Cowley Manor Experimental
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Just a two-hour drive from central London, the Cotswolds have long served as a storybook retreat for the British upper crust. Think of it as the Hamptons of London — a pastoral region of honey-colored villages, manicured gardens and timeless stone cottages nestled into rolling green hills. The area has earned buzzy status in recent years as a billionaires’ playground, thanks to a fresh crop of private members’ clubs, wellness estates and design-forward boutique hotels. But its appeal is nothing new — this is a place where centuries-old pubs meet forward-thinking cuisine, and upscale shopping is just as likely to include a chic linen frock as a hand-thrown teacup.
Ready to go? These are the most stylish spots to stay, eat and shop, for countryside calm with a side of see-and-be-seen.
The Cotswolds Travel Guide: Where to Stay
More than just a hotel, Thyme is a destination unto itself — a 150-acre former manor estate turned village within a village. Everything here is steeped in charm and sustainability: There’s a cookery school, the chic Meadow Spa and dining in a soaring restored barn. Each of the guest rooms, spread across stone cottages and converted outbuildings, is uniquely designed with antique furnishings, crisp linens and thoughtful touches like fresh garden blooms and handmade soaps. Thyme feels like a love letter to the English countryside — elegant, understated and entirely transportive.
Book Thyme via Tripadvisor.
Cowley Manor Experimental, Cheltenham
Once a traditional country house hotel, Cowley Manor was recently reimagined by the trendsetting Experimental Group (the same French team behind Paris hotspots like Hôtel des Grands Boulevards and the Experimental Cocktail Club). The result is a bold yet refined take on English manor life, complete with maximalist interiors, curated art and an underground spa that includes a slate-lined indoor pool and herbal steam room. The 31-room hotel sits on 55 acres of formal gardens and woodlands, and its restaurant offers a modern, European take on British classics. It’s a perfect choice for design lovers craving something both cozy and cutting-edge. Bonus: You can book it with your Hyatt points thanks to Hyatt’s newish partnership with Mr & Mrs Smith hotels.
Book Cowley Manor Experimental via Tripadvisor.
One of the buzziest hotel openings in the area, Estelle Manor has brought new energy — and a distinctly glam sensibility — to the English countryside. A sister property to the ultra-exclusive Maison Estelle in Mayfair, this sprawling neo-Jacobean mansion blends traditional English architecture with sleek, high-design interiors. Guests can book one of 108 guest rooms or cottages, dine at one of four on-site restaurants and unwind in the opulent Eynsham Baths — a Roman-inspired spa with tepidarium, caldarium and frigidarium pools. With its glossy guest list, curated wellness programming and hushed luxury, think of Estelle Manor as the Cotswolds’ answer to Amangiri.
Book Estelle Manor via Tripadvisor.
Steeped in 600 years of history with roots dating back to the 14th century — with a guest list including King Charles I and Oliver Cromwell, not to mention Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton — The Lygon Arms is a quintessential English coaching inn turned luxurious countryside hideaway. Located in the postcard-perfect village of Broadway, the hotel boasts 86 rooms, including lavish suites with open-beam ceilings, clawfoot tubs and cozy fireplaces. Guests can relax in the spa, enjoy traditional afternoon tea or dine at one of two new restaurants by James Martin, Grill (the renamed Lygon Bar & Grill, which features dramatic vaulted ceilings) and Tavern (with pub energy). The hotel artfully combines period features with modern comforts, so it’s a boon if you want to immerse yourself in history without sacrificing style.
Book The Lygon Arms via Tripadvisor.
The Cotswolds Travel Guide: Where to Eat and Drink
A modern British inn from the team behind Daylesford Organic, The Wild Rabbit is one of the Cotswolds’ most celebrated dining destinations. The Michelin-starred restaurant focuses on hyper-local, sustainable ingredients sourced directly from the Daylesford farm — with dishes like roasted Cotswold venison or heritage carrots with smoked almond and lovage. Interiors are stylish yet cozy, with stone walls, wood-burning fireplaces and minimalist farmhouse décor. The restaurant’s pub menu offers elevated comfort food, while the adjoining wine cellar is stocked with natural and biodynamic bottles. It’s the kind of place where you might spot a royal or fashion editor — and still feel at home in wellies.
The Wild Rabbit
If you manage to snag a reservation or know a member, this countryside outpost of Soho House delivers the ultimate in rustic-chic living. Set across 100 acres of Oxfordshire countryside, Soho Farmhouse is equal parts members’ club, hotel, and farm retreat — complete with private cabins, a retro ice cream van, horse stables and a full Cowshed spa. Dining options range from wood-fired pizza and lakeside barbecue to elegant farm-to-table fare at the main barn restaurant. It’s a favorite haunt of London creatives and celebrities who come for the laid-back luxury, country air and curated playlist vibes.
Located on the Thyme estate, Ox Barn is one of the region’s most stylish farm-to-table restaurants. Housed in a former cattle barn with soaring ceilings and minimalist rustic interiors, it’s the kind of place where every detail feels intentional, from the salvaged furniture to the house-made vermouth. Executive chef Charlie Hibbert creates a daily changing menu based on what’s freshest from the farm’s kitchen garden, with dishes like beetroot tartare, guinea fowl with rhubarb and wood-fired seasonal vegetables. The open kitchen adds a lively energy to the dining room, and the bar offers botanical-forward cocktails and natural wines.
The Cotswolds Travel Guide: Where to Shop
An easy ride from the Cotswolds by car or train, Bicester Village is a destination unto itself — and one of the most luxurious designer shopping experiences in the world. This open-air shopping promenade features more than 150 designer boutiques, including Gucci, Prada, Loewe, Balenciaga and Saint Laurent, all offering deep discounts on previous season collections. But Bicester is more than just a place to score a deal. The service is elevated — think multilingual concierges, VIP lounges, hands-free shopping and personal stylists on request. There are also upscale dining options and seasonal pop-ups from fashion’s biggest names. For luxury travelers who like their countryside holidays with a side of couture, a half-day trip to Bicester is well worth carving out in your itinerary (just make sure to leave plenty of room in your suitcase).
Founded by Lady Bamford, Daylesford Organic is the gold standard of eco-luxury living in the UK. More than just a farm shop, it’s a lifestyle emporium that includes an organic grocery, a homeware and fashion boutique, a cookery school, wellness spa and multiple on-site dining venues. The curated shop stocks everything from fresh garden produce and artisan cheeses to linen robes, hand-poured candles and fine British tableware. It’s the perfect place to pick up an upscale souvenir or stock your weekend cottage with the most beautiful pantry essentials imaginable. Definitely plan to linger.
At first glance, Buford Garden Co. might appear to be a simple garden center. But inside you’ll find tons of elevated finds for home, garden, and wardrobe. The interiors section is full of elegant furniture, vintage-style lighting and one-of-a-kind décor pieces. And the fashion section includes everything from waxed jackets and Fair Isle knits to fine jewelry and leather goods. Artisanal food products, children’s toys and rare plants round out the offerings.
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