There is nowhere more beautiful than the English countryside on a glorious summer’s day. And nowhere as fashionable, uplifting, and nourishing as the Cotswolds, which has just the right amount of rural charm—in the most luxurious way. Imagine a landscape of honey-coloured cottages and water-meadow walks, where the food is exquisite and the views incredible—all just two easy hours from London—and you get the idea.

Set on a 150-acre estate with a restaurant, pub, spa, and 31 bedrooms across a Georgian rectory, a 17th-century farmhouse, garden rooms, and cottages, Thyme is more than a hotel; it’s a retreat that fosters both belonging and escape. The accommodations are warm and inviting, with thoughtful touches like a Negroni infused with garden distillations or a hand-illustrated note awaiting in the bedroom. These details linger, making you want to return. You leave uplifted by long walks, homegrown food in the striking Ox Barn dining room, and the imaginative revival of these historic farm buildings.

A pretty courtyard garden leads to reception, where a warm welcome follows your drive through the village of Southrop, with The Swan pub at its heart. At Thyme, no two rooms are alike, each inspired by botanical themes and ever evolving. Take Rivermint, one of four newly refurbished Cutting Garden rooms, adorned in Bertioli textiles and wallpaper. The head-to-toe pattern, created by Thyme founder Caryn Hibbert, is at once cocooning and serene. Every Bertioli design originates from Caryn’s watercolors and is co-launched with daughter Milly Hibbert, who is also the hotel’s general manager. The Bertioli fabrics and related products offer guests, at a visit’s end, the chance to take home a touch of Thyme.

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WRITTEN BY CLAIRE BINGHAM

This story appeared in the Summer 2025 issue of MILIEU