Calcot Manor and Spa, situated near Tetbury in Gloucestershire, has been honoured with the prestigious AA Hotel of the Year award for England at the AA Hospitality Awards 2026, held on Monday evening. Recognised for its “unique luxury with award-winning spa and wellness facilities,” this four-star property offers guests an exceptional combination of comfort and rural tranquillity.
Once a homely farmhouse, Calcot Manor now boasts an impressive estate featuring extensive rewilded areas, scenic walks, and a distinctive atmosphere that encourages guests to truly escape the demands of everyday life. Each of the individually designed guest rooms is beautifully decorated and equipped with modern amenities, while the sumptuous sitting rooms, complete with crackling log fires during winter months, provide delightful views of meticulously maintained gardens.
Dining at Calcot Manor centres around the unpretentious Brasserie, offering a relaxed atmosphere for meals, while The Hive presents guests with options for all-day grazing, cocktails, and more in a lively setting. Alongside the AA Hotel of the Year award, Calcot holds an AA two rosette Award for Culinary Excellence and a Best Spa certification, recognising its outstanding offerings.
READ MORE: Teenage Boy Seriously Injured in Gloucester Incident as Four Arrested
READ MORE: Man Arrested Following Harassment Reports in Lydney
The hotel serves as an ideal base for exploring the Cotswolds, with the quintessential market town of Tetbury just minutes away by car. Renowned for its honey-coloured Georgian architecture and vibrant high street, Tetbury has evolved from its historical roots in the wool and yarn trade into a hub for contemporary artisans. Visitors can browse a diverse array of shops specialising in handcrafted jewellery, unique clothing, and homewares.
Tetbury is particularly famed for its abundance of antique shops, where busy shelves brim with treasures awaiting discovery. The Tetbury Goods Shed Arts Centre, housed in a former railway shed, showcases exhibitions by local artists and hosts events such as the Tetbury Wool Fair and live music, acting as a lively community focal point.
Nestled on an ancient hill fort, Tetbury provides picturesque autumnal walking opportunities. The Tetbury Trail and Ashley Circular, commencing at the Old Railway Yard, follows the original train line through a tree-lined valley to the charming village of Ashley before returning. The three-hour route includes a popular stop at The Trouble House, a traditional Cotswolds pub celebrated for hearty Sunday roasts and a charming pub garden.
Just south of Tetbury lies Highgrove House, an official residence of King Charles, where visitors can explore stunning gardens transformed into an organic farm. The Orchard Room Restaurant on the estate offers dishes prepared with locally sourced ingredients, served in a dining room overlooking the orchard.
Tetbury also holds a special place in literary circles as the inspiration behind “Cotchester,” the fictional setting in Jilly Cooper’s popular Rutshire novels. The late author, who lived near the town for many years, saw her work adapted in the Disney+ series “Rivals,” with locations around Tetbury featuring prominently. Long Street was temporarily transformed with 1900s-style shopfronts to evoke the era, while the nearby Elizabethan manor, Chavenage House, served as the home of the O’Hara family in the adaptation.
This combination of acclaimed hospitality and rich cultural heritage makes the area around Tetbury a compelling destination for visitors seeking authentic Cotswold experiences.