Cotswolds Calling 🎄

How to do The Holiday IRL.

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Nov 11, 2025

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There’s an autumnal chill in the air and daylight hours are rapidly decreasing.

That can only mean one thing: it’s time for a holiday. Pinterest’s fall trend report confirms what we already suspected—countryside fashion and the European countryside are trending big time, with searches for “England countryside cottage” up 814%.

Cue the Cotswolds. The bucolic area about 2 hours west of London is where village scenes were filmed for Downton Abbey and is perhaps best known as the setting for The Holiday, the 2000s romcom starring Cameron Diaz and Jude Law.

If you’ve never seen The Holiday, consider this a sign. There’s no better place to spend the “ber months” than the quintessentially English villages of the Cotswolds. Americans have taken note. Online traffic from America to StayCotswolds.com was up 78 per cent in 2023 and 29 per cent last year and celebs like Kourtney Kardashian documenting her stay this summer.

From country house hotels to cozy coaching inns, we’ve found five retreats that will give you all the English festive feels and let you live The Holiday IRL.

Mulled wine and mince pies mandatory. Try not to fall in love.

^{Every hotel on Late Checkout is independently selected by us. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.} 

The Manor House

The name really says it all, doesn’t it? A magnificent English country mansion worthy of Mr. Darcy, The Manor House in the picturesque village of Castle Combe offers a treasure trove of indulgent holiday experiences, from family meals to private parties to exclusive romantic retreats from Christmas Eve through to Boxing Day!

Rates from $378, book here.

Lucknam Park Hotel

Another country manor to make Jane Austen fans swoon, Lucknam Park Hotel promises guests a “hassle-free Christmas,” that is, if your idea of “hassle-free” includes a high tea service, black-tie dinner and midnight mass complete with mulled wine and mince pies “in the library…”

Rates from $697, book here.

The Wheatsheaf Inn

If cozy country pubs are more your style, The Wheatsheaf Inn is a quintessentially ivy-clad, Cotswolds stone coaching inn, dating back to the 1600s. Following the centuries-old model of a ‘pub with rooms,’ the inn’s assortment of suites offers elegant amenities and easy access to the festive feasts served downstairs.

Rates from $217, book here.

The Fish

Comprised of a luxurious yet quirky assortment of huts, treehouses and cottages nestled within a 500-acre private Cotswolds estate, The Fish offers a whimsical holiday experience like no other. Choose from an assortment of holiday packages with options for friend groups, families and couples.

Rates from $293, book here.

Ellenborough Park

A sumptuous modernized manor house, Ellenborough Park takes the holiday season seriously, with an entire calendar packed with festivities, including candles and carols, a mini afternoon tea and a traditional Christmas lunch. Throw in these snowy vistas and icicle-clad trees and love is in the air (Jude Law not included)!

Rates from $318, book here.

What to pack:

UGG® Emberlynn LuxeFluff Faux-Shearling Coat

Channel your inner Amanda with this cozy shearling coat.

Shop now.

Cashmere Beret

Cap your winter wardrobe with our cozy-chic cashmere beret. Designed to turn heads with the elevated texture of its allover honeycomb stitch and ribbed trim.

Shop now.

Concourse Weekender

Meet your new favorite weekender; lightweight, durable and crafted from faux leather that is easy to clean. Designed to make weekend trips a breeze with an outside pocket for easy access to your phone and keys, a trolley pass and an adjustable strap to make travel a breeze. The spacious interior has room for everything you’ll need and plenty of pockets to keep you organized. Add a foil monogram for a personal touch.

Shop now.