Southrop, Gloucestershire

Where the Cotswolds Exhales

A 150-acre estate where slowing down feels like the most indulgent thing of all.

Tucked into the folds of the Gloucestershire countryside, Thyme is the kind of place that makes you wonder why you ever leave England for anywhere else. Spread across a pristine 150-acre estate in the village of Southrop, this historic country retreat weaves together 17th-century stone houses, lovingly restored agricultural barns and winding gravel pathways into something that feels less like a hotel and more like borrowing a very fortunate friend's ancestral home. The estate's own farm and meticulously tended gardens set the tone: this is luxury rooted firmly in the land beneath your feet.

Days here unfold at nature's pace. Mornings might begin with a sound ceremony at the Meadow Spa, afternoons lost in the kitchen gardens or bent over a workbench at The School — where expert-led workshops in cookery, floristry and painting form part of a seasonal Calendar of Happenings that gives each visit its own distinct character. Come evening, the Ox Barn Restaurant beckons, where chef Charlie Hibbert's hyper-seasonal menus — think potato pavé with goat's curd and girolles — honour the estate's own harvests with quiet brilliance.

Thyme resists the urge to shout about itself, and that restraint is precisely its greatest charm. For couples seeking a weekend of genuine restoration — long walks, beautiful food, rooms that whisper rather than perform — this corner of the Cotswolds is simply without equal. Book a cottage, surrender your schedule, and take your Thyme.

Notable Features

What Sets It Apart

Private estate feel
Gardens
Cottages and barns

Gallery

Inside & Out

Guest Voices

What They Say

“We had a really lovely experience overall. The staff were wonderful. The buildings are so well decorated and designed, really outstanding. Everything was efficient and easy to book and navigate. When a hotel stay feels this seamless it means there was a lot of effort put in on the back end, so hats off to the hotel for outstanding work. We absolutely loved the food. The Baa bar was excellent, and the bartender had great recommendations. We also highly recommend taking a cooking class. That was the highlight of our stay. The reason for one star off is a small but frustrating detail around toiletries. We were given one small bar of 3-in-1 soap to share between two people, along with a large body wash container screwed to the wall. The bar of soap really dried out my hair. When I mentioned this to the front desk, they explained it was for environmental reasons, to reduce plastic. That explanation didn’t quite hold up, given there was still a large plastic bottle of body wash provided. It came across less as an environmental choice and more as a cost-saving one, and at this price point, being asked to share a small bar of soap and not providing proper shampoo and conditioner while citing sustainability felt irksome. That said, the experience was otherwise excellent, and with a small adjustment here, it would have been close to perfect.”

Emily4/5

“Simply wonderful - everything is so well considered, from the way the rooms are designed and the amenities they provide, to the food and the service. Staff are outstanding, and clearly testament to the owner’s ethos. The setting is beautiful and the interiors create a fantastically warm and relaxing feel. Spa is small but perfectly formed with a really varied selection of treatments; but all with a holistic focus - amazing breath work too! Having stayed three times, and dined as ‘visitors’ on additional occasions, we will definitely be back. They’ve most recently accommodated a group of 10 of us with very complex and varied dietary requirements and the menu choices and the knowledge of the staff meant it wasn’t remotely problematic. Love the use of homegrown produce and traceability of the meat. Couldn't recommend highly enough.”

Jane Burgess5/5

“Beautiful hotel, restaurant and event space! We came for a drink during the afternoon. With it being a Tuesday in mid October it was quiet but the staff were so attentive and helpful. We tried some fantastic English wines that came recommended by the sommelier. The wedding barn and olive garden are out of this world. Finally the Baa Bar is just the cutest.”

Derek Tesciuba5/5

“We had a wonderful three winter night stay at Thyme Hotel in their Pear Tree Cottage accommodation The accommodation was beautiful the ambiance so wonderful everywhere Food in both the Oxbarn restaurant and the swan pub was delicious The service is attentive and warm nothing was too much trouble. Fanastic cooking lesson with executive Chef Charlie The gardens designed by Bunny Guiness are just magical even in winter Thankyou for a memorable visit Teresa Townsend”

Teresa Townsend5/5

“Very large former cow shed restaurant with a curiously alpine feel. Maybe its front of house staff garb, and very pleasant it is too. Tiny lunch time menu but non the poorer for that, try their Ragu Taliatelli. Its delicious. The seice is great and children will love the life sized model sheep around the place quite as much as their parents!”

Peter Hamblysmith5/5