Thyme
English country estate done with real conviction. Nothing feels themed or contrived — the antiques were actually sourced, the gardens are a working kitchen garden, the pub next door is a proper village pub. It's for people who want the countryside to feel real, not staged.
Book the Ox Barn well ahead — it fills up fast, especially weekends, and the online system has limited capacity
Why It Matters
The "village within a village" concept genuinely works here. You can have a Michelin-quality dinner in a 19th-century ox barn, pick up a borrowed bicycle in the morning, take a floristry class in the afternoon, and spend the evening in the village pub — all without leaving the estate. Chef Charlie Hibbert's farm-to-fork menus are considered some of the best in the Cotswolds.
Thyme is a 150-acre country estate in the Cotswold village of Southrop, about 20 minutes from Cirencester. Founder Caryn Hibbert spent two decades restoring a cluster of 17th-century stone buildings into what feels genuinely like a small hamlet — 31 rooms spread across houses, cottages, and a farmhouse, with winding gravel paths connecting everything. Her son Charlie Hibbert now runs the kitchen, with produce grown a few metres away in the estate's kitchen gardens.
Where You'll Stay
10 room types available
Charming Cottage Suites
Quintessential Cotswold one-bedroom standalone cottages — proper independent hideaways with their own sitting rooms, wood-burning stoves, and roll-top bathtubs. Dog-friendly. Good for couples wanting total privacy or a longer retreat-style stay. Both have fridges stocked with welcome goodies.
64 sqm
Cosy Bedrooms
The entry-level rooms at Thyme, still botanically named and individually styled with the estate's signature character. Don't expect large — these are snug by design — but the quality of linen, welcome goodies, and access to everything on the estate is the same as the larger rooms.
Divine Bedrooms
A step up from Elegant, these botanically-named rooms sit in the historic buildings across the estate. Each has its own character, antique pieces and botanical colour palette. Beautiful linens and comfortable mattresses throughout.
Elegant Bedrooms
Mid-tier rooms dispersed across the estate's houses and cottages. Botanically-named with individual character, antique furnishings, and the estate's signature botanical colour palette. All include beautiful linen and a welcome trug of goodies.
Exquisite Rooms
The two top rooms at Thyme: English Rose and Cedar of Lebanon, both in The Lodge. One on the ground floor, one on the first floor, both looking out over the huge Cedar of Lebanon on the lawn and fields beyond. Spacious, with beautiful bathrooms and large baths made for long botanical soaks. These are the biggest and most special rooms on the property.
Garden Bedrooms
Rooms with their own small private garden and fire pit — one of the most distinctive features at Thyme. Large glass doors open onto the gardens, blurring the line between indoors and out. Most have roll-top baths alongside the showers. Botanically named (Comfrey, Nettle, Love-in-the-Mist, Dandelion) and no two are the same.
Gardener's Cottage
A standalone cottage on the estate with its own independent character. Like the Charming Cottage Suites, it offers privacy and a home-away-from-home feel within the broader Thyme hamlet.
Old Walls
The one accommodation at Thyme that's genuinely family-friendly — children of all ages are welcome here, unlike the rest of the estate. A Cotswold stone cottage, suited to young families who want to stay on the estate without the 12+ age restrictions that apply elsewhere.
Teeny Cosy Bedroom
The smallest rooms on the property. These are genuinely compact — if you like to spread out, step up. But the style, linens, and estate access are the same. Good value entry point for solo travellers or those spending most of their time out in the estate anyway.
The Farmhouse
A 17th-century Cotswold stone farmhouse available for exclusive hire, sleeping up to 16 guests across 8 double en suite bedrooms (3 of which are twinnable). Surrounded by a large walled garden designed by six-times Chelsea Flower Show gold medallist Bunny Guinness, with a fire pit, hammockry, and boules court. The state-of-the-art kitchen can seat 16 for informal dining; the grand double-height dining room works for formal celebrations. Private access to Fifi's Lounge and the Farmhouse gardens. Two-night minimum on weekends.
The Property
Eat & Drink
6 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Rotating art exhibitions in the Tithe Barn. The current show (May–November 2026) features contemporary mural artists Lucinda Oakes, Melissa White, and Tess Newall, curated by Emily Hill from Charleston. All works available to purchase.
Borrow a bicycle from the estate and explore neighbouring Cotswold villages. A marked 3-mile Eastleach Loop cycle route (taking in hills, rivers, and the Victoria Inn pub) is provided.
Borrow wellies and maps and head out through the estate and surrounding countryside. Marked routes include the Eastleach Walk along the River Leach (stopping at the Victoria Inn), plus trails through the water meadows and kitchen gardens. The estate sits in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Wander the estate's working kitchen gardens (herb garden, cutting gardens, poly-tunnels), see the Black Welsh Mountain and Cotswold Lion sheep, and explore the water meadows. The farm is working, so guests stay to marked paths and don't feed the animals.
A rolling programme of talks, workshops, and events inspired by the changing seasons — from yoga and cocktail masterclasses to wine supper clubs with visiting producers (Pol Roger, Artelium, Sugrue), garden walks with lunch, Spanish tapas demos, and wellness talks. Some open to non-residents.
Private cookery experiences starting in the kitchen garden, harvesting produce before cooking under the guidance of a Thyme chef. Two formats: a 2-hour 'master a dish' class or a 4-hour (half-day) 'cook and dine' class. The school was the original founding ingredient of Thyme before the hotel opened.
Join head florist Sophie Witham to work with wild, loose, and dramatic flowers, foliage, and fragrant herbs from Thyme's cutting gardens. Available May through September only.
Private 2.5-hour painting classes in the school, choosing between botanical still life or the art of portraiture. Natural light and garden-collected still life material. Good for all levels.
A spring-fed outdoor swimming pool open during summer months. Poolside food and drinks are available from the Orchid House. Residents only.
On-site tennis court for residents, plus badminton and boules. Bring your own racquet or ask the team.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
A working estate with water meadows, kitchen gardens, cutting gardens, herb gardens, poly-tunnels, and a working farm with sheep flocks.
All rooms are welcomed with a trug of goodies including delicious home-made liquors, teas, and coffee.
Wellington boots available for guests heading out on country walks.
Dogs welcome in Charming Cottage Suites and The Swan pub. Dog policy applies — check at time of booking. Dogs not permitted in the Ox Barn restaurant interior.
Spring-fed outdoor pool open during summer months, with poolside service from the Orchid House.
On-site boutique selling Thyme's own Bertioli beauty and home products, plus gift vouchers and curated items. Also available online at bertioli.co.uk.
Complimentary bicycles available to borrow for exploring neighbouring villages.
On-site parking available for guests. The Farmhouse includes private vehicle access and parking.
BUILD YOUR THYME PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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