Gardens and grounds
Gladwin Hall steals around five-and-a-half acres of lawn, meadow and woodland from the rolling Cotswold hills that surround the River Churn. Take a glass of fizz out to the terrace where nature does its thing and savour the silence.
In this ever-so-English setting of grace and grandeur, play a little croquet on the lawn. Or will it be badminton or archery? As darkness falls, climb into the seven-seat hot tub and stare at the winking skies.
Living spaces
Gladwin Hall has a grandeur and an elegance found only in English country houses. There’s period detail embedded in every huge social area. Deep skirts, ornate cornicing, original fireplaces, chandeliers and heavy curtains are the order of the day. And by night, the toys come out to play.
Head to the games room for the combined table that offers pool, table tennis and air hockey. Twist your wrists around a game of table football. Set the mood of the day with some sounds on the Sonos system.
Pack some popcorn because movie nights might make your holiday here. The purpose-built cinema room comes with a 106”-screen wall TV. Pick a programme from Freeview, use your own account to log in to Smart TV options, or order up some entertainment on Apple.
There’s another 40” TV in the living room, BT wifi keeps you in touch with the world, and self-entertainers will enjoy the grand piano in the lounge. These are uplifting spaces – light, bright and airy, with garden views and modern colours. Chill, get together, slide apart, read, play, sing. Do your own thing.
Cooking and dining
Plenty of space for everyone around the huge dining room table, but will there be room for dessert? Loaded up with Gloucester Old Spot Pork and full-bodied reds from Tivoli Wines, you might struggle. Maybe just save some space for the Double Gloucester cheese and a spot of port.
The centre of all this Mastercheffery is the sleek, minimalist kitchen, home to three electric ovens and five hobs. But if that’s not your thing, feel free to call upon the culinary craft of Home Flair Catering or Jack’s Kitchen. Eating al fresco? You’ll need Hog Roast Cheltenham.
When you’re done, dish up the coffee from the cafetières and feed the dishwashers while you settle back in the adjoining living room to let the dust settle on dinner. Eating out? Try The Green Dragon, breathing fire onto Cotswold Game Sausage or chargrilled sirloin washed down with pints of Butcombe or Hooky.
Head to The Colesbourne Inn for pan-fried monkfish or the catch of the day, or to The Langton to try four-bone lamb rack with chorizo or maple-glazed pork belly with pig cheek. Pushing the boat out? Book well ahead for Le Champignon Sauvage, Michelin-starred and serving modern French food made from the finest ingredients.
Bedrooms
Bedrooms at Gladwin Hall are from another planet, a five-star experience comparable with the finest hotels and complete with fellow guests you actually like. What’s not to love?
Bedroom one on the ground floor is a kingsize, while bedroom two offers a choice of super kingsize or two singles. Bedroom three has the same configuration with the bonus of a smart en-suite with shower.
Bedrooms four and five also offer the choice between super kingsize or two singles, while bedroom six is a kingsize offering an en-suite with bath and shower. Bedroom seven is a super kingsize (or two singles) with shower en-suite, while bedroom eight is another super kingsize with singles options. Bedrooms nine, ten, eleven and twelve are all super kingsize or singles and all benefit from shower en-suites. Bedroom nine also has a bath.
All rooms sleep two and have hairdryers. Z-beds can be made available for a little family flexibility, but the total guest count mustn’t exceed 24. Sweet dreams.
What people say
Animal magic, abbeys and festivals
Kids will love the animal magic on offer at Birdland Park, the Cotswold Wildlife Park and Crocodiles of the World. Chug past glorious scenery on the steam railway and explore interactive museums. For grown-ups, abbeys, priories and cathedrals abound, plus bags of fascinating independent shops, golf and festivals.
