From indulgent Japanese cocktails in Cheltenham, to the very latest in luxury wellness in Tetbury; The Buying Solution Partner Harry Gladwin, who heads up our Cotswolds team, shares his favourite lifestyle destinations in the region.
The Grain Store at Calcot Manor, Tetbury
Tetbury is the definition of the quintessential country village, and Calcot Manor, nestled amongst the Cotswold greenery, is an idyllic Manor House, lovingly modernised, with a minimalist nod to its medieval past. When you think of the Cotswolds, this is what you imagine.
Built by Henry of Kingswood in the 1300s as the tithe barn annexe of Kingswood Abbey, Calcot belonged to the church until the 16th century when King Henry VIII dissolved England’s monasteries and gave the estate to one of his courtiers. Calcot has remained in private ownership ever since, belonging to the Estcourt family for several centuries and expanded to include a 16th-century manor house and several outbuildings.
As of February 2024, Calcot launched the Grain Store, a £5m wellness and fitness suite. The gym includes Technogym equipment, bikes, treadmills, cross trainers, rowing machines, free weights, Olympic squat racks, resistance kits as well as a six-piece Kompan outdoor gym.
New studios also offer an extensive timetable of classes including holistic Yoga and Pilates, Spin and HIIT. And if you’d rather exercise outside, you can borrow Calcot bikes and explore the nature trails around the manor gardens. There are four tiers of membership for the Grain Store, each including a bespoke fitness programme.
Estelle Manor, Eynsham
An award-winning country house hotel and private members’ club set in a Grade-II listed landmark house on 85-acres of Oxfordshire estate and surrounded by over 3,000 acres of beautiful parkland and gardens, Estelle Manor remains a favourite haunt of mine.
Transformed by New York Design Studio Roman and Williams, known for The British Galleries at the Met, NoMad London (and designing Gwyneth Paltrow’s homes), the once neo-Jacobean mansion now features grand patterned hallways, heavy drapes, and contemporary art.
Newly opened last year, the hotel offers three restaurants. The Billiards Room which serves traditional Chinese dishes and Sunday dim sum brunches, The Brasserie which offers a seasonal all-day menu, and (my favourite) The Glasshouse serving family-style sharing plates.
There’s also a Roman inspired spa with five pools, a lounge, ten treatment areas, a clubhouse gym, and padel courts. The only question really is how long can you stay?
Pit Kitchen, Moreton-in-Marsh
Bringing East London’s eclectic food scene to Todenham Manor Farm, this passion project, from Worcestershire-born brothers Adam and James, is soon to be closing for winter. With one final hurrah on 25th and 26th October, however, there’s still time to experience this for yourselves.
Located in the suitably rustic old piggery, Pit Kitchen promises the best quality local ingredients cooked over an open fire, bringing Dalston’s famous Middle Eastern influence to the Cotswolds. One piece of advice: bring a jumper. The open barn makes for beautiful views, but can be a little brisk.
Yoku, Cheltenham
Hidden inside an unassuming townhouse, YOKU’s gold-leaf vaulted ceilings, crystal chandeliers, yellow suede chairs, bonsai trees and hand-painted vases make for an unexpectedly decadent interior.
Taking its name from the Japanese art of doing things exceptionally well, YOKU is top of many a ‘best restaurant’ lists, and for very good reason.
Within the No.131 hotel, helmed by fashion designer Jade Holland Cooper, alongside husband, Julian Dunkerton, founder of clothing brand, Superdry, Yoku offers a ‘Tokyo-vogue’ Japanese Sushi and Asian dining experience.
The restaurant also recently opened its Yoku Garden, a luxurious hot spot for indulgent cocktails, spectacular food, and all-out elegance.
Thyme Hotel, Southrop
Formed of a cluster of honey-stone properties, this family-run hotel is a sybarite delight. The 31-room ‘village in a village’ is home to a spa, outdoor pool, boutique shop, cookery school, exhibition space, and its own pub, all housed in barns, cottages, and farmhouses that have occupied the surrounding land for centuries. With a botanic theme running throughout, the kitchen operates a zero-waste, reuse and recycle mantra.
Aside from exploring the gardens and water meadows, Thyme, has a well-kept ‘Calendar of Happenings’ filled with history walks, wellness and cookery classes, alongside exhibitions, workshops and talks.
The Farmer’s Dog, Burford
Jeremy Clarkson’s journey into agriculture has been well-documented with his Amazon Prime television series, ‘Clarkson’s Farm’. His latest venture, just a few miles from Diddly Squat farm, is his pub, The Farmer’s Dog.
The Farmer’s Dog is more than just a pub, offering a restaurant, The Farmer’s Puppy – garden kitchen, Hops and Chops butchers and off-license, with everything (bar the much-needed T to go with your G) promising to be the best of British. The menu changes with the seasons and is entirely locally sourced.
Daylesford Organic, Moreton-in-Marsh
It’s fair to say that word has got out about Daylesford Organic; finding space in the car park at the weekend can be a challenge. However, this is undoubtedly still a gem and with a seasonal calendar of experiences, workshops, and even woodland walks, it’s always a good time to visit.
From top-quality artisanal produce from Daylesford’s very own farm, fantastic grocery bundles, stylish farmhouse interiors, homeware and skincare, or extra special back-to-school essentials, or simply to grab a coffee, cocktail, or woodfired pizza on the terrace. There’s a reason Daylesford is so popular.
The Double Red Duke, Clanfield
A Country Creatures Inn, owned by Sam and Georgie Pearman, formerly of the Lucky Onion hotel group, this 17th Century former coaching inn, The Double Red Duke, has been designed in their signature ‘rustic-luxe’ style. With red and white striped umbrellas in the garden, picture-perfect snugs, and wall-to-wall greenery, it’s worth a visit just to admire the style.
If you can stay for a bite, chefs cook over fire, adding a spark of romance to any meal. And, as the weather starts to turn, I’d argue you’d struggle to find a better roast dinner than here (or Sticky Toffee Pudding for that matter). As Jay Rayner said, the simple menu “barely hints at the glories of the food on your plate. It’s a class act.”
Whether relocating or weekending, these are the places we’d recommend adding to your itinerary. Do let us know if you’ve discovered or rediscovered a jaunt to add to our list. If you’d like to find out more about what’s on offer in London or the Cotswolds, don’t hesitate to get in touch with The Buying Solution. We’d be delighted to discuss your needs and share our insight into these areas.