14 best hotels in the Cotswolds for an idyllic countryside getaway
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The best hotels in the Cotswolds have served as the inspiration for countless #cottagecore posts over the years, igniting our desire to leave the city behind and embrace life in the great British countryside. But – if you’re not ready to commit to a packing up your entire life ala Cameron Diaz in The Holiday, then maybe a blissful weekend getaway to the Cotswolds will do.
Home to some of the most picturesque villages and market towns in the world, including Burford, Broadway, Chipping Campden, Chipping Norton, Tetbury, Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water, Southrop, Painswick, Stratford-upon-Avon and Bibury, there’s a never-ending list of places to see and explore that are only a quick drive away in the English countryside. Plus, some of the UK’s most visited cities including Bath, Oxford, Bristol and the Regency-era city of Cheltenham (also home to the famous racecourse) are all within driving distance and can also be accessed by train.
What to do when you're there? A real foodie paradise, The Cotswolds has everything from charming independent delis, cafés, cute farm shops, cosy village pubs, chintzy tea shops and even fine dining Michelin-starred restaurants. There are also some pretty amazing wineries and distilleries such as The Cotswolds Distillery – which give excellent distillery tours that will delight, whisky, rum and gin aficionados alike. There are also plenty of breath-taking manor houses, country homes and gardens to see via the National Trust. We especially like Blenheim Palace, which boasts a 300 year history and is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Avid walking and biking enthusiasts will enjoy The Cotswolds Way, which is an incredible 100 mile stretch of walking route that passes through some of the most beautiful villages and views in the Cotswolds.
Speaking of views, The Cotswolds has plenty of that too with Broadway Tower, Drover’s Hill, Cleve Hill, The Malvern Hills and Crickley Hill some of its most popular viewing points.
And because there are endless reasons why you should visit the Cotswolds today, we’ve rounded up the very best country house hotels, manor houses, boutique hotels, coaching inns, luxury hotels, townhouses, country inns, and spa hotels that the English countryside has to offer. So, whether you’re looking to hide away in cosy shepherd’s huts, relax in a luxury spa hotel, or simply get lost in good book by the fireplace of a quaint coaching inn, we’ve got the Cotswolds accommodation for you.
Best Cotswolds hotels at a glance:
- Best five-star hotel: Ellenborough Park
- Best family-friendly hotel: Lucknam Park
- Best country inn: The Swan
- Best boutique hotel: Queens Hotel Cheltenham
- Best self-catering: Barn Owl with Habitat Escapes
Scroll down for the best hotels in the Cotswolds to stay at in 2023.
Best new hotel in the Cotswolds
The Bell is the latest addition to the Daylesford portfolio. The 17th century pub (and the dreamy bedrooms above it) have been beautifully restored to offer cosy log fires, incredible food and a choice of stays. Depending on how bougie you want to go there's Cosy rooms, Classic rooms, Spacious rooms or Family rooms. All are decorated to draw inspiration from the nearby ancient woodland surrounding the picturesque honeypot village. One of it's cosy rooms, The Nest, for instance, features robin red upholstery, leaf-embroidered linen curtains and a robin wall print created by artist, Hugo Guinness. Classic rooms boast four-poster oak beds with pretty, patterned canopies. It's the perfect place to explore nearby Blenheim Palace or cotswold villages like Stow-on-the-Wold. Or head for a local walk, then flop for a Sunday roast or evening meal by the fire.
Spa: No. But it's sister property, Daylesford Farm (a 20 minute drive away), offers its Bamford Spa facilities.
Address: 1 Church Street, Charlbury, Chipping Norton, OX7 3PP
Price per night: From £162.