All photos by Bryan Dearsley / LuxuryUK
Let’s not beat about the bush: The Fish Hotel is awesome (or brilliant, depending on which side of the Atlantic you hail from). It’s also quite unlike anywhere else you’ve ever stayed in the Cotswolds. If not England. Heck, if not the UK.
This simple fact becomes obvious the moment you punch the hotel’s address into your satnav/GPS and realize that The Fish Hotel itself is a long way from the main road.
All that green stuff between you and your luxury getaway? That’s the Francombe Estate, a 500-acre private spread of woodland, meadows, and parkland that’s home to some of the best luxury accommodations in the country.
It all makes sense the moment you see the estate’s signage and turn off the road that winds up Fish Hill, just past the small village of Broadway. Here, you begin a journey along what must be one of the longest hotel driveways you’ll ever encounter. Yes, it looks like a country road, your satnav thinks it’s a road. But unlike those almost-always busy Cotswold country lanes, there’s no traffic on this nearly 1.5-mile-long driveway.
The Fish Hotel, Broadway: Those First Impressions
Sticking religiously to the estate’s 15 mph speed limit, it soon becomes apparent that someone on the hotel’s planning team has a sense of humour. Just as you begin thinking you might have missed a turn, a series of clever signs offers encouragement. “Not Far Now” and “You’re Almost There” were just two that I recall. They’re not just amusing, they’re also reassuring.
The check-in experience at The Lodge, the hotel’s central hub, is seamless, stress-free, and super friendly. Lina and Natalie were extremely welcoming, sitting me down on a comfy couch and offering a fresh-squeezed lemonade. The entire process felt less like a hotel check-in and more like I’d been invited into the family living room.
There was no rushing to get to the next guest, and no hurrying me along to my room. Just a patient explanation of what there is to do here, what the dining options are, and where the best walks can be enjoyed. Another plus? The superb interactive 3D map shows exactly where my room was and how to get there. Super helpful, and super foolproof: I managed it on the first attempt.
The Coach House Accommodations
Room 17 in The Coach House was to be my home-away-from-home. Just a short drive uphill from The Lodge to its dedicated parking area, it’s one of several restored Cotswold stone buildings scattered across the property that give The Fish its distinctive “village-like” feel.
My room was a “Bigger Room” category: open-plan, generously proportioned, and decorated in a palette of muted neutrals accented with soft colour.
The look is contemporary Scandi-country chic, a nod to the European heritage of the family who have owned the Farncombe Estate for over 40 years. Think clean lines, natural wood, and faux-fur throws draped over a super-king bed that’s guaranteed to be one of the most comfortable you’ll have had the pleasure to sleep in.
The en-suite bathroom was equally impressive with a walk-in shower, quality Temple Spa toiletries, and plush bathrobes. A Nespresso machine and complimentary minibar stocked with treats were welcome additions, while a Samsung smart TV, free Wi-Fi, and a writing desk rounded out the amenities.
Other Accommodations at The Fish Hotel
Once settled, I was struck by just how quiet the place is. Despite the Coach House containing several rooms, I heard nothing from the neighbours. Not a peep. It was blissful. The Coach House is also home to the hotel’s Veranda Rooms, open-plan ground-floor suites with private terraces and garden access.
In total, 63 individually styled rooms and suites are spread across these original buildings, with accommodations ranging from cozy Medium Rooms in The Stables to the larger Suites in The Outhouse.
For something altogether different, The Fish has three Treehouses tucked away in the woodland. These unique units sleep up to four people with bunk beds for the kids, dual outdoor baths, and deck seating (one is dog-friendly). Other cool accommodation options include:
- Hideaway Huts, handcrafted shepherd’s huts fitted with wood-burning stoves, roll-top baths, en-suite showers, and private hot tubs.
- Hilly Huts, cozy adults-only shepherd-style retreats with private hot tubs, terraces, and underfloor heating.
- Boaty McBoatface, a luxury hut with its own private lake and paddle boat.
Hooked on Great Food
Like its accommodations, the restaurant at The Fish is top-notch. The dining action takes place at Hook, a seafood-focused restaurant led by Martin Burge, the Farncombe Estate’s culinary director and former chef at the Michelin-starredWhatley Manor near Malmesbury.
Watching Burge’s team at work in the open kitchen is a real treat, adding a dash of entertainment as orders are calmly called out, cooked, and eventually carried out to waiting guests. If you can, ask for a table near the restaurant’s fireplace for the best views of the kitchen team at work. It’s also prime restaurant real estate from which to catch glimpses of the setting sun.
As for the menu, well, that of course doesn’t disappoint. Responsibly sourced seafood features heavily, making the cod and smoked haddock fishcake or mussels starter an obvious choice. For mains, the fish choices rotate with availability and season, but those wanting to shake things up will find well-executed land-based dishes, too.
There’s a dedicated vegetarian menu, with popular dishes such as the twice-baked Stinking Bishop soufflé, which is worth trying whether you eat meat or not. And for dessert? I went for a fun take on the classic arctic roll made with rhubarb.
Other Food and Drink Options
The Bar & Lounge, centred around three cozy spaces with log fires, serves a variety of menu items throughout the day and into the evening. Highlights include stone-baked pizzas, burgers, lighter bites, and snacks, alongside craft beers and cocktails.
For a unique group experience, The Feasting Deck offers BBQ-style outdoor dining for parties of 10 to 20 and is available year-round with advance booking. Conservatory seating for up to 20 and a Green Room provide further private dining options for special occasions.
Breakfast, served in Hook, is a substantial affair. In addition to a buffet of fresh fruit, cereals, pastries, and juices, there’s a cooked menu with eggs prepared to order. I broke the mould after a few too many full English breakfasts and went for the American pancakes. Substituting the bacon for sausages turned it into “Piggies in a Blanket,” a favourite North Americans will appreciate. And yes, the maple syrup was the real thing.
Amenities at The Fish Hotel
The Fish Hotel really does feel like a small Cotswold village, right down to the sound of church bells drifting up from the village of Broadway in the valley below. That, and the hotel’s world-class amenities, add to that sense that this is a place you’ll never want to leave.
The Lodge, the hotel’s central hub, is where most of the action happens. In addition to the reception and restaurant, it houses three individual lounges for guests to gather in, each with real log fires. There’s also a well-equipped games room with a pool table, foosball, darts, and retro arcade games that’ll keep teenagers occupied, and give grown-ups an excuse to connect with their inner teen. A small private cinema seating 14 can be booked, along with popcorn and drinks.
The hotel’s Boot Room deserves a special mention. Stocked with wellies from The Cambridge Muck Boot Co, you can borrow a pair, grab a trail map of the estate and surrounding countryside, and splash through any mud you may encounter without a care in the world. A boot-cleaning station by the door completes the picture. The boot room also stocks dog shampoo and other dog-walking essentials.
Speaking of dogs, several room categories are designated pet-friendly; while there’s an additional charge, it does provide a bed, towel, water bowl, and welcome treat. There’s also a dedicated pooch playground, and fur babies are welcome in the bar and lounges. The hotel even offers a dedicated dog afternoon tea experience featuring treats from Woof & Brew and The Barking Bakery.
Tips & Tactics for The Fish Hotel, Broadway
Here’s what you need to know to enjoy a luxury getaway to The Fish Hotel:
- Check-in is at 3 pm, but why wait? Let them know you’re early and get out there and enjoy the grounds.
- Check-out is a reasonable 11 am.
- A full breakfast is included with most stay packages.
- Parking is available on site.
- The nearest train station is Moreton-in-Marsh, a 20-minute taxi ride away with connections to London Paddington.
- That satnav/GPS coordinate I mentioned earlier? The hotel’s postal code is WR12 7LH.
- For more details about prices and packages, visit thefishhotel.co.uk. Alternatively, email [email protected], or call +44 (0)1386 858000.
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Travel and lifestyles writer Bryan Dearsley is Editor of LuxuryUK, a leading source of news and reviews relating to luxury lifestyles and travel in the United Kingdom, as well as RileyMag.com.
