My Cotswolds town is always missed in favour of other prettier villages but it now has one of the world’s best hotels
MY hometown in the Cotswolds is often passed over in favour of its more glamorous trendy neighbours.
But that could soon be able to change after one of its hotels was recently named one of the best in the world.
The World’s 50 Best Hotels announced last week named everything from five-star beach resorts to thousand-pound-a-night city stays.
And while I’ve been lucky enough to stay in a few – such as The Peninsular in Hong Kong – one that also made the list was Estelle Manor.
One of five in the UK to have made the list, the Witney hotel is now putting the town on the map.
Having only opened in 2023, Estelle Manor has boomed in popularity.
Earlier this summer, Eve Jobs – the daughter of Steve Jobs – celebrated a four day wedding event at the cost of £5million.
Other celeb sightings include Kate Moss, as well as Alan Carr and Molly Mae.
Set on 85 acres of a parkland estate, the hotel is the sister to the private members club Maison Estelle in London.
Some of the 108 rooms are are in in the Grade II listed house, while there are also Woodland Cabins.
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The hotel’s Eynsham Baths opened in last summer, while activities include archery, axe throwing, air rifle shooting and clay pigeon shooting.
According to World’s Best Hotels: “The atmosphere is that of a members’ club in the country: discreet yet sociable.
“Interiors mix period details with bold fabrics, rich textures and eclectic art, creating spaces that feel indulgent but never stiff.
“Gardens, terraces and woodland trails frame the property, making it as much a place for languid afternoons as for lively weekends.”
Of course it doesn’t come cheap, with rooms starting from £595, and even reaching £6,490.
But if you want a more affordable stay, then there are some fantastic ones in Witney.
There is the Blue Boar in the middle of town, which has cosy rooms overlooking the market square.
The restaurant and bar below are a must-visit too, with delicious burgers and pizza.
Otherwise there is also the Artist Residence just out of town, a boutique hotel chain with others in Brighton, London and Bristol.
The name of the hotel gives away the vibe – think trendy artist studio meets eccentric art dealer.
Otherwise the town of Witney itself is worth a visit, and is often much quieter than its nearby neighbour Burford.
There is the free-to-visit Witney Museum, while kids will love Cogges Manor Farm with pygmy goats to see.
Grab some tea and cake at Hunters Cafe, before shopping at many of the independent stores such as Witney Antiques and Lily’s Attic.
If you see huge queues, they are likely at Sandwich de Witney, a sandwich shop with overstuffed baguettes that always sells out by lunch.
Otherwise if you want to explore the other parts of the Cotswolds, Oxford is an easy 30-minute bus ride away.
The nearest train station is Hanborough which is around five miles away, although there are calls to restore the Witney train station which closed in the 1970s.