Your Cart is Empty
FREE UK SHIPPING FOR ORDERS OVER £200 | FREE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING FOR ORDERS OVER £250
A Creative Take on the Cotswolds
If you’re looking for a Cotswolds escape that feels a little different, Cowley Manor Experimental is worth knowing about. This grand former manor house has been given a distinctly contemporary twist by
Experimental, the French hospitality group known for its playful approach to
design, food and drink. With properties in Paris, Ibiza and Menorca, the Cotswold’s seems an unlikely choice, but you’ll soon find yourself down a rabbit hole of magic. Greatly inspired by Alice in Wonderland, the hotel’s design flare extends far beyond the decor, with imaginative dining and start ofmthe art cocktails, of course.
The result is a refreshing alternative to the traditional country-house hotel. Outside, there are lakes, woodland, gardens and sprawling lawns; inside, the look is far more unexpected. Bold colours, statement fabrics, vintage furniture and contemporary art sit alongside original architectural features, creating an atmosphere that feels both sophisticated and relaxed.
Bedrooms are where Cowley Manor’s personality really comes through. The interiors are eclectic and full of character, combining period details with contemporary pieces. Expect rich colours, patterned fabrics, curved furniture and playful decorative touches. Some rooms have freestanding baths or views across the estate, while others are more intimate and tucked away.
Food and drink are central to a stay here. The main restaurant, Malt, takes a modern approach to British cooking, with seasonal ingredients and local produce at its heart. The menu feels considered without being overly complicated, while the dining room has a sociable quality that suits everything from a leisurely lunch to dinner.
The bar is a natural evening destination. Cocktails are a particular focus, with an inventive drinks list that reflects Experimental’s reputation for mixology. It’s livelier than the setting might suggest, adding a welcome sense of energy once dinner is over.
Breakfast is similarly unhurried, with enough choice to set you up for a day exploring the estate or heading further into the surrounding countryside.
If you’re after a Cotswolds stay with a creative edge – somewhere that feels considered but never predictable – this is one to put on the list.
An Elegant Escape in the Oxfordshire Countryside
If you like your country-house hotels with a little more glamour, Estelle Manor is one to know. Set in 60 acres of Oxfordshire parkland, this former 17th-century manor has been transformed into a polished rural retreat that feels closer to an exclusive members’ club than a traditional country hotel. The setting is classic English countryside – sweeping lawns, mature trees and beautiful period architecture – but the interiors take a more contemporary approach. There’s an easy confidence to the design, with antique furniture, rich fabrics, bold artwork and carefully chosen decorative details creating spaces that feel layered rather than overly coordinated.
The bedrooms continue this approach, combining historic character with modern touches. Rather than feeling like a standard luxury hotel room, they have the atmosphere of beautifully decorated bedrooms in an impressive country house. Expect four-poster beds, freestanding baths, original fireplaces and plenty of individual character, alongside sumptuous fabrics, antique pieces and thoughtful details.
For a special occasion, the larger suites are particularly appealing. They give you more space to settle in and make the
hotel feel like a destination in its own right rather than somewhere you simply
return to at the end of the day.
Estelle Manor takes dining seriously, with several restaurants and bars giving guests plenty of choice throughout their stay. The Bee Hive is the more relaxed option, serving unfussy Italian-inspired food in a lively setting. It’s the kind of place that works equally well for a long lunch, a casual dinner or a spontaneous drink. For something more formal, the Dining Room offers a refined take on modern European cooking, with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients and beautifully presented dishes. There’s a sense of occasion without the atmosphere becoming overly formal. The bars are equally well considered with spaces designed for lingering. Drinks here feel like part of the experience rather than an afterthought, whether you’re settling in before dinner or finishing the evening with one last cocktail.
The estate itself gives you plenty of space to explore, while the wellness facilities add another layer to the experience. There’s a beautiful indoor pool, treatment rooms and a Roman-inspired bath house, making it easy to spend an entire day on site without feeling as though you’re missing
out.
There’s also a distinctly social atmosphere. Unlike some country hotels that become very quiet after dinner, Estelle Manor has an energy
that carries through the evening.
For a stylish weekend escape within easy reach of London, particularly if you want somewhere that offers plenty to do without requiring you to leave the estate, Estelle Manor is an easy one to recommend.
A Country House Stay With Plenty of Character
There’s something wonderfully appealing about a hotel that doesn’t feel as though it’s trying too hard. Part of the Calcot
Collection, The Painswick is housed in an 18th-century building and feels more like a much-loved country home than a traditional hotel. Think original architectural details, cosy corners, log fires, books and interiors that balance classic Cotswold character with contemporary touches.
Bedrooms are individually designed rather than uniform, they have an eclectic, residential feel, with patterned fabrics, upholstered headboards, antique-style furniture, artwork and soft lighting. The rooms aren’t aiming for ultra-modern, five-star minimalism. Their charm comes from individuality: no two spaces feel quite the same.
Some make the most of the hotel’s elevated position, with views across the rooftops and rolling hills beyond. Others feel more tucked away and cocooning, ideal for a quiet weekend escape.
The restaurant is another reason to make The Painswick more than a base for exploring the Cotswolds. Dining feels relaxed, with no pressure to dress up or make an occasion of it, although the food itself is certainly special. The menu is rooted in seasonal British produce, with well-executed dishes that are comforting without being heavy. It’s the kind of cooking that works particularly well after a day walking through the countryside: generous, seasonal and satisfying. Breakfast is worth taking your time over, particularly with a coffee and views across the village. The bar captures the spirit of the hotel best: cosy, informal and made for settling into. After a long walk, order a glass of wine or a cocktail and claim a comfortable chair. In winter, it has the warmth of a traditional country pub combined with the polish of a boutique
hotel.
What sets The Painswick apart is its atmosphere. It feels intimate without being small, luxurious without being formal and stylish without losing the character of the original building. Painswick itself is one of the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds, with stone cottages, winding lanes and quintessentially English charm. It feels slightly removed from the busiest
tourist spots, while the hotel’s position above the village provides a sense of
privacy and space.
If your ideal Cotswolds stay involves long walks, fireside drinks, excellent food and a bedroom you’re reluctant to leave, The
Painswick makes a strong case for getting out of London for a couple of days.
Set among 220 acres of Gloucestershire countryside, this former Tudor farmhouse has the character of a traditional Cotswolds retreat, but with a more contemporary, family-friendly feel. It’s polished without being formal, stylish without feeling self-conscious and, most importantly, genuinely easy to settle into.
Rather than being a hotel where you simply sleep between countryside walks, Calcot is designed as a destination in its own right. There’s a spa, swimming pool, tennis courts, bikes, gardens and plenty of space to relax, making it particularly well suited to longer stays, family breaks and weekends when you want to do as much – or as little – as possible.
The bedrooms are warm, and thoughtfully designed, with exposed beams and original details in some rooms, alongside soft fabrics, natural
materials, generous beds and contemporary bathrooms. There’s a good variety of accommodation, from rooms in the main manor house to larger suites and family-friendly spaces. Some have separate sitting areas, while others open onto private terraces or garden views. There’s space for muddy boots, weekend bags and children’s belongings, while thoughtful touches make the stay feel comfortable rather than overly precious. Families are particularly well catered for, but the atmosphere remains calm enough for couples looking for a countryside escape.
Food is central to the Calcot experience, with several options depending on the mood of your stay. The main restaurant offers seasonal, modern British cooking, with menus built around good local produce and dishes that feel considered without being fussy.
For something more relaxed, The Hive is a lively space for casual meals, drinks and snacks. It has a sociable, informal feel and is particularly useful for families, although the atmosphere is welcoming for everyone. There’s no pressure to make every meal a formal occasion, which adds to the sense that Calcot is a place to enjoy at your own pace.
Breakfast is a highlight, with plenty of choice and the kind of generous start to the day that sets you up for walking, cycling or simply making the most of the spa. Later on, the bar is a natural meeting point for coffee, cocktails or a glass of wine before dinner.
The spa is one of Calcot’s biggest draws. It feels modern and well equipped, with treatment rooms, relaxation spaces, a pool, sauna and steam room, as well as a gym and outdoor facilities. Treatments are designed to be restorative rather than overly elaborate, making it easy to spend a few hours switching off.
What makes the stay particularly enjoyable is the balance between activity and relaxation. You can book a treatment, take a swim, borrow bikes, play tennis or head out for a countryside walk – but there’s never any sense that you need to fill your itinerary.
Whether you’re planning a family break, a wellness weekend or a low-key escape from London, Calcot makes it easy to settle into a slower rhythm. The luxury here is not about ceremony; it’s about having everything you need in one beautiful setting, with the freedom to spend your time exactly as you choose.
