The Credentials:
Calcot Manor is a 14th century farmhouse with a cluster of Cotswold stone farm buildings that have been ingeniously converted to offer 35 luxurious bedrooms for discerning guests. The bedrooms in the main building are for adults only, while accommodation in the outbuildings is designed for families and other groups. The hotel is just three miles from Tetbury and only a two-hour drive from west London.
Dine:
Guests can dine in sophisticated restaurant The Conservatory, or choose to eat more casually in the bar of The Gumstool Inn. I ate in The Conservatory and started with beautifully presented and heavily flavorsome mackerel, leek, lime and poppy seed concoction. My main course followed, a delicious and tender cannon of lamb with shepherd’s pie and garlic-creamed spinach. The intriguing and contrasting tastes and textures were particularly striking in both my main course and dessert, which concluded the meal with perfectly crusted, warm pumpkin pie and smooth ginger panna cotta. I did not talk with a sommelier, so I opted for a delicious and wonderfully inappropriate Sauvignon Blanc!
My full English breakfast the next day was simply perfect and the rolling, rural views added to the pleasure of eating it.
Sleep:
I stayed in the stylish, two-bedroomed Woodchester Suite, which is in a traditional outbuilding and great for a family or a couple. It was like a small house and I loved it; it even had a small private garden. The main bedroom was very comfortable, with a king-sized bed and a plethora of plump pillows, and there was a small additional bedroom with bunk beds. The spacious upstairs bathroom was a dream, with two marble-topped baths, a capacious walk-in shower and plentiful Aromatherapy Associates toiletries. There were flat screen TVs in the bathroom and the main ground floor bedroom for entertainment, fast free wifi, and the complimentary fresh fruit, cookies and in-room beverages were all top notch.
Who Goes There?
The spa appeals to yummy mummies with sniffling toddlers in tow, but the presence of children is so well managed they are not disturbing to couples on romantic breaks and spa enthusiasts. The spa has also seen the odd royal couple pop by.
Out & About:
The full-body aromatherapy massage I had in the spa building was heavenly and left me just a bit too relaxed to hire a bicycle and cycle the three mile ‘trim trail’ through the 220 acre estate, so I drifted instead into the deep outdoor hot tub by a roaring log fire.
As the hotel is so relaxing, getting out of it is a challenge, but I made the effort and ended up in the village of Nailsworth, where I was surprised to find myself browsing alongside Princess Anne in the hardware shop. Nailsworth has mostly independent, quirky businesses, including a fascinating toy shop and the Yellow-Lighted Bookshop. Tetbury is also worth a visit, especially if you are looking for high quality antique shops and designer label clothes.
Both Selsley Common and Minchinhampton Common are great for bracing scenic walks or, if you prefer, there is Stinchcombe Hill, with its extensive views across the River Severn to Wales. The National Arboretum at Westonbirt is delightful to walk through at any time of year and particularly stunning in the autumn. If you are with children, then a visit to Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetland Trust is a ‘must’. Bath, Cheltenham and Cirencester are all within easy driving distance.
The Worst Thing:
The service before and during dinner was a little slow at times and seemed general, rather than bespoke, in contrast to the rest of the experience.
The Best Thing:
My personal best thing was the skilled full-body massage I received but speaking less selfishly, the best thing about Calcot Manor is the enlightened way that this hotel sets out to truly cater for families and genuinely make staying there a good experience for children and their parents.
