Inside This 17th-Century Country Spa Hotel In The Cotswolds

22.02.2024 - 23:09 / forbes.com

Chopping along the cobbled streets of Broadway at the foot of the rolling hills of the English Cotswolds, welcoming both Charles I and Oliver Cromwell, glide down narrow winding lanes past twee tea rooms, horse chestnut trees, and honey-colored cottages as you hear the puffing of the Gloucester Warwickshire Steam Train chugging along the tracks.

Nestled in 400 acres of private grounds on the Farncombe Estate, discover the village's 17th-century country spa hotel, Dormy House.

Dark oak paneling and historic beams mark its hallway with candle-chevalier chandeliers, stone fireplaces, and exposed Cotswold stone brickwork peeping out of every corner, utter farmhouse chic.

Flagstone floors flow into snug maroon-walled lounges with marble ceramics, rattan stools, and open log fires guarded by leather benches and mustard sofa chairs.

Whilst wooden partridges and mice, wild greens, and backlit walls fill the open-plan lobby with marble tables, wicker armchairs, shiny handmade pottery, and a vast collection of Penguin books.

Suede leather doors lead you to Dormy's cozy nook, The Shed, as you smell the burning of candlelit alcoves with low hanging beams above, little herringbone tables, faux deer skin stools, classic Chesterfield sofas, an Oak wine cellar, camel leather chairs with warm woolen throws and aged steel stage lights suspended over a bar.

Tilt your head, and you'll see a traditional farming plow hanging from the wall at the entrance to a cozy dining area with a roaring Scandinavian open fire and walls dotted with rustic foxed mirrors, Victorian-style lampshades, shelves stacked with wooden ducks, and photographs telling the tales of Dormy's 17th-century history.

Long taper candles sit on its dining tables enshrouded by wraparound flower chairs with crocheted cushions of farmyard animals where you can nibble light bites like hickory smoked chicken wings cooked in chili, honey, and whiskey glaze or Baked Somerset Camembert with pickled grapes and crusty bread to crunch into.

Step onto the honeycomb tiles of a small lounge tucked in the corner of The Shed with dried ivy, comfy leather sofas, ornamental mirrors bordered by steel bracken leaves, and an Orbital ceiling pendant at the center of the room with an Octagonal glass atrium above head that offers the perfect sunlight to lose yourself in a Tolkien novel.

Sprawling iron wild flower lights drape from the ceiling of The Back Garden, Dormy's fine dining bolthole, coated in dark teal woods with granite tables, Japanese-style partitions, feather displays, houndstooth stitched sofas, and mustard velvet chairs with burnt orange pillows.

Floor-to-ceiling windows lead you to a wide-open terrace with a greenhouse and rows of flower beds that grow fresh produce