A hotel in the Peak District has just been named the best place to stay in the UK in the prestigious Sunday Times list.
The Cavendish Hotel in Derbyshire, which stands in the grounds of the magnificent Chatsworth House, topped the list for 2025, praised for its beautiful interiors and ‘epic’ views of the Peak District.
The Sunday Times’ 100 Best Places to Stay in the UK is compiled by a team of experienced reviewers, who narrow down hundreds of stays into the definitive guide of the best accommodation around the UK.
Hotels are judged on several factors, including design, facilities, and value for money, plus dining and service.
There are a fair few successes this year for the North West beyond the achievement of The Cavendish.
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Another consistently award-winning spot – The Gilpin – was named the top spot in the North West.
This beautiful spa hotel is home to a Michelin star restaurant, award-winning spa facilities, lakeside hot tubs, and spa suites built on top of natural ponds, spanning across two sites in the beautiful Lake District.
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Spa suitesLakeside hot tubsSpa suitesThe Gilpin has been named one of the Best Places To Stay in The UK by the Sunday Times. Credit: The Manc Group
Judges said that The Gilpin is ‘snug and homely’ in parts while being ‘seriously slick’ in others.
Even closer to home, Gary Neville’s Stock Exchange Hotel was the only spot in central Manchester to make the list, praised for its ‘old-school opulence’.
The Sunday Times said: “This grade II listed hotel is a tasteful flurry of marble pillars, gleaming brass fixtures and charming service.
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“Rooms are refined and restrained, the hushed palette of creams, greens and greys allowing the tasteful furnishings to draw the eye.
“And the A-list love it: the former footballers Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs are co-owners, Madonna once booked out the entire place and Paul McCartney was a recent guest.”
Credit: The Manc Group
Moor Hall, the restaurant of which just scooped the ultimate accolade of a third Michelin Star, features in the top 100.
This beautiful bolthole in Ormskirk has been celebrated for its fantastic food offering, which includes another on-site one-Michelin star restaurant in The Barn, as well as its rooms which range from the botanically-themed garden suites in the grounds to the more traditional bedrooms in the manor house.
There’s another Lancashire favourite on the list too, as Northcote swoops in with its ‘exquisite Michelin-starred fine dining and warmly welcoming service’.
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Moor Hall in Ormskirk, the best restaurant in EnglandNorthcote
“Located near Clitheroe and overlooking the Ribble Valley, it offers easy access to some superb country walks,” The Sunday Times list says. “But most guests find themselves tempted to stay in, sipping cocktails on the terrace or a whisky in the lounge.”
But claiming the prestigious top spot to be named Hotel Of The Year is The Cavendish.
Its reviewer said: “Given she had permission to raid the attics of Chatsworth House, one of the UK’s most beautiful stately homes, to furnish this Baslow bolt hole owned by the estate, it’s hardly surprising that the in-demand designer Nicola Harding has given its 18th-century interiors and 28 bedrooms impressive sparkle.
“Harding’s trademark zingy colours (from teal to tomato) contrast winningly with antique furniture and paintings by distinguished artists such as Elisabeth Frink, Barbara Hepworth and Phyllida Barlow.
“There’s a cosy bar for post-walk snifters and an elegant dining room where your three courses are admirably food-mile friendly. Nature adds another touch of class, with epic views of the Peak District available through almost every window.”
The boutique Manchester hotel quietly boasting the most serene spa in the city
Daisy Jackson
King Street Townhouse is widely considered to be one of Manchester’s very best hotels, famed for its elegant interiors and bespoke, boutique feel.
It’s also home to one of the city’s best spas, which offers a serene sanctuary right in the heart of the city centre.
King Street Townhouse’s ESPA Spa offers everything you need to unwind, from deeply relaxing massages to skin-reviving facials.
These exclusive ESPA treatments have been designed to ‘melt away stress and restore your glow’.
And you don’t have to carve out an entire day to enjoy this relaxation haven either – there are several different packages to choose from, starting from a Sunset Escape geared towards corporate guests or just an after-work recharge.
Imagine leaving your desk and heading straight to the beautiful King Street Townhouse spa, ready to slip away from the day and unwind.
Or booking yourself a full day away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, including de-stressing in the thermal suites.
There are also hotel and spa packages, for those who want to plan a full overnight escape in the hotel’s luxurious accommodation.
The beautiful spa at King Street Townhouse hotel in Manchester. Credit: Supplied
Advanced and cutting-edge treatments at the King Street Townhouse spa include HydraFacials, LED Light Salon, and the Natural Facelift Facial.
Inside the spa, which is open daily from 7am until 7pm, you’ll find thermal facilities like a Himalayan salt cave, eucalyptus steam room, rainfall shower, ice fountain, heated loungers and a sauna.
And for those who want to bring this level of luxury relaxation to their everyday lives, there are even memberships available.
With limited numbers, you’ll be able to enjoy the King Street Townhouse’s incredible facilities without ever feeling crowded.
These exclusive memberships come with loads of special perks, like complimentary spa treatments, PT sessions, discounts across the hotel, unlimited access to the gym, birthday gifts, guest passes and plenty more.
The boutique gym at King Street Townhouse in Manchester. Credit: Supplied
Elsewhere in the hotel, there’s a stunning, boutique gym equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and machines.
The King Street Townhouse gym and spa will look after your body, mind and soul.
It’s all ready and waiting at King Street Townhouse – head HERE to book your relaxation today.
Memberships at King Street Townhouse
Fitness membership – unlimited gym and classes, in addition to a complimentary 60-minute PT session, member-pricing on the spa, and complimentary access to in-house events (e.g. Yoga & Brunch on the Terrace)
Gym & Spa Membership – includes all the above, plus unlimited use of spa thermal facilities, four complimentary guest passes, and complimentary room upgrades in the hotel.
Signature Membership – includes all the above, plus a complimentary 60-minute spa treatment, eight complimentary guest passes, complimentary hire of the hotel’s private cinema, and more.
New driving test cancellation rules introduced by DVSA to reduce waiting times
Emily Sergeant
Learner drivers will now be required to give longer notice periods when they need to cancel their driving tests in a bid to reduce waiting lists.
Up until this week, anyone who had booked a driving test which they could no longer attend had to change or cancel their appointment within three full working days notice, but now, as of yesterday (8 April), the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) requires learner drivers to give 10 days’ notice.
If learners fail to provide the 10 full working days’ notice, then they will not be able to redeem their test fee back.
According to the DVSA’s new rules, only Monday to Saturday count as working days, while Sundays and public holidays do not.
But why has the change been introduced?
The short notice cancellation period for car driving tests changes today ⚠️
You'll now need to give 10 working days' notice to cancel or change your car driving test without losing your fee.
— Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (@DVSAgovuk) April 8, 2025
Well, according to the DVSA, lots of people who are not ready to take their driving test leave it until right at the last moment to change or cancel it, and although that appointment then becomes available to other learner drivers, many of them tend to go unused, given the fact it’s so close to the test date and they may not feel prepared enough.
So, the DVSA hopes that by asking learner drivers to give more notice, it should give other people more chance to use the appointment, and ultimately reduce driving test waiting times.
New driving test cancellation rules have been introduced by the DVSA to reduce waiting times / Credit: pxfuel
There are, of course, some exceptions to the rule, with some learners still being able to apply for a refund at short notice if they have an illness or injury, have suffered a bereavement, have to take a school or college exam, or have their provisional driving license stolen.
On top of this, the DVSA has confirmed that it will continue to pay out-of-pocket expenses for any car driving tests that it has to cancel with fewer than three full working days’ notice.
Daisy Jackson -
10th March 2025 
