Where to stay in the Cotswolds
The Cotswolds really is one of the most beautiful parts of the UK. Spanning five different counties in England (Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, and Worcestershire), it’s famed for its honey-coloured cottages, and rolling landscapes. It also happens to be where my in-laws live, and where Oliver and I got married, so you can imagine that we’re often popping up here for weekends, as it’s conveniently less than two hours’ drive/train ride from London. It’s no surprise that it’s one of the most popular holiday destinations in the UK, and the area is thankfully blessed with a myriad of award-winning restaurants, cosy pubs, and plush hotels, my favourites of which are listed below…
Foxhill Manor is one of my favourite hotels in the UK, let alone the Cotswolds. This private country house hotel near Broadway village only has eight bedrooms, but each are individually designed with plush furnishings and elegant colour schemes. Stay in either the spacious Chestnut bedroom which features its own dining room table, or the Oak suite that boasts ‘his and her’ bathtubs with sweeping views over the 400 acre Farncombe Estate. Expect excellent and friendly service, and indulge yourself with their ‘no rules’ policy: meaning that you eat whatever you fancy, whenever and wherever you like throughout the property, whether that’s breakfast in bed, or dinner in the cinema. I also love neighbouring sister hotel The Fish, where I’d recommend either the Hilly Huts for a cosy and intimate experience, or the Treehouses for a luxurious night’s sleep in the treetops (both have outdoor hot tubs).
Read a full review here.
A secluded, private estate in Gloucestershire, The Lakes by Yoo comprises an 850 acre estate boasting several beautiful lakes, and around 130 state-of-the-art houses (most of which are private homes, and a few of which are available for holiday lets). The newest cabins located on Marley Lake boast cosy-luxe interiors, including compact kitchens, plush furnishings, mezzanine bedrooms, and terraces that overlook the lake (you can access the water directly from your home). If you like spending time near water, The Lakes make for the ultimate retreat allowing you to immerse yourself in nature - with paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing and wild swimming all available to while away the day.
Cotswolds luxury at its finest, Thyme is a family-owned estate that sits within the village of Southrop, but still boasts 150 acres of ground for guests to roam. Aptly self-described as a ‘village within a village’, the hotel encompasses several converted cottages and farmhouses dotted across the estate, as well as a spa, outdoor pool, cookery school, and stunning Ox Barn restaurant where chef Charlie Hibbert is at the helm. Bedrooms are extremely luxurious, featuring tasteful colour schemes, refined interiors, and jewel-coloured bathtubs.
Another of my favourite countryside escapes, Soho Farmhouse sprawls across 100 acres of Oxfordshire countryside on the Great Tew estate; we usually visit Soho Farmhouse a few times a year - from the Cowshed spa to the impressive gym, cinema, and range of activities on offer, there’s enough to keep you occupied for months, plus at least five different restaurants to dine at. From chic farmhouse bedrooms to family-size cabins, there’s similarly a whole host of bedrooms to sleep in. For a romantic weekend away, opt for a waterside Studio Cabin for a cosy feel, complete with an outdoor bathtub on your private terrace: these are my favourite bedrooms of all.
Read a full review here.
Boasting multiple farm shops across London, Daylesford’s original property is a sprawling farm in the heart of Gloucestershire, encompassing an estate with its own restaurant and deli, cookery school, and Bamford spa. Sleep in one of the five honey suckled cottages, each luxuriously furnished in neutral tones and elegant furnishings. Simply pop over to the farm shop each morning for breakfast, and lounge in the spa all day.
A luxurious boutique hotel part of Calcot Collection, Barnsley House is a beautiful, converted Cotswolds property, featuring an intimate spa. Expect elegant and spacious bedrooms featuring muted colour schemes, and deep bathtubs; spend your days relaxing in the gardens and at the spa - this one is definitely for the romantics.
Read a full review here.
A collection of beautifully renovated barns just outside Bibury on the Gloucestershire side of the Cotsqolds, Bibury Farm Barns is the perfect location for running away with a group of friends or family. The barns may be self-catering properties, but you’ll still feel all of the touches of a luxury hotel: breakfast hampers dropped off in the morning, 100 Acres toiletries in all of the bathrooms, and a concierge service that will arrange supermarket deliveries and private chefs on your behalf. Interiors are laid back yet luxe, with furnishings in soft, neutral tones. I spent my 25th birthday here, hiring out two of the barns with a group of friends, and it was genuinely perfect in every way.
Okay, maybe this one doesn’t quite count, as it’s technically located just outside the Cotswolds, but it’s in the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside, and you’re only a ten-minute drive away from the nearest Cotswolds village. With its farmhouse feel, and rustic, quirky interiors (that somehow still manage to be luxe), what’s not to love about this cosy bucolic bolthole? Check into one of their converted barn suites for ultimate privacy, where you’ll be spoiled with deep freestanding bathtubs, wood burning stoves, and breakfast in bed. The in-house restaurant and pub The Mason Arms is where you can tuck into hearty suppers and Sunday roasts.
Read a full review here.
This quaint restaurant with rooms is a sister property to Daylesford, and is situated nearby in the pretty village of Kingham. There are several bedrooms above the restaurant and a variety of private cottages to sleep in, all furnished in elegant, neutral tones, and ranging in size from the cosy ‘Mouse’ bedroom to the spacious ‘Deer’ that features a stunning four-poster. The award-winning restaurant downstairs serves delicious, seasonal fare and is not to be missed!
Another of my favourite countryside escapes, The Rectory Hotel is a stunning Cotswold conversion offering 18 boutique bedrooms decorated in a laidback luxe style, with plenty of elegance. With beautifully kept gardens and an outdoor pool, this is the perfect location to visit in summer. From enjoying afternoon tea al fresco, to sumptuous dinners and tasty breakfasts served in the Scandi-style conservatory, this is definitely a gourmet getaway for those that want to kick back and relax - and eat well whilst doing so.
Read a full review here.
Another hotel part of the Calcot Collection, The Painswick is a sixteen-bedroom property situated in the heart of Gloucestershire. A beautiful Cotswolds house with sweeping views over the hills, this is the type of place to retreat to if you’re looking for fresh air and seclusion. Expect elegant bedrooms featuring plush fabrics and home baked cookies upon your arrival, as well as a stellar restaurant which serves breakfast, afternoon tea, and dinner every day.
Read a full review here.
Again, Cheltenham doesn’t actually count as the Cotswolds, but as the nearest big city to Cotswolds territory, I thought it would only be fair to include it here. No. 38 The Park is another of The Lucky Onion’s properties, and this plush renovated townhouse features a number of cosy bedrooms in varying size, each with tasteful, interiors, subtle colour schemes, and deep bathtubs: room number 1 is the largest of all, featuring ‘him and her’ sinks and shower heads in the walk-in shower, a freestanding mint-coloured bathtub, and a TV that pops up at the end of the bed.
Read a full review here.
Have you stayed in any of these hotels before? I’d love to know what your favourite place to stay in the Cotswolds is in the comments below!
