Kent

Thirty-five minutes from London, Boys Hall is a restored 17th-century manor with seven charming bedrooms, each unique (three more are in the works). The property is in town but feels farther afield; the grounds are quiet and large enough to feel private. By day, sit out on the terrace with a book and a bottle from the hotel’s extensive wine collection—or book a winery excursion nearby (Chapel Down, Woodchurch, and Chartham are all good). At night, guests can settle into the dining room for slow-roasted vegetables and locally farmed meat and fish by a roaring fireplace.

Margate resident John Croft envisioned the Turner Contemporary as a gallery that celebrated artist J.M.W. Turner's relationship to the town. What's so special about the space, though, is that Croft and his supporters built on Turner's legacy to celebrate the future of art, welcoming young (mostly living) artists to show in their space and energizing the town with visitors and tourism dollars. Architecture buffs will definitely want to make the trek to Margate to marvel at Turner's seaside through the windows of architect David Chipperfield's modern, elegant gallery spaces. Photo: Nick Gutteridge