The Fish Hotel

Boutique Hotel? Houses? Huts? Treehouses? Actually, The Fish Hotel is a combination of all four and affordable with it. Hidden within the 400-acre Farncombe Estate, not far from sister hotels Foxhill Manor and Dormy House, The Fish Hotel is a unique find. Sitting in the heart of the Cotswold countryside, this stylish, outdoorsy retreat is a breath of fresh air and we love it.

Dogs are allowed: let us know when booking and a bowl, bed, and treats will be provided.

Culinary director Martin Burge (and the help of a £1million investment) has brought on-site restaurant Hook to life. Stylish, laid-back, and welcoming, it champions seafood with dishes ranging from smoked haddock Scotch egg with curry sauce and whole sea bass stuffed with mussels and fennel with champagne sauce to battered whiting with soft-shell crab and seaweed fried. Meat-lovers and veggies are also well-catered for, and ingredients are responsibly sourced. Before sitting down to eat we recommend a drink in the bar area, complete with 360-degree fireplace.

Alfresco dining can be arranged out on the feasting deck, where groups of 10-30 can tuck into a 3-course BBQ menu. Methods of cooking include charcoal, wood-fired ovens, and a Weber barbecue.

Fancy Afternoon Tea with a twist? Book in for the hotel's tipsy option and sip on tea-infused cocktails while munching on delights such as Welsh rarebit, Parmesan tartlets and blackberry, liquorice and custard macaroons.

And for a late-night snack, there's a choice of tacos in the lounge.

Whichever type of room you opt for – suite, hut, bedroom, treehouse – be greeted by stylish decor and a feeling of comfort. We love the treetop hideaways with their chalet vibe, woodland views, and decking with outdoor baths.

The village of Broadway is a bracing 20-minute walk away across the estate (which is yours to explore during your stay), or for something more active, run, hike or bike through the sprawling countryside, or play a game of pool or darts in the games room. Stratford-upon-Avon, Blenheim Palace, Cheltenham (remember the races take place in March each year), Oxford, and shopping village Bicester are all easily reachable, but you may be like us and hope for a rainy day so you can snuggle in at the hotel and watch a film in their dinky 14-seater cinema room. Gin fan? Consider a trip to nearby Cotswolds Distillery for a tour and tasting.

From the north:

If you’re coming from Birmingham way, exit the M5 at junction 6 and follow the A4538 towards Evesham. After two miles, turn onto the A44 southbound (signposted Evesham). After 10 miles, the A44 joins the A46 to bypass Evesham. Rejoin the A44 (Broadway Road) at the second roundabout (first exit, signposted Broadway), and follow the road beyond Broadway for around six miles. When you reach Fish Hill (the road will bend sharply left), look out for the entrance to Farncombe coming up on the left. Turn onto the estate road, and follow it, taking the left fork, until you reach The Fish.

From the south:

If you’re up from that London, junction 8 on the M40 will put you onto the A40 towards Oxford and Cheltenham. Head past Oxford towards Woodstock and Evesham, and at the Headington roundabout take the third exit onto the North Way, then the fourth exit at Wolvercote roundabout onto the A44 (signposted Woodstock). The A44 will take you through Woodstock and Chipping Norton. When you reach Moreton-in-Marsh, turn left at the mini-roundabout onto Moreton High Street, then right onto the A44 at the next roundabout, following signs to Evesham and Broadway. After about seven miles, you’ll pass the turn-off for Broadway Tower on the left – the entrance to Farncombe is half a mile further on the right. Follow the road up, then take the left fork to The Fish.

Birmingham airport is 1 hour by car.

Free parking is available.

Free Wi-fi is available.