With its rolling hills, ancient market towns and villages built from stone the colour of honey, Gloucestershire’s appeal is unanimous. The county remains a cherished retreat for those seeking the beauty of one of England’s most celebrated natural landscapes and exploring the rich heritage of the country’s many postcard-worthy settlements.
From historic manor houses nestled in the Cotswolds to grand estates with fine dining and spa facilities, Gloucestershire offers no shortage of stunning properties to stay in whilst exploring the area. The following entries have been carefully selected to reflect the fine setting, heritage and refined appeal that has made the county so enduringly popular with visitors over the last two centuries.
Ellenborough Park
Within the famous Spa Town of Cheltenham, Ellenborough Park stands as one of the most celebrated hotels in the Cotswolds, its origins rooted in the 15th-century grand manor house overlooking the town’s lauded racecourse. Approached by a tree-lined drive, guests are welcomed by oak-panelled halls, open fireplaces, and vaulted ceilings that exude old world glamour. Stretching across 90 acres of private parkland, the hotel offers sweeping views over the local area, including the very edges of the Cotswolds.
Ellenborough’s main restaurant serves seasonal British fare with locally sourced ingredients, with menu highlights including Cotswold venison and butter-poached British lobster. Afternoon tea in the Great Hall is a particular highlight, with the timeless combination of homemade scones and cream tea marrying exceptionally well beneath the carved stone arches of this Tudor period interior. For wellness seekers, the hotel’s spa features an outdoor heated pool and an Indian-themed relaxation area, adding a touch of colonial grandeur to this lavish English estate.
Thyme
Thyme is more than a hotel. Branding itself as a "village within a village" due to its collection of restored farm buildings, cottages, and manor house rooms, the aesthetic here is all about beautiful exposed beams, soft linen tones and rustic stone walls that perfectly encapsulate the charm of Gloucester's architectural heritage. Implausibly idyllic, with a wildflower-strewn meadow and carefully tended kitchen gardens surrounding the property, Thyme is a worthy candidate for the most beautiful of Gloucestershire’s locations to stay.
The dining experience at The Ox Barn is exceptional, blending farm-to-table principles through seasonal dishes such as heritage carrots with goat’s curd, Cotswold lamb with garden mint, and many more dishes that highlight the estate’s produce at the centre of every plate. Guests can also partake in cookery classes or botanical workshops on site, reflecting the hotel’s commitment to slow living and sustainability amongst the picturesque surroundings.
Cowley Manor Experimental
A fusion of classic old English grandeur and Parisian ingenuity, Cowley Manor Experimental is a striking reimagining of a traditional country house hotel. The Grade II-listed property has recently been refreshed with playful, bold interiors that feel effortlessly Saint Germain. Velvet lounge chairs, checkerboard floors and eclectic artwork fill the spaces, but Cowley retains its original sweeping staircases and vast stone fireplaces for a timeless sense of charm and romance.
Dining at Cowley brings a similar level of ingenuity through an inventive Franco-English menu that offers guests the likes of duck confit with blackcurrant jus and roast monkfish with lemon beurre blanc, under the glittering lights of the chic dining room. The award-winning spa, C-Side, features an indoor and outdoor pool, a bespoke treatment list, as well as sauna and steam rooms looking out across the rolling lawns of the estate's 50 acres. Close to Cheltenham and Cirencester, this hotel is a brilliant and bold addition to the roster of fantastic stays Gloucestershire has to offer.
The Lygon Arms
This iconic coaching inn is filled with intrigues of the English Civil War, having hosted prominent figures from the conflict, such as Oliver Cromwell and King Charles I. The low-beamed ceilings and flagstone floors whisper stories of the Inn’s colourful past, whilst the rooms are filled with period furniture, hunting prints and crackling log fires, that are nothing short of warm and welcoming. With 86 bedrooms divided between heritage suites in the old building and more contemporary lodgings in the new wing, The Lygon Arms is an effortlessly comfortable place to stay.
Under the guidance of celebrity chef James Martin, the restaurant serves comforting British classics using local Cotswold produce, with glazed pork belly and slow-cooked lamb shoulder among the firm favourites. Guests can enjoy the property’s spa after a hard day exploring, with its indoor pool poised beneath a vaulted timber roof, further evidencing how The Lygon Arms seamlessly combines period drama with warm, modern hospitality.
Calcot & Spa
Located near the charming town of Tetbury, Calcot & Spa is oozing with rustic charm and romance. Originally a 14th-century farmhouse, the hotel has been transformed into a smart yet relaxed retreat, with exposed beams, cosy fireplaces and soft woollen throws that ooze comfort. The hotel’s 220 acres of meadowland and gardens provide plenty of outdoor space for walks and cycling, making it a wonderful escape for those looking to stay onsite and rarely leave their getaway spot.
Calcot’s Gumstool Inn serves hearty pub fare with dishes like slow-cooked brisket and freshly caught fish and chips, while The Conservatory offers a lighter, seasonal menu ideal for special occasions and long evenings sipping delicious wine. The award-winning spa, complete with outdoor fireside hot tub, sauna and treatment rooms, is a highlight for visitors in the mood for a long weekend of self-indulgent pursuits.
The Painswick
The Painswick perfectly captures the spirit of relaxed Cotswold charm. This charming hilltop hideaway is set in a handsome 18th-century building overlooking the rolling Stroud Valleys. Interiors are stylish yet unfussy, blending original features such as sash windows and panelled walls with soft greys, rich velvets and quirky modern art. Many rooms offer sweeping views of the valleys below, while cosy lounges with roaring fires invite guests to relax, reflect, and maybe curl up in a corner with a good book and a glass of something for hours into the evening.
Dining options are laid-back, but delicious, featuring hallmarks of both local and national cuisine, such as Gloucester Old Spot pork belly and Cornish sea bass with wild garlic. The hotel also provides massages and wellness treatments, and its location allows easy exploration of Painswick village, known for its ancient yew trees and Rococo Garden, as well as the nearby Slad Valley for those wanting a romantic walking trail to trek during their stay.
