Oh, look, another Georgian gaff in the Cotswolds. How original. Well, this one is actually quite special. Unlike all the other field faff you find in this part of the world, The Rectory strips it bare in favour of boutique fuss-free living minus the pretentious heels. Over the years, Cotswoldian custom dictates you can’t go anywhere without being laced in head-to-toe brands (Barbour wellies and gilets), but here, nobody cares what you look like, and that’s part of its slow-luxe living appeal. How lovely.
The house itself—once the former rectory of the village church—is a mish-mash of the old and the new. Think elegant and symmetrical high Georgian sash meets modern Britannica: cushty couches and lots of functional patterned design pieces—nice tables topped with Slim Aarons hardbacks and plenty of places to plant your tush basically. Outside, a quaint garden home to blousy daisies and shrubs completes the English countryside escape fantasy alongside walls of lavender chockers with buzzing bees and a lily pad patch swarming with the odd dragonfly. Pair it all with the secluded heated pool, complete with sun loungers and The Rectory’s medley of picnic tables and voila, you have the complete Cotswolds package wrapped up in a pretty bow.
The rooms, though lacklustre, benefit from a restrained touch. At first, the seagrass carpets, oiled wood, and earthy colours seemed nothing short of lazy and boring, but once I sat in silence staring out of the window for the best part of half an hour, it became obvious the room’s state of demure was very much the point. While there are TVs and roll-top tubs to keep you entertained, the stripped-back aesthetic is there to encourage city folk like me to simply switch off and just be. Nothing in the rooms are ostentatious or loud as per the point. Instead, they are an advert for quiet stripped back luxe—ultra trendy yes, but what SEO analytics and trend reports will tell you everyone is looking for nowadays, including myself.
Foodies will like it here, too. Head chef Jake Simpson—of former Bocca di Lupo fame— is the mastermind behind the menus and has crafted a hearty, yet surprisingly light menu of British classics with European flair. The chicken liver parfait was a standout, as were the posh chips (potato cake on the menu) and the overly generous portion of pistachio pesto agnolotti. The choux bun dessert filled with custard, raspberry, and lemon verbena was bloody delicious, so make sure you order that, too. Breakfast was equally good, and as I always say, if you are going to stay at a country house hotel, ditch the continental option for a full cooked breakfast. The sausages alone were worth the extra calories.
Fast Facts
Location: Crudwell, Wiltshire, England
Rating: Five-star
The vibe: Country house chic without all the annoying show-offs.
Room Count: 18
Starting Rate: From about 230 USD per night, including breakfast.
Dining: Lovely jubbly classic British deliciousness served with a smidge of European frivolity. It’s tasty, but I would say that if you are a fusspot like me, tell them how you want things cooked, especially the pasta.
Amenities: Bar, restaurant, gardens, pool
Our Favourite Thing About the Hotel: Everything they do here is at a sedate pace. You are meant to relax, and that is the point.
What’s Nearby? The chocolate box village of Crudwell.
Any personal neighbourhood recs? The cute town of Crudwell is well worth a stroll in, as is nearby Malmesbury, which is home to a rather glorious 12th-century abbey.
Closest Airport: London Heathrow
