Burleigh Court, Cotswolds
Perched on the edge of the Golden Valley, Burleigh Court feels like one of those places you stumble across and immediately want to stay. The sweeping views stretch across the Cotswold hills and are best enjoyed from the terrace with a glass of something chilled, or while wandering the kitchen garden where much of the produce for the restaurant is grown.
My room was bright and comfortable, with a bed and mattress so inviting that I slept far longer than I usually do, which was a treat - no waking up at dawn! The bathroom was on the small side and while everything was thoughtfully presented, I did find myself wishing for a simple flannel in the bathroom – a detail that, if you follow me, you know makes a difference. How else can you properly take off your makeup or clean your face after a day’s travelling? It’s not very practical to take a flannel with you and then pack a wet one.
Dinner and breakfast are served in the panelled dining room, a lovely place to spend an evening or morning.
Breakfast was a highlight, not only for the food but for the warmth of the service. Oana, who looked after me, couldn’t have been more helpful, bringing a sense of genuine care. A drizzle of the hotel’s own homemade honey, produced from hives in the grounds, was the finishing touch to my perfectly toasted sourdough.
Wellness is quietly woven into the experience at Burleigh Court, with a newly built sauna tucked away in the garden, next to the new hot tub - both the perfect reset after a walk in the surrounding countryside. There’s also a ‘hobbit hut’ where treatments take place - it’s worth putting aside a morning or afternoon for sauna, hot tub and treatment to really make the most of some downtime during your stay. And if you’re keen to explore beyond the hotel, Stroud is just down the road. It’s a town brimming with creativity, and the nearby relatively new restaurant Juliet is worth booking ahead for – bold, seasonal food served with real flair and amazing value. Ophélie, the manager, is a gem. Try the oysters and the jambon beurre for a light snack at the bar - simple food done so well. Oh and the cocktails are beautifully presented and executed. As luck would have it, friends invited us there for supper the next day, we had the full experience, and it was exceptional (the combination of green beans with the sausage with cannellini beans was delicious!).
However, I digress, back to Burleigh Court - it’s a place that captures the spirit of the Cotswolds: generous, welcoming, and rooted in its landscape, with just enough modern touches to keep it fresh.