{"id":856246,"date":"2026-03-28T14:30:21","date_gmt":"2026-03-28T14:30:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/856246\/"},"modified":"2026-03-28T14:30:21","modified_gmt":"2026-03-28T14:30:21","slug":"is-this-the-uks-bougiest-baby-moon-four-poster-beds-clotted-cream-and-300-wellies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/856246\/","title":{"rendered":"Is this the UK’s bougiest baby moon? Four-poster beds, clotted cream and \u00a3300 wellies"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"A
\n\t\tThe lap of luxury (Picture: Mel Evans)<\/p>\n

I\u2019m sitting in a 15th-century drawing room, a frightfully large portrait of Catherine Parr looming over me, as I smear clotted cream on a scone and add a lemon wedge to my water.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s awfully Bridgerton<\/a>, but for a few blissful days, I\u2019m part of the Upstairs lot.<\/p>\n

To add to the vibes, a fire crackles as blissed-out patrons float past in fluffy white robes, fresh from the spa. Or perhaps the sauna. Or maybe they\u2019re returning after enjoying a glass or two of Taittinger in the hot tub.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve shunned a more \u2018traditional\u2019 babymoon (insofar as babymoons can be traditional) on a Spanish<\/a> beach for a staycation in the Cotswolds<\/a>, inside the wood panelled-walls of Ellenborough Park<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The sprawling 90-acre estate, which borders Cheltenham racecourse<\/a>, dates back 500 years to 1485, when tenant farmer Thomas Goodman built his house here, block by sandstone block.<\/p>\n

This \u2018house\u2019 \u2013 then known as Southam House \u2013 would later come to be known as Ellenborough Park.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Ellenborough
\n\t\tThe main hall, with many of its original features; look at that ceiling! (Picture: Ellenborough Park)<\/p>\n

Despite having many landlords since the 1400s (including the De la Bere family, who came over with William the Conquerer), the farmer\u2019s original coat of arms can still be seen on the front door.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tWin a city break for two in romantic Rome with our newsletter\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Rome
\n\t\tWin a dreamy trip to Rome for you and a friend (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Unlimited pasta, world-class shopping, thousands of years of history on every street corner… who wouldn’t want to be in Rome? <\/p>\n

We\u2019ve teamed up with\u00a0Wowcher\u00a0<\/a>to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a city break for two in Rome, including return flights from your chosen UK airport (Bristol<\/a>, Edinburgh, Manchester, London\u00a0Gatwick<\/a>\u00a0or London\u00a0Stansted<\/a>) and a stay in a four-star hotel walking distance of iconic spots such as the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain.<\/p>\n

Armed with travel tips from our exclusive new newsletter The Getaway Expert<\/a>, this is your chance to explore the Eternal City like a real Roman. Good luck!<\/p>\n

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This piece of history holds strong alongside musket holes believed to be from the English Civil War. It\u2019s claimed one came from Oliver Cromwell himself. <\/p>\n

The place has been meticulously restored to its original glory. The OG set of stairs is still used to sweep guests up to their rooms, while the original stained glass windows commemorating Henry VI and Elizabeth of York have also survived the centuries.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not every day you can enjoy a nightcap or a game of Chess in a room with so much history.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Ellenborough
\n\t\tThe main building was built in 1485 (Picture: Ellenborough Park)
\nHistory doesn\u2019t get more luxurious than this<\/p>\n

The hotel \u2013 which has been Ellenborough Park since 2010 \u2013 is deliciously five-star.<\/p>\n

As soon as you enter the grounds, you\u2019re greeted by manicured lawns, a Taittinger Terrace and a sandstone facade that\u2019s survived 500 years at the foot of Cleeve Hill.<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s before we\u2019ve even checked in.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"A
\n\t\tThe suite of dreams (Picture: Ellenborough Park)<\/p>\n

Upstairs, it\u2019s ye olde world glamour fit for kings and queens.<\/p>\n

There are four-poster beds and clawfoot bathtubs; red, fabric couches and lots (lots) of dark, stained wood. Underfloor heating and a mattress that gave me one of the best pregnancy sleeps I\u2019ve ever had.<\/p>\n

This is a hotel where things are done right, from the a nightly turn-down service to the private entry for the racecourse, and staff devoted to making your stay as comfortable (and exclusive) as possible.<\/p>\n

That goes beyond Ellenborough\u2019s human guests, too. There is a self-serve, outdoor Paw Spa on site for your four-legged pals to scrub up and grab a treat before dinner.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Ellenborough
\n\t\tThe pool was perfect for an early-spring dip (Picture: Ellenborough Park)
\nFood fit for royalty<\/p>\n

Dining in one of the two eateries on site \u2013 the Horse Box Brasserie or the Restaurant \u2013 means you need not leave the hotel, really, at any time.<\/p>\n

I tucked into a starter of King prawns, seasoned with soy, lime, chilli and garlic (\u00a310) before a main of creamy Cep risotto with a giant king oyster mushroom nestled in the middle and lashings of parmesan (\u00a324). <\/p>\n

I can\u2019t go past a sticky toffee pudding, so we shared one with an arty brandy snap and clotted cream ice cream (\u00a310) to finish. A special mention for the non-alcoholic strawberry and elderflower concoction whipped up by the bartender to appease this preggo\u2019s thirst.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Ellenborough
\n\t\tEven breakfast was a grand affair (Picture: Mel Evans)<\/p>\n

Food and dogs and mocktails are all well and good, but it was upon entering the Dubarry Boot Room that I truly appreciated the grandeur of the hotel.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Like Charlie entering Willy Wonka\u2019s factory, my Golden Ticket to the designated (and highly protected) room revealed rows of Dubarry and Hunter boots, pricey waterproofs and gilets and a croquet set should you feel so inclined to run some hoops.<\/p>\n

There for hotel guests to borrow in case they\u2019ve left their wellies at home (or, like me, your Decathlon pair in your room upstairs\u2026), how quickly I accepted a world of posh Cotswolds fare, stomping around the fields in \u00a3700 worth of boots and jacket.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Ellenborough
\n\t\tBoot room of wonders (Picture: Ellenborough Park)<\/p>\n

Sure, the whole time I was anxiously reminding myself to return them before dusk, or risk the value of the goods being added to my room bill, but\u2026 the charm, I tell you.<\/p>\n

Even in the chilly days of spring, an outdoor dip wasn\u2019t out of the question thanks to the hotel\u2019s outdoor pool heated to what they claim to be a balmy 28 degrees. <\/p>\n

While I didn\u2019t bring my thermometer and I\u2019m slightly dubious it was that warm, it was a delight to float around outside, surrounded by daffodils as steam billowed off the surface into the March air.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Mel
\n\t\tA stomp in my Dubarry (Picture: Mel Evans)
\nIt\u2019s the little things (that are really not that so little)<\/p>\n

The hotel really knows how to make guests feel special. Through a partnership with nearby Bicester Village, the concierge booked us into a VIP shopping experience for a detour on our drive back home. <\/p>\n

A simple call and 90-minute drive later, we arrived at the invitation-only Apartment, where we relaxed over a chai tea (for me) and a craft beer (for the husband) before taking on the famous designer outlet mall. <\/p>\n

If we were there to spend some serious dosh, a personal shopper and designated bag holder could\u2019ve also been organised. Dear reader, we were not.<\/p>\n

Judging by the number of people I saw going between the main hall of the hotel and the spa in their fluffy, white robes, I get the feeling people come for the treatments and stay for the hospitality.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t swerve the town<\/p>\n

It may be hard to drag yourself away from Ellenborough, but I was surprisingly delighted by Cheltenham town. <\/p>\n

We ventured in for an afternoon, popping into Society Cafe for coffee and sweet treats before walking along the Promenade to the leafy Montpelier area.<\/p>\n

Here, I stopped in at local favourite For The Saints, nabbing a sausage roll and focaccia to go and grab a bench in Montpelier Gardens for a spot of people watching.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Mel
\n\t\tPregnancy and swings may not mix, but the outlook was superb (Picture: Mel Evans)<\/p>\n

For an early dinner, we had our eyes on The Vine, which has a Thai kitchen boasting to be the \u2018best\u2019 in town. According to our barman, people have driven from Wales to get a takeaway.<\/p>\n

After going for a chicken pad thai and beef spicy noodles, I concur the fare is fabulous. <\/p>\n

Would I drive hours for it? I don\u2019t think I\u2019d drive hours for any meal, but, if you manage to catch the Early Bird specials, it\u2019s a bargain, with mains setting you back \u00a312.95. So, what you save on meal you can put on petrol, I suppose\u2026<\/p>\n

I was impressed with the non-alc selection (their alc selection also looked well stocked). They even had a proper 0.0% cider in the fridge. Cheers!<\/p>\n

Returning to my room, belly full and duvet expertly turned down, I figure this stay-at-home babymoon thing really suits me.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tGetting to Ellenborough Park\t\t\t<\/p>\n

By car:<\/strong> Ellenborough Park is located just outside Cheltenham in the heart of the Cotswolds, around a two-hour drive from London. We broke up our trip with a short stay in Burford at charming BnB Pytts House.<\/p>\n

The hotel sits just off the A435 and is easily accessible from the M5 (Junction 11), with free on-site parking.<\/p>\n

By train: <\/strong>The nearest station is Cheltenham Spa railway station, which is well connected to London Paddington with direct services taking roughly two hours. From there, it\u2019s a 10-minute taxi to the hotel.<\/p>\n

By air:<\/strong> Birmingham Airport is the closest major airport (around 1 hour 20 minutes by car), while Heathrow Airport is approximately a two-hour drive.<\/p>\n

Room rates at Ellenborough Park start from \u00a3269 per night for a double room on a B&B basis.<\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: I stayed in the UK\u2019s best luxury family hotel with childcare while you enjoy the spa<\/a><\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: \u2018Exceptional\u2019 spa with outdoor thermal pool and beach views that costs \u00a345 to visit<\/a><\/p>\n


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