Luxury Hotel · England
Cowley Manor Experimental
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At a glance
Cowley Manor Experimental is where the Cotswolds gets a little less traditional. The grand Italianate manor and 55 acres of grounds are every bit as romantic as you’d hope, but inside, Experimental Group has replaced country-house formality with bold color, contemporary furniture and playful details.
But Cowley Manor has another story that makes it especially intriguing: its connection to Lewis Carroll and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Carroll was a visitor to the estate, and local tradition has long connected Cowley with the world that inspired his famous story. The hotel embraces that history without turning itself into an Alice theme park. References appear in small details throughout the interiors, from rabbit motifs on doors to keys worked into the hallway carpets. You start noticing them as you move around the house.
There are just 36 rooms and suites, spread between the manor and surrounding buildings. The best make full use of the setting: the Water Lily rooms look towards the lake, while the St Mary and Swan Lake suites have private terraces. At the top end, the Cowley Manor Suite comes with a wraparound balcony, and the Grand Cowley Manor Suite has two bedrooms and its own terrace.
The C-Side Spa is a serious reason to stay. Its glassy contemporary building sits among the greenery and contains a 17-metre indoor pool, while a heated 15-metre outdoor pool makes summer stays particularly appealing. There’s also a sauna, steam room, gym and treatment program.
Food and drink give the hotel more personality still. Jackson Boxer oversees Restaurant Cowley Manor, where the cooking has a French influence and makes use of seasonal and locally grown produce. After dinner, head to the Cotswolds outpost of Experimental Cocktail Club for drinks by the fire.
Highlights
- One of the Cotswolds’ coolest country-house hotels, with Experimental Group design inside a historic manor
- Excellent C-Side Spa with both indoor and heated outdoor pools
- Jackson Boxer dining and proper Experimental cocktails.
Accommodation
Rooms & Suites
The 36 rooms and suites are spread between the original manor house and newer buildings in the grounds. Experimental Group has avoided the predictable Cotswolds formula of beige fabrics and restrained country-house styling: expect rich colors, patterned textiles, sculptural furniture and playful details, with plenty of references to the landscape outside.
The Water Lily rooms are particularly appealing for their views towards the lake. Some of the larger categories add private outdoor space, making them worth considering in warmer months.
The St Mary Suite and Swan Lake Suite both have private terraces, while the Cowley Manor Suite opens onto a wraparound balcony overlooking the grounds.
For the most space, the Grand Cowley Manor Suite has two bedrooms and a private terrace. It’s a good option for friends traveling together, or anyone who wants one of the hotel’s most substantial rooms.
Food & Drink
Chef Jackson Boxer oversees the food at Cowley Manor, with the main restaurant bringing a French influence to seasonal British ingredients. It’s an elegant dining room without becoming overly formal, and the setting makes dinner feel very much part of staying here rather than somewhere you simply eat before heading to bed.
Drinks are equally important. Cowley Manor is part of the Experimental Group, which made its name with Experimental Cocktail Club, so the bar has rather more ambition than the standard country-house drinks list.
In colder months, cocktails beside the fire are difficult to beat. When the weather improves, drinks move outside onto the terrace and into the grounds.
England
England runs on Greenwich Mean Time, shifting to British Summer Time, one hour ahead, between late March and late October. The country is compact enough that no domestic journey is particularly arduous: London to Bath takes ninety minutes by train, London to York is two hours, London to Manchester just over two.
Our Experts
England is a great destination solely for the diversity of its experiences. You can visit ancient castles, or modern art galleries. Enjoy swanky bars on a Saturday night, or wholesome country pubs on a Sunday afternoon.
England has a quaint, idyllic feel to it that you really have to experience to understand. The lush green of the countryside is a must-see for nature lovers.
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Super client centred service. From first contact I have had warm, efficient, friendly and flexible service.
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Frequently asked questions
What does Out Of Office do?
Out Of Office is a luxury LGBTQ+ travel company specializing in tailor-made vacations and extraordinary journeys around the world. We create bespoke luxury vacations, LGBTQ+ honeymoons, safaris, cruises, beach escapes, private tours and group trips, with every itinerary designed around you. Our travel specialists combine global expertise, first-hand destination knowledge and trusted local partners to create seamless, highly personalized experiences.
Is Out Of Office a gay travel agency?
Out Of Office is an LGBTQ+ owned and run luxury travel specialist, with particular expertise in gay and LGBTQ+ travel. We understand the additional considerations that can come with traveling as an LGBTQ+ person or couple, from local laws and customs to finding genuinely welcoming hotels and experiences.
We welcome every traveler, including friends, families and allies. Many of our clients are not members of the LGBTQ+ community, but choose Out Of Office for our luxury travel expertise, personalized service and discretion.
Do you create tailor-made LGBTQ+ vacations?
Yes. Every tailor-made trip with Out Of Office is designed from scratch around your interests, travel style, budget and the way you want to experience a destination. We can arrange luxury hotels, private transfers, flights, guides, excursions, cruises and special experiences as part of one personalized itinerary. The journeys shown on our website are there to inspire you rather than restrict you; only clearly identified group departures operate as fixed itineraries.
How do you choose LGBTQ+ friendly hotels and destinations?
We combine first-hand destination knowledge with trusted local expertise to recommend luxury hotels, resorts and experiences where LGBTQ+ travelers can feel informed and welcome. We also consider the laws, customs and attitudes of each destination, because LGBTQ+ rights and experiences differ around the world. Our team regularly visit many of the properties we work with and where a destination requires greater awareness, we give you clear and considered advice so that you can make an informed decision about where and how you travel.
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