Historic stone hotel building with arched windows, white umbrellas, garden plants, and wooden deck chairs on the lawn.

Historic stone building with arched windows and outdoor seating shaded by umbrellas, viewed through tree branches.

The Chapters of Cowley Manor Experimental, 5-star hotel in the Cotswolds

A countryside escape

Nestled in the picturesque Cotswolds, Cowley Manor Experimental is a historic 5-star hotel set amidst a postcard-perfect landscape of rolling hills and a serene lake where swans glide gracefully among lily pads. This haven of serenity has long inspired artists and authors alike.

Explore this enchanting retreat where history meets modernity across 55 acres of idyllic grounds, now infused with the Experimental's signature touch. Remnants of the original house built in the 1600s remain on land once owned by English kings. Cowley Manor Experimental holds a rich heritage, making it one of the most iconic countryside hotels in Cotswolds. It includes a historic role as a refuge during World War II and as the muse behind Lewis Carroll’s Wonderland. Today, the property is home to 36 bedrooms, a spa, a vibrant restaurant and cocktail bar seamlessly blending classical elegance with contemporary nuances, curated by designer Dorothée Meilichzon.

Woman wearing sunglasses and a brown jacket standing in front of a large historic building with arched windows and manicured gardens.

Stone building with classical architectural details surrounded by green trees and bushes under a clear sky.

Stone building with classical columns and multiple windows under a clear blue sky, with green trees and bushes in front.

A manor house at the heart of England’s history

The first iteration constructed in the 1600s. A property once owned by the kings of England. Exchanged by Edward the Confessor for the land in which he built Westminster Abbey. A building designed by the renowned R.A. Briggs. A safe haven for from German air attacks. The inspiration for Alice in Wonderland.

Historic stone building with columns and a flag, large trimmed bushes, and a stone church tower in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Historic stone building with columns and a Flag reading 'Cowley Manor', bicycles parked near entrance, and large green bushes.

Our History

Tucked away in the Cotswolds, an icon of the British countryside. A hotel steeped in history, hidden within a verdant landscape dotted with towering trees and magnificent gardens. As if a book, a place where each chapter tells a tale of British history.

The Story of Cowley Manor Experimental

Long before construction started in the 1600s, the land beneath Cowley Manor Experimental belonged to one of the last Anglo-Saxon Kings. Edward the Confessor exchanged this very land in return for the land on which he constructed Westminster Abbey. The main house is not as old as it looks, although there has been a house on site for many centuries dating back to a mention in the Domesday Book. The buildings as they are today, were built just over 100 years ago.

Once the pinnacle of modern living, the manor was built by craftsmen using traditional materials but also with new inventions and designs. It was the first private house in England to use concrete, an innovation of the time. It showcased a new form of country entertaining, with grand rooms, and unusually, a major spa complex. There were Roman, Greek, and Turkish steam rooms, and a range of pools with water at varying temperatures for different moods.

It is said that Lewis Carroll visited Cowley regularly, staying with friends at what is now the Old Rectory. Local history says Carroll wrote his iconic Alice in Wonderland, during his stays in the local village, drawing his inspiration from the gardens of Cowley Manor. In 2023, Cowley Manor turned a new page and entered the next chapter of its life with Experimental, mindful custodians to protect its historical grandeur.

Stone tower with gothic windows and battlements surrounded by green shrubs and trees under a partly cloudy sky.

Get in touch

For any inquiries or requests,
please get in touch.

LOCATIONS

A journey that started in Paris, in the summer of 2007. A bar on a quiet street, the start of Paris’ cocktail renaissance. As the years went on, new chapters turned, from new cities, to restaurants and finally hotels. Today, Experimental can be found across Paris, London, New York, Venice, Verbier, Val d’Isere, Ibiza, Menorca and out in the British countryside. Each location inspired by the world around it.