A Wellness-Focused Escape to Calcot & Spa: Sustainability, Rewilding & Rest in the Heart of the Cotswolds
Wellness Experience: 8/10
Sustainability: 8/10
Food & Nourishment: 8/10
Price From: £333 per night
There are some places that stay with you long after you’ve checked out, and Calcot & Spa is absolutely one of them.
Set on a 700-year-old estate just outside Tetbury in the Cotswolds, it’s a property steeped in history yet deeply connected to the future - particularly when it comes to sustainability, wellness and rewilding.
I recently spent a weekend there, a brisk and beautiful winter escape, and left feeling genuinely restored. What struck me most wasn’t just the comfort, the food or the spa (all exceptional), but how seamlessly their commitment to sustainability enhances the wellness experience. At Calcot, the two aren’t separate ideas, they’re woven into everything.
A Landscape Rooted in Rewilding
One of the first things you notice at Calcot is the land. The fields, the hedgerows, the meadows, all are part of a thoughtful, ongoing rewilding initiative that aims to return the estate to a more natural, biodiverse state.
Their wildflower meadows in summer are a sight to remember: a full mosaic of colour buzzing with butterflies, moths and farmland birds. Even in the colder months, you can sense the abundance and intention behind it.
Rewilding has become something of a buzzword, but Calcot is one of the places actually putting it into practice. It’s not just a feature — it’s a philosophy. And you can feel the effect it has on the land and the atmosphere. The air feels clearer. The pace feels slower. You feel more grounded, more connected, just by being there.
Meeting Calcot’s Bees
A true highlight of our stay was getting up close with Calcot’s onsite beehives, guided by the team that manages them.
Most hotels buy honey. Calcot produces it, with five thriving hives that play a vital role in their ecosystem and rewilding work. Being able to step into a bee suit, learn about their process, and actually see the hive functioning up-close was incredibly special.
Beekeeping isn’t just a charming add-on here; it’s a key part of their biodiversity strategy and a tangible example of how luxury hospitality can support, rather than extract from - the environment around it.
It was humbling to witness, and it added so much meaning to the stay.
A 700-Year-Old Estate With a Modern Wellness Ethos
Calcot Manor has lived many lives over the centuries, farmstead, manor house, family home, and now a beautifully restored haven for rest and wellness. Despite its age, nothing about it feels heavy or outdated. The spaces are warm, modern and intentionally designed for relaxation.
The spa is peaceful and spacious, the outdoor fires are perfect for winter evenings, and the treatment rooms are genuinely serene. Whether you're floating in the heated outdoor pool or curled up with a book, the environment encourages you to pause, breathe and properly unwind.
What’s refreshing is that their wellness philosophy stretches far beyond the spa.
Wellness at Calcot is:
being surrounded by nature that’s allowed to thrive
staying somewhere that prioritises sustainability without compromising comfort
eating food that’s seasonal, local and thoughtfully prepared
having the space to slow down and truly reset
It feels honest, uncomplicated and deeply restorative..
A Space for Everyone - From Solo Retreats to Family Escapes
Another beautiful surprise is how family-friendly Calcot is, without compromising the calmness of the space. They offer kids’ clubs, bikes, activities, and dedicated pool times, making it a place where couples, families and solo travellers can all find their version of rest.
You can feel why so many people return year after year.
Why Sustainability Deepens the Wellness Experience
What stayed with me most from the trip is how intertwined wellness and sustainability truly are. When you stay somewhere that is protecting biodiversity, nurturing its landscape, and supporting its pollinators, it affects how you feel as a guest.
There’s something profoundly grounding about resting in a place that is healing itself too.
Calcot & Spa isn’t just a luxury country stay, it’s a beautifully run ecosystem, and being part of it even briefly was a privilege.
I left feeling nourished, inspired and more connected to nature than I have in a long time.
And I cannot wait to go back..
Review ratings
As part of my wellness travel reviews, I created this rating system to give a clear and trustworthy overview of every place I stay. Each score is based on my personal experience, conversations with the team on site, and my perspective as Emily Warburton Adams, a wellness entrepreneur, nutrition student and founder working within food, sustainability and nourished living. My aim is to help you understand how each destination supports wellbeing, nourishment and environmental responsibility in real, meaningful ways. These ratings are designed to guide you towards travel that truly feels good for you - and good for the planet.
Wellness Experience:
Sleep environment & room comfort
Spa quality, treatments & thermal spaces
Access to nature / quiet
Movement options (walks, gym, bikes, classes)
Mental reset & overall restfulness
Sustainability:
Rewilding & biodiversity initiatives
Organic, seasonal and local sourcing
Waste and plastic reduction & renewable energy use
Community support & ethical partnerships
Authenticity of sustainability claims
Food & Nourishment:
Quality and sourcing of ingredients
Whole-food, balanced menu options
Plant-forward and allergy-friendly offerings
Transparency in sourcing
How the food supports wellness & energy
