Are you searching for a dreamy weekend away? Pack up your overnight bag and come with us to the Cotswolds where we review the restaurant at Cowley Manor Experimental near Cheltenham.
Listen up foodies – if you’re looking for an exquisite countryside escape, there’s a very special restaurant to be found at Cowley Manor Experimental complete with ultra-design-led interiors, extensive grounds, a day spa, and 36 bedrooms should you want to make a weekend of it.
The Experimental group took over the 17th Century Cowley Manor in 2023, their first UK project outside of London and to coincide appointed Jackson Boxer (Chef Patron Brunswick House and Orasay) as their chef consultant.
It seems Boxer and his simplistic cooking style is the perfect fit for this dining room, marrying French and English fare with a focus on produce from Cowley Manor’s growing kitchen garden, and where Boxer has honed a menu that allows fresh ingredients and vegetables to receive their deserved limelight.
Before we tuck in, just a nod to the brilliance of designer Dorothée Meilichzon, who’s unique sense of style makes Experimental Group properties instantly recognisable. Bold colours, striking shapes, and sometimes wacky furniture all come together into remarkable spaces.
Known for their inventive cocktails, we started with an aperitif on the outside terrace which overlooks the hotel’s rolling pretty grounds and large pond.
A Saint Germain Des Pres (Brokers Gin, St Germain, elderflower, cucumber, spicey tincture, egg white) and Horlicks White Punch (Cotswold Single Malt, lemon, spiced Horlicks, clarified) went down a treat as we marvelled at the view.
Red and white teepees were set across the way, which are soon to be a bookable option for those wanting to come for a picnic on the grounds. If you do visit, make sure you take a further walk to the spectacular Victorian cascades water feature, which overlooks the river.
We ventured into the dining room for supper.
Marrying classic opulence with Dorothée Meilichzon’s cherry-picked design-led furnishings, the wood-panelled dining room at Cowley Manor Experimental is a striking spot for a meal. Bright rugs and banquette seating for parties of four takes over the central space, while one side of the restaurant overlooks the manor’s grounds, with a row of tables for two. We were thrilled to be offered a lovely round table in the corner of the dining room to take in the surroundings - both inside and out.
Leek, crab bisque and hollandaise
We began with a lovely dish of salt-baked beetroot, cow’s curd & garden herbs, which was sprinkled with little pieces of crunchy puffed rice, giving the dish some extra texture. We also had a dreamy, creamy starter of leek, crab bisque and hollandaise sauce, with chives from the Cowley Manor garden.
For our main course we went straight in for a rather decadent Hereford côte de boeuf, with smoked bone marrow & baby onions. The meat was perfectly tender and the lashings of sweet baby onions were loaded on top creating a sweet accompaniment alongside plenty of jus.
We paired this with some fries, a garden salad and an equally decedent bottle of Manzone Barolo.
The hotel got wind we were celebrating my husband’s birthday and brought us a little dessert with happy birthday inscribed on a plate along with a candle – which was a lovely touch, although I spared him the embarrassment of breaking out into happy birthday song in front of the other diners.
We finished our wine back on the terrace surrounded by the serenity of nature, wildflowers and a chorus of birds.
Victorian Cascades At Cowley Manor Experimental
The pace at Cowley Manor was tranquil and slow-paced and provided just the escape from work and life stresses that was in order.
We'll be back to book one of those teepees this summer for sure!
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