m+travel : In Praise of the One-Night Stay
Heckfield Place
After the juggle of the Easter holidays with suitcases, snack bags and the relentless search for socks, the idea of planning another family trip can feel more exhausting than exciting. Which is exactly why the humble one night stay has become our favourite kind of travel.
It’s the opposite of overthinking. No big itinerary. No expectations. Just 24 hours be it solo, with a partner, or one child in a place that’s not home. A quick train ride to a nearby city, a countryside inn with a good pub, or even a night at a friend’s house who lives far enough to make it feel like a getaway.
With young kids, long-haul dreams can start to feel out of reach. But a one-night stay? That feels doable. You pack light (just one bag!), keep the plans simple, and return home the next day feeling… shifted. Not transformed, but refreshed in that quiet way that sneaks up on you.
We’ve come to love these little escapes for what they are: not ground breaking but often exactly what we need. A small change of scene. A reset button. Proof that a moment away doesn’t have to be big to be meaningful.
3 One Night Stays We Love…
Heckfield Place, Hampshire
Just an hour from London, Heckfield Place is a quietly luxurious retreat set on a 400-acre estate. Expect elegant rooms, Michelin Green Star dining at Marle, and a serene spa powered by the estate’s own biodynamic farm. With woodland walks, wild swimming, and an in-house cinema, this is both a place for grounding and indulgence.
Book your stay here
The Gunton Arms, Norfolk
Set in a 1,000-acre deer park near Cromer, The Gunton Arms is where country pub meets contemporary gallery. Inside, you’ll find works by Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst, Lucien Freud, and Paula Rego all in a setting styled by the late Robert Kime. The Elk Room is the heart of it all, serving local venison and Cromer crab by an open fire under a 10,000-year-old elk head. For the art lover, it’s a one night stay like no other.
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The Three Horseshoes, Batcombe
Tucked away in the village of Batcombe, The Three Horseshoes is the kind of place that makes a single night feel like a proper escape.
This 17th-century inn, revived by Margot Henderson offers a cosy locals' bar, two dining rooms, and a large garden, perfect for long lunches and evening drinks. The food is excellent, seasonal and locally sourced, and the five bedrooms are the sort you won’t want to leave. A dreamy Somerset stopover.
Book your stay here