Cowley Manor Experimental in Elkstone, England

Cowley Manor Experimental has 36 rooms, each with handmade furniture and fabrics by young British designers. Rooms are located in the main house or the converted stable block, and some offer lake views. All rooms include luxury toiletries and a flat-screen TV.

The hotel's restaurant is a grand room with high ceilings and views of the grounds, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Gourmet dining is curated by celebrated chef Jackson Boxer, with a focus on fresh local ingredients. A continental breakfast is included, and the cocktail lounge serves afternoon tea.

C-Side Spa offers holistic treatments including massages, facials, body wraps, and a hammam. The spa has indoor and outdoor heated pools, a sauna, steam room, and a fitness centre. Spa packages include yoga, aerobics, and wellness programs with holistic therapies.

The hotel sits on 55 acres of parkland, woods, meadows, and gardens with natural springs, lakes, and Victorian cascades. Guests explore the grounds on walking trails, play billiards in the games room, or walk with alpacas. Outdoor areas include sun terraces and a pool with a view.

The hotel is family-friendly, offering children's swim times in the spa pool and a games room with pool, darts, and chess. Dog-friendly accommodations are available, with expansive grounds for pets to roam. Board games and puzzles are also provided for family entertainment.

Location: 15 min from Cheltenham, 20 min from Gloucester

Rooms: 36 rooms with British designer furniture

Dining: Restaurant by chef Jackson Boxer

Wellness: C-Side Spa with indoor and outdoor heated pools

Activities: 55-acre grounds, alpaca walks, games room

Family: Children's swim hours, dog-friendly rooms