Staying in the Cotswolds can be a bit of a gamble. You might end up in a place that’s too "Disney-fied" for its own good, or worse, a drafty old inn that hasn't seen a renovation since the 1970s. But then there’s the Hare and Hounds Hotel in Westonbirt. It’s sitting right on the edge of the famous arboretum, and honestly, it’s one of those rare spots that actually manages to feel authentic without being stuffy.
The Reality of Staying at the Hare and Hounds Hotel
Let’s get the geography straight because it matters. Most people think they want to stay in Bourton-on-the-Water or Castle Combe, but those places get absolutely swamped by coaches. The Hare and Hounds is tucked away near Tetbury. It’s a honey-colored stone country house, the kind you see on postcards, but it’s a working hotel that feels lived-in.
The building itself dates back to 1854. It was originally built as a farmhouse and later became a coaching inn. You can still feel that history in the uneven floorboards and the way the light hits the gritstone. It’s not a shiny, corporate Marriott. It's a place where the dogs are usually more welcome than the humans, and the bar—the Jack Hare’s—is actually frequented by locals. That’s a big deal. If the locals drink there, the beer is good and the atmosphere is real.
I’ve seen plenty of hotels try to do the "shabby chic" thing and fail miserably. They end up just being shabby. But the Hare and Hounds, managed by the Cotswold Inns & Hotels group, keeps a tight ship. They’ve done a decent job of modernization without stripping the soul out of the rooms. You’ll get your Nespresso machine and your Wi-Fi, but you’re still looking out of a leaded window at acres of Gloucestershire countryside.
Room Choices and What to Avoid
Not all rooms here are created equal. This is the part people usually gloss over in reviews. You have the main house, the coach house, and the garden rooms. If you want the full "period drama" experience, you absolutely have to aim for the main house. The rooms there are cavernous. Massive ceilings. Heavy drapes. The kind of bathtubs you could practically swim in.
However, if you're traveling with a dog, the garden rooms are basically a necessity. They have direct access to the outside, which saves you from navigating a maze of corridors at 6:00 AM when your Labrador decides it’s time for a walk. Some of the newer rooms feel a bit more "standard hotel," so if you're looking for that quirky architectural charm, specify that when you book. Honestly, some people find the creaks in the floorboards annoying, but if you’re staying in a 19th-century manor, what do you expect?
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Exploring Westonbirt Arboretum
The biggest selling point of the Hare and Hounds Hotel is its proximity to the Westonbirt National Arboretum. It is literally right next door. You could walk there, but most people drive the two minutes to the main gate.
Westonbirt isn't just a park with a few trees. It’s a collection of over 2,500 species from all over the globe. If you go in autumn, it’s like someone turned the saturation up to 100 on your TV. The Japanese maples are the stars of the show. They turn this vibrant, electric red that doesn't even look real.
Why the Location Beats the Crowds
Tetbury is just down the road. It’s famous for its antique shops and the fact that King Charles III lives nearby at Highgrove House. Staying at the Hare and Hounds gives you a base that's central enough to explore the "High Cotswolds" but far enough south that you aren't stuck in a traffic jam behind a tour bus in Stow-on-the-Wold.
- Highgrove Gardens: You need to book these tours months in advance. Seriously. Don't show up thinking you can just wander in.
- Antique Hunting: Tetbury has some of the most expensive antiques in the UK. Even if you aren't buying a £10,000 wardrobe, the window shopping is top-tier.
- Walking Trails: The hotel is surrounded by public footpaths. You can walk for miles without seeing a car.
The Food Situation at Jack Hare’s and the Beaufort Restaurant
Eating at the hotel is a two-sided coin. On one hand, you have the Beaufort Restaurant. It’s formal. White tablecloths. It’s where you go for a "proper" dinner. The food is locally sourced, which is a bit of a buzzword these days, but in Gloucestershire, it actually means something. They use local venison, Cotswold lamb, and cheeses from nearby dairies.
Then you have Jack Hare’s Bar. This is the heart of the hotel. It’s got a huge fireplace, local ales on tap, and a menu that’s more "upscale pub" than "fine dining." Get the fish and chips. It sounds basic, but they do it right. The batter is crisp, not oily.
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One thing to keep in mind is that the Cotswolds shuts down early. If you aren't eating by 8:30 PM, you’re probably going hungry or eating a bag of crisps from a petrol station. The hotel is pretty good about accommodating late arrivals, but the kitchen does have a hard stop.
The Nuance of Cotswold Hospitality
People often ask if the Hare and Hounds is "luxurious." That’s a tricky word. Is it luxury like a Ritz-Carlton in London? No. Is it luxury in the sense of peace, quiet, high-quality linens, and a staff that actually knows your name after one night? Yes.
The service here is very British. It’s polite and efficient but not overbearing. They won't hover over you while you're eating your breakfast. Speaking of breakfast, it’s a full English situation. They don't skimp on the black pudding or the local sausages. It’s the kind of meal that fuels you for a ten-mile hike across the hills.
What Most People Get Wrong
A common mistake is thinking you can see the whole Cotswolds in a weekend while staying here. You can’t. The roads are narrow and winding. What looks like a five-mile drive on a map will take you twenty minutes because you're stuck behind a tractor or waiting for a sheep to move out of the way.
Don't rush. The whole point of the Hare and Hounds Hotel is the pace. It’s about sitting in the garden with a gin and tonic and watching the sun go down over the trees. If you're trying to tick off ten villages in one day, you're doing it wrong. Pick two. Spend the rest of the time enjoying the hotel’s grounds.
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The Cost Factor
Let's talk money. The Cotswolds is expensive. There’s no way around it. However, the Hare and Hounds sits in that "mid-range premium" bracket. You’re looking at anywhere from £130 to £250 a night depending on the season and the room type. During the Cheltenham Festival or the Badminton Horse Trials, prices skyrocket. If you’re looking for a deal, go in January or February. The landscape is moody and misty, the fires are always roaring, and you can get a room for a fraction of the summer price.
Is it worth it? If you value character over corporate polish, then absolutely. If you want a sterile room where everything is brand new and perfectly symmetrical, you might be disappointed. This is a house with history. It has quirks.
Moving Beyond the Hotel
If you decide to venture out, head toward Malmesbury. It’s about ten minutes away and home to the stunning Malmesbury Abbey. The Abbey House Gardens are also worth a look, though they've had some changes in ownership and accessibility recently, so check the latest status before you go.
For a more rugged experience, the Cotswold Way is a massive trail that runs for over 100 miles. You can jump on sections of it near the hotel. Just bring boots. The Cotswold "brash" (the local name for the stony soil) can be slippery when wet, which is often.
Actionable Steps for Your Stay
- Book the Main House: If you aren't bringing a pet, the main house rooms offer a significantly better architectural experience.
- Westonbirt Tickets: Check if the hotel has any partner deals or inclusive tickets for the Arboretum. During peak "Autumn Colors" season, the Arboretum requires pre-booked time slots. Don't just turn up.
- Dinner Reservations: Even if you're staying at the hotel, the restaurants get busy with locals. Book your table when you book your room.
- Explore Tetbury Early: The shops in Tetbury tend to close by 5:00 PM. If you want to browse the antiques, do it in the morning.
- Check the Events Calendar: The Hare and Hounds often hosts weddings on weekends. If you want a quiet, romantic getaway, a mid-week stay is much more likely to be peaceful.
The Hare and Hounds Hotel isn't trying to be the trendiest hotel in England. It’s not trying to reinvent the wheel. It’s just trying to be a very good, very comfortable Cotswold inn. For most people looking for that classic English escape, that’s exactly what they need.