THE LOWDOWN

*** SEE the visit on INSTA here! ***

Calcot & Spa is a boutique country retreat just outside the chic orbit of Tetbury. At first glance the collection of low-key, honey-stoned buildings look like your run-of-the mill country estate. But the hotel’s glossy reputation has won it a virtual trophy cabinet of national awards – not to mention an induction this year into the coveted Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection.

Belonging to the stylish Calcot Collection (yep, The Painswick is its glamorous sibling) step through the Cotswold stone doorway and from the get-go you’ve landed in a place that believes in dialling up your downtime.

Along with 35 rooms, there’s the effortlessly cool Brasserie for top notch dining, or the laid-back Hive for more relaxed eats. Calcot spa is one of the most decadent you’ll find in the Cotswolds (and we don’t say that lightly). The centerpiece is a swanky outdoor hot tub, an indoor pool and seven treatment rooms for full on pampering.

And – brand new for 2025 – there’s The Grain Store, Calcot’s sleek 5-star fitness hub with multiple gyms, classes and a boujee café (I swear, getting into lycra literally never felt so appealing).

Set on a lush 240-acre estate, if it’s quiet you’re craving, this place has it in spades; rolling fields, re-wilded meadows perfect for walks, and Belted Galloway cattle roaming the horizon. It’s just minutes from Tetbury (home to His Majesty KCIII at Highgrove, of course) with its boutiques, bars and antique shops so you’re not far from some action too.

THE VIBE

Bells and whistles! Calcot is seductively luxe from the moment you walk in. I visited on a wintery day and stepping into the welcoming reception was a treat. Check in is set behind a long low desk, and tables in the chic lounges are scattered with glossy books, creating a sophisticated feel throughout. I curled up with a book for ages by the giant roaring fireplace, and it was divinely relaxing.

lounge at calcot manor in gloucestershire

The staff are really attentive and friendly, and the crowd was a mix of local regulars who have claimed Calcot as their go-to hang-out, and hotel guests, wandering around in robe-clad bliss. Girl-gang spa day crews, and a sprinkling of loved-up couples were sipping and chilling in every corner.

THE SPA

Calcot Spa itself is located a short walk from the main building across the car park, but I did it in my robe multiple times, and no one blinked an eye. It’s a fabulous space, with huge floor to ceiling windows looking out onto the alfresco hot tub.

And you don’t have to be a guest here to use the spa either, there’s a full spa day menu to tempt you in, from a twilight evening spa to a full day, top-to-toe MOT.

I went for the Tailored Day Spa, as a proper reset is just what I needed mid the festive countdown. It includes full use of the spa, from 10am to 5pm (yep, I was queuing up at 9.55am!), tea or coffee on arrival, a two-course lunch in the spa and two 55-minute treatments of your choice, from a CACI Ultra Facial to a Himalayan Salt Ritual.

The treatments were dreamy, I book-ended them at the start and finish of the day which works well. I went for a De-Stress Back and Scalp Massage first. The heated bed was so luxurious and the massage itself with essential oils of lavender, ginger and rose, hit all the right spots (and knots).

The Facial was my favourite though – ultimate hydration and glow for my weary winter skin? A hard yes. It was 55 minutes of relaxing cleansing, hyaluronic acid serums and massaging with cryo spoons – actual stainless steel spoons with an ice cold liquid core, which worked total miracles on the ever-increasing dark circles around my eyes – absolute bliss.

For lunch, you can choose from two courses from a range of salads, soups and desserts.

I went for the Portobello Mushroom Soup with Calcot Sourdough, and a Cous Cous Salad with Moroccan Chicken for mains. Simple, light dishes, that won’t leave you too full for the hot tub – oh, and the smoothies here are really good too.

A total sucker for lunch in a robe, the lounge here is the perfect place to graze. This area had always been quite small I’d thought, so it was great to see things have had a reg-jig, extending it into a much larger space for fizz with friends now.

For the rest of the day I floated between the 16m heated pool, sauna and steam room and – the absolute star of the show at Calcot in my opinion – the outdoor hot tub. Heated to a balmy 38 degrees in winter, and set infront of a roaring wood fire, it’s sheer heaven for unwinding.

It’s a blissfully an adults-only zone, but don’t worry though if the littles are in tow, kids are catered for inside well with a separate kiddies’ splash pool. I imagine it would be a gorgeous sun trap in the summer, but on a crisp winter’s evening, it was a steamy, lantern-lit, 10/10 paradise.

SCOFF & QUAFF

Take your pick from two dining areas at Calcot; the Brasserie boasts two AA-rosettes and is a fine-dining experience, and The Hive for more laid-back grazing (both are very kid-friendly incidentally).

My partner and I opted for The Brasserie, the menu here is proudly seasonal and clever without feeling like it’s showing off, with a menu that felt both comforting and a bit special at the same time.

food at The brasserie at Calcot hotel in Gloucestershire

For starters, we both couldn’t resist the Dressed cornish crab with grilled sourdough and lemon aioli – it comes as a sharing platter for two which is fab if you’re on a romantic night out. It was outstanding too, I’ll be honest, Mr Muddy barely really got a look in.

For mains I carried on the fish theme with the North atlantic cod with shellfish beurre blanc, leek and potato cake and burnt lemon gel. This was such a tasty dish and beautifully presented. My other half had the 8oz Sirloin steak with Koffman’s chips and red wine jus, which was cooked to perfection and got a solid 10 out of 10.

The Coastal cauliflower cheese was a standout side too – so moorish and oozing with delicious cheesiness. The desserts menu is well curated, we had the Black forest gateaux with almond florentine and amaretto and cherry ice cream, and from the vegan menu, the Chocolate Brownie with raspberry sauce and raspberry sorbet.

Both were unfaultable, and utterly delicious. Cheese-lover? The menu for after-dinner cheese here is no afterthought either, instead there was a mouth-watering selection of local and UK cheese, such as Simon Weaver Organic Gloucestershire Brie.

Down the corridor is The Hive, a stylish café and lounge, with cosy nooks for grazing throughout the day. It’s a a cool, ambient eatery for cocktails, pre-dinner gatherings or if you just fancy not worrying whether the children are wearing breadsticks in their ears (not that the staff would notice, they are so friendly).

PILLOW TALK

Prepare to flop in style. There are 35 beautifully appointed rooms, some located in the main house and others in converted barns and cottages, offering everything from cosy boltholes for couples to family suites.

My room (above) was enormous, and had a lovely view over a courtyard. The rustic-chic styling was gorgeous, straight out of the pages of Country Life, with the softest Egyptian cotton bed linen, monogrammed cushions, and a soothing, muted greige colour pallette.

It fully passed the Muddy Pillow test too with the squishiest, proper feather pillows which I loved, and a generous selection of free snacks. The locally-made 100 Acres toiletries were also divine. And I liked the touch of being able to scan the QR code on your bedside table for room service, newspapers, cocktails… you name it.

Hot off the press news for staying here in 2026? Treehouses are coming to Calcot! Watch this space, but 2026 will see two new treehouses built in the stunning grounds to stay in.

WHAT ELSE?

Calcot’s glossy wellness playground The Grain Store opened in February 2025, transforming an old barn into a state-of-the-art fitness haven. I took a whistlestop tour (watch out for the review coming soon) and it’s super-luxe.

Spread across two huge stone barns there’s 280 sqm of fitness space equipped with Technogym machines, a spin shed, yoga studio, and extensive rota of fitness classes. There’s a holistic studio for yoga and more, and a high impact studio for cardio workouts. The Grain Store café is so stylish too, a great spot to relax with proper barista coffees, smoothies and snacks.

Plus – brand new for 2026 – watch out for a fabulous Recovery Garden being built here, which has plans for a luxe wellness area, two wild saunas and cold plunge baths.

KID-FRIENDLY?

Calcot might just love your kids even more than you do! Say hello to The Playbarn. This place is every weary parent’s secret weapon and every child’s happiest place. A bright, purpose-built space that’s Ofsted-registered. Inside you’ll find climbing zones, crafty corners and even a 14-seater mini cinema for movie time.

It’s open daily for supervised sessions, giving kids their fun fix while grown-ups slip off for a (let’s face it) well deserved spa treatment, a long lunch or a precious moment of peace and quiet.

PET-FRIENDLY?

Calcot is very pooch-friendly. Furry friends are permitted in certain rooms and designated areas like the Hive café/lounge/terraces. Expect dog beds, bowls, and treats, with ample grounds for walks.

ACCESSIBILITY?

Good. Calcot aims to be accessible, and there are ground floor rooms with ramp access and disabled changing rooms in the spa. Bear in mind it’s a historic property though, so some areas, such as the main house’s upper floors, aren’t fully accessible.

OUT & ABOUT

You’re in prime Cotswold country here. The hotel itself has special Nature Trails in the grounds that you can do (ask at reception for a map). Outside, one way lies Tetbury with its trendy wine bars and boutiques stuffed with antiques, fashion and gorgeous interior finds.

Leafy Westonbirt Arboretum, stunning at all times of year and featuring a canopy sky walk is five miles south, and Highgrove Garden is nearby if you want to take a tour of His Majesty’s shrubbery. The market town of Nailsworth is just 10 minutes away, with tons of indie shops to explore.

The nearest station is close at Kemble, a 20-minute drive away. Fan out in any direction from Calcot and you’re spoilt for choice. Don’t want to stray far? Hire some bikes at Calcot & Spa and pootle around the extensive grounds instead.

THE DAMAGE

This isn’t the cheapest stay in the Cotswolds – but then you come here for a slice of unbridled luxury. A stay in a Cosy Room with breakfast starts at around £385. Fancy a meal out at The Brasserie? A full 3-course meal with sides for two, without wine, will set you back around £140, but you’ll have zero regrets.

Calcot’s spa packages are really competitive for the Cotswolds, starting from just £120. The Tailored Day Spa costs £320pp, and it includes full use of the facilities, a two-course lunch and two 55-minute treatments – well worth it for an entire day of unadulterated pampering.

MUDDY VERDICT

GOOD FOR: Dreamy weekends away for couples who want to sink into a hot tub and forget the world exists, pamper-hungry friends in need of a proper catch-up, and anyone craving a few hours of pure, restorative bliss. Families are made to feel really welcome and foodies will adore the elevated field-to-fork plates.

NOT FOR: If you like your getaway with a more urban edge, this place is pure Cotswold rustic-luxe – the wildest thing you’ll have to do here is decide between another dip in the outdoor hot tub or a second dessert.

Book the Tailored Day Spa, from £320. Or Winter Bubbles – a midweek stay with complimentary afternoon tea for two, two glasses of Domaine Evremond, unlimited Calcot Spa and Grain Store access and a full Cotswold breakfast. Available Sunday – Thursday, until March 2026. From £393 per night.

Calcot & Spa, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, GL8 8YJ.

Review: Calcot & Spa, Tetbury

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