48 hours in the Cotswolds

22 SEPTEMBER 2026

The perfect weekend involving architectural salvage, a very good martini and a hotel that actively encourages you to do absolutely nothing.

The Cotswolds has been back in the news recently following a certain royal migration from Montecito, California (Prince Harry and Meghan if you’ve been living under a rock) but it’s long been a favourite country escape of the A-list - David and Victoria Beckham, Liam Gallagher, Kate Moss and Sienna Miller all have houses there, to name a few.

On her most recent visit to the shire, our Editor Jess spent a weekend finding the places actually worth getting out of the car for, consider this the 374 edit.

WHERE TO STAY

Courtyard Cosy Room Source Hyll Hotel

Hyll, Chipping Campden

Set in a 14th-century manor surrounded by rolling Cotswold countryside, Hyll describes its philosophy as “the luxury of doing nothing” and the entire experience is designed around exactly that. Rather than the formality of a traditional country-house hotel, the space unfolds through a series of chic lounges, sitting rooms and tucked-away corners, making it feel more like staying in the extremely beautiful home of someone with impeccable taste, rather than a hotel.

The interiors get the balance just right: cosy but luxurious, beautifully put together without feeling overly designed. Books are everywhere, thanks to a clever partnership with local independent Borzoi Bookshop, and our favourite titles had been left waiting in our room - a small but very thoughtful touch.

The bed was dangerously comfortable. I’m something of a bed snob and this was genuinely one of the good ones. The bathroom was equally hard to leave, with a huge, deep bath and Verden products that we liked so much we paid to take them home. Probably as useful an endorsement as any.

And it’s definitely one for the wedding radar. Hyll is currently creating The Bower, a dedicated wedding and events space due to open in 2027. Built into the hillside with sweeping views across the surrounding countryside, it would be a pretty spectacular place to get married.

hyllhotel.com

Manor House Source Hyll Hotel

WHERE TO EAT

Chequers pub - source @thechequerschurchill

The Chequers, Churchill

A good country pub is reason enough to leave London and The Chequers is a very good one.

There has been a Chequers pub serving the village since at least the 1750s, and today's Grade II-listed stone inn sits opposite the church in tiny village of Churchill. It’s a proper village pub with flagstone floors, beams, fires but most importantly the food is 10/10. The Scotch egg is non-negotiable, but it was the chicken liver parfait that we were still talking about afterwards.

thechequerschurchill.com

Chequers pub - source @thechequerschurchill

WHERE TO SHOP

Saintbury sourced from @saintburyantiquesandsalvage

Saintbury Antiques and Architectural Salvage

This is not tasteful Cotswolds antique shopping, this is rummaging at its finest. Saintbury is enormous, it felt like it went on for miles. Architectural salvage sits alongside old furniture, paintings, garden pieces, interiors pieces. I loved it because there's none of the feeling that somebody has already done the treasure hunting for you and added 60 per cent to the price.

If, like me, you like digging through piles and bargain hunting, then you’ll love this place.

saintbury.co

Saintbury sourced from @saintburyantiquesandsalvage

WHERE TO HAVE A COFFEE

Daylesford

Flowers, bread, cheese, fruit, vegetables, homeware, linen, candles and approximately 14 things you didn't know you needed until you saw them arranged beautifully on a shelf in Gloucestershire. It is always a must-visit for me.

daylesford.com

WHERE TO WANDER

Stow-on-the-Wold

If you're going to do one of the classic Cotswolds towns, make it Stow. It's good for antiques and interiors and aimless wandering. Sneak in a cream tea before heading back home.

Chipping Campden

Worth adding to for its long, ridiculously pretty high street and honey-coloured buildings. Moreton-in-Marsh has a little more bustle and plenty more opportunities to buy something old that absolutely will not fit in the car.