A Luxurious Weekend Break in The Cotswolds: The Painswick to Tetbury Guide

Looking for the perfect Cotswolds weekend break? This 3-day itinerary, which I arranged for my recent wedding anniversary, features a luxury boutique stay at The Painswick Hotel with dinner, a stroll through the nearby Painswick Rococo Garden, and a 5-hour spa day at Calcot Manor. The trip also includes a historic stay at the Hare and Hounds in Tetbury, a delicious dinner, a full English breakfast, and a visit to Castle Combe.

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The Painswick

Kemps Ln, Painswick, Stroud GL6 6YB

I'm quite partial to a boutique country house hotel and the Cotswolds is spilling over with them.

My normal go-to for a Cotswolds weekend break is Dormy House Hotel or The Fish Hotel, but this year I thought I'd try somewhere new. While researching the best hotels in the Cotswolds, I kept coming back to The Painswick.

Located in a village lined with biscuit-coloured Cotswold stone houses, a church and some small independent shops, The Painswick is the main attraction here. Stepping through the doors into a small entrance hall with stairs leading to the guest rooms and a glimpse of the dining/breakfast area to your right, it feels as if you've arrived at your rich aunt's country home.

On taking the stairs to our first-floor Cosy room, we noticed all the guestrooms have names rather than numbers, indicating that this is indeed a small luxury hotel. Our room, named Little Mill, looked over the garden and terraced seating area to stunning countryside views for as far as the eye could see. Inside the room, I loved the quirky touches like a vintage phone and a slate sign reading "do not disturb". Oh, and let's not forget the home-baked lemon cookies waiting for us in the room.

Exquisite Dining at SAUCE

After unpacking for our night's stay, we went out to the garden terrace and enjoyed cocktails. As the afternoon turned into evening, we returned to our room and dressed for dinner at SAUCE, the hotel's fine-dining restaurant.

The food was absolutely delicious.

There are plenty of seating areas in the lounge to retire to, but I can't resist a game of pool, so after dinner and a quick nightcap at the charming bar, I challenged Mr P to a game and won.

There is a lot of artwork on the walls, and I just loved the mixture of modern (including a pink neon sign as you check in) alongside portraits and countryside watercolours.

In the morning, after a comfortable night's sleep, we enjoyed a cooked breakfast, accompanied by coffee and a continental buffet. For me, it was smashed avo and poached eggs on sourdough, and for Mr P, it was eggs Benedict.

So what's my verdict on our stay at The Painswick?

If you are looking for a luxury country escape, this hotel ticks all the boxes. Its informal, laid-back vibe is wonderful, and the staff are all so friendly.

The package I booked included a night at The Painswick and either a 5-hour morning or afternoon session with a 2-course lunch at Calcot Manor. We opted to visit in the afternoon to make the most of a lazy morning at The Painswick and a wander around this pretty Cotswold village.

While missing an on-site spa is usually a dealbreaker for me, the fact that The Painswick and Calcot Manor have teamed up to create the perfect two-in-one Cotswolds spa escape is a well-thought-out compromise.

Ready for your Cotswolds escape? Book your stay at The Painswick here.

Visiting the Painswick Rococo Garden

As guests of The Painswick Hotel, we received free entry to the nearby Rococo Garden via a complimentary QR code, and as we arrived in the Painswick area before our 3 pm hotel check-in, we chose to visit it first.

As the UK’s only surviving garden from the Rococo period of the mid-18th century, it perfectly captures an era where flamboyant design and decadent lifestyles went hand in hand.

Juxtaposed with the lush planting is a collection of whimsical follies—structures designed purely for aesthetic appeal. However, according to the garden's information pamphlet, these buildings hosted their fair share of debauchery during lavish historic parties! Beyond these brightly coloured structures, the grounds feature a small, tranquil lake and a dedicated vegetable kitchen garden.

The gardens aren't huge, so it took us less than an hour to wander around. However, allow more time if you plan to stop for refreshments at the outdoor cafe. A short stroll away is the Cotswold Way, a famous walking trail that leads through an area of outstanding natural beauty, so if you are a walker, you might like to explore part of it on your visit.

Calcot Manor Spa

Tetbury, Gloucestershire, GL8 8YJ

The sister hotel to The Painswick is Calcot Manor, a 25-minute drive away. It is known for its first-class accommodation and spa facilities, which include an outdoor spa pool, an indoor swimming pool, a relaxation room, a sauna, a steam room, and a new addition: contrast therapy featuring an infrared sauna and 2 cold plunge pools.

Our afternoon session at Calcot Spa

Check-out time at The Painswick is 11 am, and our spa session didn't start until 1 pm. However, we were still allowed to use the facilities immediately upon arrival at 12 pm, which was great. We headed to the small outdoor area and actually managed to acquire 2 loungers to relax on in the sunshine before enjoying the bubbles in the hot tub.

At 1.30 pm we donned our robes and found a shaded table in the courtyard where we were served lunch. We shared a starter of burrata salad. I then had a Moroccan chicken quinoa bowl, and Mr P had a chicken Caesar salad for mains, and we shared a matcha green tea tiramisu. All washed down with a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc and a Hawkstone - the now 'locally served' Cotswolds IPA thanks to Jeremy Clarkson. The food was all delicious, and plenty of it.

After lunch, we resumed our places on the loungers before swimming a few lengths in the indoor pool and finishing off with a quick turn in the sauna and steam room. Mr P would have been quite happy to spend longer in the relaxation room, but as normal, I had ants in my pants and wanted to move on and check out our next hotel, The Hare and Hounds.

The Hare and Hounds Hotel

Bath Rd, Westonbirt, Tetbury GL8 8QL

Far exceeding my expectations, The Hare and Hound was a wonderful find, just a 5-minute drive from Calcot Manor. This four-star manor house hotel offered an unpretentious vibe in a historic building. Its regal-looking exterior was balanced beautifully by its modern interior. I loved the way the use of vibrant materials and fabulous artwork featuring, you've guessed it, hares and hounds allowed the ambience of the old and the new to gel perfectly.

I had booked a Superior Double Room, which was nicely presented. A king-size bed with a fabulous headboard covered in flower-filled fabric was a great pop of colour in the room. Two armchairs sat in front of the large bay window, which looked out across green fields and rolling hills. The bathroom featured a shower over bath and my favourite Molton Brown toiletries, perfect!

We loved grabbing a sundowner in the massive back garden at Jack Hare’s Bar, the hotel's relaxed pub area. There are plenty of different seating spots to kick back and unwind. For dinner, we had pre-booked a table at the hotel's 2-Rosette Beaufort Restaurant, and it didn't disappoint—everything we ordered was completely delicious. A personal touch from the hotel at dinner came in the way of 2 complimentary glasses of bubbles to celebrate our anniversary.

If this sounds like your type of place, you can book your accommodation here - Hare and Hounds Hotel.

Beyond the Hare and Hounds: Royal Gardens, Majestic Tree Canopies, and Pretty Villages

Beyond the hotel lies Tetbury, your gateway to three of the most spectacular landscapes. Visiting them can turn a simple weekend trip into a memorable nature getaway.

Highgrove Gardens (5 minutes by car from the Hare & Hounds)

Highgrove House, the private home of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, is within touching distance of the Hare and Hounds. Over the past forty years, the King has turned the grounds into one of the UK’s most creative organic gardens.

• You can explore the gardens on a 1.5-hour guided tour. The visit feels special, leading you through the unique Stumpery, the playful Thyme Walk, and the colourful Carpet Garden.

Angie’s Booking Tip: Since this is the King and Queen's home, the gardens are only open on certain dates from April to September. Tickets often sell out months ahead (I missed out and don’t want you to), so if you’re planning a summer visit, check the schedule and book your spot as soon as you’ve reserved your hotel. Remember to bring photo ID for security on the day.

Westonbirt, The National Arboretum (10-minute walk or 2-minute drive from the Hare & Hounds)

Westonbirt Arboretum is close to the Hare and Hounds and was created by the man who also built the hotel as his home in the 1800s. The arboretum offers a different kind of natural beauty. With over 2,500 tree species from around the world, it’s a lovely place for a walk any time of year.

• Highlights include the STIHL Treetop Walkway, which rises 13 meters into the trees for a bird’s-eye view of the woods. For a long, peaceful walk, try the off-lead area of Silk Wood. If you prefer a quieter, more organised stroll, visit the historic Old Arboretum.

Angie’s Booking Tip: Westonbirt is beautiful all year, but it’s especially famous for its bright autumn colours. If you want to visit during peak autumn (late September to mid-November), it’s best to book a timed entry slot online in advance to make sure you get a parking space.

Castle Combe (30 minutes' drive from the Hare & Hounds)

Nicknamed "England's prettiest village", Castle Combe is a magnet for visitors seeking a quintessential British village experience. Stroll past the tiny cottages and artisan shops of this picturesque high street down to the river. Afterwards, visit the historic manor house for afternoon tea and a walk through its intimate gardens.

Read my full review of Castle Combe to discover why it's a great destination to add to your Cotswolds itinerary.

Angie's Top Tip: Parking close to the village is problematic, so your best bet is to leave the car in the pay-and-display parking area at the top of the hill and walk down to the village. Arriving early morning or late afternoon/early evening is the best time to enjoy the village without the crowds.

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