Book Ellenborough Park with VIP Benefits

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.