Why go?
For a charming Cotswolds bolthole with an old-worldly country house feel and a cracking spa. Calcot & Spa provides a true retreat and playground for grown ups and little ones alike – you can expect their stay to be as indulgent as yours.
Honeymoon style
Perfect for those longing for that picturesque Cotswolds getaway, where wellies beckon at the food and everything feels quintessentially English, minus any of the stuffiness. Young families flock here as it’s a haven for children – with the Playbarn offering 4 hours of complimentary childcare per day with your stay – which allows parents that precious downtime in the spa or the drawing room, while still enjoying a weekend away, en famille.
Set the scene
Set in 220 access of soft, English countryside, with wildflower meadows and farmland, the Calcot Collection’s flagship property does not disappoint. Its secluded location, not far from the antique-centred town of Tetbury, makes it a go-to destination for Londoners in need of some fresh country air (and some pampering spa time). The 14th century reimagined farmstead is everything you’d imagine, with the main house’s ivy clad stone facade weathered and a little whimsical. The hotel has a labyrinthine character, with rooms and amenities located across the main house and nearby barns. Inside, it’s refreshingly modern with panelled walls, flagstone floors, deeply cushioned sofas and roaring fires in the winter months.
Rooms
The hotel has 34 rooms and suites, all individually designed with a blend of farmhouse chic and a few retro touches. Options span the snug (yet still sumptuous) rooms right up to generous family rooms, which feature separate bedrooms for children (some with fun bunk beds). For honeymooners, book the Barnsley Cottage, which can be your own little bolthole for the duration of your stay. Couples can curl up beside the wood burner after a long soak in the roll top bath, and enjoy breakfast in their own dining area, should they wish to stay fully robed for a lazy morning.
Food and drink
Of the hotel’s two restaurants, The Hive is more relaxed, offering all-day ‘grazing.’ The Brasserie, located in the orangery, is the smarter option, with fresh, refined interiors. The evenings here are atmospheric, with flickering lanterns, while breakfast or lunch is bathed in pools of natural light. Botanical artworks line the walls, tables are given little rattan touches, and small vases of fresh flowers add panache. Dinner is a real treat here, the menu firmly hinged on local produce – go for the freshly dived scallops to start (often, caught that morning) followed by the nearby Stokes Marsh Farm Chateaubriand, for two, which sits on a fluffy bed of truffled mash and red wine jus. The wine list is divided into playful sections, such as rather quaffable, classics, maverick to old school and serious. Try a Calcot classic cocktail to kickstart your evening, such as the Earl Grey Martini or Cotswolds Negroni, proudly knocked together with local gin.
The story
Calcot & Spa is privately owned and part of the elegantly eccentric Calcot Collection, with much-loved sister hotel The Painswick amongst other award-winning inns, restaurants and spas that sit within the group. The farm itself has a rich history dating back to the 1300’s, where it was initially built as the tithe barn annexe to Kingswood Abbey. Calcot & Spa first welcomed guests as a hotel in 1984, and has grown organically, with a stellar spa and renovated barns and cottages ever since.
Family-friendly
Calcot & Spa has consolidated itself as a leading luxury staycation spot for families, scooping several awards for its family-friendly credentials. It’s a tricky balance to strike, but they’ve done so by thinking of absolutely everything. One of the most notable perks for families is the separate dining room for children (where kids tea is served between 5 and 6pm) and a children’s menu manages to roll out the crowd pleasers, just keeping them local, seasonal and incredibly nourishing. Bedrooms have separate bedrooms with special chalkboard name plaques to welcome children in, where Aesop’s fables adorn the walls.
A standout feature is the Playbarn, (purpose built and located up in the eves), which is jam packed with toys, activities and colourful crafts. Guests can drop off their broods here for up to 4 hours a day (enough hours to have a proper, grown up break). There are plenty of other pursuits to enjoy too, such as bike riding with trailers around the farmland, swimming in the spa (there are set children-friendly hours) and a rustic outdoor playpark for smaller children to clamber up and burn some energy in.
Spa
Only a slipper and robe shuffle from the main house, the spa is housed in a converted barn that retains its original rustic character. There’s a fitness centre, indoor pool, sauna, steam room and outdoor jacuzzi situated in a beautifully-landscaped courtyard next to an open fire. In summer months, guests can lounge alongside the outdoor pool, soaking up the rays and deeply inhaling that fresh country air.
Eco-friendly
If you follow the 4km nature trail winding through the grounds, on foot or bike, the hotel’s sustainable efforts soon become clear. The fields are thrumming with wildlife thanks to various rewilding projects, and the hotel has its own beehives kitchen gardens, whose bounty fills most of the larders and fridges for the menus. Staff will let you know when checking in that toiletries are supplied on request to encourage mindfulness in this department too.
Location
Deep in the heart of the Cotswolds, the hotel is that little bit further on from the Londoners and tourists flocking to Chipping Norton. The nearby town of Tetbury is most definitely worth a visit, with its picturesque high street and independent antique shops and cafés. The hotel itself lies in rolling green countryside, worlds away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
To book visit: calcot.co/
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