Country chic U.K.

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30 OCTOBER 2003
Country house hotels have become cool and contemporary. And you don't even need to pack your wellies to enjoy yourself – you'll find plenty to do without having to leave the grounds.

Gloucestershire: Cowley Manor, near Cheltenham
Some very contemporary touches distinguish this rather grand former stately home: hanging crystals in the lobby, red leather seats in the bar, Scandinavian-style public rooms and lime and purple tones everywhere. The 30 bedrooms are divided between the main house and the stable block, all with huge beds, plump duvets and modern baths big enough for two to frolic in.

No need to bring your green wellies; the hotel does provide them, but there's enough to do without tramping the Gloucestershire countryside – such as a game of billiards, a toning session in the gym, de-stressing in the spa, splashing in the indoor or outdoor pool, or just pottering in the 50 acres of garden.

Who goes: Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin, Mariella Frostrup, townies looking for a relaxed, informal weekend.
What else to do: Explore the many pretty Cotswold villages on the doorstep, or bustling Oxford, 30 miles away.

County Durham: Seaham Hall, Seaham
Set on the glorious, rugged Northumbrian coast, this 19-suite hotel has been converted from the stately home where poet Byron married Annabella Milbanke (fatefully, it turned out, as the union lasted barely a year). Classy contemporary describes the decor, with open fires throughout to welcome you back after breezy walks. The bedrooms are equipped with cutting-edge executive toys – Bang & Olufsen TV, CD and DVD players … even speakers in the bathroom.

The service is equally immaculate – you can even choose your pillow from a special menu to ensure a good night's kip. The pièce de résistance is the Serenity Spa, which you reach from the hotel via an underground walkway. It offers more than 80 exotic treatments, combining ancient Thai therapies and the influence of feng shui with modern technology.

Who goes: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, Alex Best, and lots of Newcastle and Middlesbrough footballers.
What else to do:Go clubbing in Newcastle, visit Durham Cathedral and the awesome Northumbrian coast.