Idyllic lush villages with stone houses, handsome little market towns, and acres of picturesque pastureland make the Cotswolds one of the most romantic regions of the United Kingdom. The region looks resolutely designed for romantic breaks with its postcard-perfect villages, bohemian boutiques, and quaint pubs that serve afternoon tea. Of course, what also helps is that there is a bevy of romantic hotels in Cotswolds UK. Furthermore, they range from impressively luxurious to charmingly intimate places to stay. Think glorious heritage hotels set amidst acres of secluded gardens. Or fabulous luxury bed and breakfasts with all creature comforts or historic inns with old fireplaces. Notwithstanding where you live in what part of the Cotswolds, you’re going to find a quintessentially English and romantic place to stay that matches your temperament.
Ye Olde England at its best, the Cotswolds are rife with romantic things to do. There are castles to come upon, villages to walk, arboretums to admire, and scenic viewpoints to watch the sunset. So, if you’re looking for the perfect destination for a romantic sojourn, then there’s no better place than the Cotswolds. To that end, here are the 11 most romantic hotels in the Cotswolds, UK.
Table of contents
- Charingworth Manor
- The Wood Norton Hotel
- Thyme
- The Lamb Inn
- Oak House No. 1
- Buckland Manor
- Barnsley House
- The Fish Hotel
- Whatley Manor
- The Swan
- The Greenway Hotel & Spa
- Most Romantic Restaurants in Cotswolds
- Most Romantic Bars in Cotswolds
- Most Romantic Things To Do in Cotswolds
- Most Romantic Areas To Stay in Cotswolds
Charingworth Manor
11
A rich history and gorgeous views of the rolling field of Gloucestershire make Charingworth Manor one of the most romantic hotels in the Cotswolds UK. Lying just west of Chipping Camden, the manor is an ancient estate and was even mentioned in Domesday Book. Today, the Jacobean mansion with mullion windows and tall chimneys exudes oodles of charm, having transformed into a hotel in the 1980s. Choose from 26 rooms, which come in all shapes and sizes. Nevertheless, two rooms have four-poster beds, and many have antiques, while eight have the flourishes and quirks of a traditional country house. If you’re looking for a romantic sojourn, the ground-floor ones have terraces with whirlpool tubs. Moreover, all bathrooms have bathtubs and L’Occitane soaps.
Do make time for the epicurean food, which is served at the intimate restaurant. There’s a buffet spread for breakfast; think pastries, cereals, juices, fruit, and cooked options such as eggs Benedict and grilled kippers. The gorgeous garden is perfect for afternoon tea, and the hotel even has a gun, sauna, steam room, and a divine swimming pool. Moreover, the reception has maps of local walks for couples who love exploring.
The Wood Norton Hotel
10
The wonderfully intriguing Wood Norton Hotel exudes oodles of rural-bucolic charm. Having lived former lives as a hunting lodge and a French royal retreat, it even was a World War II broadcasting and monitoring center. Today, this country house hotel boasts 50 rooms ranging from ritzy to modern. The main house ones are the most splendid, with contemporary chic and lavishly wood-paneled rooms. The block behind has exotic animal-themed rooms, which are very spacious. The bathrooms in the main house boast roll-top bathtubs, while the ones at the back have showers over baths. What’s more, all bathrooms come with Molton Brown soaps and bath products, which are perfect for a cozy romantic bath.
Besides the lavish gardens, the hotel also has a modern gym and a games room with a pool table. Do you know this venue does weddings too? There’s a generous choice for dining as well, including a sleek bar for nightcaps.
Thyme
9
Thyme is an epicurean country-chic hotel and one of the most romantic hotels in the Cotswolds UK. It’s a village within a village, made up of a cluster of honey-stone properties in the postcard-pretty Southrop near Burford. The profoundly peaceful place is a dream come true for couples and romantics, especially the rooms. Of the 31 rooms, five are garden rooms with private outdoor spaces perfect for enjoying coffee or wine with your bae. Named after plants and flowers, all rooms boast antiques such as chandeliers and projectors mixed with modern beds and lavish drapes. Moreover, all rooms also have Nespresso machines and chic bathrooms with bathtubs and True Being hand soaps.
Since the hotel began as a cooking school, the food here is a celebration. A daily changing menu at one restaurant and an intimate setting at the other takes care of all your romantic dining ideas. Breakfast with all home-produced items such as eggs, ginger jam, rhubarb, and granola is the perfect start to the day. All amenities are top-notch, right from the ample grounds to the gardens. Couples can laze in the heated spring water swimming pool before heading for a pampering session to the Meadow Spa.
The Lamb Inn
8
Tucked in one of Britain’s prettiest towns, Burford is The Lamb Inn, one of its most romantic digs. The setting couldn’t be more romantic; a lovely honey-stone street sits east, and wooded countryside sits west. The romantic vibe begins right at the door, where you step into an old-time sitting room, complete with snooze-worthy armchairs, old stone fireplaces, and a gorgeous grandfather clock. The 17 rooms come in all sizes and shapes and are tucked in four discrete parts of the property. So, while some are spacious and bright, others feel like snuggly but lovely spaces. Plus, one room has a garden, another has a four-poster, and some others have striking feature wallpapers. Couples should go for the Allium, which has a feature tub and is stocked with Molton Brown products.
Striking photographs and art adorn all the public places, but the real gem is the gorgeous hidden garden that stretches for long after you think it’s ended! It’s the perfect blissful place to enjoy afternoon tea. Later on, enjoy craft cocktails and delicious food at the bar.
Oak House No. 1
7
Couples craving amorous opulence will love Oak House No. 1, one of the most luxurious romantic hotels in the Cotswolds UK. This flamboyant boutique retreat is more of an opulent private house and one of the region’s most glamorous B&Bs. Every nook of this handsome Georgian house is filled with artwork, right from the sage-green and poppy-red dining room with a chandelier to the deep-blue sitting room. Choose from three suites, the quietest being the Garden View Suite with antiques and a sleigh bed. The red Princess Suite is all about passion, with a chaise lounge and a four-poster bed. The best of them all is the Cavalier Suite with a four-poster with drapes and a library. Nevertheless, all three suites have bathtubs and Noble Isle and Molton Brown products.
Help yourselves from decanters of brandy, whisky, and sherry in the sitting room and a feast of breakfast in the dining room. There’s even a sumptuous afternoon tea; think tiers of cakes, scones, and sandwiches! The elegant hidden garden is the perfect place for a cozy coffee and spending some quiet moments with your beloved.
Buckland Manor
6
Boasting a jaw-dropping gorgeous setting is Buckland Manor in Worcestershire. This 13th-century property-turned-classic country house hotel features antique furnishings, old-time floors and windows, and old stone fireplaces. With just 15 rooms ranging across decor and sizes, staying here is an exclusive experience. While there are rooms with tweed flourishes, there’s even one with a four-poster bed. Even both smallest rooms boast queen beds and excellent views. However, we’d suggest the two sprawling master suites for the romantics, which are enormous. Nevertheless, all rooms offer elderflower cordial and feature Nespresso machines and bathtubs, besides being stocked with L’Occitane products.
Dining at the on-site restaurant is an absolute treat, especially the breakfast and the romantic three-tiered afternoon tea. Amenities here are all about the outdoors, especially the croquet and tennis courts in the lush acres of beautifully kept gardens.
Barnsley House
5
Barnsley House is one of the most romantic hotels in the Cotswolds UK. The immensely relaxing and ultra-chic 17th-century retreat in Cirencester is one hell of a dreamily romantic house. Think cozy log fires, casual-chic furnishings, and acres of lush and manicured gardens. All 18 rooms and suites are decked out in soothing hues of browns, greys, and cream, complete with artwork inspired by nature and gardens. Slick additions include 21st-century mod-cons such as Nespresso machines and Bose speakers. All main house rooms have fabulous views of the gardens and the front-drive, as do the Stable suites. However, couples seeking romantic seclusion will love the idyllic hideaways of the rustic-chic Potting Shed and the Secret Garden Suite. Bathrooms, which are huge and come with deep-soaking bathtubs, are stocked with skin-kind Ren bath products.
The staff takes care of everything from advising on cycle trails (and arranging bikes to borrow) to arranging private and complimentary garden cinema sessions. Head to the uber-stylish spa set in the gardens, complete with Elemis treatments and an outdoor hydrotherapy pool. The in-house restaurant and the glamorous bar serve all meals and drinks, and especially epicurean breakfasts.
The Fish Hotel
4
The boutique Fish Hotel is a back-to-the-nature bolthole with a touch of decadent and opulent luxury. The hotel boasts a down-to-earth ethos with an inclusive and relaxed vibe that pervades the property. In fact, its living arrangements are one of the most innovative across the UK. Choose to stay in one of the charming shepherd’s huts or the beautifully crafted treehouses. If you want, there are traditional and yet uber-chic room options as well. What’s more, these properties are spread across a lush hill, so the views are breathtaking. It’s the perfect backdrop for enjoying a glass of wine and gazing into one another’s eyes, especially on the treehouse terraces or the wood-fired hot tub.
The entire property offers drop-dead gorgeous views over the Cotswold countryside, while the on-site restaurant serves delectable seasonal British meals with the same views. You can even enjoy a variety of local ales at the on-site bar. Rounding up the amenities is a games room for travelers to enjoy as well as room service.
Whatley Manor
3
Whatley Manor is easily one of the most romantic hotels in the Cotswolds UK. This dream of a country house hotel is set amidst lush acres of rolling greens in Malmesbury. Tucked in a grand and imposing 19th-century farmhouse, the traditional country house hotel boasts just 23 rooms, so staying here is an intimate experience. Even the smallest entry-level rooms have ample space, with the refurbishment having lent them a modern edge. Think cushy armchairs, area rugs, and blond wood floors. What’s more, all rooms have swish amenities such as Dualit espresso coffee machines, smart radios, and chic bathrooms with bathtubs and Molton Brown products.
For a refurbished hotel, the facilities are top-notch. The standout is the extensive spa with a sauna, aromatic thermal suites, a hydrotherapy pool, and more. Book for yourselves innovative treatments that take place in an oxygen tent. Later on, walk hand-in-hand in the heavenly garden with cozy benches in colorful, herbaceous borders. Rounding up the features is the cinema, a formal dining room, and a sleek brasserie that serves a sumptuous breakfast.
The Swan
2
Set amidst picture-postcard country besides the River Coln is The Swan. This main house of this wonderfully chic establishment is a creeper-clad 17th-century inn, with a row of cottages set beside for the suites. All 22 rooms and suites vary in shape and sizes, with most having gorgeous bedheads that complement the drapes. Even the smallest doubles are excellent, but the two four-poster rooms with hot tubs and the cottage suites are even better. The suites are particularly romantic, with each featuring its own garden – and one even has a hot tub for two of you. Nevertheless, all rooms have Nespresso machines, bathtubs, and Molton Brown bath products, and toiletries.
The snug bar overlooks the sun-kissed courtyard and emanates a romantic vibe with faux antler lights and a fireplace. The bar also offers afternoon tea with scones and clotted cream, which you can enjoy while taking in views of the sun-kissed gardens. Enjoy a relaxed meal in the formal yet intimate restaurant with a hearty buffet spread for breakfast.
The Greenway Hotel & Spa
1
Topping the list of the most romantic hotels in the Cotswolds UK is the sophisticated Elizabethan manor that is the Greenway Hotel & Spa. This relaxing country house hotel has individually styled 21 rooms and suites. While many have four-posters, others have feature wallpapers and exposed beams. Even the entry-level rooms are generously sized, and the layouts of all rooms are intriguingly random. Choose from 13 in the main house with a gracious staircase or 6 in the adjacent old coach house. Finally, there are two secluded and romantic bedrooms at the end of the drive in the Lodge. Nevertheless, all of them have bathtubs (some have slipper tubs), and all are stocked with Espa products.
The old coach house is also home to the spa offering a wide range of Espa treatments. Moreover, it even has a nail bar, a terrace with a hot tub, a steam room, a sauna, and a hydrotherapy pool. The wonderful gardens have fabulous walk-through yew hedges and even a croquet lawn. The on-site restaurant is a haven for foodies, and the hotel even serves sumptuous afternoon teas in the sitting room or the garden.
Most Romantic Restaurants in Cotswolds
- The Dining Room at Whatley Manor: Set in the beautiful manor-house hotel of Whatley Manor, this romantic restaurant overlooks the hotel’s sprawling lush grounds. This two-star Michelin restaurant serves delectable amuse-bouches such as smoked eel in tempura and melon juice with caviar oil. Move on to the seven courses in the lemon-colored dining room next which blend lip-smacking British produce with French and Asian twists.
- Purslane: Despite Costwolds having no coastline, the Cheltenham institution of Purslane serves fish from Scotland or Cornwall with local vegetables – delicious! Some must-try dishes on the seasonally changing menu include roe deer with black pudding puree and autumn squash and scallops with smoked duck and hazelnut. You’ll also love breakfast here with homemade bread and local beers, cheeses, and eggs. The atmosphere is decidedly romantic – think giant cutlery wall hangings, yellow blinds and a soothing grey palette.
Most Romantic Bars in Cotswolds
- Snowshill Arms: The 15th-century Snowshill Arms lies in the beautiful and unspoiled village of Snowshill, Exuding oodles of character and charm, the inn features fires where you can cuddle up with your partner. Enjoy tasty Cotswold cuisine with a pint of Donnington Brewery ale, and take in the gorgeous and lush surroundings.
- The Wild Rabbit Inn: Tucked in Kingham, the Wild Rabbit Inn is one of the most atmospheric and romantic bars in the region. Think soft leather armchairs and roaring open fires set against stripped-back Cotswold stone walls. Tuck into delicious seasonal produce, with the colder months featuring game dishes heavily. Wash it down with a pint of Hooky and soak up the rustic surroundings with your boo.
Most Romantic Things To Do in Cotswolds
- Cotswolds Private Day Tour: Charming villages and towns abound in Cotswolds, one of the most romantic regions of the United Kingdom. Why not explore it, just the two of you? This full-day, eight-hour tour is helmed by a professional guide and takes you around the best and most charming of Cotswolds’ villages such as Snowshill, Bourton-on-the-Water, Bibury, and more.
Most Romantic Areas To Stay in Cotswolds
Located just two hours from jolly ol’ London, the Cotswolds, with its sleepy villages and rolling hills, is an entire world away from the British capital. Bursting with historic character and charm, these villages boast blossoms-filled streets and honey-colored cottages. Basically, they’re every bit as picture-perfect as you would have seen in postcards or photographs. So, what are the most romantic areas to stay here?
We begin with the Romantic Road, the ultimate romantic road trip through the English countryside. It features two routes, both of which begin and finish in Cheltenham. Some of the most romantic villages in the Cotswolds lie along these routes, such as Burford, one of the Top Things To See In Oxford, Camden, and Stow-on-the-Wold. Famed as the “Venice of the Cotswolds,” Bourton-on-the-Water on the banks of River Windrush is all about cozy museums, tea rooms, pubs, and golden stone cottages. Travelers will especially love the cutesy model village and the Dragonfly Maze. Cam Peak is perfect for a romantic picnic or a hike, while Lower Slaughter might just be the prettiest village in all of Britain.
One of the best places to visit during an English summer is Cotswold Lavender in Snowshill, which boasts endless fields of vibrant lavender carpeted with a fragrant aroma. Take a romantic walk in the Westonbirt Arboretum or enjoy a day out at the fairytale-like Broadway Tower. We end it with the Cotswolds’ most photographed village Bibury, whom artist and poet William Morris called “the most beautiful village in England.” Straddling the River Coln, Bibury is all about charming historic stone cottages. Finally, did you know that Bath is just south of Cotswolds? Yes!
