ET within 55 acres of Cotswolds countryside and beside the quaint 12th-century St Mary’s Church, Cowley Manor is an idyllic retreat and has been for over 300 years.. On learning this, the designers took many of the novel’s themes as inspiration for the overall interior design. On arrival, guests are met with a distinctive chequered rug in the reception and a staircase runner featuring playing cards that leads to many of the 36 rooms – each with a brass rabbit’s head door knocker. The bar area is inviting with its warm lighting, blue lava-stone bar and overall 1970s vibe – a far cry from what you might expect from a manor in the Cotswolds. In the restaurant, where you can enjoy a menu that has been developed by consultant chef Jackson Boxer, there is a notable juxtaposition of old and new with original wooden panelling and marble fireplace set against contemporary dining tables. The manor overlooks a beautiful lake and it is the perfect setting for a morning stroll. And not forgetting the hotel spa with its heated indoor and outdoor pools, steam room and sauna. Cowley Manor Experimental has found the perfect balance between form and function.
