Ellenborough Park in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire — Country House Hotel

Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

History, Elegance and 90 Glorious Acres

Where Cotswolds grandeur meets the kind of warmth that lingers long after you leave.

Tucked between the Cotswolds' loftiest peak and the legendary gallops of Cheltenham Racecourse, Ellenborough Park is the kind of place that makes you wonder why you ever considered leaving England for warmer shores. This lovingly restored five-star manor house commands 90 acres of glorious grounds, where history seeps through every stone and the countryside unfolds in every direction with almost theatrical beauty. Roll-top baths, sumptuous Hypnos beds and rooms brimming with authentic country house character ensure that the moment you arrive, the outside world simply ceases to exist.

For those seeking restoration of body and soul, the spa — secreted away in the tower and enveloped by nature — offers everything from the indulgent Lady Ellenborough package to the quietly revelatory Japanese Head Spa experience. Dining leans proudly local, with carefully crafted dishes that celebrate Gloucestershire's finest produce, while packages such as the Romantic Retreat (complete with Champagne and homemade chocolates) and the Little Explorers offer for families prove that Ellenborough Park has mastered the rare art of feeling simultaneously intimate and wonderfully inclusive.

With over 2,350 glowing TripAdvisor reviews and the coveted title of the Cotswolds' number one best value luxury hotel for 2026, Ellenborough Park delivers five-star magic without the eye-watering guilt. Book direct and save up to 20% — quite frankly, there has never been a better excuse to lose yourself in the English countryside for a few blissful nights.

Notable Features

What Sets It Apart

  • 2,352 TripAdvisor reviews
  • Stunning grounds
  • Spa
  • Near Cheltenham

Gallery

Inside & Out

Ellenborough Park — interior and exterior view 1
Ellenborough Park — interior and exterior view 2
Ellenborough Park — interior and exterior view 3
Ellenborough Park — interior and exterior view 4
Ellenborough Park — interior and exterior view 5
Ellenborough Park — interior and exterior view 6

Guest Voices

What They Say

We stayed at Ellenborough Park Hotel for a racing weekend and couldn’t ask for a better location. The connection to the racecourse is seamless, making the logistic of the weekend stress-free. A huge shoutout to the staff, who were professional and welcoming throughout, and the entertainment provided was a wonderful touch that really elevated the atmosphere. My only small criticism would be breakfast. While the service was great, the food didn’t hit the same luxury heights as the rest of the stay. Specially, the kipper was served quite plainly on its own looked a bit underwhelming on the plate. Everything else was great!

Kinga Price4/5

An exceptional five-star stay from start to finish. The hotel is stunning — beautifully designed rooms, luxurious linens, and every comfort thoughtfully provided. The spa and dining experiences were outstanding, with staff who were attentive, professional, and genuinely welcoming throughout our visit. We loved the charming atmosphere and elegant common spaces that made the hotel feel both grand and cozy. The only disappointment was a brief moment when we were told we couldn’t sit by the fireplace, despite it appearing available. It was a small service misstep in an otherwise flawless stay, but worth mentioning as that warm fireside ambiance was something we were really looking forward to. Aside from that, everything exceeded expectations. We left feeling truly relaxed and cared for, and we’d happily return — this hotel delivers luxury with personality and is well worth the visit.

Gary Stoner5/5

A truly perfect weekend getaway!!! For those looking for a peaceful and beautiful time full of fresh air, good food and spa treatments, this is your place. Ellenborough park hotel has great facilities and even better grounds. We spent Saturday enjoying a beautiful clear winters day, walking down to Cheltenham race course and enjoying the spa until 7pm. Sunday morning started with the use of the gym, which was small but definitely up to standard. Followed by a dip in the pool and a proper 5* breakfast. I couldn't recommend Ellenborough park enough and I look forward to hopefully returning for Cheltenham festival in the future!

Daniel Hoff5/5

I had the privilege to stay over at this hotel and what a beautiful day and night it was. Attended a wellness retreat with a group of people, the day was lovely and sunny although this was in October, very fresh weather and it complemented the hotel so beautifully as the sunset was absolutely gorgeous 😍 About 15 mins drive from Cheltenham spa station, you drive into this serene estate that takes you round to the reception entrance. The staff are very welcoming and friendly. The hotel grounds is so pretty with meeting rooms, bar, restaurant, private dining room, a converted barn and outdoor seating area, a pool, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi, treatment rooms...though the spa facilities is a bit small. I couldn't use it at the time as it was maxed out with people. The dinner was so good! Well executed by the chef, thoroughly enjoyed the candle making session which can be organised as part of your package. Loads of grounds to walk about, trails etc The room was quite nice and huge, loved the fact that you can regulate the air conditioning otherwise it could become very stuffy quickly! The hotel rooms are dotted around, some in the main building and others in the outbuildings. Overall, I like and would recommend this place and venue 😍🥰

Olapeju Ashiru4/5

As a Canadian visiting the Cotswolds, I was absolutely delighted with my stay at Ellenborough Park. The hospitality team are outstanding - genuinely warm, attentive, and eager to make every guest feel cared for. Nothing was ever too much trouble. Special thanks to the bar and restaurant team for their impeccable service and charm, and to Laura in the spa for a truly blissful Japanese Head Spa treatment. I stayed in Room 5, located in the original manor house. It was spacious and beautifully furnished, with a very comfortable bed and a large bathroom featuring both a bath and separate shower. Naturally, as with any historic building, the floors slope and creak a little - but that’s precisely what gives the place its character and charm. The food was excellent, with the team happily accommodating any dietary or personal preferences. Before booking, I had read a few of the less flattering reviews and wondered what to expect. Having now experienced Ellenborough Park for myself, I can only say those comments are utterly misplaced. The property is beautifully maintained, clearly signposted, and staffed by attentive, capable people who are always nearby to assist. Thank you to everyone at Ellenborough Park for such a relaxing and memorable stay. It’s a truly special place, and I look forward to returning. You are fortunate to have such a great team here.

Natasha Fritzley5/5

Ellenborough Park

Ellenborough Park Hotel, Southam Ln, Cheltenham GL52 3NJ, UK

Guest Rating

4.3/ 5

Based on 1,193 reviews

Category

Luxury

Location

Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

Price Range

£300-400/night

Style

Country House Hotel

Best For

couplesfamiliesvalue luxury
Dog-Friendly
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