The Feathers, a boutique hotel in Woodstock, a sweet village with honey-colored stone buildings on the edge of the Cotswolds, has had a tasteful £4 million renovation by interiors firm AGC BTR and it certainly shows. Property developer Daniel Ede, the new owner of the Feathers, has fond memories of visiting the hotel as a child and was keen to inject a contemporary feel without destroying the historic charm. It has a sophisticated design that uses neutral colors and a mixture of contemporary and antique furniture while retaining the charming features of the Grade II listed 17th-century townhouse. The refurbishment included the guestrooms, the Nest restaurant and the Aviary, a brand new casual restaurant and bar that spills out onto the interior courtyard.
Accommodation
The passageways and narrow stairs leading to the 23 guestrooms are a bit of a rabbit warren but that only adds to the hotel’s charm. The rooms range from comfortable doubles to more spacious suites. The decor in each of the rooms is unique but all feature a warm palette of browns and cream that contrasts nicely with the gleaming white tiles and gold fixtures in the bathrooms that feature toiletries from British brand, Urban Apothecary. Top suites are the quaint attic suite under the original slanted ceiling and beams and the large “bridal” suite with two toilets, numerous sofas and mirrors. Stay here for the night and you’ll feel like you’re relaxing a countryside manor house. Of course you’ll still be treated to the amenities and fine service of a luxury hotel too. Another bonus is that breakfast is à la carte rather than buffet style; the full English will not disappoint,
Food and Drink
Fine dining at the Nest restaurant at The Feathers is a real treat. Head Chef, Luke Rawicki (formerly of Lucknam Park and The Slaughters) is highly creative with his Modern British menu, serving seasonal, mostly locally sourced dishes. He manages to make steak and hand dived Orkney scallops into delicious works of art. The venison, duck spring rolls and the toffee-apple tarte tatin are also standouts, as is the signature dish: stuffed saddle of local lamb with peas, mint salsa verde and Jersey Royals. The dining room has a relaxed feel with Scandi-style chairs and chic light stone tables
The Aviary, the hotel’s cocktail bar with plush armchairs and a roaring fire, has been extended and this month has launched a brand-new casual restaurant and outdoor terrace with a high-grade pizza oven. Handmade pizzas from Mark’s Cotswold Sourdough Bakery in Chipping Norton, alongside small plates curated by the hotel’s chef, Luke Rawicki are on the menu.
What to see and do
Blenheim Palace, home to the Dukes of Marlborough since 1705 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, is right on the doorstep of The Feathers. Set in over 2,000 acres of Lancelot “Capability” Brown landscaped parkland and designed by Sir John Vanbrugh, who also designed Castle Howard, Yorkshire, this imposing palace is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. The Baroque style palace is still used as a family home, mausoleum and national monument.
The palace including the grand state rooms and vast grounds are open to the public and make a lovely day out. For a stroll on the grounds only, it’s possible to gain access at various entrances free of charge, thanks to the UK’s right of way laws. From Woodstock village, take Chaucer’s Lane to the steps at the bottom, turn left and look for a grey gate that will take you to the lake and various walking paths.
Also for walkers staying in Woodstock, Cotswold Way offers scenic walking trails. The trail is 102 miles long, stretching from Chipping Campden to Bath. The friendly staff at The Feathers will advise how to best access it and offer suggestions on shorter walks.
Woodstock is a classic Cotswolds village with cobbled streets, antique shops, lots of pubs and access to sprawling parkland at Blenheim. Be sure to visit No 5 park street, a women’s wear boutique with a wide selection of jewelry, linens and silks, kimonos and unstructured pieces. There’s an excellent small farmer’s market on Saturdays in front of the town hall.
Practicalities
The Feathers, 16-20 Market St, Woodstock OX20 1SX
A double room starts from £250 including breakfast.