The smart, modern timber and Cotswold stone buildings
It is part of the Farncombe Estate, also home to two rather more exclusive establishments: Dormy House and Foxhill Manor.
This is the owners’ newest, cheap(er) addition and is a suitably chic accompaniment to its more established stablemates.
Sitting a short drive from the honey-coloured Cotswold town of Broadway, the hotel isn’t on a river or near the sea, so why the name?
Until it was demolished in the 16th century, the Benedictine monks of Pershore Abbey kept and cured their fish in caves dug into the hillside, leading to the nickname Fish Hill.
I’ve always been of the opinion that when holidaying on a budget you are better off spending your cash on the best room in a good hotel than taking in the cheapest on offer in a more luxurious one.
The Fish is the best example of this I’ve found. I stayed in one of four “Spacious” rooms (essentially a junior suite) in a block called, for obvious reasons, The Stables.
The rooms are Scandi in feel, with a palette that blends natural creams, greens and greys
They start from £195 per night and come with a super-king bed, Nespresso machine, roll top bath and Orla Kiely toiletries.
When The Fish opened in 2015 it positioned itself as “affordable not budget” and my goodness they have done it well.
The rooms are Scandi in feel, with a palette that blends natural creams, greens and greys.
I imagine someone flicking through the Farrow & Ball charts then heading to B&Q for a colour matching session.
As for the furnishings, there’s plenty of wood, leather and wool to make sure the rooms are cosy in winter and airy in summer.
Initially, The Fish offered a canteen-style restaurant experience with three choices for each course and a fridge you delved into yourself for dessert.
They’ve rethought things and now offer an à la carte menu.
Definitely the right move. Wild mushroom risotto with foraged herbs and lobster hotdog with chips are the stand-outs.
Best of all it retains a laid-back atmosphere in keeping with its Nordic decor.
There’s a terrace and a lovely conservatory in case the weather is a little dreary but you still want to feel like you are dining in the middle of the forest.
The Fish retains a laid-back atmosphere in keeping with its Nordic decor
There’s plenty to do on the property itself. Take a Segway safari to tour the expansive estate, try clay pigeon shooting, quad biking and archery or improve your swing at Broadway Golf Club.
Head across the estate and indulge in a treatment in the spa at five-star Dormy House, or book a table in its Garden Room restaurant for some fine dining.
Want to go farther afield? From £20pp The Fish will pack you a delicious picnic (think Famous Five-style treats – ham sarnies, fizzy pop, great wedges of homemade cake and an apple or two).
Wondering where to take it? The 18th-century Broadway Tower is only a few minutes’ drive away and provides impressive views. Rainy day? Snowshill Manor is not to be missed.
The Tudor mansion is stuffed to the gills with the most eccentric collection of… collections. Samurai armour, penny farthings, toys from across the centuries and musical instruments you’ve never heard of.
“Let nothing perish” was 20thcentury owner Charles Wade’s motto and he really did mean it.
He moved next door into a small “Priest’s house” in order to accumulate a mind-boggling 22,000 objects of all shapes and sizes.
The pretty village of Snowshill featured in all the Bridget Jones films, while the surrounding fields are home to an insanely Instragram-able lavender crop, best seen in June and July.
GETTING THERE
The Fish Hotel (01386 858000/ foxhillmanor.com) offers a one-night Supper & Stay from £80pp (two sharing), B&B with £25pp towards dinner. Cotswolds tourism: cotswolds.com
