Location
Tetbury, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom

One of the premier accommodations in the Cotswolds, this 16th-century manor house opened as a hotel in 1984, but the buildings go back 700 years, with the original date stone in the tithe barn. The property encompasses 220 acres of rewilded Cotswolds countryside, offering an immersive encounter with nature and local wildlife. Elegant yet unpretentious, genteel yet never stuffy, Calcot & Spa hits the perfect balance of luxury and relaxation.

Built by Henry of Kingswood in the 1300s, 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 since, belonging to the Estcourt family for several centuries and expanded to include the 16th-century manor house and several outbuildings. Today, the hotel includes 35 guest rooms that are both cozy and chic, individually decorated in calm neutral tones. Rooms have plush king-size beds with upholstered headboards and a sitting spot with fashionable chairs or a settee. Deluxe bathrooms have a deep porcelain soaking tub, tiled walk-in shower, aromatherapy toiletries, hair dryer, and fluffy robe and slippers. Other amenities include TV with Sky Entertainment, DAB digital radio and audiobooks, Wi-Fi, safe, Nespresso coffee machine, and a mini fridge and pantry stocked with fresh fruit and homemade shortbread.

The Brasserie is Calcot’s popular restaurant, where chefs with Michelin-star experience work with local suppliers to craft surprising seasonal creations. The Hive is a bright, stylish lounge with cozy nooks for tea during the day and cocktails once the sun goes down. If time permits, visit the acclaimed Spa, with a large outdoor fireside hot tub, indoor heated pool, sauna and steam room, plus fitness gym with equipment and full range of weights. Spa treatments include relax-and-sleep massage, rose-infused aromatherapy facials and more.

Surrounding the hotel is an impressive example of landscape restoration, where over the last 25 years, nature has been given space to "rewild" through wildflower planting and organic farming practices. The planting of 22,000 native trees, hedgerows, and the creation of a new woodland area has brought increasing sightings of rare and endangered farmland birds as well as an abundance of butterflies. Over the past year, 83 bird species have been spotted, including the rare red-backed shrike, which caused quite a stir among local “twitchers.” In uncut meadows, wildflowers flourish, with spotted orchids, bee orchids, mallow and yarrow among them. Wildlife on the property includes roe deer, fox, badger, hares and rabbits. Calcot also has its own bee hives, with Chew Valley bees that pollinate the wildflower meadows and make delicious honey you can enjoy on your morning toast. In 2022, Calcot partnered with EarthCheck, the leading global sustainability certification program, formalizing an ongoing commitment to responsible travel and sustainable practices.