By Lisa Brown

The jewel in the the Farncombe Estate, a 17th Century farmhouse perched in a glorious Cotswolds setting, Dormy House offers a Scandi-chic, country escape. The cosy lounges and roaring fireplaces that scatter the bustling entrance create a comforting atmosphere and, combined with the friendliness of the staff, you immediately feel at home.

Dormy’s nearby younger sibling Foxhill Manor is a private house hotel with just eight unique bedrooms and suites. A Grade-II listed Arts and Crafts country manor refreshed and revitalised for the 21st century, Foxhill is a new type of stay: all the character and charm of a boutique-hotel hideaway, served up with heartfelt personal service and an easy-going at-home atmosphere.

Both properties can make use of the wonderful, award winning House Spa…

House Spa

Named best UK Spa Hotel by The Sunday Times and winner of ‘Best Spa’ in the Smith Awards (judged no less, by me!) the stunning state-of-the-art spa was created by celebrated spa specialists Sparcstudio.

The spa’s hub is The Greenhouse, a healthy eatery where you can chomp on delicious salads or sip a juice whilst taking in views of the breathtaking Cotswold backdrop. The spa boasts an infinity swimming pool, outdoor hydrotherapy pool, tranquil thermal suite, relaxation rooms and training studio. There’s also a delightful ‘Champagne Nail Parlour’!

The Treatment

Drift Away Massage: Definitely one for the evening – the uber-relaxing massage is designed to iron out stress and allow the body to unwind, encouraging a good night’s sleep. A base of soothing olive oil is blended with lavender, black pepper, bitter orange and sleep enhancing myrrh, in combination with a relaxing full body and indian head massage, leaving you positively horizontal and ready for zzz’s.

Other Treatments

Diamond Indulgence – With treatments by luxury spa brand Natura Bisse, The Diamond Indulgence includes the Diamond Life Infusion Ritual, a full body massage and a champagne lunch in The Greenhouse, along with full use of the House Spa & leisure facilities.

The Outer Glow – A combination of a gently uplifting sugar body scrub to polish your body and a breakfast smoothie face exfoliation create an invigorating and refreshing all-over treatment, leaving the skin revitalised and hydrated from top to toe.

To Stay

Rooms range from ‘Intimate’ to ‘Top Notch’, with several individually designed suites – all are delightful. We stayed in the Loft Suite, with spectacular views of the rolling countryside viewable from a roll top bath!

Pleasantly styled in honey hues and taupe tones, our suite had a cosy open plan lounge and the bathroom was kitted out with a generous amount of Temple Spa products.

To Eat

Opt for The Potting Shed for informal lunches and lively suppers. The pub style eaterie serves food all day and offers hearty fayre, such as chicken breast with smoked onion rosti, fish and chips and tasty risottos.

The award-winning Garden Room Restaurant is the invention of Head Chef Jon Ingram and serves up a wonderful tasting menu, which includes hand dived orkney scallops and a delicious pine nut meringue with caramel.

The Greenhouse serves up delicious nutrition focused lunches, juices and snacks.