GLOUCESTERSHIRE

When we think of England with its rolling green fields, ancient traditions, medieval towns, rustic pubs, honey coloured stone walls, we think of Gloucestershire; and our kitchen design team enjoy their visits to this area each time they are commissioned to design bespoke kitchen for a property in the county.

Gloucestershire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It borders Herefordshire to the north-west, Worcestershire to the north, Warwickshire to the north-east, Oxfordshire to the east, Wiltshire to the south, Bristol and Somerset to the south-west, and the Welsh county of Monmouthshire to the west.

The hills to the east of Gloucestershire form the majority of the Cotswolds AONB, and the uplands to the west are part of the Forest of Dean and the Wye Valley AONB, which stretches into Wales.  A predominantly agricultural and rural county made rich through the wool trade; there are many fine churches and manor houses, some of which are now excellent country house hotels.  While the pubs and inns offer rustic picturesque charm.

The gorgeous honey-toned towns and villages include Chipping Camden, Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold.  While the spa and horse-racing town of Cheltenham, make this a county of distinction and refinement.

Drawn by the rolling countryside and beautiful buildings, the county is home to many celebrities as well as several royal residences including Highgrove House and Gatcombe Park.

In recent years those seeking solace from the rat race of London have also moved to this beautiful county, bringing with it new wealth.  Catering for these new home owners are an incredible concentration of luxury hotels, pubs, restaurants, spas and members clubs.

Spread across 100 acres of prime Cotswolds countryside in Great Tew, Chipping Norton; Soho Farmhouse is a self-contained hamlet of hedonism where everything you could possibly want is within arm’s reach… or at least a very short bicycle ride away. The double-height barns and Cotswold stone buildings dotted about the perfectly manicured farmyard house a 114 room hotel, a health club with an indoor-outdoor swimming pool, buzzing restaurants (four, at last count), the Electric cinema, a boutique selling Soho House homewares, and even a cosy pub called the Mill Room that stays open ’til late.

Amongst the many chocolate box villages is Daylesford; a small, privately owned village and former civil parish, now in the parish of Adlestrop, in the Cotswold district.  Owned by JCB billionaire Lord Anthony and Lady Carole Bamford and home to Carole Bamford’s 2000 acre Daylesford Organic farm and shop selling farm produce, sustainable home & garden goods, workshops, Bamford Wellness Spa, events & retreats.

Kingham is home to the Wild Rabbit a modern British inn – a place to eat, drink and sleep. Set in the heart of the Cotswolds, it is also owned by Lady Bamford, who also runs Daylesford. The restaurant marries traditional British country-dining with more modern, urban touches.

Cowley Manor, a Grade II listed villa built in 1855, was once the home of Sir James Horlick, the malted-milk magnate.  In 2023, Cowley Manor was bought and refurbished, and now the the Grade II listed property is home to a 31 bedroom 5 star hotel complemented by a spa, restaurant, cocktail lounge, library, mudroom and plentiful living rooms.