Chic in the cotswolds
Grade II-listed Burleigh Court makes for an ideal escape, says Abi Jackson
Burleigh Court, a 19th century manor house in the heart of the Cotswolds, is nestled on a hillside above the market town of Minchinhampton, overlooking Stroud’s golden valley.
Ivy and pink roses creep up its weathered Cotswoldstone walls and there’s a delightfully dishevelled edge to its gardens and four-acre grounds, with flower-lined paths and shadowed crannies tucked behind hedges, begging to be explored.
In fact, a wander around the grounds – there’s a kitchen garden and art deco plunge pool out the back, and hammocks out on the lawn – is a great way to build up an appetite. Or you could simply enjoy an aperitif on the terrace. Thankfully for us, here for a relaxed weekend break, there’s time for all three – and an Aperol spritz in the early-evening sunshine, soaking up the valley views, takes the sting out of being thrashed at croquet.
Husband and wife team James and Corinna Rae took ownership of Burleigh Court in March 2019.
They were “two people getting tired of London and wanting to do something different with our lives,” says Corinna, with no previous hotel experience but lots of ideas and a clear aim. “Country charm with a touch of luxury,” explains Corinna. “And a ‘home away from home’ feel.”
We’ve timed our visit for the launch of their Wild Foodie Foraging experience, which anyone staying at the hotel and non-guests can book on to (check their website for dates of future events). Professional forager Martin Bailey leads our group of ten. We begin in the gardens, with a brief introduction to foraging sensibly and the importance of being absolutely certain something’s safe before eating it (“Don’t munch on a hunch!”), before heading up the road.
The Cotswolds is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and prime foraging ground. We soon find ourselves on a sweeping meadow, scattered with wildflowers, shrubs and elderflower trees. Martin helps us identify some species – we spot threecornered leek (from the garlic family), broad leaf plantain, yarrow, wild thyme and sorrel and even chew on a few.
After a couple of hours, we head back to Burleigh Court and enjoy a Wild Food
Lunch together on the back terrace, chatting like old friends and tucking into colourful plates with ingredients freshly plucked from the kitchen garden. I have a forager’s salad followed by risotto with broccoli, peas and foraged leaves.
This area has loads of scenic walks, with plenty of options whether you’re a full-day hiker or more of a stroll-to-the-pub type. Other nearby activities you could explore include mountain e-biking and golf, and of course the Cotswolds is famous for its beautiful old towns and villages, with markets, tearooms and cobbled streets galore, for those with a car.
Leave time to switch off and relax at Burleigh Court itself, though, and soak up some country manor chic. The lounge is an ideal spot for curling up with a book and tea in the day, or a drink in the evening if it gets chilly out (they sometimes do jazz nights too). Each of the hotel’s 18 bedrooms is individually designed – including some which are family and dog-friendly, as well as a spacious romantic master with four-poster bed and spa bath.
Corinna and James were determined for the food to be a highlight too. Their historic, oakpanelled restaurant already has two AA rosettes, with seasonal menus designed to champion sustainability with a fine-dining feel
– all while keeping the atmosphere relaxed.
Everything we order is a treat – a dinner where you can’t stop talking about how good your food is, between sips of wine and satisfied sighs.
HOW TO PLAN YOUR TRIP
Visit burleighcourt cotswolds.co.uk.