In short… A collection of cottages, guest houses, and charming countryside inns in the heart of the Cotswolds.
The surroundings… Think classic Cotswolds: storybook English countryside, with manicured hedges lining winding roads as you drive past quaint thatched stone cottages, and pastures scattered with sheep and very well looked after cows. We took an hourlong train from London Paddington to Kingham and were collected at the station; driving on to Daylesford, it seems as if you’re passing through a quaint English town, but you soon realize that the cottages are all part of the wider Daylesford landscape—including Daylesford Farm’s renowned organic market—seamlessly restored to fit their historical context. Daylesford Village itself is a 15-cottage hamlet, where you soon feel as if you’re living a scene straight out of The Holiday.
The vibe… Everything at Daylesford is a thoughtful mix of old and new. Behind the cottages’ traditional facades are interiors that feel modern and fresh, while still relating to the location. Daylesford, like The Cotswolds generally, lean a bit English-countryside-meets-the-Hamptons, as the area has experienced an exodus of Londoners who have been investing in glow-ups. There’s a bit of a sceney vibe, too—not in an obnoxious way, just that you might end up running into someone you know during your stay!
The rooms… We stayed in Elm Cottage, a two-bedroom house in Daylesford Village with a comfortable kitchen-living room downstairs, and very cozy bedrooms on the second floor. Most of the cottages here have two or more bedrooms, ideal for a group or family. The kitchenette is incredibly well decked-out, with a mini AGA stove, oven, and all of the necessary appliances. Guests are invited to shop at the Daylesford Market, their farm store filled with home-grown produce, dairy from their cows, farm-fresh eggs, and more. The bathrooms are stocked with Bamford products—the plant-based body and skincare line founded by organic farming pioneer and Daylesford founder Carole Bamford. After a couple of nights, the whole house really began to feel like home.
The food & drink… Before checking in we stopped for lunch at The Fox, a classic English gastropub, for fish and chips and a pizza (highly recommend). The restaurant was packed with guests and locals and warmed by woodburning fires, leaving you smelling like wintertime. Our first dinner coincided with November 1st—the Day of the Dead—and the admittedly unexpected party on property served up some of the best Mexican food I’ve had, let alone in the UK. The next evening we ate at The Wild Rabbit, a beautifully restored village pub turned fine dining restaurant with rooms upstairs. The menu was seasonally driven and delicious, the standout being their Daylesford chicken prepared three ways and designed for sharing, accompanied by some incredible sides and good enough to doggy-bag up the leftovers.
The wellness… There’s a lovely spa on property and we both opted for the Geranium treatment, which included a full-body scrub and invigorating massage followed by a great routine of sauna, cold plunge, and outdoor hot tub—really the perfect day! I especially loved the sun-filled relaxation rooms, with warm hot-water bottles scattered around for relaxing post-treatment. They also have a wide selection of pilates and yoga classes for both guests and locals—I took a Pilates reformer class, which was perfectly invigorating.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes, incredibly so! The cottages are great for families, with kitchens that bring a welcome flexibility for meals. The property is also dog-friendly, as Carole Bamford is known to be a massive dog lover, and guests are encouraged to bring their pets. I noticed a lovely dog bed provided in the supply closet, a nice detail.
Be sure to… Take a walk down to the main Daylesford Farm and go for a mooch around in the Daylesford Shop. If you’re local or staying in a cottage, bring some of the incredibly fresh produce home with you to prolong your visit. There are also lots of great knick-knacks and gifts in the shop, including some of the chicest dog accessories I’ve ever seen.
Date of stay… November 1st-3rd, 2025
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