Cowley Manor Experimental

Worth getting out of bed for

On sunny English afternoons, keep the waddling ducks company and ask the hotel to organise a picnic overlooking the lake. Or – if that’s too much effort – seek out a hammock in the grounds to swing and snooze in. Nature-lovers are spoilt for choice here, with an abundance of trees, plant life and animals, like the rare purple dragonflies who have been known to make an appearance. You’ll find plenty of natural pursuits nearby too, with the Cotswolds Wildlife Park a half-hour drive away, home to over 260 species, – great and small – including lions, lemurs, penguins and pandas; while bird-watchers can find over 500 species of winged wonders to gaze on at Birdland Park and Gardens. Cotswold Farm Park is great for families, who can bottle-feed lambs, learn about animals and agriculture, and let off steam at the indoor and outdoor play areas, which have everything from sandpits and swings to pedal tractors and ziplines. Come half-term, the farm organises special events, too, like sheepdog shows and wool workshops. While you’re in the area, take a stroll around Guiting Power, a picturesque English village that looks like something from a Warbuton’s advert, or explore Sudeley Castle with 10 award-winning gardens in its grounds, as well as well-preserved interiors decked-out with Dutch painted glass, 16th-century paintings and period furniture. Cotswolds Sculpture Park has an ever-changing display of artworks to admire (and purchase, FYI). And while you’re testing out your credit limit, market town Cirencester and Cheltenham’s Montpellier are great spots for boutique shopping. Sporting Smiths can try potting clay-pigeon at the Ian Coley Shooting School, or gee up with Cotswolds Riding, while those after a flutter can try their luck at the Cheltenham races, a 30-minute drive away Of course, in this comely stretch of countryside, there's nothing to match wandering o'er hill and dale, so pull your wellies on and strike out across the fields.

Local restaurants

We're big fans of Le Champignon Sauvage on Suffolk Road in Cheltenham, which has fully earned its acclaim with a world-class English and French menu. For something more relaxed, the Daffodil on Suffolk Parade serves seasonal British fare in the art deco building of a former cinema. Tuck into Hereford asparagus with poached duck egg, cress salad and hollandaise, or classic fish and chips, to the soundtrack of a live jazz band. 

Local cafés

Botanica Café in Cheltenham is an industrial chic-spot housed in what may first seem like a garage. Once inside, however, the space is pastel-hued and palm-dotted, brewing beans from Girls who Grind, an all-female roastery, and serving a menu of elevated brunch classics like Cacklebean eggs on buttery, sourdough toast or smashed avo on rye. 

Local bars

Head to the Grape Escape on Regent Street for a lively atmosphere and great wine, or the Stumpin Foss Cross for craft beer accompanied by fresh, wood-fired pizzas. The Fossebridge Inn near Northleach is ideal for Sunday tipples (and a hearty roast lunch), but make sure you book ahead, as it's nearly always packed. Or try the Green Dragon in Cowley for a classic country-pub feel, with crackling fires, low-slung beams and flagstone floors.