A Review of The Tawny Hotel, Staffordshire

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I’m working on a project at the moment at work which is taking up all of my brain space – I’m leading it, responsible for a huge £££m budget and I feel a lot of anxiety about everything that could go wrong with it. So over the Easter weekend, I really wanted to just invest in a bit of ‘me’ time, and properly rest and recuperate.

Anyone who reads this blog regularly knows my version of ‘me’ time is usually a luxury hotel and a walk. So this was no different – we chose to stay at The Tawny Hotel, and it was an absolutely perfect choice.


Nestled just south of the Peak District, The Tawny Hotel sits in rural Staffordshire. You can’t access the hotel without a car so driving is the best option. It’s a 3hr drive from London, 2.5hrs from Cambridge, 1hr from Manchester and 1hr from Birmingham – making it a perfect base from which to explore more of the Midlands.

Wetton Hill, in the Peak District

You could also choose to get the train to the nearest major train station, Stoke on Trent, and then get a taxi which would take around 20 minutes. However that would leave you unable to make the most of the hotel’s surroundings as there isn’t much within walkable distance.

The main attractions nearby are the famous theme park, Alton Towers, plus all the beautiful walks 20 minutes north in the Peak District, around the areas of Leek and Ashbourne. This makes The Tawny the perfect place for a luxury stay to unwind and rest after spending your days out in nature.


Wow. That is the only word I can use to describe the accommodation. The Tawny isn’t a traditional hotel – it has no main building, but instead just has lots of different huts/boathouses/lodges/cabins scattered about its grounds. We chose to stay in a boat house over looking a lake.

In the room

The room was spectacular, with a statement luxury bath in front of the floor to ceiling window. The bed was huge and comfy, and the indoor bathroom was also high quality with some lovely products provided.

Outside was another treat, with a deck area, plus a large outdoor jacuzzi – totally perfect to collapse in to after a day walking. There is also an outdoor shower so with 4 ways to bathe and wash in the room, you will also smell great!

The perfect way to end the day


The Tawny Hotel offers an extensive in room dining menu, but also has a striking modern restaurant building within the grounds. This is home to a fine dining restaurant called The Plumicorn, as well as a more informal bar area serving tapas and pizzas. Breakfast is also served daily, with both a large range of buffet items and a menu to choose from – both were delicious.


The hotel has lots of fun things to explore. Undoubtedly its most unique feature is its utterly stunning grounds, with multiple walking trails around lakes, woodland and landscaped gardens.

Also within the grounds are many games to discover. For example, there are giant garden games including Connect 4 and Table Tennis, as well as an indoor pool table.

Boathouses in the morning sun

The hotel also has a stunning outdoor heated swimming pool, in front of its feature restaurant. I can’t swim so I didn’t go in it, but it looked absolutely wonderful. There is also a spa on site, with an extensive treatment menu.

The restaurant and pool area
Woodland walks at The Tawny

Overall our stay at The Tawny Hotel was absolutely magical. This is one of the best hotels I’ve ever stayed at in England, and it was a really restful and peaceful treat to completely switch off and de-stress. What do you think? Would you like to stay? Thanks for reading and as always, stay safe and happy travelling!

48 responses to “A Review of The Tawny Hotel, Staffordshire”

  1. Susan

    It looks beautiful there, and certainly a change from the standard hotel chain bedrooms. I’ll have to have a look at visiting the hotel sometime.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks so much for reading Susan, and really glad you think it’s beautiful – I hope you can stay there sometime soon 🙂

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  2. What a stunning place from top to bottom. Looks like a total escape from this crazy world we all currently live in. Marvellous.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Totally agree, it was the perfect escape for a couple of nights to pretend real life didn’t exist haha!

      Liked by 1 person

  3. I would love to spend a night or two in this place – it is certainly a hotel like no other and nothing really beats a room with a view! I am glad to hear you had a great time staying there 🙂 Aiva xx

    Liked by 1 person

    1. So glad you like it Aiva – I totally agree that the view was just incredible from the bath, the perfect way to finish the day 🙂 xx

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Oh Hannah, it’s absolutely beautiful with those luxurious indoor/outdoor bathrooms and jacuzzi too. Undoubtedly a wonderful place to relax and unwind.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It was the perfect place to relax and unwind that’s for sure – a lovely way to escape reality, even if only for 2 nights! Thanks as always for reading Marion.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. OMG! Heaven on a stick! That place looks amazing and I am very envious. I think I would have to leave my hiking gear at home and glam up if I stayed there. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. It really was just such an amazing place to stay, the perfect place to feel relaxed to the max! Haha I did take a nice dress and some heels as well 🙂 Thanks for reading and hope you’ve had a good weekend 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Lovely! I would love to spend a few nights there!!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. It’s the perfect spot to spend a few nights that’s for sure 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  7. That room is lovely, and a jacuzzi is such a treat.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Definitely – I wish I was there now in the jacuzzi in the sunshine! Hope you’ve had a nice weekend 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  8. You picked a fantastic place for a recharging getaway. This unique hotel is truly outstanding in all respects.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks John, it was the perfect weekend escape that’s for sure. Hope you’re having a restful Sunday.

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  9. I’ve noticed that you enjoy a pleasant walk and stay in a posh hotel, but I didn’t know that it was your trademark, haha! Getting away from work stress cannot be emphasized enough (pun intended), and to spend a mini-vacation far from it all can be really a rejuvenating experience. Looks like a lovely time at The Tawny Hotel!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Haha yes I’m a sucker for it! 🙂 I totally agree on getting away from work stress, I really needed it to re-focus. Thanks for reading Rebecca and hope you’re having a nice weekend.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. What a beautiful place to be 🥰

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Aw thank you – it was a perfect weekend treat 🙂

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  11. Beautiful location for some down time. As a retired project manager, I understand how stressful managing multi-million dollar projects can be; best of luck to you in seeing it through!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. It was totally perfect. Yes – I’m actually a Finance Director by trade and then I’ve been put in charge of implementing multiple new Finance (and other) systems and wow….it’s a whole lot. I’m effectively an alcoholic now!! If you ever want to nip out of retirement, just let me know haha! Hope you’ve had a lovely sunny weekend across the channel 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Your additional roles sound intense; wow! But it sounds like you have some great rejuvenating rituals to help you through! Alternate nostril breathing works well; as does 🍷! 😉

        Liked by 1 person

  12. As soon as I saw the picture of the room I said WOW out loud, and then I read that’s the word you use to describe it too. What an incredible place for some much deserved “me” time!! The photo of the boathouse is especially beautiful!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Aww thanks Lyssy – it really was a wow moment when I walked in and saw the room, the totally perfect place for a relaxing weekend. Thanks for reading x

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Oh how lovely! Looks like an absolute perfect place to reset and recharge. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks Meg, it really was perfect to recharge and relax. Hope you’ve had a nice weekend 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  14. It’s always good to get a break and escape from the stress of work. Plus I think taking time off is healthy and actually makes me more productive at work. Sometimes you need space, or to stay in a super fancy hotel! Your accommodations look lovely. How neat that there’s even an outdoor jacuzzi and outdoor shower.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I totally agree, it always re-sets me and recharges me to be better at work. Thank you, it was the perfect choice to escape reality for a little while! Thanks for reading and hope you’ve had a nice weekend 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  15. NattyTravels

    This place is so beautiful!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. It was the perfect place for a weekend treat stay 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  16. How gorgeous! You had me at outdoor jacuzzi. Those dining chairs in the restaurants are so beautiful. What a lovely weekend to destress and relax!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much for reading – it really was the perfect place to relax and switch off that’s for sure 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  17. A splendid combination of nature & luxurious and comfortable interior spaces! Sounds like a marvelous Easter weekend getaway, Hannah! Wishing you a wonderful week ahead 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks so much Phil – you have a good week too 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. TY Hannah 🙏🏼😊

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  18. Such an amazing area to see and a beautiful place to stay.
    Anita

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks so much for reading Anita 🙂

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  19. Yes … WOW, your boathouse at The Tawny is definitely luxurious … I can have wonderful dreams about the bath (with that view – bonus)! Your food looks, as always, delicious and the stunning scenery is picture perfect! I can’t think of a better place like this where you can fully reset and regain new energy for your work challenges! (Oh, and love that photo of the boathouses in the morning sun … can I please go there now?)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Aw I’m so glad you like it Corna – it really was the perfect spot to rest and relax! If I had a teleporter, I’d transport you there right now for sure 🙂 Thank you so much for reading and hope you’ve had a lovely weekend.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Oh my god it looks gorgeous!! I love these types of “unusual” hotel stays, especially when you have a whole cabin to yourself and a beautiful view, so that you are truly immersed in nature! The giant garden games also seem amazing! It is such a nice thing to go to a nice hotel in stressful times, and I am sure it did wonders to you!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m so glad you like it Juliette, it really was such an incredible place to stay. It definitely worked wonders 🙂 Thanks for reading and hope you’ve had a nice weekend

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Classic place to go to when you need a break from life!!

    Liked by 1 person

  22. What a perfect spot! I don’t know which bathtub I would want to soak in, outside or in. Best of luck on the project.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks so much Ruth, I’m definitely glad it’s Friday and there is wine in the fridge with my name on it 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  23. […] Bloomsbury area including The British Museum. At Easter, we had a weekend away in Staffordshire at The Tawny Hotel, enjoying a walk in The Peak District. I had solo trips to Windsor, and then to York in May, […]

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  24. […] areas and perfect for an off the beaten track England stay. Even better, complete it with a stay at The Tawny Hotel and you’ve got yourself a pretty special […]

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About the author

Hi! My name is Hannah, I’m a travel blogger from the UK who fits travel around a full time (and full on) job. In this blog I share my adventures around the world and hopefully help you to find some inspiration for destinations, things to do or places to stay. Thanks for stopping by – stay safe and happy travelling.

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