We review Ellenborough Park, a lovingly restored manor house with oodles of historic glamour in the Costwolds, England

There’s something special about the English countryside, with its storybook villages, rolling hills, and lush greenery. But pair that with one of the many historic stately homes-turned-hotels across the UK, and the result is some pretty incredible stays. We recently checked into Ellenborough Park in the Cotswolds for an idyllic escape.

While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Review of Ellenborough Park

Hotel snapshot

Hotel Name: Ellenborough Park
Location: Gloucestershire, England, UK
Address: Southam Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL52 3NJ
Number of rooms and suites: 61, plus one private cottage
Brand: Independent
Date Opened: 2011
Design style: Relaxed historical sophistication
Family amenities: Mini Land Rover Experience (for kids), children’s menus and mocktails, La Chameau wellies for kids, kids’ breakfast and milkshake bar, under 5s stay and eat free, interconnecting rooms, Little Explorers Package, in-room amenities (fairy-lit teepee, Yoto audio players), Ellenborough Park Activity Book
Wellness facilities: Full-service spa, including heat facilities and Garden Retreat, Japanese Head Spa, 16m heated outdoor pool, gym
Prices from: £269 per night, depending on room and season
Getting there: Great Western Railway runs London Paddington to Cheltenham Spa in two hours, from £22.

The arrival

After a very comfortable two-hour journey from London Paddington aboard a Great Western Railway train, I arrived at Cheltenham Spa station and slipped into a waiting taxi for the 10-minute drive to my destination. The first glimpse of Ellenborough Park, through 90 acres of lush grounds and up to the centuries-old main building made of biscuit-coloured Cotswold stone, is enough to thrill any history buff or period drama fan.

But step past the heavy original door (from 1485) and into the stone-flagged entry hall, filled with era-appropriate armchairs and sconces, and you could almost convince yourself you’ve been thrust back into the 15th century.

Originally known as Southam House, the building dates back to the 1400s and has hosted the cream of society, from the Earl of Ellenborough (a former owner) to King George III. Over the years, it’s been a private girls’ school and the Da La Bere Hotel, but finally opened as Ellenborough Park in 2011 (and was extensively renovated in 2017).

A stitch in time

My first impression of Ellenborough Park—a captivating, almost mystical slice of history—is cemented as I see more of the hotel. This was a grand private home meant to impress and intimidate, but today, it feels cosy and intimate, and brims with stories.

Arguably the most impressive space is the Great Room. The double-height room is dressed in a modern interpretation of 15th-century glamour. There are green-and-gild ceilings, brass-armed chandeliers, Aubusson-inspired carpets, wood panelling, stained windows, an imposing stone fireplace, and even stern oil portraits of the house’s former aristocratic owners. This, I later discover, is the perfect spot for afternoon tea, aperitifs, or after-dinner tipples in glamorous surrounds.

Overlooking this are two quiet spaces. The first, open to anyone who happens to look up and past the wooden railings, is a mezzanine for quiet drinks. My favourite part, though, is The Snug. A tiny, richly decorated private space reached by a small stone staircase, it’s perfect for an intimate tete-a-tete far from prying eyes, yet situated within this storied ambience.

Cocooned in history

Ellenborough Park has 61 rooms and suites, plus a standalone one-bedroom cottage called The Lodge. They’re spread out across the property, some in the original building, some in the new builds, and offer plenty of character, either as true-to-era design or more modern interpretations.

I’m in a Deluxe Room tucked high into a turret of the original house. Walking past wood-panelled hallways and up a curved stone staircase is wonderfully evocative, even if ever-so-slightly eerie by night. I half expect to be accosted by a resident (friendly) poltergeist.

Still, the massive room offers comfort and hints of history. There’s a leather-covered chest at the foot of the heavy wooden king-sized bed; a (non-functional) stone fireplace in the corner, heavy patterned drapes over postcard windows overlooking the surrounding landscape, plush armchairs to read in, antique mirrors, and an oak wood desk and chair to work from.

Like the rest of the hotel, the room features some lovely local touches that I was really impressed with. The subway tile-clad bathroom—though surprisingly small—is stocked with Noble Isle toiletries, while the minibar has delicious drinks and snacks from small Cotswolds brands.

Food and drinks

As with the rest of the property, the food and drink offerings at Ellenborough Park have been carefully calibrated to be enjoyable, subtly impressive, and hyper local.

The Restaurant is an elegant space of intricately carved wood panels, thick carpets, and fireplaces. At breakfast, pastries, cereal, fruits, and juices are displayed in a library-style side room; guests order à la minute mains at the table (the egg soldiers were a delight).

By night, under the glow of chandeliers, there’s an elevated à la carte menu bursting with seasonal local produce. I’m treated to a symphony of exquisite flavours, starting with a fresh beetroot-cured salmon, a decadent Cotswold venison roasted loin and confit haunch ragout, and finally, a cheese trolley brimming with regional varietals such as Bibury, Double Gloucester, and Lord London.

For something casual, there’s Horse Box Brasserie, which features a menu of upscale pub bites and mains like chicken liver pate, sandwiches, and crispy beer-battered haddock. The bar here also produces well-made cocktails (try the Negroni).

Is there more?

Almost as soon as I arrive, I head to the exclusive Spa Garden Retreat to relax with a hot tub, ice bath, and sauna set in a private, foliage-strewn hideaway. The main spa building also features indoor facilities for guest use—a Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, and relaxation room, alongside a full menu of wraps, scrubs, facials and massages.

For those looking for a little more activity, there’s also a 16-metre heated outdoor pool, and a small but well-fitted-out gym.

There’s also a printed catalogue of local country walks. After a quick visit to the onsite Dubarry Boot Room—they have an exclusive partnership with Ellenborough Park—to borrow boots and a coat appropriate for a chilly morning ramble, I embark on a country walk through lush fields, past the Cheltenham Racecourse, and to The Royal Oak for a cheeky pint amid village pub surrounds.

Frequently asked questions: Ellenborough Park