Cowley Manor Experimental Cotswolds hotel review
Share:
Daisy Lester checks in. Adjacant to the River Churn, Cowley Manor is surrounded by 55 acres of parkland (look out for llamas grazing) in the Cotswolds. Woods, meadows, natural springs and a lake create a magical setting. In fact, Lewis Carroll was inspired by the hotel’s grounds when writing Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
![[Cowley Manor’s literary-inspired dining hall]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/06/15/14/cowley%20manor%20dining%20hall.png)
The regency spa town of 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 Stow-on-the-World, are a mere 20 minutes away. Cowley Manor offers a base for exploring the popular honey-hued stone villages, while being able to escape the crowds when you bed down at night. Drive 50 minutes drive east and you’ll land at the Cotswolds hotspots of Soho Farmhouse, Chipping Norton, the Daylesford empire and Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat farm shop (be prepared for a two-hour queue).
![[Cowley Manor’s signature suite, complete with a four poster bed, wraparound terrace and huge bath tub]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/06/15/14/cowley%20manor%20suite.png)
Read more: How the Bull became the Cotswolds’ hottest hotel. Built in the 17th century, Cowley Manor was once owned by the kings of England. A refuge during wartime, it became a hotel two decades ago before the slick French Experimental group took over in 2022 and overhauled the interiors. There are on-the-nose nods to Alice in Wonderland – think Queen of Hearts print dining chairs, miniature doors and checkerboard carpets and wallpapers. Maximalists will love the rattan textures, coloured glossy lacquer and lava stone set against original features.
![[The 15m outdoor pool is heated year-round]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/06/15/14/cowley%20manor%20pool.png)
The hotel has a relaxed but exclusive atmosphere, reflected in the stylish and sophisticated interiors. Bold details are balanced with comfort – rugs are soft under feet while the bar and lounge have plush armchairs and sofas to sink into in the evening. There’s even a games room with a pool table, chess sets and draughts tables that creates a communal vibe.
Share:
More for You
