Estelle Manor, A Country Escape Near Oxford
After London’s electric hum, I craved something quieter—a place where the air smells of damp earth and history whispers through the trees. Book with me at Mark@MDTraveling.com, and you’ll unlock preferred partner perks like daily breakfast and room upgrades when available, making your stay even sweeter. Enter Estelle Manor; glowing reviews lead you to a grand country home just beyond Oxford, where ivy clings to stone and the Cotswolds roll out like a painter’s dream. The hotel is equal parts posh and playful—roaring fires, a spa that swallows you whole, and some axe throwing to keep the pulse up. With dining to die for and London a mere jaunt away, this is the escape you didn’t know you needed.
A Feast for Every Mood
The Glasshouse, their crown jewel, is where an award-winning chef spins British classics into gold—tender Oxfordshire lamb with rosemary, or Dover sole that melts like butter, all paired with a wine list deep enough to drown in. For something lighter, The Brasserie spills onto a terrace in summer—wood-fired pizzas, crisp salads, and a gin fizz that catches the breeze. Then there’s The Billiards Room, a moody nook with velvet chairs and a bar that pours perfection—pre-dinner martinis or late-night whiskies, often with a jazz trio humming in the background.
The Spa That Steals Your Breath
If indulgence had a home, it’d be Estelle Manor’s spa—a sprawling, 3,000-square-foot wonder carved from Roman-inspired stone. Sink into its hydrotherapy pool, jets kneading away the world, then drift between sauna and steam, the air thick with eucalyptus. Treatments? They’re a menu of bliss—deep-tissue massages, facials, even a Himalayan salt scrub that leaves you rejuvinated. There’s a gym if you’re restless, but honestly, the loungers by the pool, with views of ancient oaks, are where I spent the longest. Book a spa day or a full retreat—it’s a reset you’ll feel for weeks.
Adventures on the Estate
Estelle Manor isn’t content to let you laze forever—its 60 acres beg to be explored. You can try your hand at axe throwing in the woods, the thud of steel on wood oddly satisfying (experts guide you, so no rogue blades here). Horseback riding tooks you through rolling hills—riders of all abilities will love it. Prefer something gentler? Visit the estate ponies and sheep, play croquet on the lawns, and grab a bike for a ride—deer darting through the trees as your only company. It’s like a refined adult playground.
London to Estelle: Closer Than You Think
Getting here from London? It’s a breeze. Drive 90 minutes up the M40, I’ve done it in the rain, circling and circling the roundabouts. Trains from Paddington to Oxford run every half-hour, a quick 60-minute zip, then a 15-minute taxi drops you at the manor’s gates. A helicopter from Battersea Heliport lands you on Estelle’s private pad in under 30 minutes—because why not? However you roll, it’s an escape that feels worlds away yet close enough to steal a weekend.
Your Manor Moment
Estelle Manor can be a romantic weekend by the fire, a family romp with axes and bowling (yes, there’s a hidden alley), or a solo spa plunge—it bends to your desires. I started thinking about my return before I’d even left. Ready to claim your piece of this magic? Email me at Mark@MDTraveling.com—I’ll craft your perfect getaway, from dining picks to heli rides, with every detail dialed in. Don’t wait; this is too good to let slip.