Lime Wood Hotel

Some country-house hotels — especially those in areas where the manor-house lifestyle is a thing of the distant past — strive heroically to re-create the atmosphere of 1938. In this part of Hampshire, however, there’s nothing to prove, no chips on any shoulders. Perhaps that’s the key to the casual, almost effortless luxury of Lime Wood, in the New Forest, just outside Southampton.

There’ll be no bowing and scraping, just friendly, unforced, casual help. The house’s history speaks for itself, and a layer of crisp, contemporary interior design does nothing to dampen it. And it’s family-friendly without turning into one big romper room.

What’s the secret? A place like Lime Wood, despite all appearances of insouciance, doesn’t just happen by accident. The minds behind the house’s current boutique-hotel incarnation are hospitality heavyweights, including alumni of some of Britain’s top hotels, both independent and corporate, and the staff is an all-star team as well.

There’s a very fine yet totally unpretentious restaurant, with a resolutely fresh-and-local menu by chefs Angela Hartnett and Luke Holder, and a spa that’s just luxe enough. Lime Wood’s price point means it’s not exactly a budget offering, which makes the lack of pomp and circumstance even a bit more daring — a less confident hotel would be tempted to cram in as much gilt as possible, so as to really earn every last pound. Lime Wood gets the balance just right — which is something worth paying for.

How to get there: Lime Wood Hotel is approximately 20 minutes’ drive from Southampton Airport (SOU) and 2 hours from London.