Well Intentioned: A Winter Wellness Guide to the Cotswolds

Fresh air, fine food, plush digs – this is rural living at its finest. This Grade II-listed country manor was once the home of revered garden designer Rosemary Verey, and its formal gardens are her lasting legacy. The spa, mini-cinema and rooms with roll top baths are each an invitation to unwind. Feeling active? Wrap up warm to explore the local area on foot or two wheels – guests can borrow e-bikes from the hotel. The chocolate-box village of Bibury is just 3mi (4.8km) away.

Gwyneth Paltrow would fit right in at this chic spa, owned by organic farmer Carole Bamford. Sound healing and gong meditations are among a relaxation-ready roster of classic yoga and pilates classes; reiki rituals and jade stone massages are designed to rebalance tired souls and aching bones; and the spa cafe serves up apple cider vinegar shots and superfood smoothies. Save time to browse the zero-waste pantry and organic shop at Daylesford Farm next door.

Kick off your shoes, put on your out of office and surrender to relaxation at Dormy House, a luxury Scandi-chic farmhouse set within the 400-acre (162ha) Farncombe Estate. The spa steals the show, with its 52ft (16m) infinity pool, salt steam room, Finnish sauna and champagne-serving nail bar. After a couples massage, cosy up in the Potting Shed for a dinner of elevated pub classics such as wagyu burgers and sticky toffee pudding.

Winter may not showcase Westonbirt Arboretum in all its blossoming glory, but even frosty forest bathing has its benefits. Wander some of the 17mi (27km) of walking trails to discover 2,500 different tree species, keeping an eye out for ecofriendly sculptures hidden between the boughs. The whole place comes alive around Christmas, with illuminated displays and kid-friendly events running through November and December. Need to warm up? A hot chocolate from the cafe should do the trick.

Rooms at this Italianate manor near Cheltenham are a masterclass in colour therapy, each featuring bright, mood-boosting jewel tones – and nearly all have baths and walk-in showers. Outside, the sprawling grounds are dotted with modern sculptures, walking trails and lakes. If ambling leaves you chilly, the hillside spa’s heated indoor and outdoor pools, steam room and sauna will soon warm you up.

Ready to feel rested and restored? It’s no five-star spa, but this wellness centre in Charlcombe, with wraparound views of green fields, is a warm, informal spot for some me-time. Holistic therapies on offer include acupuncture, cupping and deep-tissue acupressure. There’s also a regular schedule of yoga and pilates classes, held in a calming, plant-filled studio.

In a place as quaint as the Cotswolds, there’s one simple British tradition that feels extra special: drinking tea. Tisanes sits within a 17th-century building made from the region’s classic honey-coloured stone, overlooking Broadway’s charming high street. After a spot of retail therapy, settle down here for a pot of earl grey or a soothing lemon and ginger blend – plus an indulgent slice of cake.

Time spent in nature helps beat the winter blues – and this playful rococo garden is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. The grounds are lavished with colourful follies, providing respite from rain showers and striking views of the Cotswolds countryside. Come January and February the grounds are draped in a carpet of snowdrops – a sure sign that spring is around the corner.

After a brisk country walk, there’s nothing better than heading indoors for a hearty meal by a roaring open fire – and there are plenty of excellent pubs to choose from in the Cotswolds. The ivy-cloaked Wheatsheaf in Northleach takes pub grub to a new level: think venison carpaccio with girolles and truffle mayonnaise, harissa-spiced lamb and sumptuous choccy puds.