This could be the coolest new place to stay in the Cotswolds
It’s been the summer of self-catering staycations, with many of us heading off hopefully for sometimes drizzly breaks with ultimately varying degrees of success. There’s no doubt it’s hard to capture the glamour of an overseas break or high-end hotel stay in a holiday let, which too often can feel like a home-away-from-home – in the sense that you are still saddled with domestic chores.
However, a converted farmhouse in the Cotswolds – where else? – is aiming to bridge the gap by providing all the trimmings of a hotel with the space and relaxed feel of a house. Last week we took an exclusive peek at the Hoot, which is part of Hillside Hangouts, the latest addition to the ambitious 400-acre Farncombe Estate, a hospitality super-brand that is already home to three top hotels: Dormy House, Foxhill Manor and the Fish. Set above the honey-stone village of Broadway, the estate is a fairy-tale sprawl of woodland and rolling fields, dotted with cycling routes, treehouses and shepherd’s huts.
Officially sleeping 11 adults and four children – though with seven en-suite bedrooms it would accommodate 14 adults comfortably – the house is as suitable for multigenerational family breaks as raucous New Year’s Eve celebrations.
The Hoot also goes big on style, with a lounge area featuring a record player, complete with 1970s vinyls, plus a wood burner. Outside on the terrace, meanwhile, is a top-of-the-range gas barbecue and hot tub that will have you praying for decent weather. As the house is set high on a westerly facing hill in prime Cotswolds countryside, you can see for miles stretching all the way to the Malverns: sitting in a hot tub watching the sunset and sipping a G&T is the dream.
The sociable kitchen is another highlight and with its huge table and island looks like something from a glossy US TV drama. Not that you have to cook: the estate can deliver prepared meals (think pizza and macaroni cheese) or meal kits, ranging from full English boxes to grilled lobster feasts. Of course you could always tuck into oysters and fritto misto at the Fish’s seafood restaurant or head to the MO restaurant at Dormy House.
Guests can also get stuck in with activities on the estate, from a falconry experience, where children can hold and feed kestrels and owls, to clay pigeon shooting. Eclectic options such as axe throwing and yoga are also in the offing and there are talks of adding off-road driving around the estate and adventure golf. Speaking of golf, the estate is located a stone’s throw away from Broadway Golf Club, should you fancy a quick round.
To make the most of their stay, guests at the Hoot are assigned a personal “Hillside Hangout host” to help plan their holiday by booking restaurants and recommending local attractions such as pig-petting farms and gin tours.
Do be sure to keep your phone handy during your stay, as all the information you will need about the house, estate, activities and food is done via QR codes. Otherwise, it is a pleasingly back-to-nature break, with wellies and brollies to borrow from the boot room.
Four-legged friends are welcome, too: there’s even a dog bath and spa-style dog lotions at the house.
The slick Hoot elevates the British holiday let and will no doubt book up quickly as staycations continue to be a competitive business. Thankfully, a second self-catering property on the estate, the Nook, will launch later this year.
Stays at the Hoot start from £1,500 per night based on a minimum three-night stay (01386 854300; hillsidehangouts.co.uk)
