Thought-provoking art, locavore dining and supreme wellness facilities have transformed a traditional country pile into a cutting-edge Cotswolds retreat
Daring interiors and a creative spirit underscore the colourful revamp of Estelle Manor, a sprawling country pile in Oxfordshire. Formerly a maternity ward for pregnant evacuees and later a police training ground, this Jacobean-era mansion launched as a hotel in 2023, overseen by Sharan Pasricha (of Ennismore and Hoxton hotels).
Part of the transformation saw the addition of a Roman-inspired spa, converted stable suites and a members-only clubhouse. Elsewhere, original ornate ceilings, mullioned windows and wood panelling sit alongside contemporary patterns, playful textures and an exceptional art collection. Guests will find walls adorned with pieces by British painter Billy Childish, cosy nooks decorated with sculptures courtesy of French artist Eric Baudart and intricate nature murals by Sussex-based decorative artist Tess Newall.
While undoubtedly upmarket, there’s a soothingly relaxed vibe at the core of this Cotswolds address, which is first seen in the bubble umbrellas, muddy wellies and woollen blankets that furnish the porch. And later traced at the bar where a feel-good jazz and funk soundtrack draws guests for a nightcap, and at the sublime spa, where visitors are invited to rest and replenish in a pampas-lined herbal tea room following a hop around thermal suites.
Location and vibe
Set in the village of Eynsham in Oxfordshire, Estelle Manor rests amid a sprawling 85-acre estate. Despite its rural setting, the hotel is easily accessible, just two hours by car from London, while trains between the capital and Oxford take just 50 minutes. Blenheim Palace and Kelmscott Manor are both close by.
On arrival, guests sail down a tree-lined driveway, while others try their hand at falconry or cruise around the grounds on city bicycles. After passing your keys to the valet and having your luggage whisked to your room, enter the lobby to find a buzzy crowd of well-heeled local couples and hip urbanites draped over statement armchairs and plush sofas. Here, beneath glittering chandeliers and beside a crackling fire, the sheer scale of the renovation comes to light.
Rooms
There are 108 rooms and suites spread across the manor house, stables and walled garden, plus five cottages nestled in the woodland for larger groups. I stayed in a manor house suite overlooking the parasol-flanked pool. The spacious room had upholstered furnishings, antique rugs and figurative paintings set against a king-sized four-poster bed and wood panelled walls. In the lilac bathroom, the marble walk-in shower and show-stopping vanity area impressed with coconut-scented Commune toiletries.
Thoughtful touches, like bedside tables equipped with charger kits and a barcode that pulls up a digital map of the estate, in-room menus and a transport booking portal are welcome details. While a wardrobe with a steamer and an impressive selection of hair styling tools make for a comforting home-from-home set-up. Mini bars are stocked with sweets, nuts and cocktail gummies, plus collagen face masks and various plant-based dietary supplements.
Food and drink
British chef Michael Carr (previously of The Latymer, The Waterside and Simpsons) steers the kitchens with his Michelin-starred expertise. Breakfast is served in The Brasserie, where linen cafe curtains filter the morning sun, and duck egg blue banquettes are off-set against bare plaster walls. The Brasserie extends into a light-filled orangery where fresh pastries, fruits and granolas are served. The Brasserie’s evening menu is organised by raw seafood, meat sharing plates, vegetables and soul-warming mains.
I opted for The Glasshouse for dinner, which sits in the centre of the walled garden amid beds of fragrant herbs, fruits and vegetables. Inside, overgrown potted plants, chalkboard menus and an open kitchen where chefs are busy preparing seasonal plates can be found, all lit by dim candlelight. Wood-fired sourdough, saffron risotto, grilled squid and pork chops were on the menu during our visit. From Wednesday to Saturday, Japanese restaurant The Armoury and Chinese restaurant The Billiards Room are also open. The living room bar transitions into a vibrant evening space with cluster pendant lights and velvet sofas dotted around a marble bar brimming with vintage spirits like 18th century whisky label Jameson. You can order classic cocktails or sparking, white and red wines, too.
Things to do
There’s a roster of outdoor activities across the estate including foraging experiences, bushcraft camps for kids and a woodland nature trail flanked by heritage oaks and great sequoias. Don’t be surprised if you spot a red kite and a herd of muntjac or fallow deer while exploring the grounds. The protected species are carefully looked after with a tailor-made management system that helps them thrive. Guests are invited to learn about the diverse range of wildlife and sustainable farming practice on guided tours of the walled garden.
The Riviera-inspired terrace is complete with a heated pool that’s open year-round, plush sunloungers and an outdoor bar. Elsewhere, an adventure paddock hosts archery, axe throwing and air rifle shooting. Depending on the season, an outdoor cinema or ice rink may also be present in the grounds during your visit. There’s also a snug living room armed with old-school games like connect four, scrabble and backgammon for those who don’t fancy venturing outdoors.
The hotel’s dedicated wellness area, Eynsham Baths, is buried deep in the woods, bordered by paddle courts and a gym. Here, treatments are crafted from plant-based oils, scrubs and soaps. We recommend embarking on the thermal journey, which has been designed to stimulate the immune system and improve your metabolic rate. The 180-minute session involves six different thermal suites including a hay sauna and cold plunge pools, plus access to a tranquil tea room.
Accessibility
Five rooms are adapted for reduced mobility. There’s step-free access across the estate with wide, flat paths taking visitors between the manor, spa and walled garden.
Sustainability credentials
Estelle Manor is on the brink of becoming fully powered by renewable energy. There’s plenty of other sustainable practices that are already in place including the adoption of reusable, recyclable or compostable items, a waste management system, and the use of electric buggies for ferrying guests around the grounds.
In the walled garden, a ‘no dig’ approach sees herbs, fruits and vegetables harvested for use at The Glasshouse restaurant, while flowers are repurposed into dried floral arrangements that are displayed across the hotel for up to a year. The team work with local suppliers who share the same animal welfare and environmental values, such as sourcing eggs from nearby family-run farm Mayfield Eggs, and local (glass) bottled water from neighbouring Blenheim Palace.
From 495 GBP per night, estellemanor.com
Explore the Cotswolds like a local with ROADBOOK’s weekend guide, from scenic nature trails to buzzy gastro pubs.
