A Slow Stay at Thyme in the Cotswolds
Hello hello - it’s been a while! The last couple of months have been a bit of a whirlwind between trips to South Africa and skiing in France, alongside work, content creation and everything else in between. Naturally, the blog has not been the top priority, but I’ve set myself some mini goals for April because there’s so much I’m excited to share.
On that note, if you prefer to read my longer-form content on Substack, I’ve recently started sharing my posts over there too. You can subscribe so that any new (free!) posts land straight in your inbox as soon as they go live.
Anyway - back to the matter at hand! I want to take you back to a recent one-night stay at the beautiful Thyme Hotel in the Cotswolds, which I was kindly invited to experience. Despite it being a short trip, it was so charming and I would most definitely recommend it!
Getting to Thyme
Thyme is located in the Cotswolds countryside, near the village of Southrop. It’s around a 2-hour drive from London, making it a really ideal option for a short countryside escape or even just a one-night reset. While you can reach the Cotswolds by train (which we did), I’d definitely recommend driving if you can, as it gives you the flexibility to explore nearby villages and countryside spots. You’ll also save a LOT of money on taxis - we took the train from London to the nearest station, Swindon and a taxi cost us £50 each way.
Things to know about your stay at Thyme
From the moment you arrive at Thyme, it feels so calming. The hotel is set across a collection of the classic Cotswolds honey-stone buildings, surrounded by gardens and open countryside. Everything feels very intentional without being overdone and it’s just a really lovely place to slow down and switch off for a couple of days. Here are a few key things to know about what you can expect from your stay:
We stayed in one of the “elegant” bedrooms in the Farmhouse, a beautiful Cotswold stone house (bigger groups can book the whole house as it sleeps up to 16 people!). There’s a pantry here with freshly baked goods, tea and coffee for all guests. You can also spend time in the decorated drawing room or the cosy snug for tucking away with a good book.
No two rooms are the same, with colours inspired by their botanical names, which definitely adds to the charm and character of the stay.
The hotel also launched a new initiative last year in a mission to minimise waste so each guest can borrow a pair of Thyme crocs during your stay, as an alternative to single-use slippers.
There’s a gorgeous outdoor heated swimming pool but it’s closed between November - March.
Food is a big part of the experience at Thyme, with an on-site restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast was a real highlight and felt like a lovely, slow start to the day. However, I did find the dinner menu a little limited and it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. If you’re staying longer, it’s worth knowing that just a short stroll away is The Swan pub, which I would have loved to try.
Things to do at Thyme and nearby
Even if you’re only staying for one night, there’s plenty to do without even leaving the estate. It’s the kind of place that encourages you to slow down and fully enjoy the Cotswolds countryside. A few ideas of things you could do:
Spend time exploring the gardens (which I imagine are especially lovely in the warmer months!)
Grab a coffee in one of the communal spaces and flick through one of many coffee table books or settle in with a board game
Borrow a pair of wellies from the hotel and take yourself on a countryside walk straight from the hotel
Thyme also offers various experiences (depending on when you visit), including workshops, wellness activities and seasonal events. Keep an eye out for their “happenings” which you can book in advance of your stay.
If you do want to venture further out, there are plenty of beautiful Cotswolds villages nearby that are perfect for a short drive and a wander. A few of my favourites are Burford, Bourton-on-the-Water and The Slaughters (Lower and Upper).
Even though this was just a one-night stay, Thyme felt like the a very lovely countryside escape and I’d definitely recommend it! It’s the kind of place you go when you want to properly switch off, take it slow and just enjoy your surroundings. It’s definitely more of a special occasion stay, but if you’re looking for somewhere that feels thoughtfully designed, peaceful and a little bit indulgent, it’s such a lovely option in the Cotswolds.
If you are looking for more UK travel inspiration, follow along on Instagram and TikTok where I share more regularly.
Thanks for reading,
T.
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