You know that feeling when you pull off a busy road and suddenly the air feels about ten degrees cooler and everything just... settles? That’s the vibe at Stonehouse Court Hotel. It sits right on the edge of the Stroudwater Canal, tucked away in six acres of Gloucestershire greenery. It isn’t some shiny, glass-and-chrome modern build trying to pretend it has a soul. It’s a 17th-century manor house. It has creaks. It has character. Honestly, it feels like the kind of place where a BBC period drama should be filming in the corner of the garden while you eat a scone.
Most people heading to the Cotswolds aim straight for the "honey-pot" villages like Bourton-on-the-Water or Castle Combe. They’re gorgeous, sure, but they’re also packed. Stonehouse is different. It’s a bit more industrial-meets-pastoral. You’ve got the heritage of the wool trade right there in the red-brick mills nearby, but then you step onto the hotel grounds and it’s all manicured lawns and Jacobean mullioned windows. It’s a weirdly perfect mix of the area's working-class history and its high-society manor house traditions.
The Architecture is the Main Character
The house itself dates back to 1601. Think about that for a second. When this place was being built, Shakespeare was likely still scribbling away in London. The main building is classic Cotswold stone—that warm, ocher-colored limestone that looks like it’s glowing when the sun hits it at 4:00 PM.
Walking into the Great Hall is a trip. You’ve got this massive, ornate fireplace that looks like it could roast a whole ox, and wood paneling that has probably soaked up four centuries of secrets. It’s not "stuffy" though. The current management has done a decent job of making it feel lived-in. You’ll see muddy boots by the door because people actually use the trails around here. It’s a "dog-friendly" kind of luxury, which is the only kind of luxury that actually feels relaxing if you ask me.
The rooms are split between the original manor house and the garden wing. If you want the full "Lord of the Manor" experience, you have to book a room in the old house. The ceilings are higher, the floors are slightly uneven, and the windows are those heavy stone-framed ones that make you feel very secure against the British weather. The garden wing is more modern. It’s functional. It’s clean. But, if I'm being real, it lacks that "ghosts of the 1600s" charm you get in the main building.
Eating at Court Brasserie
Food matters. A lot. At Stonehouse Court Hotel, the main restaurant is the Court Brasserie. They lean heavily into the "local" thing, which every hotel claims to do, but here it actually makes sense. You’re in the heart of Gloucestershire. The meat usually comes from nearby farms, and the seasonal veggies aren't just a menu buzzword.
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The dining room overlooks the gardens. It’s pretty spectacular in the summer when the light lingers until late. They do a Sunday roast that basically requires a nap afterward. It isn't avant-garde molecular gastronomy. You won't find foams or "dirt" made of dehydrated olives. It’s just solid, well-executed British cooking. The afternoon tea is the big draw, though. There is something deeply satisfying about sitting on a terrace with a view of the Stroudwater Canal, arguing about whether the jam or the cream goes on the scone first. (It’s cream first, obviously).
The Stroudwater Canal: A Hidden Perk
One thing people often overlook when booking is the canal access. The hotel grounds lead right down to the Stroudwater Navigation. This isn't just a ditch with water in it. It’s a massive piece of engineering history that is currently undergoing a huge restoration project by the Cotswold Canals Trust.
You can walk for miles. If you head East, you’re walking toward Stroud, which was recently named one of the best places to live in the UK by The Sunday Times. Stroud is "funky." It’s got a massive farmers' market on Saturdays, loads of independent bookshops, and a bit of a bohemian edge that balances out the more "proper" feel of the hotel. Walking back to the hotel after a morning in the market feels like transitioning between two different worlds.
Why It Works for Weddings (and Why That Matters to You)
Look, Stonehouse Court is a massive wedding venue. On any given Saturday in June, there’s a high chance you’ll see a bride. Some people hate this. They think it ruins the peace.
I think it’s actually a testament to the layout. Because the house is so big and the grounds are sprawling, you can usually find a corner to hide in even if there's a reception happening in the Caroline Suite. The "secret garden" areas and the hidden benches under the old trees give you plenty of space to breathe. Plus, the fact that they do so many weddings means the staff are generally "on it." They know how to handle pressure. They don't freak out if you ask for something slightly off-menu or need an extra set of towels at 10:00 PM.
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The Reality Check: What to Expect
Let’s be honest for a second. This is an old building. If you are looking for a sterile, high-tech "smart hotel" where you control the curtains with an iPad, you’re going to be disappointed.
- The Wi-Fi: It’s fine in most places, but those thick stone walls are basically a Faraday cage. Don't expect 5G speeds in every single corner of the cellar.
- The Stairs: There are a lot of them. If you have mobility issues, make sure you talk to them beforehand about a ground-floor room in the wing.
- The Vibe: It’s quiet. If you want nightlife and neon lights, Stonehouse isn't it. It’s a place for reading a book by the fire or taking a long walk in the rain.
Sustainability and the Future
There’s a growing movement in the UK hotel industry toward "Green Tourism," and Stonehouse Court has been picking up awards for this. They’ve moved away from those annoying little plastic jam pots and single-use toiletries. They’ve installed EV charging points, which is a lifesaver if you’re touring the Cotswolds in a Tesla and don't want to get stranded in a valley somewhere. It’s a subtle shift, but it shows the owners aren't just sitting on their laurels and letting the history do all the work.
Navigating the Local Area
If you're staying at the hotel, don't just sit in the room. Use it as a base.
- Woodchester Park: Just a short drive away. It’s a National Trust site with a famous "unfinished" mansion. It’s eerie, beautiful, and the valley walks are some of the best in the county.
- Painswick Rococo Garden: This is the only survived garden of its kind from the 1700s. It’s whimsical and weird.
- The Commons: Minchinhampton and Rodborough Commons are just up the hill. They are huge expanses of grassland where cows roam free. Seriously, you have to drive carefully because a cow will just stand in the middle of the road and stare at you. The views from the top across the Severn Vale are mind-blowing.
Actionable Advice for Your Visit
If you're planning a trip to Stonehouse Court Hotel, do it right. Don't just book the cheapest rate on a third-party site and hope for the best.
Book the Manor House rooms specifically. If you want the actual experience, the extra £30 or £40 for a room in the original building is the best money you’ll spend. Ask for a room with a garden view.
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Check the wedding calendar. If you want total silence, call the front desk and ask if there’s a large event on the dates you’re looking at. Mid-week stays are usually much cheaper and significantly quieter.
Bring walking boots. The path along the canal can get muddy, and you’ll regret being stuck on the terrace in white sneakers when there’s a beautiful trail literally thirty yards away.
Eat in Stroud at least once. While the hotel food is great, the culinary scene in Stroud is exploding right now. Check out places like The Long Table or some of the sourdough bakeries in town to get a feel for the local community.
Use the train. Stonehouse has its own railway station. You can get a direct train from London Paddington and be at the hotel in under two hours. It’s one of the few places in the Cotswolds where you don't strictly need a car to have a good time, provided you're happy to use your legs or the occasional local taxi.
Stop thinking of it as just a place to sleep. Think of it as a gateway to a version of Gloucestershire that hasn't been completely "Disney-fied" yet. It’s authentic, it’s a little bit rough around the edges in the best way possible, and it’s deeply connected to the land around it. Whether you're there for a wedding, a business meeting, or just a weekend of hiding from your emails, the house has a way of making you slow down. That, more than the fancy linens or the historic fireplaces, is why it's still relevant today.
Make sure you head down to the canal at sunset. The way the light hits the water through the trees near the hotel's edge is worth the price of the room alone. Pack a light jacket, leave the laptop in the car, and just walk. That’s how you actually "do" Stonehouse Court.
Next Steps for Your Trip
- Check Availability: Visit the official Stonehouse Court website to compare prices between the Manor House and the Garden Wing.
- Map Your Walk: Download the Cotswold Canals Trust map to see the full route from Stonehouse to the Saul Junction.
- Reserve a Table: If you aren't staying overnight, book a Sunday Lunch at the Court Brasserie at least two weeks in advance, as it fills up with locals.