04/21/2026
A Love Letter to The Cotswolds: Part II 🌿✨
My journey through the heart of the English countryside continues, and I’ve found a place that feels less like a hotel and more like a beautifully curated dream!
The trip began with a wonderful night at Calcot & Spa (slide 1-4), a quintessential Cotswold manor set on 220 acres of meadowland, where the blend of honey-stone charm and modern spa luxury provided the most relaxing start to the adventure.
From there, I moved on to .england, a breathtaking 150-acre "village within a village." Founded and owned by the Hibbert family, this isn't just a destination—it’s a deeply personal, multi-generational labor of love. It’s a seamless blend of a farm, spa, cookery school, and restaurant, all built around a profound commitment to land stewardship and design. The Hibberts describe Thyme as an extension of their own family home, and you feel that warmth in every single corner.
Here are a few highlights from this magical stay (slides 5-13):
🌿The Gardens at Thyme: I had the absolute honor of touring the grounds with Caryn & Jeremy Hibbert, hearing the rich history of how this estate came to be.
👨🍳The Cookery School: Rolled up our sleeves for a pasta-making class with Charlie Hibbert—such a fantastic way to connect with the local flavors!
🐏 🍸The Baa: You can’t visit without grabbing a drink here. The iconic sheep stools are just as charming as you’d imagine.
🍽The Oxbarn: We ended our evenings with incredible dinners in this stunningly restored space.
We also ventured out the The Pig in the Cotswolds for a spectacular lunch (slides 14-20). Walking through the ornamental gardens designed by the legendary Rosemary Verey was a highlight, followed by their signature "25-mile menu" in their rustic restaurant. Between the Kitchen Garden produce and the cozy Village Pub atmosphere, it was perfection.
After a relaxing stay at Calcot and two nights immersed in the world of Thyme, I am officially enchanted.
Stay tuned for the final chapter of my Cotswolds immersion! 🇬🇧🌾
