As English as gin on the lawn
The English rural dream is alive and well and living in a gorgeous Cotswold manor house. Norton Hall is a stay as English as gin-and-tonic mixed with croquet on the lawn. It’s as refined and well-mannered as the ivy that coats its façade and the chandeliers that hang from the high ceilings.
Wander the arboretum, picnic by the lake, try some tennis in the afternoon sun, take a dip in the heated pool. Dry off and head indoors where the comfortable opulence comes in layers. Load the fire with fresh logs every day, tickle the piano, curl up on the squishy sofas, peel off to pot the black over a port or brandy. Relax, recharge… remember what matters in life.
Stoke the fires of family chatter
Get-togethers are all about catching up, and the roaring fire will cast a warm glow over proceedings. With the light fading early this month and the air scented with autumnal smoke, move indoors to load the logs and stoke the family chatter. Keep your glasses loaded as you find a film, break out a board game or gather around the piano.
Although the pool is closed during the October nip, you’ll swim in comfortable elegance inside. This is the grand and opulent life of high ceilings, glittering chandeliers and brandy-fuelled games of late-night snooker. Keep your strength up with puddings and pies from the Clopton Farm Shop and stews from the Aga.
Put life on pause and potter
Beyond the finely turned champagne flutes and white-gloved splendour, the striped lawns lead you to even-grander gardens beyond.
Put life on pause as you potter the honey-coloured Cotswold havens. Wander idyllic villages of antique shops and art galleries. Catch some culture in the gardens at Highgrove, or head out for some history at Broadway Tower or Gloucester Cathedral.
Chug through the turning leaves on the Toddington Narrow-Gauge Railway, ride zip wires at Sudeley Castle and sample winter sports at any time of year at Gloucester Ski and Snowboard Centre.
What makes it so special?
- Heated outdoor swimming pool (June – September)
- Snooker table
- Tennis court
- Arboretum, lake and three ponds
- Cosy log fires
- Nine bedrooms.
