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Hotel Review
Thyme, Lechlade, Gloucestershire
OVERVIEW
Thyme is the serene creation of Caryn Hibbert, who acquired Southrop Manor in 2001 and still lives there. Alongside her home, she rescued a derelict tithe barn, set up a cookery school there and acquired other village properties as they became available, gradually, almost organically, creating a hotel. It's as eco-sensitive as it is stylish - most notably, its Ox Barn restaurant based on garden produce and its beautiful swimming pool with bio-filtration.
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Rooms available from £400 per night
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OUR REVIEW
THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
A track through sheep fields leads to Thyme. It feels other-worldly yet is easily accessible by car via Oxford or Cirencester, and it's half an hour's taxi ride from both Kemble station to the west and Charlbury station to the north. Famously pretty Burford is eight miles away - head there for tea at the creaky Lamb Inn on Sheep Street.
By car: Thyme is 2 hours' drive from London and 1 hour 15 minutes from Bristol. There is on-site parking at the hotel.
By train: Trains from London Paddington to Charlbury (via Oxford) take 1 hour 15 minutes. The station is a half-hour taxi ride from the hotel. Book trains to Charlbury.
THE LOOK AND FEEL
From the calming colours of the décor to the abundant flower arrangements (from Thyme's own cutting garden), everything has been cleverly orchestrated to maximise tranquillity.
THE FACILITIES
Facilities are generous, from the swimming pool fed with pure spring water to the tennis court and the cookery school in the tithe barn.
- Restaurant
- Spa
- Bar
- Terrace
- Tennis court
- Swimming pool
- Free parking
- Gardens
- Pet-friendly
- 24-hour front desk
- Free Wi-Fi
BED AND BATH
The 31 rooms are named after plants, in keeping with the organic ethos. With lavish curtains and fine linen, no expense has been spared. Two cottages can be taken in entirety - The Tallet with four bedrooms and Old Walls with two bedrooms.
Room types: Cosy Double, Elegant Double, Divine Double, Garden Rooms, English Rose, Cedar of Lebanon
Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with True Grace toiletries, tea and coffee facilities, newspapers, bathrobes, TV, free Wi-Fi
FOOD AND DRINK
Run by Caryn's son Charlie (an ex Quo Vadis chef), the Ox Barn restaurant offers a dextrously devised short menu, much of it dictated by what's freshly available from the garden - such as fennel served with cod and persillade.
The Ox Barn: fine dining, set lunch menu and seasonal dishes at dinner. Open for lunch 12-3pm Thurs-Sun, and dinner 6-9pm Fri and Sat. Mains from £16.
The Baa: cocktail list inspired by the seasons and the kitchen garden. Sheep-themed decor.
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