Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort is a 4 AA Red Star hotel located within a beautiful 4,000-acre country estate with a historic house and gardens. The Bowood Estate has been home to the Lansdowne family for over 250 years and has evolved into a luxurious retreat offering various experiences for everyone to enjoy. It’s also featured on television screens, with a cottage in Bowood Estate used to represent Mr. Carson’s cottage in the 2019 Downton Abbey movie, and the parkland surrounding Bowood House was used as Hyde Park in the Poldark series.

I recently stayed at the hotel and visited the house and gardens, and I could not recommend an escape there enough. From a stunning walk around the house to a relaxing dinner in the hotel, the whole experience was one to remember, and I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing many hotels.

Rooms

The hotel offers a wide range of rooms including a Classic Parkland room with high ceilings and views of the golf course, as well as a Luxury Parkland room with a balcony.

Guests can also enjoy a one-of-a-kind room in Bowood’s Luxury Tower room, which boasts its own floor and private staircase, or even luxury suites named after members of the Lansdowne family.

Classic Courtyard rooms, as well as two Luxury Four-Poster suites, are also on offer for guests to stay in. 

I stayed in a glorious Classic Parkland room with gorgeous views of the golf course and beyond. It was equipped with everything I needed for a relaxing stay.

This included a spacious bathroom, which was one of the most comfortable I’ve ever stayed in, a fridge, an espresso machine, and plenty of toiletries and flannels.

I loved that the bathroom had both a bath and a separate walk-in shower, which made it super comfortable and relaxing.

We were even provided with a fresh bottle of milk in the fridge, which was a big change from the small single-serve pots and made my morning coffee in the room delicious.

Air conditioning, homemade treats on arrival, a smart TV and a bathrobe were just some of the other touches which made the stay so comforting and relaxing.

The room was spacious and comfortable, and it even featured a wardrobe so large it was practically a walk-in one, which was a great feature.

The embroidered makeup flannel was one of my favourite touches. It’s not one I’ve seen anywhere else, and it meant I could take off my makeup without ruining the crisp white flannels.

Guests can also make use of the in-room safe, ironing facilities, room service, and high-speed internet access.

It’s important to note that the hotel also hosts weddings, which meant it was a tad noisy past 12am, but we soon drifted off to sleep due to how comfortable the bed and bedding were.

Dining and drinking

Whether you fancy a drink on the Clubhouse Bar’s terrace, a delicious meal in The Shelburne Restaurant, or afternoon tea in the cosy library, there are lots of options at Bowood.

Bowood’s head chef, Rupert Taylor, has curated menus which offer guests an unforgettable culinary experience for the whole family to enjoy.

I started by having a delicious cocktail in the bar before heading in for dinner, and I’ve been thinking about it ever since. It was chocolate-based with Bailey’s and caramel running through it, and it was incredible. 

After the quick drink, we headed to the Shelburne Restaurant for dinner. I opted for the Westcombe Vintage Cheddar Soufflé with smoked bacon jam, which was absolutely delicious. The portion size was huge for a starter, and I had to get some help finishing it, but the flavours were sublime and melted in the mouth.

For dinner, I opted for a lighter option and had chicken Caesar schnitzel, which I’d never seen on a menu before, and it was super tasty. I also tried some of my boyfriend’s pressed pork belly with puffed crackling and mustard sauce, and he said it was succulent and delicious.

The menu was vast, with other options, including courgette and potato rosti for mains, corn-fed chicken bread, and steaks. I also tried some of the triple-cooked Jenga chips, which were some of the crispiest and tastiest I’ve ever had.

For pudding, I opted for the cheesecake mousse with Bowood gin and blackberries. It was light, unlike a normal cheesecake, and absolutely delicious. My boyfriend opted for the deep-fried peanut ice cream with banana custard and salted caramel, and he’s not stopped speaking about it since, as it was unusual and exceptionally tasty.

The prices were also very reasonable, and the quality of the food was of a high standard. For breakfast, I was impressed with the continental display of pastries, yoghurts, smoothies and granola.

The spread was great, and the hot food on offer was also vast and delectable. I went for the pancakes with streaky bacon and maple syrup. The pancakes tasted super homemade, and the bacon was cooked to perfection.

The staff’s service was unbeatable. We weren’t rushed through our meal at all, and we enjoyed their recommendations. It’s the little touches that make the experience enjoyable and memorable.

Bowood’s menus change with the seasons, so there is always something new to try as well as some familiar favourites.

They even have a delicious Sunday lunch menu and a quintessential afternoon tea, which can be enjoyed in The Shelburne Restaurant, The Shelburne Bar, or The Library.

The hotel is also serving a special Jane Austen Afternoon Tea on September 21 in celebration of the 250th anniversary of one of England’s finest authors. The price is just £35 per person, or £14.50 per child.

The menu consists of a variety of savoury goods, like a hand-raised pork pie with piccalilli or a mature cheddar sandwich with estate apple chutney. Sweet options include Lady Catherine’s strawberry and vanilla tart and Mr Darcy’s old English tea loaf, not to mention homemade scones.

Amenities

Guests are definitely not short of things to do at Bowood. Whether you fancy a day at Wiltshire’s top golf course or a relaxing day in the spa, there’s something to do for everyone. Click here to find out more about Bowood’s golf offerings.

Bowood’s golf course offers everything from challenging competitions to friendly games as well as a variety of tees to suit all abilities. Whilst I’m no golfer myself, it was super fun to watch out of the window.

The resort’s PGA Championship 18-hole Golf Course is the official PGA-approved golf course and academy in the South West, and one of the best in the county.

The hotel also has an award-winning spa overlooking the grounds, where you can book a spa day, enjoy a spa treatment, or use the state-of-the-art gym, infinity pool, rock sauna, and more.

Whether you are looking for a quick refresh or a more immersive experience, the spa therapists are dedicated to tailoring each treatment to your needs. Treatments include various facials, hot stone massages, scalp treatments, as well as a pregnancy massage. You can find all of the spa treatments on offer here, as well as the spa packages on offer.

You can also book your wedding on the grounds of the hotel, overlooking the stunning parkland and woodland, making it one of the top locations in Wiltshire.

One of the highlights of my trip was visiting Bowood House and Gardens. Hotel guests get free entry, which was really handy.

Things to do

The main star of the show is Bowood House and Gardens, which is set within 100 acres of beautifully landscaped parkland.

The first house at Bowood was started on the site of a Royal Hunting Lodge in 1725, and then the Estate and House were purchased in 1754 by the 1st Earl of Shelburne.

This year also marks the 50th anniversary of being a visitor attraction, with the Walled Garden open to the public. Despite opening the wider estate and gardens to the public in 1975, the Walled Garden has remained private to the Lansdowne family for the past 270 years. The enclosed garden, known for its meticulous design and horticultural significance, captures the interest of keen gardeners, nature enthusiasts, and day-trippers alike.

You can enjoy wandering through the gardens and discovering hidden gems, or take a stroll through the house and spot a variety of items from centuries ago.

The house was grand, with incredible views over the lake. I took a long walk through the grounds in the glorious sunshine, and I already want to revisit. It was tranquil, and there was plenty to explore.

Children also won’t be bored with one of the best climbing frames I’ve ever seen, plus plenty of picnic spots to sit back and relax.

Bowood House & Gardens is also an ACS National Historic Chemical Landmark for Joseph Priestley’s discovery of oxygen in Bowood House in 1774. Grade I is also listed on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. Today, the House & Gardens, including the Woodland Garden, attract more than 120,000 visitors every year, and many more attend events.

The village of Lacock is also just 10 minutes down the road, and it’s well worth the visit. 

It’s known for its well-preserved medieval and Georgian buildings, making it a popular filming location for movies and TV shows such as Harry Potter and Pride and Prejudice. Although still home to many residents, the village is managed largely by the National Trust, including Lacock Abbey.

I visited the village after my stay at the hotel and absolutely loved it. Although quaint, there was plenty to see and do, and I felt like I had stepped back in time.

The Fox Talbot Museum is well worth a visit as it explores the history of photography and Lacock’s role within it. It was so interesting to learn that the village was once home to William Henry Fox Talbot, inventor of the photographic negative.

Overall, it was such a great weekend. The countryside was on your doorstep, and small villages nearby were steeped in history. 

Prices to stay at Bowood Hotel vary, and you can book a stay here.