The Oxfordshire enclave of Woodstock clings to the eastern edges of the Cotswolds and offers the region’s classic countryside charm in spades.
With a 250-year-old town centre dotted with honey-hued stone cottages, antique shops, homegrown fashion labels and wholesome pubs – plus the town’s location right next door to Blenheim Palace and its magnificent Capability Brown-designed gardens – there’s plenty to explore.
The good news is that there is now an equally impressive place to lay your head for the night, as the Grade-II listed Georgian townhouse hotel The Feathers hotel has just emerged from a multi-million pound renovation and is looking better than ever.
The Vibe
Thanks to an interior design overhaul, it’s goodbye to questionable décor installed in the 1960s and hello to contemporary chic. The stylish colour palette takes inspiration from the surrounding landscape and Cotswold stone has been used to create bright and modern spaces. Happily, many of the building’s original features have been preserved, including wooden beams and old fireplaces, so the overall ambience is cosy and characterful. There’s a sophisticated bar leading to an inviting low-ceilinged restaurant, colour washed to dramatic effect in a terracotta pink paint and boasting dark wood panelling and white linen café curtains. An impressive collection of local art has been curated, adding vibrancy and interest to the walls.
The Rooms
The Feathers Woodstock Aug 2024
Each of the hotel’s 23 rooms and suites has been reimagined by the London-based interiors firm AGC BTR and are now elegant and cosseting cocoons which will make you want to immediately kick off your shoes and relax. Rooms are decorated in warm, neutral tones and use an abundance of rich fabrics – embroidered cushions, velvet curtains, plush carpets – and Cotswold-made furniture takes pride of place throughout, including fitted banquette seating and upholstered lounge chairs. Each comes with minimalist marble bathrooms with brass fixtures, Victorian style basins, super powerful showers and Urban Apothecary toiletries, while some suites have deep freestanding bathtubs for the ultimate relaxing soak.
The Food + Drink
Foodies are well catered for at The Feathers with standout restaurant The Nest drawing diners from across the county to enjoy its relaxed brasserie vibes and delicious modern European fare. Head chef, Luke Rawicki favours local produce to create signature plates, including a stuffed saddle of South West lamb with peas, mint salsa verde and Jersey Royals. Further highlights include Jerusalem artichoke royale with black garlic and pickled sheep’s cheese, and an excellent cheeseburger with gruyere and jalapeno. To finish there are tasty options such as a toffee apple tarte tatin and a caramel chocolate namalaka which blends a malt crumble with lime ice cream.
Breakfast is à la carte with some of the best croissants you’ll taste outside of France and plenty of cooked options to choose from. The hotel’s Sunday roast has also been winning accolades; think 28-day aged sirloin of beef, crispy potatoes, west country pork loin with all the classic sides and trimmings, plus great veggie and vegan options.
During the summer months, the hotel’s pretty courtyard terrace will come into its own, but for now The Aviary bar is the place for a cocktail, perched on a love seat next to the wood-burner – don’t miss the refreshing Feathers of Woodstock that blends elderberry and Earl Grey cordial with Grey Goose vodka. You can also enjoy a selection of locally sourced ciders and beers including Hawkstone Pils by the Cotswold Brew Co and Jeremy Clarkson, and English wines like Nyetimber and Henners.
The Little Extras
Operations manager Andy Henderson, a Woodstock local who also recently opened The Bell at Charlbury, is just the guy you want running the show, and he leads an efficient and professional team that are also super friendly and go out of their way to make your stay enjoyable; for example, heating up bottles of milk at the crack of dawn for a lively little one! Speaking of babies, they will also be treated to stylish wooden high chairs in the restaurant and designer changing tables in the communal bathrooms. Three feature suites – the Robin, Goldcrest and Nightingale – have larger living areas and plenty of space to include a travel cot.
The To-Do List
The magnificent Blenheim Palace and Park, the ancestral home of the Dukes of Marlborough since 1705 and the birthplace of Winston Churchill, is a great day out for all the family. Start at Adventure Play where kids can burn off some energy at the huge playground (including a dedicated toddler area with baby zip wire!) before tackling the maze and marvelling at the beautiful creatures in the butterfly house. Then hop on the miniature train over to the palace to tour the incredible state rooms filled with grand paintings and artefacts and learn all about their fascinating history. Finally, head out into the formal gardens to admire the work of the English landscape architect Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, with foliage and fountains aplenty.
Aside from Blenheim, Woodstock has a couple of fascinating attractions that will appeal to history buffs. The Oxfordshire Museum has a wealth of quirky ancient artefacts such as Saxon brooches, skeletons of warriors found during archaeological digs and preserved dinosaur footprints, while the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum brings to life the military stories of the region. Bicester Village is also up the road – a shopping mecca offering discounted items from brands such as Burberry, Celine and Dior.
All image credit: The Feathers Woodstock, Oxfordshire
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