You will never convince me I’m not the lead in my own little movie when I travel – and my first itinerary pick for the Glamour Magazine 2025 Travel Guide, in the Cotswolds, is the kind of backdrop that makes it impossible to think otherwise.
I could have gone anywhere in the world, savvy as I am in budgeting, planning, and adapting to culture shocks as they come; And I’d been to Britain before – my first foray abroad and a memorable, fashion-wrapped frenzy – so why return?
Something about palatial palaces, cottagecore dreamscapes & misty moors, that marked some of my favourite film and television shows locations (not just Bridgerton), refused to let me venture elsewhere, and so I decided to build a wanderlust-inducing travel guide that meshed classic traveller essentials with contemporary pop culture trends, and the time-honoured traditions that give each destination its soul.
The journey begins in Oxford, before branching into UK destinations that deserve more international eyes – places that promise exploration far beyond the usual tourist script.
WELCOME TO ARTIST RESIDENCE OXFORDSHIRE.
Set in the sleepy village of South Leigh, this converted 16th-century farmhouse-turned-boutique hotel manages to pull off an extraordinary sleight of hand: offering cinematic escapism while being deeply rooted in British countryside charm. You’re not just checking in – you’re stepping into a living frame of rustic romance, antique patina, and quietly luxurious comfort.
Hum a little Hans Zimmer and you could almost imagine being another lead in Nancy Meyers ‘The Holiday’.
A Setting That Feels Like a Film Still
From the outside, the building’s historic bones still whisper of centuries past – thick stone walls, low wooden beams, and the kind of sloping ceilings you imagine poets and painters once ducked under. Today, it’s me.
Inside Artist Residence Oxfordshire, the mood softens into curated whimsy.
Design duo and founders Justin and Charlotte Salisbury have art-directed the Artist Residence brand into a cult-favourite across the UK, and this property might just be their warmest love letter to England from what I’ve researched and experienced. Here, “cottagecore” isn’t a fleeting trend for once – it’s built into the foundations.
Interior Scenes Worth Remembering
Every room is special here, feeling like a still-life study in intentional design – picture mismatched vintage armoires, plush velvet armchairs, and brass fixtures set against textural walls in soft chalk tones.
Able to accommodate a cot too, room options include the Farmhouse Suite, Stable, Farmhouse Loft, Stable Suite and Barn Suite – and some of these cosy and beautiful spaces are dog-friendly too!
There’s a tactile romance to it all – paint-chipped furniture, ceramic mugs that feel handmade, the gentle hum of a Roberts digital radio that plays local stations as you soak in a freestanding tub – not to mention your own private slice of garden or sky.
For the bubble bath lover I am, this is simple bliss.
Just like a countryside indie film, find clarity after slow mornings, wildflower walks, and strong tea by the window. This brand makes it happen!
The Scene-Stealing Pub Next Door
Mr Hanbury’s Mason Arms – the on-site pub – anchors this property in its local terroir (from drink to dining), making it ideal to get the truest taste of the region!
Its menu, rich with ingredients sourced nearby, is an ode to English comfort and subtle culinary sophistication thanks to a standout kitchen team.
I recommend arriving early in the afternoon for a Rhubarb Daisy at the bar (they’re garnished with seasonal herbs and edible flowers), then tucking into at least a Merguez Scotch Egg to start, with fresh plum chutney that tastes like someone’s grandmother is in the kitchen, just with a bit more edge.
Locals dine here. That’s always the sign, right?!
Stay for the Design, Linger for the Pace
What’s rare about Artist Residence Oxfordshire is that it slows you down without making you feel like you’re missing anything. There’s no pressure to dress up, in truth, or make dinner reservations weeks in advance. Here, your day might start with a countryside walk (mine did) and end with a glass of something crisp under soft pendant lights, and you wrapped in your essential knit.
It’s also a property where thoughtful touches shine – softly scented Bramley toiletries in the bathroom, captivating curated artwork by contemporary British creatives on the walls, and a breakfast that arrives with the discretion and serenity of a still-life painting (truly outstanding service here – whether its check in, making travel arrangements, or ordering while parched).
Even the in-room snacks have integrity!
Location-Wise? You’re in the Sweet Spot
Though it feels like the middle of nowhere (in the best way), you’re less than 30 minutes from the heart of Oxford, and? The broader Cotswolds region unfurls around you in a soft haze of gardens, antique shops, archives of renown (Blackwell’s stores are a must), and postcard villages you can even Uber to.
I took both buses, Uber, and local taxis (download the 001 Taxis app for Oxford-wide taxi service) to explore.
VERDICT:
Whether you’re escaping from city life or creating a base for day trips, it delivers.
Artist Residence Oxfordshire is that rare kind of stay I always like to find and focus on for you: visually transporting, emotionally restorative, and charmingly anchored in place. You come for the storybook vibes – but you stay because everything, down to the brass doorknobs, has a sense of purpose.
Couples wanting a slow-burning romance should venture here. Fellow solo travellers: feel free to recharge your soul, while all-around city slickers looking to write their next chapter in longhand should definitely book in for a fair few days.
Pack your wool knits, a classic trench, a film camera, and that read you’ve been meaning to start – this is not necessarily the place for fast fashion or loud digital devices. (Browse the Beckham’s Instagram feeds for Cotswold style visual cues!)
This stay is boutique British hospitality at its most tactile and tender in my experience – stylish without pretension, cinematic without being performative, and a setting where even your silence feels like a gift.
By My Recommendation: ARTIST RESIDENCE OXFORDSHIRE.
Station Road, South Leigh, Oxfordshire, OX29 6XN, England.
(+44) 01993 656 220
