A stay at Calcot Manor
For those who love the idea of staying in a spa hotel in the Cotswolds (and who doesn’t?) and are travelling with children, Calcot Manor luxury hotel near Circencester, is a great choice – a Cotwolds family hotel but still with that element of luxury.
While you don’t have to have children to enjoy Calcot’s charms – this Cotswolds hotel has lovely rooms, good food, massages and beauty treatments and so on, all in the heart of the Cotswolds countryside – you might find your morning swim is joined by small infants splashing about, or that breakfast time is rather lively.
Calcot Manor dates back from the 14th century and the main building houses the restaurant and pub and some rooms, while others are in a separate building across the stone courtyard
However the prevalence of small ones does give it a more relaxed and casual air. There are several dining options at Calcot Manor, including elegant dining in the Brasserie or ‘laze and dine’ at the cafe lounge The Hive and they are both less formal than in a grand country house hotel.
Looking for hotels in the Cotswolds?
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The Greenway hotel and spa, Cheltenham – luxury with the fizz factor
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Snug Cotswolds luxury at Dormy House, Broadway
Barnsley House, a wonderfully cosy Cotswolds retreat
A traditional Cotswolds pub stay at the Kings Head, Bledington
Calcot Manor is set in 220 of Cotswolds countryside – perfect for a brisk walk before lunch
The Brasserie restaurant where we had dinner and breakfast the following day
The children in the restaurant were fascinated by the hand-carved ham
Calcot House restaurant
Having said that, it’s not just about the children: the food is really rather good and full of nice touches – a massive hand-carved leg of Spanish ham for example, a large and varied cheese selection and attentive staff. Both our evening meal and breakfast the following morning were really good, with a wide selection to choose from and promptly served.
Visit Calcot Manor on Tripadvisor
For dinner I started with seared scallops with cauliflower and truffle puree, which looked and tasted great, and then went onto the herb-crusted lamb which was equally good. Obviously the cheeseboard couldn’t be ignored, and I was rather glad that we’d had a big walk around the local fields before dinner.
My starter of seared scallops with cauliflower and truffle puree
An epic souffle
Exploring the Cotswolds from Calcot Manor
However if you have wriggly youngsters with bags of energy to work off you will probably spend less time eating and more trying to wear them out before bedtime, and here Calcot Manor is perfectly placed, set in 220 acres of green Cotswolds countyside with walking trails clearly marked.
Calcot Manor’s location just near Circencester means the surrounding area is flattish fields rather than the more picturesque undulating hills round Broadway, for example, but it’s still a great way to get rid of the cobwebs (or tire out little legs).
The view of the surrounding field from the courtyard
There’s an outdoor swimming pool (closed during the winter months) but an indoor one open all year round, playground, a outdoor hot tub, tennis courts and bikes to hire.
Calcot Manor spa
The first day we arrived I headed straight for the spa but it wasn’t very relaxing – it seemed to be children’s hour in the pool, the hot tub was full of teenagers and there were no loungers available in the small chill-out area upstairs.
Calcot Manor spa has a swimming pool, steam room, sauna and outdoor hot tub
After a while of waiting some became free, but even then the design of the room – the sauna and steam room were in the same area as the loungers – meant that the doors to both were constantly banging open and shut – not quite a luxury spa experience.
The next morning after breakfast my rose facial was very relaxing and indulgent and there is a large area downstairs serving anything from herbal juices to champagne which seemed to be very popular.
Calcot Manor in the sunshine
Most bedrooms, family rooms and suites are mainly located in a separate building just across a stone courtyard , although 12 rooms are in the main house.
Our family bedroom at Calcot Manor – the third bed is just on the left
Calcot Manor bedrooms
Our room was a family room, with twin beds at one end and a third bed at the other. Both the bathroom and room itself were smart and spotless, with a massive TV, mini-bar and Nespresso machine.
There were nice touches here such as a bag of bath toys for children, but the bath itself had a massive border which would make it difficult to lift children in and out of.
The bath at Calcot Manor was very smart (but possibly not designed with the very young or very old in mind)
Calcot Manor breakfast
Breakfast was excellent – a full buffet and cooked options with quick and friendly service.
There was a huge choice at breakfast for children and grown-ups alike
Scrambled eggs and smoked salmon for breakfast at Calcot Manor
When we checked out we were even given a little sweetie bag each – perfect for travellers big and small.
Hotel information and to book Calcot Manor
Calcot Manor, near Tetbury, Gloucestershire, GL8 8YJ.
Tel: 01666 890 391
Rooms available from £199 per night including breakfast.
Visit Calcot Manor on Tripadvisor
Calcot Manor is a member of the PoB Hotels group.
Looking for amazing spa hotels?
Chewton Glen hotel, New Forest: luxury from spa to treehouse
Lucknam hotel near Bath: a luxury Palladian mansion stay
Rockcliffe Hall, Darlington: a luxury family spa escape
Relaxing spa break at Ragdale Hall, Leicestershire
Whatley Manor Hotel and spa: a luxury Cotswolds gem
Luxury spa break at South Lodge near Horsham, West Sussex
