Thyme, Gloucestershire

In short… An idealized Cotswold country estate 

The surroundings… Thyme is in the historic village of Southrop in Gloucestershire, about a 90-minute drive from central London. As you enter the estate’s farm-like grounds, you’re greeted by a flock of Black Welsh Mountain sheep along the drive and you know you’ve arrived at one of the dreamiest, most pristine English countryside destination.

The vibe… The 150-acre estate is a bucolic wonderland of pastures, English-style gardens and rolling meadows. The owner, Caryn Hibbert, bought the former Southrop Manor in 2002, and she and her father began acquiring the surrounding derelict buildings, launching an expansion and meticulous renovation over the next 18 years. Besides the main building, which is home to the dining room, bar and lounge areas, there are 31 rooms and cottages that make up Thyme’s accommodations. The property also includes a spa, cookery school, pub, two-bedroom cottage, and a 17th-century, eight-bedroom stone house for larger groups.

The rooms… range from cozy spaces to grand suites. I stayed in one of the Garden bedrooms, which has a private outdoor patio just off of the hotel’s English garden. It was country luxury at its best—elegant yet understated. A little basket of homemade snacks and all the fixings for a DIY evening cocktail greeted us. And the turndown service? Not the usual chocolate on the pillow, but a linen-wrapped hot water bottle tucked under the sheets. Heaven.

The wellness… The Meadow Spa offers a variety of treatments, each thoughtfully designed around the art of relaxation. I tried the Botanical Bothy, a treatment that begins with breathing exercises, a warming foot bath, gentle body brushing, and a relaxing lymphatic massage, before you’re brought outside for a deep soaking experience by the outdoor fireplace. The whole thing lasts about 90 minutes, but I probably soaked longer than most bathers. Honey and thyme tea completes this blissful experience.

The food… The main dining room, the Ox Barn, offers a varied menu of beautifully prepared dishes. Not to be missed are the perfectly medium-rare rib-eye and the chef’s homemade pasta selections. Breakfast is also served in the Ox Barn, and, like the dinner menu, features a thoughtful selection of English classics. Don’t skimp on the carbs—order the trio of homemade breads and preserves. Two other dining options are onsite: the Baa Bar, which is more casual, and the Swan Pub, which is an elegant gastropub. 

Be sure to… There is so much to do and see around the property and in Southrop. Don’t miss the medieval Church on the property, which reportedly dates back to before King William. And take advantage of other on-site activities—Thyme offers a cooking school, painting classes, and floristry workshops. You can also slip on a pair of the hotel’s wellies and take a walk through the grasslands and reserves that surround the property. The hotel provides a year-round calendar of happenings, including wellness sessions, cooking workshops, and guest speakers.

Parting words… Thyme is much more than an English countryside getaway—it’s a haven of nature and relaxation, a place for the mind and body to unwind. Everyone who works there offers the utmost professional and personal attention. There is no doubt I’ll be back.

Dates of stay…  October 19-21, 2024