Cowley Manor Experimental
Palace in Wonderland
Cotswolds country estate
Once you’ve taken in the astonishing grandeur of Cowley Manor Experimental, an Italianate stone house near Cheltenham, you may think that whatever’s within is as prim, proper and palatial. But you’ll be surprised – to call its look 'contemporary' doesn’t do justice to the funked-up, design-forward aesthetic the trendsetting Experimental group have dreamt up, which uses a kaleidoscopic range of influences: Wes Anderson-inspired colour palettes, ‘po-mo’ furnishings, Alice in Wonderland-esque checkerboard… It’s a world away from your typical country-house hotel. Not that it detracts from the majesty of this one-time royal residence, where you’ll find acres of green-and-pleasant lands, a seasonal French restaurant, sultry cocktail bar and a spa fit for kings and queens.
Facilities
Zimmer
36.
Checkout
11am. Earliest check-in, 4pm.
Weitere Details
Rates usually include a Continental breakfast.
Also
Lewis Carroll was known to visit Cowley regularly. Some local historians even say it’s where he wrote Alice in Wonderland, with scenes inspired by the manor grounds.
Fitness Center
Kostenfreies WLAN
Haustierfreundlich
Pool
Restaurant
Zimmerservice
Spa
At the Hotel
55 acres of land, including a lake and Grade-II-listed gardens; spa and gym; sauna; and free WiFi throughout. In rooms: TV with Chromecast, retro DAB radio, minibar with fridge, tea- and coffee-making kit, and LA Bruket bath products.
Our Favourite Rooms
If you're travelling à deux, the St Mary Suite has a private terrace (with lake views), and a super-king-size bed you may never want to leave. And, if it’s top-tier soaking you’re after, the Cowley Manor Suite has a plum, freestanding tub big enough for two overlooking the gardens, and a large wraparound balcony. For something equally spoiling, the Waterlily Rooms, in the main house have stunning views of the gardens and lake, spacious layouts, and large bathrooms with both a bathtub and separate rainfall shower.
Poolside
There are two pools, both located in the spa area. The first is a heated slate-lined indoor pool with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the forest. The second you’ll find outdoors, flanked by sunloungers with waiter service and its own bar (open in the summer season) should you get thirsty.
Spa
The C-Side spa uses all-natural organic products for their range of restorative treatments, including massages, facials and exfoliating wraps. Bathed in natural light, the design is inspired by the estate’s lush landscapes, using Cotswold stone throughout, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering woodland views. There’ll be four treatment rooms, a relaxation area, steam room, sauna and two pools; and if you’re feeling sprightly, try a fitness class, or up your heart rate at the fully-equipped gym.
Packing Tips
Bring your running kit for scenic cross-country jogs. In June and July, a Panama hat and a few linen shirts will keep you cool; but year-round, pack your waterproofs: the English weather is notoriously unpredictable.
Kinder
All ages are welcome. The hotel can arrange babysitting services are available on request.
Galerie
Food & Drink
Top Table
Nab a seat next to one of the large, arched windows, especially in summer.
Kleiderordnung
Dress to match the Experimental group's distinctive refit, punching up classic Brit-chic with bold colours and silhouettes.
Hotel Restaurant
You’ll find Gloucestershire's finest produce elevating French-inspired fare at Cowley Manor Experimental’s restaurant, where celebrated British chef Jackson Boxer will helm the kitchen. The dining space is an elegant affair, with grand, wood-panelled walls, low-hanging lights and contemporary red-and-white furnishings. After whetting your appetite with some Stinking Bishop gougères or Channel-fresh oysters, try the signature roasted cod with fennel butter and smoked tomatoes, or opt for the cote de boeuf to share.
Hotel Bar
Venture down the rabbit hole at Cowley Manor’s outpost of the Experimental Cocktail Club, a sultry space decked-out in sleek, royal-blue and burnt-orange furnishings and abstract artwork lining the walls. Here mixologists live up to the bar’s name, shaking and stirring imaginative ‘drink me' potions.
Last Orders
Breakfast runs from 7.30am to 10am (8am to 10.30am on weekends), lunch is served from noon to 2.30pm, afternoon tea from 2.30pm to 4pm, and you can catch dinner anytime between 6.30pm and 9pm.
Planes
London Heathrow is the closest major airport – it's around an hour and 40 minutes from the hotel, following the M4 west to Swindon, Cirencester and eventually Cheltenham.
Trains
The nearest train station is Cheltenham Spa, around 15 minutes from the hotel. Direct trains go here from London Paddington and London Euston in just over two hours. Kemble Station is about 25 minutes away, and is served by slightly faster London trains – about an hour and 15 minutes from Paddington.
Automobiles
The nearest big town is Cheltenham – the drive from here should take around 10 minutes, following the A40 towards Oxford before turning right onto the A435 to Cirencester. Driving time from Oxford is just under an hour, using the A436 towards Gloucester before picking up the A435 to Cirencester.
Worth Getting Out of Bed For
On sunny English afternoons, keep the waddling ducks company and ask the hotel to organise a picnic overlooking the lake. Or – if that’s too much effort – seek out a hammock in the grounds to swing and snooze in. Nature-lovers are spoilt for choice here, with an abundance of trees, plant life and animals, like the rare purple dragonflies who have been known to make an appearance. You’ll find plenty of natural pursuits nearby too, with the Cotswolds Wildlife Park a half-hour drive away, home to over 260 species, – great and small – including lions, lemurs, penguins and pandas; while bird-watchers can find over 500 species of winged wonders to gaze on at Birdland Park and Gardens. Cotswold Farm Park is great for families, who can bottle-feed lambs, learn about animals and agriculture, and let off steam at the indoor and outdoor play areas, which have everything from sandpits and swings to pedal tractors and ziplines. Come half-term, the farm organises special events, too, like sheepdog shows and wool workshops. While you’re in the area, take a stroll around Guiting Power, a picturesque English village that looks like something from a Warbuton’s advert, or explore Sudeley Castle with 10 award-winning gardens in its grounds, as well as well-preserved interiors decked-out with Dutch painted glass, 16th-century paintings and period furniture. Cotswolds Sculpture Park has an ever-changing display of artworks to admire (and purchase, FYI). And while you’re testing out your credit limit, market town Cirencester and Cheltenham’s Montpellier are great spots for boutique shopping. Sporting Smiths can try potting clay-pigeon at the Ian Coley Shooting School, or gee up with Cotswolds Riding, while those after a flutter can try their luck at the Cheltenham races, a 30-minute drive away Of course, in this comely stretch of countryside, there's nothing to match wandering o'er hill and dale, so pull your wellies on and strike out across the fields.
Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt
This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .
