I think freedom, or maybe happiness, is getting in the car, driving for a couple of hours, and finding yourself somewhere that feels like a completely different world. The open road, the wind in your hair, that feeling of letting curiosity take the lead. This time, the plan was simple: grab the mate, put on some music, and head to the Cotswolds for 48 hours exploring some of the prettiest spots in the British countryside.
Driving on the left (the opposite side of the road from what we’re used to) is still part of the adventure. But once you leave London behind, everything starts to slow down. Suddenly, you’re surrounded by impossibly green country lanes, stone cottages, tiny villages, and landscapes straight out of Downton Abbey or Bridgerton.
The Cotswolds cover a pretty large area, so the best way to explore is to pick a region and build an itinerary around the time you have, with a few stops along the way. Another option? Start with the hotels you’ve been dying to check out and plan the trip around them. We went for a two-day getaway built around two hotels I’d had on my list forever, and I loved both.
First stop: Cowley Manor Experimental Hotel
Our first destination was Cowley Manor Experimental, a 19th-century manor house surrounded by gardens, towering trees, and a huge lake. Legend has it that Lewis Carroll, the author of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, used to visit this area and drew inspiration from its gardens and a small stone grotto when imagining Alice’s tumble down the White Rabbit’s rabbit hole.
Following a renovation by designer Dorothée Meilichzon, the hotel pays tribute to the book with bronze rabbit-shaped door knockers, checkerboard carpets and upholstery, and little nods to the Mad Hatter. So cute.
Cowley Manor is seriously luxurious, but it doesn’t feel like a typical country hotel. It’s a much more modern, creative take on the classic English manor house. The rooms are huge, and the spa, with both indoor and outdoor pools, has been ranked among the best in the UK.
Another highlight? The drinks at Experimental Cocktail Club Cotswold, plus the food. The restaurant is helmed by British chef Jackson Boxer, who’s also behind Dove in Notting Hill, one of my go-to spots for what I think is the best burger in London.
If you’re in the city, it’s a must.
Villages, lakes, and a little foodie detour
After checking in, we headed out to explore the surrounding area. That’s the beauty of having a car: you don’t have to stick to a rigid itinerary. The whole point is that there’s no plan.
We drove through Cowley Village and stopped by Cowley Lake before heading to Bourton-on-the-Water, one of the best-known villages in the Cotswolds. It’s famous for its river and little stone bridges. Super scenic, but also pretty crowded, especially on weekends and during peak season.
Next up was lunch at The Swan Hotel, followed by a drive to Stow-on-the-Wold, another village worth exploring at your own pace. There’s a historic square lined with stone buildings, little design shops, churches, galleries, antique stores, and England’s oldest inn, The Porch House.
Daylesford Organic Farm: my favorite spot so far
If there’s one place I always want to come back to, it’s Daylesford Organic.
Think Erewhon, but with a British countryside twist.
It’s an organic farm and market stocked with fresh fruit and vegetables, artisan bread, pastries, cheese, and wine.
But it’s so much more than a grocery store. There are cafés, home and garden shops, a spa, and even a cookery school. The whole experience feels very countryside chic. There’s also The Trough, its restaurant with a Michelin Green Star.
Night two: The Bull Hotel in Charlbury
On day two, we headed to Charlbury, where we spent the night at The Bull Hotel.
Back in medieval times, the building was a monks’ house; today, it’s been transformed into a hotel with a really cool, eclectic design.
We booked Loaf Cottage, one of the property’s cottage-style accommodations, which is perfect if you’re traveling with family or friends. It has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and a living room. Basically, it’s a cozy little English country house where you can settle in, slow down, and feel right at home.
Charlbury has that quintessential British village charm that doesn’t need much explaining.
Quiet streets, traditional buildings, and pubs where the plan is to sit down with fish and chips, a beer, and absolutely nowhere else to be.
We had lunch at the famous The Bell Inn, a 17th-century pub serving classic countryside fare, with a beautiful garden and gorgeous old trees. The kind of place where you could easily lose track of time.
RH England: a fairytale mansion on the way back
Before heading back to London, we made one last stop that turned out to be one of my biggest wow moments of the trip: RH England, at Aynhoe Park, a mansion with 400 years of history.
I already knew RH for its home furnishings and décor, but I had no idea what to expect from this place. As you arrive, you’re greeted by the Aynho Unicorn, an incredible sculpture that sets the tone for what’s to come. Inside, the restored country house is pure inspiration.
Every room feels like a perfectly styled real home, filled with furniture, textiles, lamps, and artwork that make you want to redecorate your entire place.
There are also several food spots to explore, including The Orangery, The Loggia, and The Conservatory, each with its own vibe and atmosphere. We had lunch in one of the outdoor spaces, with spectacular views, and afterward, we were able to wander around and explore different areas of the property.
An epic stop if you’re into design.
A different side of England
I’ve already visited other hotels in the area, including Estelle Manor and Soho Farmhouse, each with its own personality.
And that’s exactly why I love exploring the areas around London: there’s always another hotel to discover, a restaurant
you’ve been meaning to try, or a charming little village you somehow hadn’t heard of yet.
The Cotswolds have this mix of history, design, and quintessentially British country life that makes them feel worlds away, without needing to travel far.
My advice? Don’t try to see everything in one weekend.
Pick a couple of villages, book a great hotel, find a restaurant you’re excited about, and leave some room for spontaneity.
Sometimes, the best part of a trip is the place you never planned to visit.
