From ancient coaching inns to quirky glamping yurts and haunted houses, these are the most unusual places to stay in The Cotswolds.
Oh how we adore The Cotswolds! When you think of England, this is the quintessential place that comes to mind. Do you need more than beautiful countryside and rolling hills to convince you to visit? How about picture-perfect villages with honey-coloured stone houses? Characterful country pubs? Market towns with independent shops and great eateries? The Cotswolds really does have it all!
At 800 square miles, it’s the third largest area of protected land in England. Plus, for obvious reasons, it’s also been designated as a national Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The region is a tourist hot spot with no shortage of great hotels, guesthouses and holiday cottages. But what about more unique places to stay? Well, there are plenty of those too!
To help you plan you’re trip, we’ve rounded up the most unusual places to stay in the Cotswolds, all guaranteed to make your trip even more memorable.
If you’re looking for more inspiration, don’t miss our post featuring the most beautiful places to visit in The Cotswolds.
Contents:
13 Most Unusual Places To Stay In The Cotswolds
Lygon Arms, Broadway
Let’s start with this honey stone hotel which is packed with 600 years of history. It’s even hosted King Charles I and Oliver Cromwell! It’s made our list of quirky hotels in the Cotswolds as it goes the extra mile to provide luxury for the whole family.
You’ll find giant lawn games to play if the weather is good. And there’s a great indoor pool or plenty of board games to play if the weather is more typically British! In the mood for more kingly activities? Then make sure to sign up for family archery, falconry or clay shooting sessions.
James Martin’s restaurant, the ‘Dine in Grill’ is based here at the Lygon Arms. A meal in the grand hall with its roaring fire is a culinary treat, but still family-friendly. Plus, if you’re travelling with kids, there’s a dedicated children’s menu, and occasional deals where children eat for free.
Canine family members are also welcome here, with dog-friendly rooms complete with dog beds and bowls. You’ll even find a ‘muddy paws’ station in the hotel courtyard, perfect for cleaning your pooch after a long walk in the Cotswolds countryside. How pawsome is that?!
You can check prices and availability at the Lygon Arms here
The Slaughters Manor House, Lower Slaughter
Amongst the traditional Cotswold limestone cottages in the village of Lower Slaughter is this grand 17th Century Manor House. It’s now a Country House Hotel and a great place to stay if you’re looking for an award-winning restaurant or cocktail bar.
Amongst the stylish rooms of this country house are some with four poster beds and free-standing baths. Take a look at the Garden Room, where amazing double baths look onto a private garden!
You can check prices and availability at The Slaughters Manor House here
Three Ways House Hotel, Chipping Campden
Another hotel known for good food is the Three Ways House Hotel in the village of Mikleton, close to Chipping Campden.
This hotel and restaurant are home to the famous ‘Pudding Club’. Established in 1985, the club celebrates classic British desserts, and hosts regular events featuring seven puddings!
Whenever you visit, you’ll find AA rosette-rated lunch and dinner menus here. Just be sure to leave space for desserts, which include English favourites like jam roly-poly and treacle sponge. If you’re too full to move far after your meal, the hotel has 48 rooms, including a few with pudding themes.
You can check prices and availability at Three Ways House Hotel here
Shepherds Hut Slad Valley, Painswick
Looking for an alternative to chocolate box manor houses or charming cottages? Do you really want to get away from it all? Then how about staying in a cute little shepherd’s hut in the rural setting of Slad Valley?
This adorable holiday home is one of the most unusual places to stay in the Cotswolds. The dinky hut sleeps two and has everything you need for a short stay. It may be small in size, but it really is big on views!
You can check prices and availability at Slad Valley Shepherd’s Huts here
The Spring, Painswick
Another unusual accommodation option maximising the wonderful views in Painswick is ‘The Spring’. This highly modern alternative to a country cottage is made from a converted shipping container.
The Spring sleeps just two and is laid out as a combined bedroom/living room/kitchenette and a separate bathroom. The highlight? The glass walls that frame the surrounding countryside. It’s the perfect place to book if you want to soak up views from the comfort of your bed!
You can check prices and availability at The Spring here
Cherry Tree Glamping, Stroud
Looking for more cabin options? Don’t miss the beautiful Cherry Tree in Stroud. They have great 1 and 2-bedroom wooden chalets that can sleep up to 6. If you’re looking for even more of a reason to visit, then how about the fact that each cabin has its own private terrace with a hot tub.
The cabins also have kitchenettes, but if you decide you don’t want to cook, the wider campsite (with 18 tent pitches) has a great on-site café too. It really is the best of both worlds. Happy glamping guys!
You can check prices and availability at Cherry Tree Glamping here
Cotswolds Camping, Holycombe
Another campsite making our list of unusual places to stay in the Cotswolds is Cotswolds Camping in Holycombe. They have a range of accommodation options, all of which qualify as unusual!
Which would you choose? The yurt or the Dutch cabin? Or perhaps you’d prefer the gypsy caravan or the airstream trailer? Whichever you opt for, you’ll find the indoor wood burners and outside fire pit give this campsite just the right mix of adventure and cosy.
You can check prices and availability at Cotswolds Camping here
The Holford Arms Chalets and Glamping, Tetbury
You’ll find more modern chalets and camping places in the grounds of The Holford Arms pub near Tetbury. The clean modern cabins sleep two or three and have private bathrooms. Also onsite are bell tents set up with off-ground beds with proper duvets and bedding.
Hungry? Well, you’re in the right place as you’re next door to the pub! If you time it right, you could enjoy a delicious Sunday roast on your holiday in The Cotswolds.
You can check prices and availability at The Holford Arms here
The Falkland Arms, Chipping Norton
Another pub making our list of quirky hotels in the Cotswolds is the Falkland Arms. The pub is in the Cotswolds village of Great Trew near Chipping Norton and has all the traditional features you could ask for!
The 16th-century building has a thatched roof, flagstone floors, oak beams, horse brasses, a cosy log fire, and even a summer pub garden. Oh – and there are also award-winning real ales on tap!
If you’re a fan of the pub, you’ll be happy to know that you can stay here too. It has five cosy en-suite rooms which are equally full of history and character.
You can check prices and availability at the Falkland Arms here
The Crown, Shipton-under-Wychwood
You thought a 16th-century pub was old? Well, have we got news for you! The Crown in Shipton-under-Wychwood is one of England’s oldest inns, with a fascinating history dating back over 700 years!
The hotel, restaurant and bar is opposite the village green. Rooms here are all en-suite and overlook the pretty medieval courtyard. It’s the perfect choice for history buffs or for anyone wanting to impress overseas guests!
You can check prices and availability at The Crown here
Macdonald Bear Hotel, Woodstock
Looking for another ancient option place to stay in The Cotswolds? Well, how about the 13th century Mcdonald Bear Hotel in Woodstock, just a 3-minute walk away from Blenheim Palace.
Has it made our list of unusual places for being old? For having hosted film stars Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton? Or for its great restaurant with British seasonal menus? All true, but no.
The Mcdonald Bear Hotel makes our list of quirky hotels in the Cotswolds as it claims to be haunted! This former coaching house has not one, but two resident ghosts. Both Elizabeth Downing who died in 1768, and her son Christopher, are said to have been seen and heard here. Book if you’re brave enough!
You can check prices and availability at Macdonald Bear Hotel here
Manor House Hotel, Moreton in the Marsh
Another Cotswolds hotel that is said to be haunted is the 16th-century Manor House Hotel in Moreton-in-Marsh.
Don’t let rumours of ghosts put you off staying here as the location of this 4* hotel is absolutely gorgeous! The manor house has been tastefully converted and mixes traditional features with modern comforts. It also has an onsite AA rosette restaurant and a less formal lounge bar too.
Moreton-in-Marsh is a really buzzy town in the region, with cute delis, tearooms and pubs. So, if you want a hotel that’s right in the action, this is the perfect option.
You can check prices and availability at Manor House Hotel here
The Lazy Pug, Shipston on Stour
There are no ghosts here, but the last of our quirky hotels in the Cotswolds recently experienced something even scarier. Yes, they bravely took part in Channel 4’s show, ‘Four in a Bed’!
The fellow hotel owners awarded them a score of 87%. Why not take a look at their quirky décor and see if you agree?
You can check prices and availability at The Lazy Pug here
We hope you enjoyed finding out about these unusual places to stay in The Cotswolds. There are so many amazing places to choose from.
If you’re looking for more inspiration, don’t miss our post featuring the most beautiful places to visit in The Cotswolds.
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