5 UK luxury countryside destinations to visit in Holland Cooper style

The UK countryside is much-loved by both residents and visitors alike. Famed for its beauty, the rural landscape of the British Isles is home to lush, green landscapes that are the envy of many other parts of the world. As well as being home to a number of stunning national parks, the UK is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts enjoying everything from horse riding to British country sports.

And whilst the UK might be better known for presitgious cities such as London, Oxford and Cambridge, there are also a number of exclusive rural pockets can be a little overlooked. Here we explore five UK luxury countryside destinations to visit, where to stay, what to see and do, and what to wear in each of them, courtesy of our latest collaboration with Holland Cooper. After all, the dramatic, damp peaks of the Scottish Highlands demand a very different wardrobe to the soft, limestone lanes of the Cotswolds.

Perthshire & the Scottish Highlands

Scotland‘s dramatic landscapes are typified by the Scottish Highlands with its deep glens, heather moorland and old pine forests. If you’re a first time visitor to this region, the scale of the scenery will hit you immediately – it’s unlike anywhere else in the UK. Mountains cut straight into heavy, slate-grey skies, whilst raging rivers run through the valley floors. It is a setting built for serious outdoor pursuits like stalking, fishing and intensive equestrian work.

Where to stay

Perthshire is the gateway to the Scottish Highlands and home to the infamous Gleneagles Hotel which is tucked away under the Ochil Hills. Somehow, this Scottish luxury estate finds the perfect combination between grand, traditional hospitality and a more contemporary version of 5 star service. And whilst the hotel might be regarded as synonymous with golf, it is also home to a 50-acre equestrian center. The facility is enormous, featuring a massive indoor arena, proper cross-country courses, and a stable of over 50 highly trained horses.

What to see and do

Get out early before the mist clears for a private trail ride, heading straight into the ridges and moorland surrounding the estate. Later, head down to the lawns to handle a raptor during a private falconry session, or take a luxury 4×4 out to the off-road course to see how it handles deep mud wallows and steep rock inclines. When the light goes, head inside to the Century Bar for a rare, cask-strength single malt by the fire, before heading into Andrew Fairlie—Scotland’s only two-Michelin-starred dining room—for dinner.

What to wear

Because the weather in the Highlands can change at short notice, clothing in this part of the UK has to perform. Navigating the Highlands properly means wearing layers that project absolute command over the elements—robust enough to handle a downpour, but cut well enough to keep a sharp silhouette. Holland Cooper’s zip base layers are an excellent staple, expertly crafted with practicality and form in mind – as well as warmth and comfort.

The Cotswolds

The Cotswolds is like chocolate-box version of rural England with its quiet network of honey-coloured stone villages, clear chalk streams, and lush, rolling hills. It’s where Holland Cooper originates and is widely seen as the centre of the British equestrian world – home to elite eventing, dressage and polo lines. The pace of life in the Cotswolds is much more relaxed than the city life of London just two hours away. It’s a very different world with tight lanes, borded by old dry stone walls, and villages that look like they have changed very little over the centuries.

Where to stay

Our recommnedation is to stay at the grand Palladian mansion that is Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa with its mile-long avenue lined with lime and beech trees. It’s an approach that sets the tone for a country stay with a difference. The hotel alone is surrounded by some 500 acres of immaculate parkland and, like Gleneagles, is also home to its own full-scale equestrian centre. The stabling is pristine, there’s a full-size all-weather arena, and the access to quiet estate tracks makes it perfect whether you’re a serious rider or just getting back in the saddle.

What to see and do

Start with a guided ride down the main avenue before heading into the deeper woodland trails on the property. Spend the rest of the day visiting the Roman Baths or head north into the heart of the Cotswolds to explore the 2,500+ species of trees at Westonbirt, The National Arboretum.

What to wear

The relaxed pace in the Cotswolds lends itself to a classic country leisure look – something elegant but still relaxed. Jodhpurs will give a clean, casual look and are perfect for day long wear, whilst Holland Cooper’s chocolate bridle boots provide a timeless equestrian style with a luxury finish. The latter are fully lined for comfort and durability, and are a versatile wardrobe staple for any country getaway, able to handle the transition from a morning ride to an afternoon in a high-end gallery or boutique without a clothing change.

New Forest National Park

In Hampshire, the New Forest feels older, wilder, and much more atmospheric. It’s a strange, beautiful mix of ancient oak woods, open heathland, and salt marshes that run right down to the Solent. Don’t miss the thousands of native ponies that roam completely free through the woods and villages. Because traffic is heavily restricted, the whole area has a quiet, slowed-down energy that makes you want to switch off.

Where to stay

Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa is an idyllic rural getaway that is located on the southern edge of the forest. And whilst the main Georgian house is beautiful, you’ll want to book a stay in one of the luxurious Treehouse Suites to be at one with nature. Hidden away in the valley canopy, these suites feature floor-to-ceiling glass, huge wrap-around decks with private hot tubs, and wood-burning stoves. You get total isolation in the trees, but with full five-star room service.

What to see and do

Get out early for a ride through the mist along the empty bridleways to spot the wild ponies while the forest is still quiet. Afterward, take the estate path down to Highcliffe Beach for a cold walk along the coast with views across to the Isle of Wight. Spend the afternoon in the hotel’s hydrotherapy pools, then head back to the treehouse. You can have dinner delivered through a hatch so you don’t have to leave the deck or the fire.

What to wear

The New Forest lends itself to a softer, more relaxed way of dressing where cosy, premium knitwear is the order of the day. A great example is Holland Cooper’s Elodie roll neck knit, pictured here in forest green. Its classic Fair Isle pattern, intricate detailing and voluminous, feminine raglan sleeves give a refined, elegant look but without compromising on comfort. It’s the perfect piece to wear on its own or to layer with a quilted jacket.

Royal Berkshire

Berkshire has significant connections to the British monarchy and is home to several royal residences and estates, including Windsor Castle, Frogmore House and St. George’s Chapel. Couple this with the fact that it’s also the home of Royal Ascot and the Henley Royal Regatta, it’s little wonder that it is known as England’s only Royal County. It is typically characterised by manicured paths along the Thames and historic royal hunting grounds, bringing with it a distinct sense of prestige.

Where to stay

Where better to stay than Cliveden House? This historic building has been at the centre of British political and social elite life for three centuries. Now run as a luxury hotel, the Italianate mansion lets you experience proper aristocratic scale. It’s wrapped in 376 acres of formal National Trust gardens, and the interiors—packed with original oil paintings and massive tapestries—feel like a film set.

What to see and do

Charter one of Cliveden’s vintage, hand-crafted wooden river launches for a Champagne cruise down the Thames in the afternoon. Once you’re back on dry land, walk the geometric parterres and formal box hedges. As it gets dark, move inside to the Great Hall for champagne afternoon tea by the massive carved fireplace.

What to wear

Your wardrobe here needs to reflect that city-to-country sophistication. It calls for structure, sharp lines, and immaculate tailoring. Think military precision, heavy wool trenches, and high-contrast details that feel entirely correct inside a historic estate. A great example is Holland Cooper’s Paddock blazer, pictured here in Abbot Check Tweed, that shapes the body perfectly and instantly dresses up simple base layers. It can be worn open or closed.

Dartmoor National Park

Dartmoor is one of the last true wilderness pockets left in England. It’s a stark, moody, and incredibly dramatic landscape of granite tors, mist-heavy valleys, and massive stretches of common land where wild ponies live. The weather is part of the experience—it can go from clear sun to heavy hill fog in twenty minutes. It’s an exhilarating place, but it requires serious respect.

Where to stay

The neo-Elizabethan granite sanctuary of Bovey Castle is the perfect setting for a luxury retreat within the Dartmoor National Park. Despite the grandeur of this castle and 275-acre estate, it is not as stuffy as some older resorts. The hotel is home to a renowned 18-hole championship golf course was designed in 1926 by J.F. Abercromby, who is widely considered one of the greatest British golf course architects of the 20th century. And for a special experience, guests can experience an intimate, morning falconry display led by an expert falconer.

What to see and do

Take a long, guided ride out onto the open moorland, heading up toward Bowerman’s Nose or Haytor to look out over the valley. In the afternoon, you could head down to the river to try fly-fishing for wild brown trout with the resident gillie. Alternatively, leave the confines of the estate to have a wander around the ancient stannary town of Chagford.

What to wear

Dressing for Dartmoor requiries high-performance, weather-resistant gear capable of withstanding whatever weather is thrown at the moors, along with some careful layering. The Holland Cooper training gilet is a versatile and comfortable layering piece, designed for effortless style on and off the saddle.

Wherever you choose to visit, and whatever you choose to do, the UK countryside offers the perfect backdrop for a luxury rural weekend. Couple this with some suitable Holland Cooper pieces, and you’re sure to have an amazing time away.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Holland Cooper.