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Cowley Manor Experimental
Cowley, England, United Kingdom · Experimental Group · Accessible Luxury
Local legend holds that Lewis Carroll, a regular visitor to this Grade II listed Cotswolds estate dating to 1695, found inspiration here for Wonderland. Paris-based Experimental Group bought the 55-acre manor in May 2022 and reopened it as Cowley Manor Experimental on 4 July 2023, with 36 bedrooms reimagined by designer Dorothee Meilichzon across 300 years of estate history.
- 36 rooms
- Opened 2023
- Neighborhood: Cowley / Cotswolds
- Rooms from 323 sq ft (30 m²)
- Architect: De Matos Ryan
- Interiors: Dorothée Meilichzon
About Cowley Manor Experimental
- A listed water-staircase of pools is fed by seven springs. De Matos Ryan on the architecture, Dorothee Meilichzon on rooms.
- Cowley village, Gloucestershire. Cheltenham is a drive. This is the manor, not a Bath townhouse.
- Entry-level rooms start at 323 sq ft (30 m²).
History
Cowley Manor traces its story to 1695, a Grade II listed Cotswolds estate set within 55 acres of meadows, woodland, lakes and Italianate gardens, whose present gardens - including a listed water-staircase of pools and fountains fed by seven natural springs - largely date to the 19th century. Local legend holds that Lewis Carroll (Charles Lutwidge Dodgson), a regular visitor, found inspiration for Wonderland here.
Paris-based Experimental Group bought the manor in May 2022 from A Curious Group of Hotels, closed it in January 2023, and reopened it as Cowley Manor Experimental on 4 July 2023 after a full refurbishment. Its 36 bedrooms were reimagined by Parisian designer Dorothee Meilichzon, drawing on each chapter of the estate's 300-year history.
The setting
In Cowley, Gloucestershire, a Cotswolds estate of about 55 acres. Cheltenham Racecourse is a few miles. This is Cowley Manor, not a Cotswolds marketing label for a town.
Restaurants and bars
- Restaurant Cowley Manor — Restaurant · French-inspired with local flavours · Chef Jackson Boxer
- Experimental Cocktail Club Cotswolds — Bar
- Pool Bar Cowley Manor — Poolside
Experiences
- Spa access (C-Side spa and wellness centre) — Access to the C-Side spa and wellness centre and gym included with every room booking.
- Biologique Recherche Experience — Specialist-guided product discovery with mini facials at C-Side Spa.
- Wim Hof experience — Wim Hof experience offered as part of seasonal wellness offers at the hotel.
- Halloween Trail — Spooky spotter trail through the gardens for children.
- Cotswolds village and attraction outings — Route suggestions to Bourton-on-the-Water, Cotswold Wildlife Park and Westonbirt Arboretum.
- Seasonal kitchen garden menus — Seasonal menus with subtle French influences, using Cotswolds produce and the hotel's kitchen garden.
Amenities
- Spa
- Indoor pool
- Sauna
- Fitness center
- Pet-friendly
- EV charging
Awards
- MICHELIN One Key (2026)
Open Cowley Manor Experimental in the atlas for live weekend rates, photos, and the full folio.
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