This grade II listed estate, nine miles from Oxford, is a showstopper throughout. Class and quality shimmer from every corner of the Jacobean mansion’s exquisite public rooms, which look on to a terrace and enticing heated outdoor pool. The elaborate bedrooms — wood-panelling, four-posters, heavily brocaded fabrics — have views over more than 3,000 acres of ambrosial countryside where pursuits range from tree walks to axe-throwing. Dinner might be sophisticated Chinese fine-dining or rowdy the-gang’s-all-here sharing plates in the kitchen garden. Its vast new spa is the not-really-necessary icing on a lavish cake. There’s also a beautifully equipped kids club for the over-threes.
Overall score 9/10
Main photo: an Estelle suite at Estelle Manor
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Rooms and suites
Score 9/10
The 108 rooms include 34 big-ticket options in the manor house that have mullioned windows and even some working fireplaces. They are adorned in rich shades of Italian damask silks and velvet, sprinkled with ornate armoires and topped by elaborate chandeliers. Families will probably gravitate to the 37 rooms in the walled garden, which have a cosier country-casual moodboard, with chunky chairs in warm ruby-red fabrics and sisal flooring. The 26 bedrooms in the stables block have a cooler palette and mid-century vibe. For seclusion, go for the ten woodland cottages decked in Scandi sheepskin and with woodburning stoves. There are also three private houses (with three, five and six bedrooms).
Food and drink
Score 9/10
Despite being called the Brasserie, expect plenty of retro British attitude at this all-day restaurant. The Oxford cheddar soufflé is as light and fluffy as the handprinted butterflies on the wallpaper, the beef wellington as pink and traditional as it gets. As the day drifts into evening, candlelight ramps up the romance of its banquette benches. For high-camp glamour, The Billiards Room is bedecked in malachite and mirrored copper panels and serves superior dim sum. The more relaxed vibe of The Glasshouse, stuffed with plants and flower pots, is accompanied by a suitably earthy pared-back menu of sharing plates such as suckling pig and whole turbot. If that’s still too formal, you can order club sandwiches and burgers in any of the sitting rooms.
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What else is there?
Score 8/10
Sleep is for wimps. There are guided walks, bikes to hire and six-mile rides through local villages as well as archery, air-rifle shooting and falconry. There are 36 workouts a week in the state-of-the-art gym and fitness studios, and youngsters don’t miss out either, with mini Land Rovers for petrolhead three-and-overs to take a spin through the grounds. Eynsham Baths, the hotel’s spin on the ancient art of bathing, has five thermal pools and is hidden behind trees, a short distance from the main complex. If only there wasn’t a £75pp charge to visit them.
Where is it?
Score 9/10
Ensconced within quintessentially English landscapes and with Oxford, Woodstock and Bicester Village retail shopping all within easy reach.
Price B&B doubles from £550
Restaurant mains from £20
Family-friendly Y
Dog-friendly Y
Accessible Y
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