Few places can rival the Cotswolds for a minibreak — it has precisely the right formula of chocolate-box villages and ancient cottages, plus crooked pubs and rolling hills to make tourists swoon and keep the staycation-seeking Brits coming back. It also has farm shops and foodie hotspots, antique stores and market towns, not to mention some of the most stand-out boutique hotels in the country.
So whether you’re in search of somewhere pet-friendly, wellness-focused or unabashedly romantic, our roundup of 10 of the best hotels in the Cotswolds has the one for you.
For a romantic break
Thyme
Thyme
Thyme was originally a cookery school, with the winner of Masterchef in the year 2000, Marjorie Lang, one of its early head chefs (luckily for guests, Marj is still on hand to teach you how to master a skill, such as canapés or mince pies).
The hotel occupies an expansive estate incorporating the existing elements of the village of Southrop (pronounced ‘Suth-er-up’, before you expose yourself as an out-of-towner or, worse, a DFL) — including a pub and a church with a carved Norman font, alongside a farm, wildflower meadows and a super spa. It’s so romantic that Cotswolds local Kate Moss chose it as the venue for her wedding to musician Jamie Hince in 2011. And its elegant, colourful decor, with plenty of bold chintz, is the countryside written in cursive.
Best room for couples: If romance had a colour, it would be pink (or maybe red for the more passionate affairs) — one of the Garden Rooms is almost entirely adorned in shades of blush and rose. These have a small private garden with a fire pit and most have a roll-top bath tub, too.
Something to eat: Chef Charlie Hibbert (the son of owner Caryn) returned from a stint at London’s Quo Vadis to take the helm at The Ox Barn, where the beef (Fresian Holstein, no less) is now on the menu. Otherwise, it serves simple, Mediterranean-influenced dishes such as cod with fregula and chorizo, and grilled polenta with ricotta and courgette. The panisse and sage is a highlight.
A bracing country walk: Skirt the serene edge of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty by completing the two-hour route that starts in Southrop, through the surrounding fields, heading north-east. You can either turn back to the starting point or make for Eastleach Turville.
Cosiest pub nearby: There’s The Swan, a classic, ivy-covered Cotswolds pub just steps away in Southrop village, but if you’d prefer a pub to greet you at the end of a walk, try The Victoria Inn in Eastleach Turville for a rewarding pint and packet of crisps.
For spa spoiling
Cowley Manor Experimental
The fabulous French schoolfriends behind the Experimental hotel group can do no wrong, and they had yet another hit on their hands when they revamped Cowley Manor Experimental, one of the Cotswolds’ original boutique hotels. The Grade II-listed manor held onto its Italianate gardens and lake, but interiors had a full Po-Mo upgrade, courtesy of the brand’s star designer Dorothée Meilichzon. This manor reborn is now a melee of colour, pattern and sculptural furnishings.
At the C-Side Spa, you can enjoy treatments by the miracle-working British brand Oskia and French stablemate Biologique Recherche, followed by swims in the indoor and outdoor pools. Afterwards, there’s dinner at the Jackson Boxer-helmed restaurant to look forward to.
Best room for spa seekers: Continue the hydrotherapy quest in a Wildflower with Terrace room, set in the stable block overlooking the estate, with a soaking tub and a super-king-size bed.
Something to eat: Gloucestershire goes Gallic at the wood-panelled hotel restaurant — starting with Old Spot croquettes and Single Gloucester and truffle gougères at the bar, then continuing with plentiful Cotswolds culinary bounty.
A bracing country walk: Head east from Cowley on this two-hour circuit, tramping across farm fields towards Cowley Wood, before looping back up to the hotel. Watch out for the livestock.
Cosiest pub nearby: In the hamlet of Cockleford a 10-minute walk away from Cowley Manor is the 17th-century Green Dragon Inn.
For a dog-friendly stay
The Lygon Arms
The Lygon Arms
There’s a lot of history in the Cotswolds, but The Lygon Arms in the honey-coloured Worcestershire village of Broadway is just showing off. Its notable former guests run the full range, from Charles II to Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. The earliest record of the inn is in 1377, though the current structure dates back to the early 17th century.
Today, canine guests (who can stay for £30 per dog, per day) are the new royalty, with use of the wash station in the courtyard, and beds, treats and bowls included in the fee. For an extra charge staff can arrange sitters; the on-site shop sells Le Chameau collars and leads, and Ruff and Tumble drying coats; and star chef James Martin has crafted a special pet menu. There’s even the option to have a local photographer document your dog’s adventures.
Best room for pet parents: One of the courtyard suites near the wash station, such as the Courtyard Open Plan Suite, will be best for rinsing off muddy paws post-walkies.
Something to eat: TV favourite James Martin has created The Lygon Arms’ Grill restaurant, along with the Tavern on Broadway’s high street. Guests with pets in tow can dine with their dogs in the Russell Room, which is where the dedicated pet menu is served.
A bracing country walk: The four-mile Broadway and the Tower route takes you from the high street up to the Broadway Tower and its views across the Severn Vale towards Wales.
Cosiest pub nearby: There are lots of taverns in Broadway, or if you like your pubs ancient and multi-chimneyed, you can head to the National Trust-owned Fleece Inn in Bretforton.
For family getaways
The Lakes by Yoo Hotel & Residences
Fun for all the family awaits at the 850-acre The Lakes by Yoo Hotel & Residences estate near Lechlade in Oxfordshire, home to sleek, modern and individually styled self-catering residences and, predictably, lots of bodies of water.
Guests can go kayaking, sailing, paddle-boarding, zip-lining or wild swimming — or you can let your kids do all that while you retreat to the spa. They may return home as seasoned survivalists, with bushcraft sessions, archery and air-rifle lessons on offer, too (don’t fret, there are also sweeter things, like teddy-bear hunts). And less than half an hour away by car is the Cotswold Lakes, which has 180 bodies of water for both immersion in nature and yet more aquatic activities.
Best room for families: The Lakeside Cabin, which looks like a treehouse who’s acquired a stylist, is ideal for families of four; one of its two bedrooms has twin beds. There are also options that sleep six and 10 for bigger groups, and dogs are welcome too.
Something to eat: Keep an eye out for the regular supper clubs, where top-of-their-game chefs — many with Michelin stars — arrive to make intimate meals. The rest of the time, the dog- and child-friendly Lakes Bar & Kitchen serves a range of gourmet wood-fired pizzas or bistro-style fare with a view of the sailing lake.
A bracing country walk: Go for a refreshing ramble through the estate’s meadows and ancient woodland, or head to the village of Buscot and make your way north to Lechlade, passing the first lock on the River Thames and a Second World War bunker.
Cosiest pub nearby: If you like your pubs a bit wonky, you’ll love The Lamb Inn in the market town of Burford, a 20-minute drive away.
For culture
The Feathers Hotel
The Feathers Hotel
The Feathers Hotel is in Woodstock, a market town eight miles north-west of the centre of Oxford. Within, The Nest restaurant is where head chef Luke Rawicki decadently dabbles in locally sourced produce, focusing on meat and fish (but offering not-an-afterthought vegetarian options too). It’s open Wednesday to Sunday, with the Aviary (we’re sensing a theme here) on hand to tackle hunger out-of-hours. The latter is more of a bar and bistro, with stiff cocktails and a 100-bottle-strong wine list.
Highbrow activities nearby include visits to Woodstock Town Hall, which was built in 1766, or the Unesco World Heritage Site of Blenheim Palace, where Winston Churchill was born. And you can go full circle by visiting his grave in the churchyard of St Martin’s in the village of Bladon.
Best room for literary sorts: Almost all of the rooms have a desk, so if you feel a sudden urge to get your quill out, you’ll be well served.
Something to eat: Vegetarians will be well fed at The Nest, with dishes such as pumpkin risotto and roast cauliflower on the menu, along with sides of crispy layered potato and hispi cabbage with chilli and lime butter.
A bracing country walk: Go into Woodstock for a leisurely amble around its many shops and cafés, before heading towards Blenheim’s parkland — you’ll pass the original Woodstock settlement before reaching the grand Capability Brown-designed grounds. Film wizards might recognise the 300-year-old cedar of Lebanon tree from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
Cosiest pub nearby On your way back from Blenheim Palace, in the village of Wootton, The Killingworth Castle is the perfect pitstop.
For a budget-friendly trip
Double Red Duke
For a Cotswolds pub with rooms, the Double Red Duke in the Oxfordshire hamlet of Clanfield promises the perfect mix of hearty food, wooden beams, crooked stairwells, creaky floors and a spacious beer garden. Obviously it’s even lovelier in the summer, when the striped parasols bloom and margaritas flow, served alongside charcoal-grilled steaks, from Hereford to Longhorn. But even in the winter, it’s peak levels of cosiness, with deep freestanding bath tubs to fill if you’re still feeling a chill.
Celeb chefs are known to call in at the 16th-century coaching inn for pop-ups — these have included Thomasina Miers, Richard Corrigan, Updown Farmhouse‘s Oli Brown and more culinary luminaries in the past.
Best room for a bargain: The Cosy Rooms have everything you need and some even squeeze in a bath tub.
Something to eat: The restaurant has a well-earned reputation for its wood-fired eats, and mix-it-up flavour combos (crab and stracciatella, Ibérico pork with smoked almonds), and the menu has an entire subsection dedicated to beef.
A bracing country walk: A trail starts from Radcot Bridge and crosses the Thames for a six-mile loop through the village of Clanfield and its surrounding countryside.
Cosiest pub nearby: You won’t have to head very far, since there’s another pub just over the road (The Mason’s Arms).
For all-out luxury
Estelle Manor
At the edge of the official Cotswolds designation in Oxfordshire, Estelle Manor is the countryside edition of the London members’ club Maison Estelle. It’s a listed manor on a 60-acre estate, surrounded by thousands more acres of immaculate parkland, with an oak-lined driveway aiding with the general Austen air (we can definitely picture Mr Darcy emerging from nearby Blenheim Lake).
Modern countryside pursuits for the temporarily landed gentry include padel, dips in the heated outdoor pool and taking the waters in the Roman-style spa, alongside the classic aristocratic endeavours of archery, axe-throwing and falconry. There’s also The Armoury restaurant for Japanese, the Billiards Room for Chinese, and a brasserie for English favourites like beef Wellington and cheddar soufflé and Italian-leaning pastas.
Best room for a blow-out: The Estelle Suite with Private Balcony in the manor will have you busting out the Empire-line dresses; or hide away in the Woodland Cabin, which sleeps four.
Something to eat: The Billiards Room serves dim sum, char siu pork with yuzu mustard and whole roasted ducks; for sushi, robata-grilled eats and sake, make for The Armoury.
A bracing country walk: It’s a good two hours or so, but the Eynsham and South Leigh circular trail rewards ramblers with scenic villages, Dylan Thomas’s old manor and the St James the Great church.
Cosiest pub nearby: On the other side of the A40, The Swan Eynsham has a folk night every third Monday of the month, a darts team convening every Wednesday and board games to borrow — in short, it’s the dream friendly boozer.
For a pub with rooms
The Wheatsheaf Inn
The Cotswolds excels at the cosy country pub with rooms and one of its most favoured is The Wheatsheaf Inn in the village of Northleach, approved by the Chipping Norton set as well as the rest of us.
The creeper-covered building dates back to the 17th century, but it has been eased into the 2020s with Pop art and retro seating, without foregoing the flagstones and fireplaces. Outside, there are landscaped gardens, which some of the rooms overlook, and a pizza oven for the summer months.
Best room for pub proximity: Regardless of how many pints you’ve sunk, it won’t take long to reach your room. If you’re bringing the kids along, the Boutique and Bigger Boutique categories have space for a baby cot or an extra bed.
Something to eat: This is the kind of pub fare that requires post-meal belt-loosening, with hefty, buttery ribeye steak, Cotswolds lamb chops, a cheesy soufflé, brisket burger and sharing seafood platter. But you’ll somehow magically still have room for crumble or marmalade bread and butter pudding.
A bracing country walk: There are lots of trails to sate hungry hikers, including a stroll from Northleach via The Old Prison (once a penitentiary, now a café) to the nearby village of Hampnett.
Cosiest pub nearby: The one you’re already in, naturally. If you’re in search of a superlative Sunday roast, drive 20 minutes north towards Stow-on-the-Wold and locate the Horse and Groom in the village of Upper Oddington.
For foodies
The Pig in the Cotswolds
The Pig group rebranded Barnsley House into one of its litter, reviving a beloved British hotel. The Grade II-listed, Arts and Crafts house itself once belonged to the family of David Barnsley, husband to the lauded garden designer Rosemary Verey, whose horticultural legacy remains intact. The ornamental gardens here were her first creation — and they’re joined today by a classic Pig kitchen garden, of course, which assists with the 25-mile provenance goals.
As well as a signature Pig restaurant, the hotel has its very own Village Pub. It’s four miles from Cirencester and close to picturesque villages Burford, Bourton-on-the-Water and Bibury, too.
Best room for diners and drinkers: If you prefer to be within stumbling distance of the local, book one of the rooms in the pub.
Something to eat: Take your pick of the plant-based options plucked that morning from the potager garden or polytunnel; or embrace the porcine name and order whichever pork dish is currently on the menu.
A bracing country walk: The Barnsley circular passes near Cirencester Abbey in a three mile or so round trip.
Cosiest pub nearby: The Village Pub, of course, but the 18th-century Bear Inn in Cirencester is a close second.
For town and country
Wild Thyme & Honey
You probably aren’t coming to the Cotswolds for urbanity, but Wild Thyme & Honey lets you have the best of both worlds — it’s close to the market town of Cirencester for (relative) buzz, but technically located in a village for the rural respite you most likely seek. The village in question is Ampney Crucis, which is as ancient as it sounds.
The hotel occupies a 16th-century building, with The Crown at Ampney Brook pub attached — here you can be sure of a cosy corner and low food miles. There are Hunter wellies to borrow to help you get the look.
Best room for getting away from it all: In the No 3 London Road apartment, there’s a private terrace, barrel sauna and hot tub — so you probably won’t be going very far.
Something to eat: The menu is mostly British in flavour, but there are few well-seasoned additions: a coronation-pork Scotch egg with mango chutney. porchetta with salsa verde, chalk stream trout in apple-cider beurre blanc…
A bracing country walk: The walk into Cirencester should take around an hour, or you can do a loop of all the Ampneys, starting from Ampney Crucis, down to Ampney St Peter and around to Ampney St Mary, before retreating home.
Cosiest pub nearby: Beams, ancient stone and fireplaces are mere steps away, thanks to The Crown at Ampney Brook.
For a new style of stay
Hyll Hotel
Yes, Hyll Hotel is built of that honey-hued stone that screams ‘classic Cotswolds’, but on the inside it’s a place that brings the contemporary to a country break. Its colours are coolly muted, rooms are dressed in creamy linens, organic wool and timber, and weathered beams and fireplaces sit alongside mid-century statement pieces.
You’re given two options: do nothing or do something. Both are equally pleasant, however the first appeals most as it involves lazy breakfasts in bed, spa rituals, picnicking, admiring the artworks, flipping through a selection of Borzoi books, or simply revelling in the scenic stillness.
Most aesthetic room: All 26 rooms are slickly styled, yet cosily comfortable, whether you stay in the 14th-century manor house or in the courtyard’s converted outbuildings. But if idling is your agenda, the Courtyard Roomy with Lounge gives you ample space to do so.
Something to eat: Exquisite ingredients gathered from across Gloucestershire and the Vale of Evesham set the tone of the menu, so nature dictates what you’ll eat. But she has great taste, and you may find a cheese and pickle soufflé, pork chop with cider-apple purée or cherry Basque cheesecake on your plate.
A bracing country walk: Photogenic village Chipping-Camden is a 90-minute walk away. Stop into the Eight Bells Inn for hearty pub eats and delightfully sticky desserts. Then when you’ve fuelled up enough, continue for 30 minutes to beauty spot Dover’s Hill.
Cosiest pub nearby: Wood, flagstone floors, fire, wisteria: the 200-year-old Ebrington Arms is basically what comes to mind when you think of a Cotswolds pub. In summer, there’s an alfresco bar and the Josper grill is fired up; and in winter the feel is all warm and fuzzy.
Ready for more golden villages, rolling hills and abundant tea rooms? See the rest of our Cotswolds collection