The Best Hotels In The Cotswolds
By Rebecca Cox
9 months ago
It's time to plan your escape to the country
Photo by Conor Sheridan on Unsplash
There’s nothing quite like waking up in this part of the UK. We’ve found the best hotels in arguably the prettiest countryside in England, which will make you want to stay longer than a weekend. Start planning your next country escape with our roundup of the best hotels in the Cotswolds.
Read the C&TH Responsible Tourism Guide
Best Hotels In The Cotswolds
Reviews are taken from this year’s Great British & Irish Hotels Guide, you can read the full reviews online or purchase your print Hotels Guide here.
The Lakes By Yoo
Surround yourself with nature and tune out the stresses and strains of everyday life at The Lakes By Yoo. Created out of a reclaimed Cotswold quarry, today it offers 850 acres of water, woodland and meadows to explore. Stay in one of the luxurious Grand Suites (sleeping from two to six), each with its own private terrace and fabulous views.
BOOK: +44 (0)1367 254 260 | thelakesbyyoo.com/stay
The Wheatsheaf Inn – Northleach, Gloucestershire
This beautifully decorated former coaching inn serves as both a hub for the local community and a welcome 17th-century watering hole for those exploring the beautiful Cotswolds. It combines an informal, welcoming atmosphere with all the attributes of a fully fledged hotel, including a relaxing sitting room, perfectly manicured courtyard and outdoor dining space. Locals crowd into the casual country bar for drinks and light meals, or dine under the beady eyes of the doughty Wills tobacco family, whose early 20th-century portraits decorate one wall of the restaurant (the menu includes dishes such as grilled lemon sole and Tamworth pork chops).
BOOK: +44 (0)1451 860244 | cotswoldswheatsheaf.com
The Feathered Nest – Nether Westcote, Oxfordshire
A beacon among the new breed of converted inns, The Feathered Nest is as comfortable and well-equipped as a fine hotel, but smaller and more relaxed. The four countrified bedrooms (Cuckoo’s Den, Cockerel’s Roost, Pheasant Nest and Dove Cote) – with breathtaking views of the Evenlode Valley – blend the practical with the luxurious. In the rustic dining room or outside on the terrace, the modern British food is as impressive as the bedrooms under head chef Matthew Weedon (previously awarded Michelin stars at Glenapp Castle in Ayrshire and Lords of the Manor in Gloucestershire). Ingredients are sourced locally, and his menus change with the seasons – try the six-course tasting menu. There’s an excellent wine list (one of the largest in the Cotswolds) to boot.
BOOK: +44 (0)1993 833030 | thefeatherednestinn.co.uk
Wild Thyme & Honey – Ampney Crucis, Gloucestershire
One of the most exciting hotel openings in 2021, Wild Thyme & Honey, in the picturesque village of Ampney Crucis near Cirencester, has been lovingly restored, from a 16th-century inn into a relaxing retreat. Overlooking a babbling trout-filled brook, there are 24 incredibly comfortable bedrooms (many with standalone tubs) plus a lovely village pub, The Crown at Ampney Brook. Exposed Cotswolds stone, natural wood floors and lovely woolly textures blend seamlessly with a New York loft-style look and thoughtfully-designed airy spaces to let nature in.
The Crown, just the other side of the courtyard, is super cosy – feast on the breakfast buffet, hunker down with a book, and make yourself at home. Or borrow some wellies and hop onto the Thames Path, go for ramble or visit a National Trust property – Bibury, Lodge Park and Chedworth Roman Villa are all nearby.
BOOK: Doubles from £150. +44 (0)1285 851806 | wildthymeandhoney.co.uk
Bibury Farm Barns – Bibury, Gloucestershire
In 2017, fourth generation farmer George Phillips and his wife Polly set about converting five ancient stone barns on their land into a self-catering rural retreat. The result is a series of gorgeous hideaways suitable for everyone from young families to large gatherings, each combining contemporary style with rustic character: wood-beamed kitchens, open-plan living spaces with log burners and private courtyards for al fresco dining. Photographs and paintings by local artists adorn the walls; there are huge marble-effect showers and verdigris bathrooms; snugs for film nights and boot rooms for kicking off muddy wellies after walks – perhaps along the River Coln or around chocolate-box Bibury village, a ten minute walk away.
BOOK: +44 (0) 1285 706188 | biburyfarm.com
The Lygon Arms – Broadway, Worcestershire
Visit a hotel that has been coloured by the characters of history. At The Lygon Arms you can eat in the suite (now dining room) that Oliver Cromwell stayed in the night before the Battle of Worcester in 1651, and whose former guests include Edward VII, Elizabeth Taylor and Prince Philip. Offering a glorious overview of the Cotswolds, The Lygon Arms in the centre of Broadway is the ideal destination from which to discover one of the most beloved regions in the country. Explore the Cotswold Way, a walk that will reward you with countryside views, picture- perfect villages and pre-historic landmarks.
BOOK: + 44 (0)1386 852255 | lygonarmshotel.co.uk
Artist Residence – Oxfordshire
When it opened in 2017, this was Artist Residence group’s first venture into the countryside. Enterprising owners, Justin and Charlie Salisbury, headed out of town to leafy Oxfordshire and took on the Mason Arms – a well-loved local inn in South Leigh – stamping it with their inimitable sense of style. There are now five stunning bedrooms upstairs and a further three suites in the stables and outbuildings, plus a cool shepherd’s hut in the garden. The restaurant features modern art, while the kitchen produces hearty and rustic British food in a fun and friendly setting. If you’ve fallen for an Artist Residence in Penzance, Pimlico or Brighton, then this cosy Oxfordshire escape is your next country hideaway.
BOOK: +44 (0)1993 656220 | artistresidence.co.uk
The Bell Inn – Langford, Oxfordshire
Cotswold born and bred, Peter Creed and Tom Noest have the perfect pedigreeto run an authentic 16th-century country pub with rooms: Tom as cook and Peter running front of house. They reopened The Bell – a much-loved local in a picturesque village – in December 2017, and were garnering rave reviews within weeks. ‘I had not just the best mouthful of the year, but the best mouthful of my life,’ remarked food critic Giles Coren. It’s a real foodies’ pub, with a no-nonsense, ever-changing menu concentrating on locally sourced, fresh, hearty British dishes – pub classics, roasts and wood-fired fish, vegetables and pizzas, served in a cosy, beamed and flagstoned room.
BOOK: +44 (0)1367 860249 | thebelllangford.com
The Double Red Duke – Clanfield, Cotswolds
This honey-hued, wisteria-clad ancient coaching inn close to Oxford is the latest addition to Sam and Georgie Pearman’s Country Creatures collection of rural restaurants and inns. Guests can hunker down in one of the cosy sitting rooms for drinks before heading through to the open-plan bar and garden room for – the biggest draw – the food. Richard Turner and Richard Sandiford (of Hawksmoor and Pitt Cue Co fame) are experts in live-fire cooking. Upstairs, comfortable rooms (the biggest sleep a family of four) with original wooden beams shine a spotlight on British artisans.
BOOK: +44 (0)1367 810222 | countrycreatures.com
Tudor Farmhouse Hotel – Clearwell, Gloucestershire
In the heart of the Forest of Dean in the magnificent Wye Valley, Tudor Farmhouse Hotel is an utterly chic, 20-room boutique retreat. All low ceilings, ancient wood beams and crackling fires, the 17th-century farmhouse and its converted outbuildings house luxurious rooms and sumptuous beds. Rare plants make the 14 acres of wildflower meadows a protected site of Special Scientific Interest – sign up for a foraging trip from the hotel’s expert team to see for yourself. Delicious Sunday lunch and show-stopping breakfasts – featuring hyper-local produce, including vegetables and herbs from the grounds – under head chef Gavin Roberts make for a real gastronomic getaway. If all that indulgence leaves you craving some fresh air, try canoeing on the river Wye, local salmon fishing, visiting the nearby Clearwell Caves, or wildlife safaris organised by the hotel.
BOOK: +44 (0)1594 833046 | tudorfarmhousehotel.co.uk
The Kingham Plough – Kingham, Oxfordshire
The Kingham Plough has always been far more than a traditional gastro-pub. Since it was first opened by chef Emily Watkins in 2007, foodies have flocked here for her creative interpretation of bygone British dishes, often based on old Cotswold recipes. Now, new owners Matt and Kate Beamish (who have worked with the likes of Raymond Blanc, Jamie Oliver and Fergus Henderson) have picked up the mantle. Head chef Jonny Pons champions artisan and seasonal ingredients in his modern British menu with a Mediterranean twist, making everything in-house except for the sourdough loaves, which are freshly baked by Marks Cotswold Bakery. Expect favourite pub classics – fish and chips, Ploughman’s boards, cheeseburgers – alongside refined dishes such as Tamworth pork ribeye and pea and mint tortellini.
BOOK: +44 (0)1608 658327 | thekinghamplough.co.uk
The Dial House – Bourton on the Water
A stone’s throw from the calming waters of the River Windrush trickling through the pretty village of Bourton on the Water, The Dial House is a characterful, boutique Cotswolds bolthole with the Costwold Vernacular-style building dating back to 1698. Its deep-set stone walls, cosy corners and fireplaces have been further elevated with stylish interiors by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.
Don’t miss the new venue nestled in The Dial House’s verdant grounds: Maxi’s Tipi Lounge, named for the hotel’s owner who has a passion for food, fine wine, and cocktails. Here, find Alex Breach at the helm, serving a menu inspired by the Far East, India and North Africa.
BOOK: dialhousehotel.com
The Falcon – Castle Ashby, Northampton
The idyllic rural village of Castle Ashby is set within the 10,500-acre Castle Ashby Estate, the ancestral home of the 7th Marquess of Northampton, and at its centre sits The Falcon. A Grade II-listed coaching inn built in 1594, it will open as a magnificent country retreat having been lovingly transformed and completely reimagined by Lord and Lady Northampton. There’s 22 bedrooms spread across the main hotel and adjacent cottages; bedroom five is the showstopper, with a private terrace and far-stretching lake views. Some cottages can be booked together to create larger suites, perfect for families.
BOOK: +44 (0)1604 698005 | thefalcon-castleashby.com
The Bradley – Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Whether you’re going to the races, spending a weekend at one of Cheltenham’s many science, jazz and literature festivals, or simply sightseeing and shopping, The Bradley will be your home from home. This lovely, honeyed- stone Regency townhouse in the fashionable Montpellier district of Cheltenham has been a B&B since 2011 and was recently given a significant refurbishment by owners Peter and Lana de Savary. The resulting interior is elegant in style with beautifully curated antiques, paintings and objets d’art. There are ten lovely bedrooms, including one with a romantic four-poster and another in the Art Deco style.
BOOK: +44 (0)1242 519077 | thebradleyhotel.co.uk
No 131 – Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
This is the hip place to stay in Cheltenham: classic on the outside, fashionable on the inside. With hangouts and hideaways aplenty, its newly landscaped sun terraces with outdoor bars and al fresco dining make for relaxed daytime get-togethers. There’s 36 fabulous bedrooms, including three family suites, which are adorable cocoons with divine beds, stylish bathtubs, bold fabrics, original artwork from some of the UK’s biggest creative names and period bathrooms for a touch of old-fashioned luxury.
BOOK: +44 (0)1242 822939 | no131.com
The Fuzzy Duck – Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
A brilliant example of a village pub that has been rescued with skill and panache. Brother and sister business owners Adrian and Tania Slater have transformed this modest Midlands inn (formerly The Fox and Goose), into an expression of the same ‘affordable luxury’ ethos they’ve also applied so successfully to their bath, body and fragrance company, Baylis & Harding, and with the same stylish, sky-high standards. The pub’s top- to-toe transformation has created a slick, sophisticated and cosy place in which to drink, dine and stay – you’ll find it’s more like walking into a private home than an inn. Choose from four elegant bedrooms, with beautifully neutral interiors, big, comfortable beds, Frette linens and contemporary fabrics.
BOOK: +44 (0)1608 682635 | fuzzyduckarmscote.com
The Fish – Broadway, Worcestershire
Tucked away on the handsome Farncombe Estate in the Cotswolds, alongside Dormy House and Foxhill Manor, The Fish Hotel is a boutique property with some extraordinary features. A recent £4 million revamp heralds the arrival of several new additions to the hotel: alongside new rooms and suites in The Coach House and Farmhouse, there are now three show- stopping luxury treehouses accessed via rope bridge (perfect for a family escape) and a collection of five converted shepherd’s huts dotted around the grounds, with cosy double beds and freestanding baths. A stroll down the hill leads to Hook, the restaurant helmed by culinary director Martin Burge.
BOOK: +44(0)1386 858000 | thefishhotel.co.uk
Tudor Farmhouse Hotel – Coleford, Gloucestershire
In the heart of the Forest of Dean in the magnificent Wye Valley, surrounded by ancient woodland, Tudor Farmhouse Hotel is an utterly chic 20 room boutique retreat. All low ceilings, ancient wood beams and crackling fires, the 17th-century farmhouse and its converted outbuildings house luxurious rooms and particularly sumptuous beds, most with a freestanding tub. Its 14 acres of wildflower meadows are a protected site of Special Scientific Interest, due to its rare plants, and foraging trips are one of many nature activities on offer from the hotel’s expert team.
BOOK: +44 (0)1594 833046 | tudorfarmhousehotel.co.uk
Billesley Manor Hotel & Spa – Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
Nestled in 11 acres of countryside in the heart of rural Warwickshire – just three miles from Stratford-upon-Avon, a gateway to the Cotswolds – Billesley Manor feels like a fairytale. Following an extensive £5.6 million refurbishment in 2020, a contemporary twist is married well in this traditional, warm manor: the stunning restaurant features original 16th century oak panelling, and the grounds’ 11th century church is steeped in history. What’s more, the listed, ornate topiary garden – planted over 125 years ago – is fun for all the family: inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, the bushes are shaped as giant chess pieces. More fun for book lovers: the airy library – the ceiling of which is adorned with floating books – is said to be where William Shakespeare wrote his most famous comedy, As You Like It.
BOOK: +44 (0)1789 279 955 / billesleymanor.com
Ellenborough Park – Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
An outstanding address on the outskirts of Cheltenham – and Gloucestershire’s only five-star hotel – Ellenborough Park is an immaculately restored, sumptuous Cotswold-stone manor, parts of which date back to the 15th century. In the 1830s it was home to the Earl of Ellenborough, former governor general of India – the influence of his travels is visible in the Great Hall and Minstrels’ Gallery. Nina Campbell has reinvented the interior, with 61 classically English bedrooms furnished with antiques, rich fabrics, heavenly beds and roll top baths. Guests can borrow a wax coat and a pair of Dubarry’s from the Boot Room to explore the nearby countryside – with dog-friendly rooms, you can bring the whole family. There’s an outdoor pool which is heated all year around, and an intimate spa, as well as a private path leading to Cheltenham Racecourse.
BOOK: +44 (0)1242 545454 | ellenboroughpark.com
Feldon Valley – Lower Brailes, Oxfordshire
There has been a par 71, 18-hole golf course at Feldon Valley for more than two decades, but it was only in 2019 that accommodation was added to create a tranquil Cotswolds retreat. Positioned parallel to the golf course, Feldon Valley’s 25 contemporary rooms are spread across four modern wood and glass lodges, as well as the main building, all linked by a raised boardwalk. Some rooms come with a private veranda; others have floor-to-ceiling windows facing the woods and golf course beyond (families and larger groups can book an entire lodge). The spacious lounge area has glass doors that open onto a welcoming terrace with firepits and valley vistas – perfect for a leisurely leaf through the papers or a peaceful nightcap.
BOOK: +44 (0)1608 685633 | feldonvalley.uk
No 38 The Park – Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Part of the brilliant Lucky Onion Group that was started by Julian and Jade Dunkerton, this fine Georgian house, tucked away in the centre of Regency Cheltenham overlooking leafy Pittville Park, combines the independence of a B&B with the luxury of a hotel. Whether you take just a room or the entire house, you’ll feel completely at ease here – and even your favourite canine companion can join you, too, for an extra element of home-from-home comfort.
BOOK: +44 (0)1242 822929 | no38thepark.com
Woolley Grange – Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire
The homely, relaxed atmosphere of this Jacobean manor house, the original Luxury Family Hotel, puts you immediately at ease. Woolley Grange‘s wood-panelled interior, open fires and antique furnishings are impressive but not pretentious, and it’s unmatched for making children and dogs welcome. The 14-acre garden is one big adventure playground, with swings, play houses and dipping pond. There are indoor and outdoor swimming pools, the complimentary Woolley Bears Den children’s club and the Hen House for older children. Adult treats include picnics in the grounds, a luxurious Elemis spa, roaring log fires and a terrace for champagne on summer evenings. The bedrooms are both family friendly and full of character. Read our Woolley Park staycation review.
BOOK: +44 (0)1225 864705 | woolleygrangehotel.co.uk
The Swan – Ascott-under-Wychwood, Oxfordshire
This 16th-century timbered inn with inglenook fireplaces, reclaimed wooden floors and a large central bar, re-opened in 2019 as part of Sam and Georgie Pearman’s Country Creatures collection (the newest addition to the group is The Double Red Duke). You’ll find eight dashingly pretty bedrooms and a family cottage, all balancing comfort and luxury in equal measure, with antique and modern art pieces, natural linens, velvets and printed fabrics, and 100 Acres Apothecary products in the bathrooms. In the charming dining room, exposed timber, Cotswold stone, striking Lewis & Wood wallpaper and art by Keith Tyson create an intimate setting, while the garden terrace has firepits and painted wooden planters.
BOOK: + 44 (0)1993 832332 | swanascott.com
Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort – Calne, Wiltshire
There are 43 spacious, contemporary bedrooms in this fine estate hotel, but it’s the stunning reception rooms, designed by the Marchioness of Lansdowne, that make the place: the soft grey hall, book-lined library and the sweeping Shelburne bar and restaurant, perfect for elegant but contemporary dining. Stay here – in 2,000 acres of Capability Brown parkland – and enjoy one of the finest all-weather PGA Championship golf courses in the South West. Alternatively, take over the four-bedroom Queenwood Lodge, made for special occasions. Alongside the hotel, enjoy a spell in the beautiful award-winning spa with infinity pool or sit down for a delicious afternoon tea in the library.
BOOK: +44 (0)1249 822228 | bowood.org/hotel
The Trout At Tadpole Bridge – Faringdon, Oxfordshire
What a delightful spot. It’s here that the infant Thames is at its most peaceful, slipping past miles of understated countryside, rich in wildlife. Downstream from Tadpole Bridge are the wildflower meadows and wading birds of the Chimney Meadows Nature Reserve; across the fields is Bampton, one of the prettiest villages in the county. Kelmscott Manor lies farther along the river, while Blenheim Palace and Cotswold Water Park are within easy reach. It’s hard to think of a better base for a weekend away.
BOOK: +44 (0)1367 870382 | troutinn.co.uk
Dormy House – Broadway, Worcestershire
Hidden deep within the sprawling 400-acre Farncombe Estate, on a hill overlooking the picture-postcard village of Broadway, this 17th-century farmhouse-turned-boutique retreat underwent a £10 million renovation. Inside, flagstone floors, plush sofas and stone fireplaces offer a home-away-from-home level of comfort – albeit in a grander setting. Its 39 cheerful bedrooms and suites are the exemplar of quintessential country living with a touch of Scandinavian style. Dormy House is also home to an internationally renowned spa, offering utter relaxation in the form of thermal suites, lavender infusion saunas and an outdoor fireside hot tub.
BOOK: +44(0)1386 852711 | dormyhouse.co.uk
Thorpe Manor – Thorpe Mandeville, Oxfordshire
Pulling up to this gloriously grand grade II*-listed Georgian house in the pretty Oxfordshire village of Thorpe Mandeville, it’s clear that this is an English country pile with a difference. No fusty furniture or creaky floorboards here; recently completely restored, each of its many sprawling rooms including 14 standout ensuite bedrooms, which have been meticulously designed, seamlessly blending modern touches with period furniture. An exclusive-use homestay, it’s popular for special occasions, especially parties and weddings, with a wealth of sociable spaces, like its inviting dining room seating 30; a sumptuous drawing room with plump sofas and piles of boardgames in front of the cosy fireplace; a lavish wood-panelled bar for an intimate night cap and a showstopper cinema with velvet armchairs and an enormous screen.
BOOK: +44 (0)1295 711006 | thorpemanorhouse.co.uk
Cowley Manor – Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
From the outside it’s a stunning Italianate manor house set in classical cascade-filled grounds; inside it’s a flawless, hip hotel, with 21st-century good looks. And although the style is cool, the welcome from ever-helpful staff is warm. After checking into your state-of-the-art room – in six categories with plenty for families – you can while away time playing pool in the padded leather billiards room, drinking in the funky bar or relaxing on the elegant stone terrace, a sun trap with fabulous views.
BOOK: +44 (0)1242 870900 | cowleymanor.com
Thornbury Castle – Thornbury, Gloucestershire
Thornbury Castle is the real deal: so real that Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn stayed here and Princess Mary, later Mary I, lived here. After centuries as a picturesque ruin, the Howard family transformed it in Victorian times into a splendid private residence. All the panelling and decorative features are either original or hand-crafted reproductions, including much of the furniture, the ornate carved ceilings and tapestry wall-hangings. Spiral staircases lead to 26 unique, romantic bed chambers, many with coronet or four-poster beds. Their baronial style has been cleverly updated with 21st-century luxuries: rooms are well heated with opulent bathrooms.
BOOK: +44 (0)1454 281182 | thornburycastle.co.uk
