World Vegan Month: Vegan & Vegetarian Friendly UK Hotels

Happy World Vegan Month, an annual month-long celebration and promotion of the vegan diet. Hosted by The Vegan Society – inventor of the term ‘vegan’ and the world’s oldest vegan charity, having been founded in 1944 – World Vegan Month started as World Vegan Day in 1994 to celebrate the charity’s 50th anniversary. This was then extended to World Vegan Week, and now World Vegan Month as we know it. Throughout November, you might notice more vegan products in shops, recipes online, and menus in restaurants, but if you’re really looking to make the most of it, why not go on a vegan-friendly UK staycation? Whether you’re a die-hard vegan, vegetarian or just plant-curious, these hotels are designed for meat-free diners. Here’s the C&TH pick of hotels for vegans.

Read the C&TH Responsible Tourism Guide

The UK’s Best Hotels For Vegans & Vegetarians

• Saorsa 1875 – Perthshire, Scotland
• Hilton London Bankside – London
• Glass House Retreat – Essex
• Our Lizzy – Worcestershire

Saorsa 1875 – Perthshire, Scotland

Jack McLaren-Stewart and his mother Sandra opened Saorsa 1875 in 2020, the UK’s first 100 per cent vegan hotel. Housed in a restored 19th century baronial house, the hotel is an idyllic spot surrounded by two acres of natural woodlands, overlooking the pretty town of Pitlochry and close to Loch Ness. Everything here is entirely free from animal products, from the upcycled furniture to the toiletries to the energy: the venue is fuelled by renewable energy company Ecotricity. And of course, the food: guests can expect an array of vegan delights served as a three-course set menu Monday to Wednesday, and a five-course extravaganza Thursday to Saturday.

Sandra’s interior design training can be seen in the 11 guest bedrooms, which feature the same statement wallpaper and decadent throws expected in an artsy boutique hotel – the only difference here is the wools, silks and leather have been replaced with linen, cotton, velvet and manmade fibres. If that wasn’t enough to entice you, Saorsa 1875 is also dog-friendly, so you can enjoy its charms with your pooch in tow.

BOOK: saorsahotel.com

Hilton London Bankside – London

To celebrate Veganuary and the rise of veganism, Hilton London Bankside introduced a special vegan suite, available for bookings year-round. Designed in consultation with Bompass & Parr and The Vegan Society, the suite offers a luxurious vegan experience for ethically minded travellers. This begins from the moment you arrive: there’s a dedicated plant-based check-in desk, made from a natural leather brand called Piñatex, which is produced from the fibres of pineapple leaves. From the carpets to the toiletries, everything in the suite is made from vegan-friendly materials – you even get a choice of plant-based pillows, which range from buckwheat to millet. The mini-bar, meanwhile, is filled with locally sourced treats from the likes of Graze and Deliciously Ella. During your stay, you’ll also be treated to a vegan brunch at the hotel’s restaurant, OXBO Bankside, which includes waffles and bottomless prosecco.

BOOK: hilton.com

Glass House Retreat – Essex

After years of visiting retreats, passionate advocate for healthy living Joy Jarvis noticed many were pushed for space, and decided it was time to create something new. Enter Glass House Retreat, a vegan, purpose-built spa, detox and weight-loss centre set in the heart of the luscious Essex countryside. Packages range from two to seven days long, all offering spa and gym access, plant-based cuisine and various different wellness treatments.

A typical day here involves a morning walk, two fitness classes and a raw food lunch, followed by a cookery demonstration from Head Chef Miguel Gouveia. Afternoons, meanwhile, are spent exploring the retreat’s spa facilities – which include a salt block sauna, cryotherapy chamber and heated swimming pool – and enjoying relaxing treatments. Less than an hour’s drive from London, it’s perfectly located for city dwellers looking to escape from the city and invest in a little R&R.

BOOK: glasshouseretreat.co.uk

Our Lizzy – Worcestershire

Brush up on your plant-based cooking skills at Our Lizzy: a vegan cookery school with rooms set in the picturesque Malvern Hills. From her lovely countryside home, Lizzy Hughes teaches everything from vegan cheese making, to baking, to a dedicated tofu course, as well as other speciality free-from workshops. Stay over in one of the B&B rooms and Lizzy will cook you up a meat-free breakfast – either a full English with scrambled tofu, hash browns and veggie pancakes, or vegan pancakes with seasonal fruit.

BOOK: ourlizzy.com

Bleujennow – Penzance

Situated just a ten-minute walk from Penzance‘s town centre, vegan B&B Bleujennow has two bedrooms – one boasting beautiful sea views. Seasonal vegetables take centre stage here: guests can enjoy a plant-based cooked breakfast with tofu scramble, spicy potato wedges and mushrooms. If you’re heading out for the day, you can order a packed lunch to take with you (think falafel, wraps and salads). Evening meals could be anything from spiced black-eyed bean cakes to three grain risotto with hazelnuts, followed by sweet treats including blueberry ‘cheesecake’ and meringue nests with summer fruits. The owners can cater for all manner of allergies and intolerances, so whether you’re gluten-free, sugar-free or nut-free, your needs will be met. They can also suggest vegan-friendly dining spots around the area – just down the road, there’s a café offering a vegan Cornish cream tea.

BOOK: bleujennowveganbedandbreakfast.co.uk

Featured Image: Photo by Taryn Elliott via Pexels.