Around 20 million people live within an hour’s drive of the Peak District, making it one of Britain’s most accessible national parks. Yet when it comes to planning a luxury countryside escape, many still automatically think of the Lake District, the Cotswolds or even Scotland before considering the dramatic landscapes sitting just beyond Greater Manchester and Cheshire.

Now, one Peak District hotel believes that’s beginning to change.

Losehill House, an independently owned boutique hotel nestled in its own secluded valley near Hope, says more guests from across the North West are choosing shorter countryside breaks that allow them to spend less time travelling and more time actually enjoying their weekend.

The shift comes as domestic tourism continues to thrive, with around one in three people planning a UK weekend break this year. While the Peak District welcomes around 13 million visitors annually, the vast majority still visit for the day, often spending just a few hours exploring before heading home. Losehill believes more people are beginning to recognise the value of staying overnight, turning a familiar day trip into a proper escape.

Paul Roden, co-owner of Losehill House, said:

“Time has become one of life’s biggest luxuries. People don’t necessarily want to spend three or four hours driving on a Friday evening, only to turn around and do it all again on Sunday afternoon. They’re looking for places where they can leave work, arrive in time for dinner, wake up surrounded by beautiful scenery and make the most of every hour they have away.”

“We’re only around an hour from much of Greater Manchester and Cheshire, but guests often tell us they feel as though they’ve travelled much further. I think that’s because the contrast is so striking. One minute you’re in the city and the next you’re surrounded by hills, woodland and complete peace and quiet.”

Unlike many countryside hotels, Losehill isn’t somewhere people simply stumble across. Tucked away in a private valley with little roadside signage and no passing traffic, the hotel has built its reputation through recommendations and repeat visits. Guests come deliberately, drawn by the combination of award-winning food, the only full-service spa in the National Park, spectacular walking from the front door and a setting that feels wonderfully removed from everyday life despite being surprisingly close to the city.

While many visitors know the Peak District for Mam Tor, Ladybower Reservoir or Chatsworth, Paul believes the appeal increasingly lies in slowing down and spending longer exploring the area.

“We love seeing guests arrive on a Friday evening, settle into the spa before dinner, head out walking the following morning and then enjoy a long lunch or another treatment before they leave. They aren’t trying to squeeze everything into one day. They’re giving themselves time to enjoy where they are.”

“The Peak District has always been one of Britain’s favourite places for a day out, but staying overnight lets you experience it very differently. You see the sunrise over the hills, eat in independent restaurants, explore quieter footpaths before the day visitors arrive and simply feel much more connected to the landscape.”

Originally built in 1914 by the Countrywide Holidays Association to encourage people to experience the restorative benefits of the Hope Valley, Losehill House has spent more than a century welcoming guests seeking fresh air, beautiful scenery and a break from everyday life. That original purpose remains at the heart of the hotel today.

Now independently owned by Paul and Kathryn Roden, the four-star luxury hotel offers just 22 individually designed bedrooms, the Peak District’s only full-service hotel spa, two AA Rosette fine dining and direct access to some of the National Park’s best-loved walking routes. Family-run for almost two decades, the hotel has become known for its warm hospitality, long-serving team and peaceful atmosphere.

For Paul, accessibility is one of the Peak District’s greatest strengths.

“People often tell us they can’t believe somewhere like Losehill is so close. They assume they’ll have to drive halfway across the country to find somewhere peaceful, but that’s simply not the case. The Peak District has everything people look for in a countryside break – fantastic walking, great food, beautiful villages and incredible scenery – without losing half the weekend getting there.”

As more people look for shorter, more meaningful breaks that fit around busy lives, Losehill House believes the Peak District is perfectly placed to offer the best of both worlds: a true escape into nature, just a short journey from one of the UK’s largest cities.