GONE FISHING: A WEEKEND AT THE FISH HOTEL
IN ONE SENTENCE
A quirky, back-to-nature bolthole in the Gloucestershire Hills, featuring cosy huts and treehouses.
SETTING THE SCENE
We almost missed the turn-off to The Fish Hotel, tucked away as it is along a country road above the picturesque village of Broadway. You need to wind your way high up into the Gloucestershire hills and then down a (very) long (but thankfully beautiful) drive, before you’ll spot the first of many quirky signs leading you to the hotel ‘lodge’ reception. Here we were greeted by a friendly group of staff before being handed a map and torch with instructions on how to find our hillside home for the night.
OUR HIDEAWAY HUT “TITANIA”
The Fish Hotel, named after Fish Hill that is sits on (apparently in reference to the 16th century monks who used to cure fish in hillside caves) is part of Farcombe Estate; a family run business which has 4 boutique hotels sprawled out on the private plot of over 400 hectares. In fact the estate is so big you’ll likely not even catch a glimpse of the other hotel’s during your stay.
Unlike its manor-house sister’s Dormy House and Foxhill Manor, The Fish offers a decidedly more laid back selection of accommodation. The most popular of with is the huts and treehouses. We were lucky enough to be handed keys to “Titania” a Hideaway Hut for two which was the perfect retreat for these city dwellers. The double shepherd hut layout featured a comfy double bed, lounge area, ensuite shower room and freestanding roll top tub which all managed to feel spacious yet cosy and also completely private. Outside also delivered, with a walled off courtyard complete with deck chairs, fireplace and hot-tub. There really wasn’t much more we could have asked for! Bonus points were earned for the in-room coffee and tea with fresh milk and biscuits.
HOOK RESTAURANT
Found in the main lodge building, just a short stroll up the hill from the Hideaway Huts, is Hook restaurant by Martin Burge.The seafood inspired menu has a little bit of something for everyone and is housed in a light bright space with a laid back feel. There is also a bar and lounge for pre-dinner drinks, or take your cocktail alfresco and sit on the terrace beneath a swag of fairy lights.
Breakfast is also served at the restaurant, but we skipped this and opted for a hand delivered breakfast hamper in our hut, to truly indulge in the holiday mood.
SURROUNDING AREA / WHAT TO DO
Aside from the restaurant, a small “beach” with a single peddlo boat and a communal lounge with boardgames, there isn’t much to actually ‘do” at the hotel. But the charm of The Fish is all in the unwinding and enjoying the art of doing as little as possible, surrounded by the beautiful Cotswolds countryside!
Having said that there are some lovely villages and walking trails very close to Farncombe Estate if you fancy stretching your legs. And if you choose to do only one thing we would absolutely recommend an outing to Broadway Village; it’s an easy 20/30minute walk through the fields and is one of our favourite places in England.
Chipping Campden, Blockley and Snowshill are also rather beautiful and close enough to The Fish to walk to. Of course if you have a car this really is a perfect place to base yourself for some of the most wonderful spots in the Cotswolds.
Check the Hotel’s website for other great suggestions of local attaractions
Broadway Tea Rooms
GETTING THERE
Just a 20minute drive from the hotel will get you to Moreton-in-Marsh Station where trains run directly to London Paddington in about 90minutes. Alternatively the drive from London will take about 2 and a 1/2 hours.
Make sure to book ahead for your Taxis - the hotel has some good recommendations.
GOOD TO KNOW
The Hideaway Hut had both and indoor and outdoor fires so make sure to pack marshmallows!
Don’t forget your swimmers for the hot tub
The hotel has a boot room where guests can borrow some wellies incase of wet weather
The walk to Broadway is well marked but the hotel also has maps for longer walks available in the boot room
Room service is thankfully available in the huts, as is a breakfast hamper delivery, you just need to put your order in the evening before.
Hideaway Huts aren’t kid or dog friendly but there are other accommodation options available if you have a two or 4 legged kid in tow
This was a really relaxing and calming weekend in nature for us, the hotel felt welcoming and like it had a sense of humour too. We just wish we could have stayed longer to really settle in and also have the chance to do some longer walks in the area. If you are planning a visit here we suggest making it longer than one night! Guess it means we will have to plan a trip back soon, most likely to check out the other hotel’s on offer at the Estate.
