Review of Buckland Manor, by Angela Moore

As a tawny Cotswold stone manor house in idyllic surrounds, Buckland Manor is the perfect 'old English' boutique hotel. There are no spas, no corporate facilities, no day visitors to ruin your experience of the country house hotel as a traditional, grand weekend retreat. This is perhaps why it has flown below the radar of the mainstream press - it feels like a real discovery.

The house itself is a dream. Parts of it dates back to the 13th-century, much of it is fine Jacobean. It was in private hands until 1982 and much of the furniture and many paintings came with the house when it became a hotel, so there are some beautiful things. It's traditional, but it's all so elegantly and discreetly done, with flagstone floors and soft Axminster carpets.

Buckland Manor is for anyone seeking a serious country house experience. It manages to be very warm, very welcoming and very unstuffy, despite its traditional leanings. We fervently hope that it remains a well-kept secret.

The facilities

There's a heated swimming pool and an extremely popular restaurant, serving a refined British cuisine with European influences. The menu features locally-sourced food and all herbs used are from Buckland Manor's own garden. The wine cellar is extensive and extremely well chosen.

The rooms

The hotel boasts thirteen air conditioned bedrooms, all large, with four-posters and lovely sweeping views. All rooms have cable TV and internet access.