lauramsgarden

We are finishing up this summer's vacation with 6 nights in the UK - 4 in London and two in the Cottswolds. I would love to finish off with a splurge at a wonderful country house type place, maybe in the general Blenheim palace area - and for the London stay try to keep the price somewhere in the $200 - $250 range if we can. We don't mind staying in the outer areas of the city as long as it is near a tube stop. B and B's are fine - or boutique or chain hotels. Any suggestions most welcome. thank you.

janisj

What is your 'splurge' amount for the Cotswolds (note the spelling)? And what is "we" -- a couple, or a family?

>>We don't mind staying in the outer areas of the city as long as it is near a tube stop. <<

Generally a false economy - London is huge and the main sites are concentrated in the center-ish. Staying out in the burbs can add a LOT of time and extra transport costs. Stay in zone 1. The £ is very low right now (historically low) and if it stays in the neighborhood it is currently, your $ will go pretty far. Right now $200 is about £140 so you'll easily be able to find something in the center. Try Premier Inns.

MmePerdu

Do you plan to have a car in the Cotswolds? In my experience, public transport in the area isn't the best so your movements would be fairly limited without one if you wanted to see the countryside and smaller places. If you do stay in proximity to Oxford/Woodstock/Blenheim you'll have plenty to see without one.

Tulips

If you are looking for a splurge Le Manoir au Quat'Saison is pretty good.

flanneruk

"If you do stay in proximity to Oxford/Woodstock/Blenheim you'll have plenty to see without one."

I'm struggling to think of anywhere close to Blenheim that's also "a splurge at a wonderful country house type place" and accessible without a car.

Offhand, I'd say it's actually impossible. I'm no expert on "country house" hotels: personally I'd happily raze them all to the ground, replacing them with public right to roam across their entire grounds and accommodation modelled on the nice pubs with rooms that are close to Cotswold railway stations: the Bull at Charlbury, the Plough and the White Rabbit at Kingham and the White Hart at Moreton in Marsh. A couple of places practically at Blenheim gates are similarly unostentatious and a few yards from a bus stop into Oxford: Woodstock's Kings Arms, Feathers and Bear.

Thanks be to God, none of these places are pitching to be the set for another Downton Abbey. Most places that are, are over the border, outside the magic 01608 area code in hardcore, public transport-free, Gloucestershire tourist territory: Babington House (www.sohohouse.com/houses/babington-house) is the least Downton-esque, with frequent nods to the 21st century: Barnsley House (www.barnsleyhouse.com ) and the Lords of the Manor (www.lordsofthemanor.com ) probably the Daddies of the pseudo-stately home genre.

Soho Farmhouse (www.sohofarmhouse.com ) is back in 01608 civilisation, generally pricier than the Downton clones, aimed at the demographic that makes Downton-style TV hits rather than watching them, but is a distance from public transport. They are used to organising taxis to and from Charlbury or Bicester (fast train from London Marylebone) stations, and it's possible to stay within its grounds for a few days without getting cabin fever.

A couple of these have (and use) helipads: but otherwise, except for Soho Farmhouse, a car is essential.

ILUVPARIS

Assuming you will have a car, these would fit the bill:

http://foxhillmanor.com/

http://www.thewildrabbit.co.uk/

http://dormyhouse.co.uk/

MmePerdu

"I'm struggling to think of anywhere close to Blenheim that's also "a splurge at a wonderful country house type place" and accessible without a car."

My next point, after the car issue is resolved. Either a country house hotel (they tend to be in the countryside) with car, or in proximity to transportation, which most of the Cotswolds are not. A choice to be made, leaving room for the possibility that I don't know all places to stay near Blenheim. With a car, Barnsley House came to mind.

janisj

Without knowing your budget for the splurge it is hard to help. But as has been mentioned -- 'country house' hotels and public transport are almost mutually exclusive animals. But I don't see where <i>you</i> mention not having a car for those two days.

We need a bit of clarification/details filling in . . .

BritishCaicos

We have been through this discussion many times and usually end up stopping at The Old Bank in Oxford. Tasteful decor and centrally placed.

I know it's not the Cotswolds but it's close enough for us.

lauramsgarden

Thanks all, as usual you are so helpful. We are speaking with a guide right now who would be doing the driving, so no, does not need to be near public transport. I will check out all of the recommendations and keep you posted.

and thank you for the London advice as well - one of the guidebooks suggested that staying in chain hotels can sometimes have deals if booked in advance so i will start exploring. I've been to London before, but my husband hasn't so we will want to be immersing ourselves as much as possible in history, etc. It's just been a while for me and I'm having a hard time remembering the neighborhoods.