The Cotswolds is one of the most bucolic areas of England. The flip side to that, of course, is that the region’s charms also attract a large number of tourists and day-trippers. But it is possible to get away from the crowds.
One way to do that is to visit one of the villages located off the tourist trail that are no less lovely than those more popular with visitors – such as Buckland, which is a “hidden gem”.
Buckland is located around a 20-minute drive from the market town of Moreton-in-the-Marsh and only a couple of miles from the village of Broadway. That makes it an ideal base from which to explore the Cotswold’s busier places, while being able to retire to somewhere calmer.
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Buckland may be lower-key than either Moreton-in-the-Marsh or Broadway, but it still has all the culture and history one would associate with the Cotswolds.
Every village needs a church
Take Buckland’s Grade I-listed village church, St Michael’s, for example. It dates from the start of the 13th century. Although extremely small, the church contains a number of historic relics and artefacts, including a stained-glass window that originally came from Hailes Abbey in Cheltenham.
Designer William Morris was so taken with it that he paid to have it re-leaded. There are also some wall paintings on display that had been whitewashed during the Reformation, but have now been partially restored.
Right next door to St Michael’s you’ll find Buckland Manor, a luxurious country house hotel with a heritage that arguably extends even further back into the distant past. Records show a manor having existed on the site since at least 600AD, which you could say makes it older than England itself!
The estate was at one time owned by Gloucester Abbey, before it was taken over by various families, including the Greshams, who provided two lord mayors of London and built the current house in 1750. Since 2011, it has been owned by the Andrew Brownsword chain of luxury hotels.
The grounds are lovingly tended
Sumptuous gardens, a croquet lawn and a tennis court
Buckland Manor has only 15 rooms and great thought has gone into making each as comfortable as possible. When I entered my room, “The Aviary”, I was struck by how bright and airy it was, as well as how plump and soft the bed and the pillows were.
Then my attention was drawn to the magnificent panoramic view through the window of the grounds. Encompassing ten acres, the Manor’s grounds are sumptuous and lovingly tended.
A huge croquet lawn culminates in steps leading up through a sea of purple lavender to another garden. There are sculptures, mini ponds and a tennis court with its own hut should you feel compelled to shelter from the elements.
The Manor can also arrange activities for an additional fee, such as archery, or a drive in a supercar.
Buckland Manor has a luxurious, country-house feel
A hearty breakfast to set you up for a day of exploring the area
The hotel has also become popular with foodies and after having eaten dinner at Buckland Manor, it’s not hard to see why. I recommend the Salcombe Bay crab and the roasted halibut, which I followed with a wonderful selection of English cheeses. Every dish was as pleasing to the eye as it was to the taste buds.
As tantalising as the food was, come breakfast there were also practicalities to consider; namely, filling me up for a long day of sightseeing ahead. On this score, the hotel did not disappoint. Opt for the “Buckland Breakfast” – a hearty combination of local sausage, dry cured bacon, field mushrooms, grilled tomatoes and black pudding.
The food and the accommodation were excellent, and I found the staff both friendly and helpful. When I enquired about some walks in the area, for instance, the staff on the front desk were able to give me several suggestions, providing me with detailed directions and maps.
Overall, Buckland Manor – perhaps even more than the village of Buckland itself – deserves to be thought of as one of the Cotswold’s true “hidden gems”.
Matthew was a guest of Buckland Manor. Overnight stays start from £310 per night, two sharing including breakfast. A ‘Ready, Set, Spring’, valid until 30 June 2025, includes savings of 20% on three night or longer stays, and 15% on two-night stays, with a £50 culinary credit per room, for every night you stay.
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