MANOR OF THINKING
Set on 400 acres in the bucolic English countryside, Foxhill Manor is a grand, Grade II-listed estate in golden stone, but with only eight guestrooms, it packs the charm of a private home. There’s no reception desk, no rigid schedule—just a relaxed, house-party atmosphere where cocktails appear when you want them and the kitchen happily prepares whatever you crave. Each room blends stately English character with contemporary comforts, while outside, 400 acres of gardens, woodland, and walking trails stretch across the scenic expanse. Guests can wander the estate, unwind in the nearby spa at Dormy House, or explore postcard-perfect villages scattered across the Cotswolds. foxhillmanor.com
COUNTRY TREATS
Tucked away in the honey-colored hills of the Cotswolds, Lords of the Manor Hotel has long been prized as a quintessential English country escape: eight acres of manicured gardens, a 17th-century manor house, and a quaint village setting that feels lifted from a period film. Yet for many travelers, the real destination is the Atrium, named one of the Top 20 Most Romantic Dining Rooms by The Times. Set in an intimate, skylight-flooded space overlooking the gardens, Atrium serves an exquisite, highly seasonal tasting menu by Chef Charles Smith. Presentation leans refined but never fussy, letting flavor lead the experience, from delicately prepared local lamb and line-caught seafood to vegetables pulled from nearby farms across Gloucestershire and the surrounding Cotswolds. lordsofthemanor.com/dine/the-atrium
FIT FOR A FEAST
Dating back several centuries, the ivy-clad stone building that houses The Killingworth Castle has long been a gathering place for locals and visitors alike, its name a nod to the nearby ruins of a medieval castle. Today, the property blends that deep-rooted history with a quietly refined dining experience that’s earned a reputation as one of the region’s top culinary stops. Inside the iconic restaurant, low-beamed ceilings, crackling fireplaces, and softly lit corners create the cozy intimacy of a classic English pub, but as soon as the meal is served, seasonal British cooking takes center stage. The menu, featuring ingredients sourced from surrounding farms, winds through elevated plates of cured chalk steam trout, chicken liver parfait, and roasted sirloin of Hereford beef. thekillingworthcastle.com
UNDER THE KNIGHT SKY
Set within a grand 19th-century Italianate estate in the rolling countryside, Cowley Manor Experimental has long been admired for its romantic setting. Today, under the stewardship of the Experimental Group, the property has been reimagined with a bold, contemporary spirit that feels refreshingly different from the traditional English country house experience. Guest rooms balance classic architectural details – tall windows, ornate moldings, and sweeping views of the gardens – with sleek furnishings and a distinctly modern aesthetic, and many overlook the estate’s famous lakes and the surrounding woodland. At mealtime, be sure to start with Stinking Bishop gougères in the cocktail bar before settling into the rich wood-encased signature restaurant for roasted cod with fennel butter for dinner. cowleymanorexperimental.com
WELLNESS WISHES
Tucked among tranquil lakes and rolling meadows, the spa at The Lakes by Yoo offers a serene retreat designed for slowing down and savoring life’s simple (yet indulgent) pleasures. Part of a private 850-acre lakeside estate created by property developer John Hitchcox in collaboration with designer Philippe Starck, the Scandinavian-inspired wellness haven features a heated indoor pool, sauna, steam room, and lavish treatment suites for everything from Wildsmith Circadian Rhythm massages to Dr. Barbara Sturm’s signature #SturmGlow facial. After treatment, guests can wind along the vast estate’s quiet woodland paths or kayak in the impossibly blue lake waters. thelakesbyyoo.com/spa-and-wellness