You know that feeling when you drive into the Cotswolds and every single building starts looking like a shortbread tin? It’s gorgeous, sure. But after the tenth honey-colored stone cottage, they all sorta blur together. Then you hit the Hare and Hounds Tetbury. It’s sitting right on the edge of the Westonbirt Arboretum, and honestly, it’s got a vibe that’s a bit different from the cramped, low-ceilinged pubs you find in the middle of the village.
It’s grand. It’s got that big, sweeping driveway that makes you feel like you’re pulling up to a country estate rather than just a place to grab a pint and a burger.
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The thing about the Hare and Hounds is that it isn't trying to be a trendy boutique hotel. It’s part of the Fullers’ Cotswold Inns & Hotels collection, so it has that polished, professional edge, but it still feels like a massive, rambling country house where you can actually kick your boots off. People get confused about where it actually is because it’s technically in Westonbirt, but everyone calls it the Hare and Hounds Tetbury because, well, Tetbury is the "royal" hub just down the road.
What You’re Actually Getting Into at the Hare and Hounds Tetbury
If you’re looking for a tiny, whispered-conversation kind of stay, this isn't it. This place is bustling. On a Saturday afternoon, you’ve got wedding parties posing by the stone archways, locals nursing ales in the Jack Hare’s Bar, and hikers coming in covered in mud from the Arboretum.
It’s a former coaching inn. You can tell by the way the buildings are laid out—lots of nooks, crannies, and different wings that have been added over the decades. The main house is classic Victorian Gothic. Think gables. Think mullioned windows. It’s got that heavy, permanent feel to it.
The rooms are a bit of a mixed bag, but in a good way. You’ve got the traditional rooms in the main house that feel very "English Countryside," and then you’ve got more contemporary spots in the coach house and silk mill annexes. Some of them even have private gardens with hot tubs. If you’re booking, specifically ask about the garden rooms. There is something uniquely satisfying about sitting in a hot tub while the Gloucestershire rain drizzles down on the hedge next to you.
The Food Situation: Jack Hare’s vs. The Beaufort
Let’s be real: nobody goes to the Cotswolds to diet. The Hare and Hounds Tetbury operates on two speeds when it comes to eating.
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First, you’ve got the Beaufort Restaurant. It’s a bit more "proper." High ceilings, white tablecloths, and the kind of service where they actually know which fork you're supposed to use. They do the fine dining thing—pan-seared scallops, local venison, all that. It’s good. It’s very good. But it’s an "occasion" spot.
Then there’s Jack Hare’s Bar.
This is where the soul of the place is. It’s got the roaring fire. It’s got the flagstone floors. It’s the kind of bar where the wood is stained dark from decades of spilled cider and elbows leaning on the counter. The menu is exactly what you want after walking five miles through the woods. Steak and ale pie. Fish and chips that actually crunch. They take their beer seriously here, too. Being a Fullers pub, you’re going to get a decent pint of London Pride, but they usually have local guest ales that are worth a shout.
Why Location is Everything Here
Usually, when a hotel says they are "perfectly located," it’s marketing fluff. Here, it’s actually true, but only if you like trees.
The Hare and Hounds is basically the neighbor to the National Arboretum at Westonbirt. You can literally walk there. If you’ve never been, Westonbirt is home to about 2,500 different species of trees. In the autumn, it looks like the ground is on fire because the maples go so bright red. It’s world-class. Staying at the Hare and Hounds means you can beat the crowds to the Enchanted Christmas trail or the summer concert series (Forest Live) without having to fight for a parking space.
And then there’s Tetbury itself.
It’s a five-minute drive. Tetbury is the antiques capital of the UK. You can’t throw a stone without hitting a shop selling a £5,000 Georgian sideboard. It’s also the home of Highgrove Gardens, King Charles III’s private residence. You have to book months in advance to tour the gardens, but it’s worth it if you want to see where the King spends his time pruning hedges.
The "Wedding Factor"
We have to talk about the weddings. The Hare and Hounds Tetbury is a massive wedding venue.
Because they have the separate Westonbirt Room and the dedicated garden space, they can run a full-blown wedding without it totally ruining the vibe for the regular guests. But, if you’re someone who hates seeing a bride in the hallway or hearing a DJ playing "Dancing Queen" at 11:00 PM, you might want to check if there’s a big event on before you book a mid-week escape.
That said, the way the hotel is sprawling helps. The bar usually stays a safe haven for the locals and the non-wedding guests.
Real Talk: The Nuance of a Cotswold Stay
Is it perfect? Nothing is.
Because it’s an old building, the floors creak. If you’re in the main house and someone upstairs is a heavy walker, you’re going to hear it. It’s part of the charm, or it's annoying, depending on how much wine you had at dinner. Also, being right on the A433 means there’s some road noise if your room faces the front. It’s not a motorway, but it’s a busy Cotswold artery.
The service is usually top-tier, but like anywhere in the UK hospitality sector right now, they can get slammed during peak Sunday lunch hours. Be patient. The staff are generally locals who actually know the area, not just seasonal workers who can't tell you where the nearest petrol station is.
A Quick Guide to Making the Most of It
- Skip the standard double: If you can swing it, get a Superior room or one of the Coach House suites. The extra space makes a difference.
- Walk to the Arboretum: Don't drive. Take the back path. It’s better for the soul and saves you the parking fee.
- Sunday Lunch: It’s a bit of an institution here. If you aren't staying at the hotel, you absolutely have to book a table at Jack Hare’s at least a week out. The Yorkshire puddings are roughly the size of a human head.
- Dog friendly: They are very cool about dogs. They even have a "dog shower" station for when your Lab decides to become one with the Cotswold mud.
What Most People Get Wrong
People often think the Hare and Hounds Tetbury is just a place to sleep while visiting Highgrove. That’s a mistake. It’s a destination in its own right. It’s a place where you go to disappear for two days, eat too much fat-heavy food, and breathe in air that doesn't smell like bus exhaust.
It’s not trying to be a sleek, minimalist London hotel. It’s cozy, it’s slightly chaotic in the best way, and it feels like it’s been there forever.
If you're planning a trip, don't just use it as a base. Spend an afternoon in the garden. Watch the sun go down over the fields behind the hotel. Grab a book and sit by the fire in the lounge with a coffee. That’s the real way to do the Cotswolds.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Trip
- Check the Arboretum Calendar: Before booking, see if there’s a concert or a "seasonal trail" happening at Westonbirt. It changes the atmosphere of the whole area.
- Book Highgrove Early: If you want to see the King’s gardens, check the Highgrove website the second you confirm your hotel dates. Tickets vanish instantly.
- Map Your Walk: Download an offline map of the Tetbury-Westonbirt area. Mobile signal in the dips of the Cotswolds is notoriously patchy, and you don't want to get lost in a field of sheep at dusk.
- Pack for Mud: Regardless of the season, bring boots. The "Cotswold Way" and surrounding paths are beautiful but rarely dry.
Staying at the Hare and Hounds is about embracing the slower, slightly heavier pace of Gloucestershire life. Drink the ale, eat the pie, and don't worry about the creaky floorboards.