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A luxury hotel in a quiet corner of the Cotswolds, with heated indoor and outdoor pools, spacious rooms and modern interiors – plus an award-winning restaurant –combine for a peaceful escape from the countryside
Location
Close to the River Churn, Cowley Manor is surrounded by 55 acres of parkland (watch out for grazing llamas) in the Cotswolds. Forests, meadows, natural springs and a lake create a magical ambiance. In fact, Lewis Carroll was inspired by the hotel space when he wrote Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
The regency spa town Cheltenham is a 15-minute drive north, while the quintessentially English villages of Burton-on-the-Water, Upper Slaughter and Bibury, as well as the bustling market town of Stow-on-the-World, are just 20 minutes away. Cowley Manor offers a base for exploring popular honey-colored stone villageswhile you can escape the crowds when you sleep at night. Drive 50 minutes east and you’ll land on Cotswolds hotspots: Soho Farmhouse, Chipping Norton, Daylesford Empire and Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat farm shop (be prepared for a two-hour queue).
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The vibe
Built in the 17th century, Cowley Manor was once owned by the Kings of England. A wartime refuge, it became a hotel two decades ago before a slick French experimental group took over in 2022 and overhauled the interior. He nods on his nose Alice in Wonderland – think dining chairs, miniature doors and checkerboard rugs and wallpapers. Maximalists will love the rattan textures, painted glossy lacquer and lava stone against the original features.
The hotel has a relaxed but exclusive atmosphere, which is reflected in the elegant and sophisticated interior. Bold details are balanced with comfort – the carpets are soft underfoot, while the bar and lounge have plush armchairs and sofas to sink into in the evenings. There is even a games room with a pool table, chess sets and drafts that create a communal atmosphere.
Service
Check-in is easy (your bags are in the room before you) and check-out is just as easy. Friendly but not intrusive, the staff are always around to help, whether it’s serving drinks to guests in deckchairs across the lawn or assisting with spa treatments. Although breakfast service is attentive, dinner was anything but ordinary (appetizers came out before a long-forgotten bottle of wine), and room service was a bit too long.
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Bed and bathroom
The hotel has 36 rooms in the main house and a converted stable block. Rooms on the entry level are spacious (some have an outdoor terrace), while families are well-stocked with space-saving bunk beds. Treehouse rooms are spread over three floors and a mezzanine, making them ideal for longer stays. All rooms have a well-stocked minibar, La Bruket toiletries and a Nespresso coffee machine. The bathrooms are truly exceptional, with large soaking tubs, rainforest showers and colorful glossy surfaces as inviting as the spacious four-poster beds.
Patterned headboards and checkerboard motifs are repeated in the rooms, while indoor plants and natural rattan pieces create airiness. The suites are huge and overlook romantic views of the palace gardens, complete with terrace balconies, sun loungers and bathrooms larger than the average London living room.
Food and drink
Brunswick chef Jackson Boxer leads the kitchen at the award-winning restaurant, where the interior of the dining room is as attractive as the food. The original dark wood paneling has been restored, with glossy 70s-style round tables, geometric cushions and soft lighting thanks to low-hanging tassel lamps. Inspired by the local area, with a nod to French cuisine, caviar and chips are served with vintage croquettes and Moorish honey brioches. Mains include classics such as lobster and chilli taglioni, fresh trout from nearby Bibury and a delicious Hereford sirloin steak.
Breakfast on the terrace of the castle combines top-quality food with a view of the lake. Granola bowls and local jams sit alongside smoked fish, meats and pastries on a continental buffet – or opt for a Boxer lofty spin on a full English breakfast.
Experimental is known for its cocktails, so the Cowley Manor bar has a lot to live up to. The mood-lit space is striking, with a huge enameled bright blue lava stone bar, matched by low tables and patterned armchairs and chairs. There is a DJ on Friday and Saturday nights, but the hotel has yet to match the lively atmosphere of the group’s European shows. Cocktails try to bring the spirit of the party, with Saint Germain des Pres and Brandy Sherbert.
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Objects
Cowley Manor’s outdoor swimming pool is heated all day, all year round (meaning you can even swim in January). Tucked behind concrete walls that protect from the wind, the 15-meter pool is surrounded by attractive white parasols, sun loungers and a bar. There is also a 17-meter indoor pool with floor-to-ceiling glass that gives the feeling of swimming in the middle of the forest. At the pool there are hours only for adults and for children.
Mirna Spa has four treatment rooms offering facials, body wraps, massages, hydra-lifts and more, as well as a gym, relaxation area, steam room, rain showers and sauna.
The hotel makes the most of its grounds – in summer you can swim in the lake or watch outdoor cinema screenings on the lawn, while audio tours are available all year round to enjoy as you wander the gardens.
Access for the disabled
There are accessible rooms on the ground floor and wheelchair access to most public areas on the ground floor. Unfortunately, the spa and pools are not wheelchair accessible.
Pet Policy
Dogs and cats are allowed in the rooms for a fee of £25 per pet/night, but are not accepted in the restaurants and bars.
Check in/check out?
Check-in from 15:00; Check-out by 11am.
Family friendly?
Yes. There are family rooms and suites, plus cots, bunk beds, outdoor cinema nights and children’s pool hours.
At first glance
the best thing: Outdoor activities – whether it’s the heated pool or the idyllic 55 acres to explore.
Perfect for: Couples and families are looking for a quiet but elegant vacation in nature.
Not right for: Party people – you won’t find the same clientele here as at Soho Farmhouse.
Instagram with: A dining room inspired by literature.
Address: Cowley, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL53 9NL United Kingdom
Phone: +44 (0) 1242 870900
website: cowleymanorexperimental.com
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