Best for
For a Cheltenham racing break, Ellenborough Park places you beside the racecourse in a country estate, rather than a town-center hotel.
Best for
For a Cheltenham racing break, Ellenborough Park places you beside the racecourse in a country estate, rather than a town-center hotel.
What makes it special
Ask reception for the scavenger hunt booklet when traveling with children; it gives younger guests a playful way to explore the estate.
Room to consider
A Luxury Room adds a lounge area for reading or coffee. Request specific features, as four-poster beds and roll-top baths vary.
Insider tip
Mention any need for lift access before booking, since rooms occupy different buildings and the right location matters on this historic estate.
Complimentary membership gives you access to preferred rates, exclusive benefits and current promotions for your stay.
Ellenborough Park is a five-star country house hotel on a 90-acre estate near Cheltenham, at the foot of Cleeve Hill in the Cotswolds. Its fifteenth-century main house stands between the hillside and Cheltenham Racecourse, with rooms spread across the grounds. Wood-paneled dining rooms, a heated outdoor pool and a private racecourse track give the estate several distinct sides. The hotel is a member of PoB Hotels, a collection of independent British properties.
Spread out across the estate, the Traditional bedrooms continue to impress with tasteful decor. The bedrooms in the Manor house showcase a classical design, while...
The Classic bedrooms at Ellenborough Park are situated throughout the estate, each with its own unique countryside classical design. Guests can choose from a variety...
Measuring approximately 23 square meters, the Classic Private Garden Rooms offer a tranquil corner of Ellenborough Gate. These bedrooms come with a King size bed...
Located in the woodlands and mews within the estate, the Deluxe Rooms offer a contemporary classic decor with soothing duck egg blues and floral accents....
The spacious Luxury Rooms, spanning approximately 35 square meters, provide an exceptional experience. Some of these rooms feature elegant four-poster beds, while others offer stunning...
The Junior Suites at Ellenborough Park are open-plan and approximately 35 square meters in size. These elegant and spacious bedrooms are perfect for families or...
With a size of approximately 29 square meters, the Deluxe Pool Patio Rooms offer a delightful escape. These spacious rooms come with a King size...
The Main House at Ellenborough Park is home to the grand and opulent Open Plan Suites. These luxurious suites offer a generous size, ranging from...
The Great Hall dates to the work of Thomas Goodman, who began building here in 1485. His coat of arms remains at the entrance. Later generations added their own marks, including oak paneling and the marriage crest of Eleanor Huddleston and Kinnard De la Bere above the Restaurant fireplace. Tudor roses in the dining room windows are another surviving detail. These features sit within rooms used for dining and gathering, rather than being set apart as exhibits.
A private track leads from the estate to Cheltenham Racecourse, with hotel transfers arranged during the racing season. This is a practical part of a race-meeting stay, allowing the journey to begin within the grounds. The connection also shapes the hotel's calendar, with preview evenings and other racing events bringing guests together around major meetings.
Room location varies across the estate. The three Manor Suites are in the Main House, each with 52 square meters of open-plan space. A king-size Hypnos bed and lounge area share the room, with tweed or floral fabrics and a roll-top bath adding country-house detail. Heated bathroom floors provide a modern touch. Each suite accommodates two adults and up to two children under fifteen.
Junior Suites offer 38 square meters, also with an open-plan lounge and space for two adults and two children under fifteen. A king-size Hypnos bed, roll-top bath and heated floors are part of the category. These suites are spread across the estate buildings rather than confined to the Main House.
Garden Luxury Rooms are in Ellenborough Gate. They measure 35 square meters and have a king bed, a lounge area and air conditioning. Outside, an enclosed garden averages 81 square meters, with a furnished patio for sitting out. Some rooms have four-poster beds, though the shape and decoration vary. These rooms accommodate two adults.
Poolside Deluxe Rooms put the heated outdoor swimming pool close at hand. Each measures 29 square meters for two adults and has a king-size Hypnos bed. Bathrooms vary, with showers, roll-top baths or both, alongside underfloor heating and Noble Isle toiletries. A Nespresso machine and tea-making facilities are provided for a drink in the room before heading outside.
The Lodge is a separate one-bedroom retreat in a restored nineteenth-century building. A kitchen, dining area and lounge occupy the ground floor, with sofa beds and a wood burner. Upstairs are the bedroom, dressing room and en-suite bathroom.
An enclosed garden extends the accommodation outdoors. The Lodge welcomes dogs and can accommodate two adults and two children. With a fully equipped kitchen, it also gives guests the option to prepare meals during a longer stay while retaining access to the hotel's restaurants and facilities.
Horse Box Brasserie is the casual dining room and bar, serving seasonal food at lunch and dinner. Comfortable seating and a drinks list of classic cocktails, beers and international wines make it a place for an evening drink as well as a meal. A children's menu is available, and visitors can also stop in for coffee, tea or a light bite.
The Restaurant has a different setting, with wood paneling, chandeliers and wall sconces. Seasonal menus are served at dinner throughout the week, with Sunday lunch as another occasion to eat in the historic room. Children have their own menu here too.
Afternoon tea is served in the Great Hall. Sandwiches and savory bites come with handmade sweets and freshly baked scones, accompanied by tea, coffee or infusions of ginger or mint. There is a smaller afternoon tea for children. The service makes use of one of the oldest rooms in the house.
Outdoor dining runs seasonally from late May through late summer, with lunch and dinner menus as well as options for children. The Carriages provide a setting for afternoon tea and homemade treats, while the Front Lawn looks toward Cheltenham for sunset drinks. Outdoor tables depend on weather and availability.
The indoor spa has a Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and Karma relaxation room, with a gym also available. The 16-meter heated outdoor pool is separate, reached by a short walk through the grounds. It operates year-round, so swimming remains an outdoor experience even in the cooler months. Poolside rooms shorten the walk back afterward.
Overnight guests have access to the main spa facilities during their stay, from check-in to check-out, within opening hours. The spa area and treatments have a minimum age of sixteen. Treatment choices include full-body massage, an Elemis facial and a face-and-body ritual. The Japanese Head Spa adds scalp cleansing, massage and a hair wash.
The Spa Garden Retreat is a separate, extra-charge reservation, including for hotel residents. Its outdoor facilities include a hot tub, sauna, ice bath and seating area. Open year-round, it can be booked for private use, subject to availability.
Connecting rooms provide another option for families alongside the Manor Suites and The Lodge. Children can use Yoto audio players during an overnight stay, and the children's breakfast and milkshake bar brings a playful element to the morning. Children's menus and mocktails are part of the dining arrangements. The boot room also stocks Le Chameau boots for younger guests heading outdoors.
The estate includes lawns, woodland and meadows, while Cleeve Hill lies across the main road. Accommodation is spread among several buildings, and the historic Main House has access limitations. Step-free room options are in The Mews and Ellenborough Gate. Guests needing a particular layout or accessible route should arrange the room location in advance.
Ellenborough Park stands between Southam and Prestbury, outside central Cheltenham. Cheltenham Spa railway station is about five miles away, with taxis available for the onward journey. Drivers arrive via Southam Road, and the hotel has parking and electric-vehicle charging.
Dog-friendly dining areas mean your companion can join you at mealtimes, while the extensive grounds provide space for walks between outings.
The heated outdoor pool stretches 16 metres, adding an open-air swim to a country-house stay without needing to leave the grounds.
Afternoon tea in the Great Hall brings the historic house into your day, with fresh scones and a smaller version for children.
SOUTHAM ROAD
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The best time to stay at Ellenborough Park depends on the trip. March is important for Cheltenham Festival and racing atmosphere. Spring and summer are best for gardens, Cotswold touring, alfresco drinks, and using the outdoor pool. Autumn is beautiful for countryside colour, spa weekends, and quieter village visits. Winter works well for fireside country-house atmosphere, afternoon tea, festive stays, and race days. Ellenborough Park is a year-round hotel because its appeal is split between heritage, spa, racing, and countryside.
Yes. Ellenborough Park can work well for families who want a refined countryside hotel rather than a large activity resort. The grounds, pool, larger room options, Cheltenham access, and Cotswold touring possibilities make it practical for family stays. Families should choose room categories carefully, especially if they need extra space or interconnecting options. The hotel is elegant, so it suits families who want a polished stay rather than a purely child-focused environment.
Yes. Ellenborough Park is excellent for couples who want a romantic Cotswold stay with history, spa time, countryside, and good access to Cheltenham. The 15th-century manor, grounds, restaurants, and heated outdoor pool give the stay a strong sense of occasion. For the best couples' stay, choose a characterful room, book spa time, plan dinner in The Restaurant, and leave space for a slow breakfast or walk near Cleeve Hill. The hotel is at its best when the pace is not rushed.
Yes. Afternoon tea at Ellenborough Park is worth considering because the hotel has the right setting for it: historic rooms, manor-house atmosphere, lawns, and a slower country-house rhythm. It is a natural fit for a Cotswold weekend or a celebratory stay. It works particularly well on arrival day or after a morning in Cheltenham or the surrounding villages. For many guests, afternoon tea is one of the easiest ways to enjoy the historic side of the property.
Yes. Horse Box Brasserie is worth visiting if you want a relaxed meal that fits the hotel's Cheltenham racing identity. It is more casual than The Restaurant and works well for lunch, dinner, Sunday lunch, or a comfortable meal after a day at the races. The brasserie is especially useful for guests who want good hotel dining without dressing for a formal country-house dinner every night. It gives Ellenborough Park a more flexible food offering.
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