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These are the 10 most romantic hotels in the Cotswolds

romantic hotels in the cotswolds
The most romantic hotels in the CotswoldsThyme

The Cotswolds is the perfect place to escape for a weekend or a longer staycation, at any time of year. Some of the most romantic hotels in the UK are located right here, so it's a region well worth checking out if you're planning a trip for two in particular.

With gently rolling green hills and picture-perfect villages featuring honey-coloured stone mansions, ancient churches and thatched cottages, the Cotswolds is one of the most quintessentially English regions in the country. The romantic idyll is a haven of exposed beams, rickety old coaching inns, roaring log fires and streets and churches that have stood the test of time... In short: it's Ye Olde England at its very best – and synonymous with the rich and famous alike.

It should therefore come as no surprise that the Cotswolds' romantic hotels are some of the most enchanting in the UK. There are historic inns with old fireplaces steeped in history and atmosphere, glamorous boutique offerings with arty flourishes, and wonderfully luxurious country piles with secluded gardens and plenty of quiet, cosy corners. And if you fancy indulging in some couples' spa treatments, there's an incredible spa scene in these parts too.

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Though delicious cream teas beneath wonky original beams, local beer beside crackling fires, and raved-about gourmet suppers are in abundance here, the Cotswolds is also popular with walkers and cyclists. Our list of the most romantic hotels in the Cotswolds includes options for lovers of the great outdoors and scenic boltholes for those who prefer to enjoy the landscape from a snuggly indoor nook.

So, without further ado, here are our favourite romantic hotels in the Cotswolds that are perfect for a 2024 mini-break.

Ellenborough Park, Cheltenham

Showcasing English heritage at its finest, Ellenborough Park stands regally within a private, 90-acre estate on the edge of the esteemed Cheltenham Race Course.

The 500-year-old hotel is abounding with turrets, towers, and stained-glass windows, and welcomes guests in through its original 1485 door. Upstairs, sumptuous oak-panelled bedrooms offer sweeping views across the parkland, and some feature oversized fireplaces.

Days here are filled with meandering around the grounds, relaxing at the spa, and sampling the acclaimed menu in The Restaurant. We especially love the laid-back ambience in the Horse Box Brasserie – and if you plan a summertime trip, you can dine al fresco on the large lawn.

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The Lygon Arms, Broadway

A James Martin restaurant is ready for date nights at the Lygon Arms in the Cotswolds village of Broadway. The star TV chef is the mastermind behind the hotel’s vaulted Grill, which serves dishes such as Cotswold lamb rump with asparagus from the Evesham Valley and rare-breed pork chops.

The Worcestershire coaching inn boasts a hallowed roll-call of former guests, ranging from Charles I to Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. We’re sure one of history’s most famous couples loved the many cosy nooks and crannies, creaky lounges, flagstone floors and fireplaces.

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romantic hotels in the cotswolds
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Dormy House, Broadway

You can't get much more cookie-cutter Cotswolds than this beautifully renovated 17th-century farmhouse, that's located high above the village of Broadway. With its postcard-perfect honey-hued exterior, bucolic setting, award-winning spa, fabulous restaurants and all-round cosy vibes, Dormy House is a go-to for in-the-know couples seeking a romantic escape.

There are just 39 rooms, lending the property an intimate, home-from-home feel – and each boasts its own distinctive style. If you're after a traditional aesthetic, plump for one of the farmhouse rooms with vaulted ceilings and exposed beams; for something a little more grand, there's the super stylish Loft, while Rose Cottage offers total seclusion with its own private courtyard and hot tub. Music lovers, meanwhile, should reserve the sprawling Studio that comes complete with a drum-kit, state-of-the-art sound system, curated vinyl collection and a turntable.

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Lucknam Park, Colerne

This grand hotel in the Cotswolds is just outside of Bath, with a long driveway leading up to the historic main house and expansive acreage for romantic strolls. Lucknam Park is a great option for couples who enjoy spa treatments since the one here is superlative. And if you want to add horse riding into the mix, you’re in the right place as the estate has an equestrian centre as well.

Come evening, the obvious choice is Restaurant Hywel Jones, which has a Michelin star and is set in an opulent dining room.

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romantic hotels in the cotswolds
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Thyme, Lechlade

Thyme is the place to see and be seen when it comes to the Cotswolds.

Thyme began as a cookery school when its owners decided to rescue a derelict barn on their Southrop Manor estate. However, they soon found that discerning travellers were making the trek from far and wide to secure a spot for the culinary experience.

Now, Thyme is more of a small village and lifestyle brand, including a chic hotel—with suites spread across the barns, cottages, and farmhouses—a spa, and an outdoor swimming pool to rival that of Soho Farmhouse.

The rooms are designed with antique furniture, glamorous chaises, roll-top bathtubs (the pale pink tub in the English Rose Room is our favourite), chandeliers, and floor-to-ceiling windows to ensure you're in no doubt of the beautiful countryside that surrounds you.

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The Swan, Bibury

The Swan is a rustic retreat occupying a prime position in the village of Bibury, just a few hours away from the hustle and bustle of London.

Head out for long, rambling walks across the fields or down country lanes, then return to sink into a velvet armchair in front of the fireplace before feasting on high-end versions of pub classics in the art-filled dining room.

Eight bedrooms upstairs make the most of the snuggly, historic feel, with wooden beams and deep roll-top bathtubs (bubbles come courtesy of Molton Brown) to soak in after a muddy meander.

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The Greenway Hotel & Spa, Cheltenham

If you're looking for a romantic hotel in the Cotswolds that delivers on both grandeur and comfort, then this old Elizabethan manor is a great option.

Situated just a ten-minute drive from the delights of Cheltenham, the Greenway Hotel seamlessly merges tradition with modern luxuries. The spa, for example, is large and contemporary, with a hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam room, al fresco hot tub and samarium on site.

While the lounges and dining rooms feel as though they belong to a bygone era, the comfortable bedrooms are snug and inviting. Just like all the best relationships, The Greenway is a perfect balance.

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Whatley Manor, Malmesbury

If you're after unobstructed peace and a space where you can just switch off from the outside world, Whatley Manor delivers.

Its 12-course tasting menu is one of the most inventive on offer at an English country house hotel. Diners begin in the plush lounge, move to a front-row seat in the kitchen, and then into the smarter dining room to finish off the final courses.

Guests can then walk it off in the gardens, which vary from manicured flower beds to more unkempt countryside extending down to a merrily flowing brook.

The spa, reached through a separate entrance by the converted stables, is also a slick operation. It offers treatments using products from sustainable beauty company Gaia, heated relaxation beds, and pools galore with jets that will relax even the most tense shoulders.

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Cowley Manor Experimental, Cheltenham

Cowley Manor Experimental, with its gorgeous Italianate architecture and beautiful grounds with a lake, is actually a rather contemporary hotel thanks to a 2023 overhaul.

Though the grand restaurant, with its high ceilings and gorgeous views of the ground, and its bedrooms full of handmade furniture are both equal draws, the real star of the show is the C-Side Spa.

Here, you can get your lengths in at the Miami-style pools and enjoy treatments before relaxing in the steam room and sauna. If you're planning a summer getaway, look out for outdoor cinema screenings for a date night under the stars.

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The Fish Hotel, Broadway

Boutique hotel The Fish is a back-to-nature bolthole with a touch of luxury. Its down-to-earth ethos ensures that a relaxed, inclusive vibe is present throughout the property and its guests.

One of Britain's most innovative hotels, it offers guests the option of staying in one of the beautifully crafted treehouses and charming shepherd's huts, or opt for a more traditional yet still uber-chic room.

With quiet areas for adults (and even dogs), the expansive collection of properties is dotted across a hill, so the views from each one are easy to admire.

It's the perfect backdrop for gazing into one another's eyes, whether it's over dinner, drinks or in the wood-fired hot tub that sits on the treehouse terraces.

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