels
Reading is one of life’s greatest joys. But everyday life can get in the way of working through your to-read pile. This summer, carve out some time in your stays to escape to a cosy spot and lose yourself in a good book.
To help, we’ve got some suggestions of what to read, wherever you are staying...
Stay at: Norton Park Hotel, Spa & Manor House
Read: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Located in the heart of Jane Austen country, there’s no better place to discover (or revisit) arguably the most famous romance novel of all time. Why not enjoy over an afternoon tea? Preferably with your own Mr Darcy...
Stay at: Chesford Grange Hotel
Read: The Queen’s Fool by Philippa Gregory
This Tudor manor house hotel calls for a novel set in the 1500s. Part of the bestselling Tudor series, The Queen’s Fool focuses on Hannah, a court jester charged with watching over Princess Mary in a volatile England.
Stay at: Ashford International Hotel & Spa
Read: Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Perfect for picking up on journeys and stolen moments as you explore Kent, Eleanor Oliphant is clever, warm and uplifting. Everything you need from a holiday read.
Stay at: Slaley Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort
Read: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas
Slaley Hall’s woodland surroundings are perfect for delving into the world of faeries. Enjoy outside in the gorgeous gardens and imagine you’re in Prythian.
Stay at: Oulton Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort
Read: Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
A true classic. Oulton Hall’s elegant manor house is the perfect space to dive into Rebecca’s story. Grab a glass of fizz from the Champagne Bar and transport yourself to Manderley. Be warned – it's a decent sized book. But that’s just the perfect excuse not to leave the hotel!
Stay at: Belton Woods Hotel Spa & Golf Resort
Read: The Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn
Part of the Bridgerton Netflix series was filmed just across the road at Belton House, so it seems a fitting spot to indulge in these Regency romances. Expect swoonworthy suitors, family dynamics and plenty of drama as you follow the lives and loves of the eight Bridgerton siblings.
Stay at: Crewe Hall Hotel & Spa
Read: Atonement by Ian McEwan
Crewe Hall was used as a military hospital during WW2, much like the one main character Cynthia works in. Set across three time periods, this dramatic novel charts how 13-year-old Briony Tallis’ lie changes the lives of those around her. Pack tissues!
Stay at: Glasgow Westerwood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort
Read: A Glasgow Kiss by Sophie Gravia
Described a Bridget Jones for Millennials, this romance set right here in Glasgow follow’s nurse Zara’s quest to find love. The perfect book to giggle through while sat by the pool.
Stay at: Cambridge Belfry Hotel & Spa
Read: Case Histories by Kate Atkinson
Follow Jackson Brodie, former police inspector turned private investigator through the streets of Cambridge as he tries to unravel three seemingly unconnected cases. So utterly gripping you’ll be worried you miss check out!
Stay at: Nottingham Belfry Hotel & Spa
Read: Robin Hood by David Baldwin
No stay in Nottingham is complete without learning something about the city’s most famous resident. This book sets out to find the real Robin Hood, looking for clues in everything from ballads to legal documents. Read on to find the name of the man who inspired the legend...
Stay at: The Oxford Belfry Hotel & Spa
Read: Northern Lights by Phillip Pullman
If you love fantasy, this is the book for you. Follow Lyra as she travels from her home in Jordan College, Oxford to the magical frozen lands of the Arctic. You’ll see many sites from the book as you stroll through Oxford and there are some props and costumes from the TV adaptation in the Pitt Rivers Museum.
Stay at: The Park Royal Hotel & Spa
Read: Manchester Unspun by Andy Spinoza
Written by a former journalist, Manchester Unspun charts the northern city’s rise from the 70s to present day, showing its influence on music, sport and more. Perfect to read ahead of exploring the city, or just to enjoy from your cosy spot in the lounge.
Stay at: Stratford Manor Hotel
Read: Shakespeare: The World As A Stage by Bill Bryson
If you want to pay homage to the Bard on your Stratford stay without dipping into Macbeth, this is a great place to start. A fun and fact-filled biography, it examines centuries of myths and half-truths about the playwright.
Stay at: The Stratford Hotel
Read: Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
Set in the heart of Warwickshire, Hamnet is the fictional account of Shakespeare’s son Hamnet who died age 11. A film starring Paul Mescal will be released later in the year, so now’s the perfect time to add to your must-read list.
Stay at: Dunston Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort
Read: The Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
A stay at this Elizabethan-style country retreat requires a book as atmospheric as your surroundings. The Magpie Murders combines two thrilling plotlines and has that all-important massive twist. Grab a chair in the lounge and get stuck in – just remember to order some drinks and snacks to keep you going.
Stay at: The Telford Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort
Read: The Secret Tour Caddy by Anonymous
Golfers flock to The Telford and what better to read between sessions on the green than a behind-the-scenes look at what goes on during golf’s biggest tournaments?
Stay at: Forest Pines Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort
Read: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
If you’ve got one day and night to escape, you need a book you can finish quickly. The Alchemist won’t take up much space in your suitcase – it's only around 200 pages but it will keep you captivated between spa treatments.
Stay at: Hampshire Court Hotel & Spa
Read: Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins-Reid
If you’re staying at Hampshire Court on business don’t forget to pack a book to unwind with after a busy day of meetings. The latest from chart-topper Taylor Jenkins-Reid is the perfect escapism.
Stay at: Cheltenham Chase Hotel & Spa
Read: Diddly Squat: A Year on the Farm" by Jeremy Clarkson
Inspired by your stay to move to the Cotswolds and embrace the rural life? Read Clarkson’s experience of working on his now famous farm. It’s a laugh out loud one, so grab a spot away from other guests or be prepared to be asked what you are reading.
3 independent book shops to visit
Didn’t pack your book? Don’t worry, you can pick up a paperback at one of these amazing indies near our hotels.
1. Next Chapter Books, Leeds | If you fancy a new book to dive into while enjoying the spa at Oulton Hall, head into Leeds to Next Chapter Books. Tucked away at the bottom of the Corn Exchange, you’ll find a fantastic collection of female-led fiction and non-fiction carefully curated by owner Eden.
2. Bodies in the Bookshop, Cambridge | Love a gripping thriller? The shelves of this quirky bookshop near Cambridge Belfry dedicated to the crime genre are packed with whodunits, historical mysteries, noir fiction and more.
3. Cogito Books, Hexham | Well worth a visit when you’re staying at nearby Slaley Hall. Cogito is a vital member of Hexham’s thriving independent scene and sells almost any type of book you can imagine. Grab a space on one of the comfy sofas and dive into your next page turner. The well-stocked kids’ section is perfect if you’ve forgotten to pack a bedtime story.
