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Spa Of The Month: Thyme Meadow Spa, Cotswolds

Enjoy a countryside escape in the Cotswolds this autumn with a trip to our spa of the month, Thyme Meadow Spa…

Amidst the verdancy of the Cotswolds, Thyme is revered for its exquisite Meadow Spa and the Botanical Bothy. It’s a cocooning place where you feel truly immersed in nature and the surrounding landscape. Read on for our full review.



Arriving at Thyme, there is an immediate sense of calm and surrender. It is the perfect location for a restorative and nourishing weekend in the English countryside. You can look forward to spending your weekend moving between the Orchid House, swimming pool and spa, or walking through the organic kitchen gardens on the estate and dining at the Ox Barn.


THE LOWDOWN

The historic estate buildings and gardens at Thyme were lovingly restored by Caryn and Jerry Hibbert over two decades. They described that process as being slow and considered, which speaks to the tranquil atmosphere on the estate. The gardens were designed with landscape designer Bunny Guinness who has won awards at Chelsea Flower Show. Their eloquent daughter Camilla Hibbert is the General Manager at Thyme and the immaculate service throughout is testament to the thoughtfulness of this family-run business. Her Ballymaloe-trained brother Charlie Hibbert leads the kitchen with an innovative menu inspired by their organic produce grown on the estate and with sustainable partners.  

Thyme also offer exhibitions in their 17th-century Tithe barn. I was very inspired by their exhibition of botanical photography by the artist Britt Willoughby, which reminded me of the Dutch Old Masters. Botany is a theme across Thyme, which is particularly felt in the Meadow Spa’s Botanical Bothy and with their exceptional Bertioli Beauty Products.


THE SPA

Designed using natural materials, which is reflective of its verdant setting within The Cotswolds, the popular Meadow Spa offers a peaceful and restorative environment. Set within a private, verdant garden, the serene atmosphere means you can embrace mindfulness and meditation easily. In the cottage, my quiet and spacious treatment room had heavenly views, with a wide range of treatments to choose from, all using fragrant yet results-driven Bertioli Beauty products, which like Thyme are rooted in the beauty of nature.

I enjoyed the blissful signature Bertioli – Breathe, Nurture and Restore treatment, which began with a nourishing mineral foot soak and continued with a deep tissue massage, combined with breathing techniques to deepen relaxation. My therapist was incredibly kind and perceptive to my specific needs; talking through the treatment in depth and speaking eloquently about the organic Bertoli products. I could even hear the sound of a fountain beneath and birds in the garden throughout, making the experience even more meditative and restorative.

You can also have herbal soaks in the two baths in The Botanical Bothy, which is Thyme’s concept treatment space. Nothing quite compares to the sound of water that fills the space, which also opens onto an idyllic garden. (Just remember to book early, as it’s so popular – and small – you have to be quick to get a reservation).

The pool area – which overlooks the verdant lawn with more space to relax and unwind – is designed to reflect the surrounding nature too. In fact, you always feel close to nature at Thyme, especially within the Meadow Spa, and can instantly sense their respect and appreciation of it.


THE ROOMS

There are 31 bedrooms within Thyme, which are all decorated in botanical schemes, but, in a nice touch, every experience feels unique. The rooms are dispersed between cottages and houses around the estate, which are separated by heavenly gardens and gravel pathways lined with lavender. I stayed when it was fully-booked and yet barely encountered another guest. My husband and I occupied one of their garden rooms, which felt incredibly spacious and had a wonderful outdoor fireplace. There was a generous offering of fragrant Bertioli Beauty products to unwind with too. That meant that a feeling of spa-like bliss stayed with you for every second of our stay.


THE DINING

Our weekend at Thyme began with a simple, but memorable lunch at The Swan pub in the heart of the historic village of Southrop adjacent to The Green. The service was exceptional with delicious fare drawing on produce from their expansive kitchen garden. I had a beautiful salad as well as delicious, organic Burrata with a pesto made from their own herbs.

After visiting said garden later in the afternoon we returned to sit on the terrace, where we whirled away an hour or two reading. It was also suggested that we try Thyme’s homemade blackberry and vanilla ice cream (which I’d highly recommend!) alongside our tea whilst we enjoyed the last of the autumnal light. 

For dinner, we settled in at the Ox Barn, the former home of the oxen who ploughed Thyme’s fields many years ago. The chefs and gardeners work together to make the best of the produce everyday, and they are also members of The Slow Food Movement and hold three stars with the Sustainable Restaurant Association

The menu was seasonal and sustainable – we enjoyed beautiful dishes that reflected the produce encountered in their garden earlier. I began with a reviving non-alcoholic aperitif made with aromatic waters and botanicals. This was followed by sustainably-sourced fish with beans and bitter greens from the garden. I’d recommend as it was delicious and beautifully-presented.


THE TO-DO LIST

Sometimes the best spa retreats allow you to do very little – and still never feel bored. So, it is with Thyme. However, beyond the blissful Meadow Spa and The Botanical Bothy, we also enjoyed memorable moments exploring the historic village of Southrop, which is at times reminiscent of scenes from the bucolic children’s book The Wind in the Willows. There was a quiet elegance to our memorable experience at Thyme, and the thoughtfulness with which they approach their spa offering as well as the rooms and dining is impressive. That’s why we left Thyme feeling nourished and uplifted with an overwhelming desire to return.


Lead image credit: Thyme Meadow Spa

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