For cosy weekends in the English countryside, it doesn’t get much better than the Cotswolds. England’s largest National Landscape (the new name for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty or AONB) has been attracting visitors for centuries to its green landscapes and charming villages of golden Cotswold limestone, but these days many of its historic coaching inns and country manors have been reimagined as the very best boutique hotels.
So what exactly makes a boutique stay? While it’s usually defined as having fewer than 100 bedrooms, the best of ‘boutique’ is more about an intimate, welcoming atmosphere – staff who know your name, a unique style and luxe touches such as locally-made toiletries or even a bag of treats for your dog. In the Cotswolds, old inns and country piles have kept their beamed ceilings and stone fireplaces but whipped their bedrooms and bars into shape as more modern spaces. Bedrooms often have big, comfy beds and pleasing mixes of modern art and antique treasures. Some of the best boutique finds champion the brilliant local ingredients on offer in the Cotswolds too, from The Painswick’s six-course Taste of the Painswick menu to Le Manoir’s Michelin-starred feasts, straight from the garden.
Best boutique hotels in the Cotswolds 2025
At a glance
1. The Double Red Duke hotel
This boutique inn offers 13 plush bedrooms in the main house and six more affordable options in a modern annexe – our pick is the ground-floor garden rooms, complete with free-standing baths and patios. The inn’s communal spaces somehow make centuries of history feel rather cool. Sit out under red-and-white striped parasols with a cocktail in hand or hole up in the Duke’s cosy bar and restaurant for steak and – if you’re lucky – a spot of live jazz on some Sundays.
Address: Bourton Road, Clanfield, Bampton OX18 2RB
Highlights: Best for couples, budget-friendly
Price: From £250
Read more: Best hotels in the Cotswolds
2. The Manor House hotel
A country home so classic they just named it the Manor House, this boutique hotel ticks all the weekend-in-the-country boxes – long, winding drive, 14th-century building clad in ivy, 34 bedrooms (choose the ‘Plush’ ones for four posters and fireplaces) and a couple of cute cottages in the grounds if you’d rather share with friends. Out-of-doors, find Italianate gardens, spa treatments in the potting shed, plus the achingly cute village of Castle Combe.
Address: West Street, Castle Combe, Chippenham SN14 7HX
Highlights: Best for groups, spa, location
Read more: Best cheap hotels in the Cotswolds
3. The Pig in the Cotswolds hotel
Welcome to the newest Pig in the litter. The Pig hotels are dotted about in some of the loveliest corners of the country, so it’s no surprise that their latest foray is into the Cotswolds. In the village of Barnsley, a Grade II house looks out over charming ornamental and potager gardens. Each bedroom is unique, but what really stands out here is the service, with staff who make you feel very welcome and are full of ideas, from local walks to the best spot for a pre-supper glass of bubbly before sampling the restaurant’s hyper-local 25-mile menu.
Address: Barnsley, Cirencester GL7 5EE
Highlights: Best for foodies, location, walks
Price: From £315
Read more: Can you visit Diddly Squat? The Clarkson’s Farm and Cotswolds farm shop location
4. The Rectory hotel
The gorgeous Georgian Rectory in Crudwell, dressed up in Cotswolds limestone, is all casual living-meets-country house and draws a young, fun crowd. Inside are 18 bedrooms plus a restaurant and a smart cocktail bar perfect for a cosy winter drink, while in summer the bucolic garden hides a lily pond, croquet set and a sky-blue heated pool that feels more Mediterranean than middle England. Come in warm weather to swim, read and laze about or in winter for a glass of fizz by the fire in the Rectory’s sister pub, the Potting Shed.
Address: Crudwell, Malmesbury SN16 9EP
Highlights: Best for solo travellers, Christmas, best for cocktails
Price: From £150
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5. Wild Thyme and Honey hotel
A little boutique beauty as sweet as its name suggests, Wild Thyme and Honey was a pub in the 16th century – now it’s home to 24 bedrooms, some kitted out with treats like four-poster beds and freestanding baths. This is a stay that doesn’t stand on ceremony and would be our top pick for anyone who fancies an evening tipple – outside is a courtyard bar groaning in sheepskin throws, perfect for cocktail hour, and Wild Thyme and Honey now has a pub of its own, the 16th-century Crown, with a sunny terrace set alongside bubbling Ampney Brook.
Address: Ampney Crucis, Cirencester GL7 5RS
Highlights: Best for cocktails, best for couples
Read more: Best family-friendly hotels in the Lake District for water sports and outdoor trails
6. Artist Residence Oxfordshire hotel
There are five Artist Residences across southern England, described as ‘an eccentric bunch of fun and friendly places to eat, drink and sleep’, and the Cotswolds iteration is a chip off the old block. Think bold beamed bedrooms where clashing colours meet curated antiques, plus two snug shepherd’s huts in the grounds if you’d like something more tucked away. This inn-turned-hotel on the edge of the National Landscape has kept its original pub, the Mason Arms, so you can grab a relaxed pint or a crafted cocktail in the evening.
Address: Station Road, South Leigh, Witney OX29 6XN
Read more: Best boutique hotels in The Cotswolds – where to stay for style and charm
7. The Wheatsheaf hotel
This ivy-clad inn with rooms is informal and friendly, but still makes sure all mod cons are present and correct. 14 bedrooms include luxe touches such as rolltop baths and have had modern makeovers, exposing their original brickwork. The clubby dining room is a standout for tasty takes on old pub favourites, and close by are some of the prettiest corners of the Cotswolds, including Bibury, Broadway and Bourton-on-the-water.
Address: Wheatsheaf Inn, West End, Northleach, Gloucestershire, GL54 3EZ
Highlights: Location, best for walks
Read more: Best affordable hotels in the Cotswolds – where to stay for a budget countryside break
8. The Painswick hotel
Explore the golden-hued streets, ancient yew trees and Rococo Garden of its namesake village from The Painswick, a Palladian beauty of a hotel. Snug bedrooms have big views of the surrounding countryside (the very best is George’s Suite, complete with a four-poster bed and wood burner), and the restaurant downstairs will feed you up with tasting menus championing girdle-busting local fare such as truffle pudding and Cotswold lamb, all paired with wine flights.
Address: Kemps Lane, Painswick, Stroud GL6 6YB
Highlights: Best for foodies
Read more: The best walks in the Cotswolds
9. Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons hotel
Is this the ultimate boutique treat for gallivanting gourmets? Chef Raymond Blanc’s temple to garden-to-table eating is the cosiest Cotswolds manor you could dream up, with a French twist. Each bedroom is different (stay in Stella McCartney’s – and our favourite – Hydrangea, complete with its enormous bath), and the extensive gardens, Japanese ponds and apple orchards are a delight to explore. The real draw here, of course, is the sumptuous double Michelin-starred suppers showcasing freshly picked ingredients from the kitchen garden.
Address: Church Road, Great Milton, Oxford OX44 7PD
Highlights: Best for foodies
Read more: Best dog-friendly hotels in the Cotswolds – from grand villas to charming country pubs
10. The Lygon Arms hotel
Make a beeline for Broadway, a village so gorgeous it’s called the ‘jewel of the Cotswolds’, and unpack your bags at this historic coaching inn. The Lygon is relaxed, friendly and offers the kind of warm welcome that comes with wood fires, beamed ceilings and cocktails served up in the courtyard. Chef James Martin’s on-site grill in a vaulted dining room hung with antler chandeliers is all about seasonal and local fare. This is also a dog-friendly pick that actively encourages four-legged visitors, with treats on arrival and even suggested local routes for walkies.
Address: High Street, Broadway WR12 7DU
Highlights: Best for foodies, dog-friendly, best for walks
Read more: The best UK walking routes and scenic hikes for an active adventure
11. Foxhill Manor hotel
Another beauty in Broadway, Foxhill really is boutique – there are just eight Instagram-worthy bedrooms to choose from at this Arts and Crafts manor (the Oak suite complete with matching baths is a romantic room to blow your budget for), but you can hang out with your select fellow guests at the bar or in the cinema room. Stroll the grounds or use the spa at sister hotel Dormy House before a nightcap by one of many wood fires. Foxhill may be the last word in posh, but it’s still pleasantly relaxed and welcoming.
Address: Farncombe House, Farncombe, Broadway WR12 7LJ
Highlights: Spa, location
Price: From £670
Read more: The best Cotswolds hotels
12. Whatley Manor hotel
If you conjured up the quintessential Cotswolds stay it might look rather like Whatley Manor, which has 23 bougie bedrooms, a Michelin-starred dining room downstairs where you can watch chefs at work and the delightful Aquarius spa looking out at lush green gardens to peace out in. Bring popcorn – there’s even a private cinema for movie lovers. The spa holds a gold certification in Sustainable Wellness and the restaurant also holds a Green Michelin star – Whatley proves that going green can look – and feel – very gorgeous.
Address: Easton Grey, Malmesbury SN16 0RB
Highlights: Spa, best for foodies
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13. Cowley Manor Experimental hotel
After a stay that’s all about eye-catching design? Cowley Manor has been given an irreverent, modern refit thanks to designer Dorothee Meilichzon, who was inspired by Alice in Wonderland, and boasts a bar and restaurant that attract a buzzier crowd than some more stuffy hotels. Bedrooms are all about bold patterns and huge, inviting beds, but it’s worth leaving your room to cross the courtyard to the C-side spa, which has a sunny outdoor pool, a warm and relaxing indoor pool, a sauna and a steam room.
Address: Cowley Manor, Cowley, Cheltenham GL53 9NL
Highlights: Spa
Read more: The UK’s best spa towns
14. Calcot Manor hotel
Who says going boutique is just for the grown-ups? Calcot, a golden-hued manor house set in 220 rolling acres near Tetbury, is brilliant if you’re bringing little ones – family suites and cottages are thoughtfully kitted-out and there’s a kid’s afternoon tea on offer, plus family slots in the pool and a monitor listening service, so you can have a decadent child-free dinner or escape to Calcot’s wonderful spa – the outdoor hot tub next to a crackling open fire is a highlight.
Address: Near Tetbury, Gloucestershire GL8 8YJ
Highlights: Best for families, spa
Price: From £294
When is the best time to visit the Cotswolds?
The Cotswolds are considered a year-round destination as the quaint countryside thrives in any season. In the spring, expect the region to come to life with blooming flowers and lush greenery across the rolling hills, while summer casts a golden light and warm weather over the meadows, hiking trails and picturesque villages.
In autumn, the area transforms with green leaves turning a deep auburn, rich reds and maroons, while the temperature drops a little, making rambling across the trails and paths quite pleasant (when it is not raining). In the winter, picture yourself tucked up in a cosy cottage with a roaring fire while frost makes buildings and trees glisten.
While the Cotswolds is an expansive place, Cirencester, known as the region’s ‘capital’, has an average maximum temperature of 22C in July, its hottest month, while this drops to 7C in January and December.
What are the best things to do in the Cotswolds?
There are over 3,000 miles of footpaths and bridleways to explore across the rolling hills and meandering valleys in the Cotswolds as you stumble across charming English towns built with honey-coloured stone and historic English landmarks.
For the most well-known ramble across the Cotswolds countryside, walk along The Cotswold Way, the region’s defining walk is a 102-mile-long route that begins in the picturesque town of Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire. For a mix of charming towns and delightful views, we recommend the sections between Cleeve Hill and Dowdeswell and Cold Ashton to Bath.
The landscape has plenty of other sights to behold and paths to tread, including Coln St. Aldwyns to Bibury, which highlights some of the area’s prettiest villages, and Winchcombe to Cleeve Hill, which covers the Cotswolds’ most ancient landmark, Belas Knap, and its highest point at Cleeve Hill.
For more walking recommendations, read our review on the best walks in the Cotswolds.
Visitors to the Cotswolds are spoilt for choice when it comes to picture-perfect towns, sleepy chocolate-box villages and breathtaking landscapes as far as the eye can see.
Trips to villages such as Broadway and Bourton-on-the-Water, market towns like Chipping Campden and the ever-photographed parish of Castle Combe with its Cotswold stone cottages will allow you to immerse yourself in some of the prettiest destinations in the UK.
Aside from its honey pot villages attracting tourists all year round, the Cotswolds also boasts historic houses like Sudeley Castle and Blenheim Palace, meanwhile, the Westonbirt Arboretum sits as one of the most beautiful plant collections on the planet.
There is a whole range of museums too, to delve into the Cotswolds’ past, such as the motoring museum, while the aforementioned Belas Knap is one of many Neolithic remains in the area.
For more details, check out our guide to the most beautiful Cotswolds villages and towns.
Where should I eat and drink?
The Cotswolds are known for championing local, seasonal produce and the farm-to-table way of cooking. Michelin-starred chefs are drawn to this area for the abundant produce, and most set up shop in cosy pubs in rural areas, creating unique dining experiences away from busy city centres. Many of the hotels on our list include some of these top-rated eateries, such as The Painswick, Whatley Manor and Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons.
Some of the other top places to eat include The Wild Rabbit in Chipping Norton, The Old Butchers in Stow-on-the-Wold, The Bell in Charlbury and Cowley Manor.
How does a boutique hotel compare to other hotels?
Boutique hotels are often a lot smaller than others, having fewer than 100 bedrooms and creating a more intimate and personalised space. Decor is usually more considered than in large hotel chains, with individual designs and characterful interiors that are unique to the hotel. Boutique hotels often celebrate the local area, whether that’s through locally-sourced produce, recommendations, and heritage expressed throughout the decor. The distinctive vibe of a boutique hotel makes for a cosy, warm and welcoming atmosphere that large hotels with multiple locations cannot often replicate.
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