Buckland Manor, Gloucestershire

By Amanda Constance on May 31st 2010

The history: The ancient valley in which Buckland Manor stands was first mentioned in around 600 AD, when the land was owned by the Abbey of Gloucester. Of significant historical importance, the site is recorded in the Domesday Book.  The manor house passed between the ownership of the Thynne and then Granville family until it was transformed into a luxury hotel in 1981. 

The house: This unspoilt, hidden gem of a manor house nestles next to a splendid 13^th century church in the sleepy honey-stoned hamlet of Buckland. The mullioned windows are beautifully intact and dark wooden panelling in the cosy sitting room area make Buckland the perfect medieval manor house. 

The bedrooms: What we loved about this incredibly comfortable hotel is that they have stayed true to the English country house style without selling out to modernity - there is precisely the right amount of chintz and plenty of English brown furniture. Our bedroom and bathroom were divided by a narrow study with a very old writer’s bureau overlooking the clamorous rookery.  

The guests: Middle aged to older couples. There were only a handful of us staying the evening we were there though it was a Monday night.  Given that it is a small hotel with only 13 rooms this is largely a function of size, which as far as we were concerned was marvellous. 

The restaurant: The restaurant at Buckland Manor has been awarded a number of accolades, including 3 AA Rosettes and Red stars. The staff are extremely polite and discreet. Menus feature fresh local produce from the neighbouring Vale of Evesham, the market garden of England. 

The upside: Buckland Manor is totally unspoilt as a hotel and a bit of a find in the world of corporate hotels. On arrival we were greeting by a butler and am ageing yellow Labrador, Max. As Buckland Manor has been a Relais and Chateau since 1995 it is old fashioned without compromising on quality. As long as you will allow Buckland a few quirky eccentricities it may just be the best country house hotel that you ever find.

The downside: The restaurant could do with being brought up to date a little. At the moment it doesn’t feel dissimilar to going for dinner at your (very smart) great aunt’s house.

The extras: The house is protected by an escarpment flanked by a mass of purple heather at the top of the stone steps in the garden. Buckland is picture perfect – the best of the Cotswolds without the busloads of tourists.  I have always maintained that there is no point going on holiday if the surroundings aren’t as good or better than home and this is certainly true of Buckland Manor. 

www.bucklandmanor.co.uk

Buckland is currently offering B&B and dinner from £255 per night

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