It is the little details at The Thyme Hotel which speak to the serenity of this English countryside escape. The crunch of gravel beneath your boots as you walk the grounds, the sight of rare-breed sheep grazing in the distance, or perhaps the calming scent of the lavender which lines the walkway to The Meadow Spa. Thyme is an ode to the land and an ode to nature, and guests feel irrevocably connected to both during their stay here.

In the charming village of Southrop in The Cotswolds, there sits Thyme: a country-chic boutique hotel with a first-class restaurant, a rejuvenating spa, an elegant bar and a longstanding cookery school. Set on the iconic 150-acre Southrop Manor Estate, Thyme is composed of a beautiful collection of converted barns, sheds and 17th-century cottages, all uniquely designed with a clear botanical aesthetic in mind.

Thyme is first-and-foremost a family business. However, even using the term “business” is not entirely accurate. Owner and Creative Director, Caryn Hibbert, describes it best, saying that their estate is “a village within a village.” With the owners and staff seeing their hotel as more of a lifestyle than a commercial property, every guest lucky enough to stay at Thyme leaves having experienced something truly authentic.

Caryn and her husband Jerry fled London for Southrop Manor as far back as 2001. After saving the run-down tithe barn, Caryn went on to purchase local pub The Swan, numerous cottages and the rectory. From the onset, Caryn’s goal has been to modernize the historic architecture while maintaining its rustic, agricultural charm. Having started out as just the cookery school, which opened in 2009, the site has since evolved to comprise of a variety of projects dedicated to the Hibbert family’s love of the land. Apart from Caryn’s own work restoring and styling this fabulous estate, her talented son Charlie Hibbert has also been making waves as Head Chef at The Ox Barn, one of the finest restaurants in the Cotswolds.

The estate’s dry stone walls blend in naturally with the surrounding gardens. British landscape architect Bunny Guinness played an integral role in designing the grounds of Thyme. The harmonious, earthy-toned mix of acid etch metal entwined with hornbeam, timber posts, stepping stone paths, terracotta and gravel all add to the overall rustic feel of the property. A special detail which honours Thyme’s culinary origins is the courtyard’s quirky chicken fountain by artist Helen Denerley, which has been fashioned from a range of kitchen utensils such as spoons, forks and whisks.

Guinness’s additions on the botanical side of things, however, are what really tie these gardens together. Alongside cork oak trees and trimmed hedges, Guinness incorporated a variety of flowers, some of which include catmint, lavender and a vibrant combination of crimson magenta and white roses. Additional charming features include fresh espalier pears hanging from a few of the gardens’ trees, as well as hidden wooden benches built into the alcoves of the hedges.

Styled by Caryn Hibbert herself, the 31 bedrooms at The Thyme Hotel are rustic with a contemporary edge. Each suite has its own personality, with a colour palette inspired by the particular English flower or plant that they have been named after. While some of the bedrooms feature accents of bright blue and green, others see touches of mustard yellow or pastel pink. One thing that all of the suites do have in common, though, are the exceedingly comfortable mattresses, fresh linens, and antique furnishings which continue the theme of honoring the history of the property. Upon returning to their suites following dinner, guests can look forward to a nightcap of the hotel’s homemade vermouth, as well as a hot water bottle awaiting them under the covers.

One of Thyme’s standout suites is The English Rose Room situated on the lower level of The Lodge. As a reflection of the British flower and symbol, the classic room features pastel pink painted walls, botanical embellished drapes, low-hanging chandeliers and two crackling fireplaces for those chilly countryside evenings. In the bathroom, there is a walk-in marble shower as well as a free standing bathtub which sits adjacent to a large glass window. Here, guests can soak in a bubble bath while enjoying views of the towering 400-year-old Cedar of Lebanon tree located just outside.

Another suite worth mentioning is Pinewood, which falls under the category of Thyme’s Divine Bedrooms. The old Hollywood glamour styled room features an emerald green colour scheme. There are sumptuous velvet curtains, art deco furnishings, and a lightbox of model Kate Moss by artist Chris Levine. The suite even has its very own in-room cinema – a lavish detail which has made the room a popular choice of stay.

Set within a converted 19th century cattle barn, The Ox Barn is the property’s ultimate fine dining experience. Some of its former qualities remain, including the high Douglas Fir beams, which were shipped all the way from Canada in the mid-1800s, and the original stone rubble walls. Such is contrasted against some of the dining room’s more modern additions: poured concrete floors, posh leather seating, a lavish bar and an open kitchen.

The Ox Barn prepares and serves meals based solely on whatever fresh produce is available to be picked from the garden. This is seasonal, sustainable dining at its finest, with Charlie Hibbert demonstrating his skillset through the numerous delectable dishes featured on the menu. Stars of the show include the potato pave, a layered potato “cake” served with goat’s curd, pumpkin and crunchy sage, as well as the roast pork, radicchio and beans. This summer season’s two or three-course set lunch menu at The Ox Barn is a celebration of edible flowers and herbs, with dishes such as the vibrant bavette with beetroot, horseradish and bitter leaves served alongside a flute of fruity Nyetimber Rosé.

For those who fancy a change in scenery, head to village pub The Swan for a refined dinner in a cozy setting. Although it is just a short walk down the road, make it romantic one by grabbing a lantern from the reception at Thyme before embarking on the journey. Here, meals also comprise of fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from Thyme’s farm and gardens. Firm favourites include the classic scotch egg and a hearty dish of partridge served with squash and borlotti beans.

The Cotswolds is renowned for its sheep industry. And so, Thyme’s comically named saloon, The Baa, is more than appropriate. The elegant space is situated within the since converted lambing shed and features hardwood floors, crushed velvet sofas and custom ‘sheep seats’ made from the wool of the very same herds that live on the property. Guests can cozy up with a coffee and a book in The Baa during the day and indulge in one of their cocktails at night. Four high-chairs are available at the space-grey counter-top bar, where bartenders serve up fresh concoctions infused with flowers and herbs from the garden.

With a host of superb facilities to be experienced, The Thyme Hotel is deserving of a stay which exceeds the mere weekend getaway. The cookery school holds classes twice a week, with options ranging from a two-hour, half day or full day class. Popular choices include the breadmaking and charcuterie courses. As you make your way to the entrance along the pathway, subtle culinary-themed touches have been carefully incorporated into the surroundings. These include olive trees, rosemary, and of course, thyme. Classes are well-thought out, beginning in the kitchen garden so that guests may learn about the how’s, where’s and why’s of the ingredients that they will be using in the kitchen.

Thyme’s Meadow Spa is simply idyllic. Calming sage green accents appear on the shutters and doors while the relaxing scent of lavender, salvia and hydrangeas fills the nose from the garden just outside. Local therapists utilise natural British Aurelia probiotic skincare products in the spa’s spacious treatment rooms. There is also a lovely outdoor spring water swimming pool, tennis court and yoga studio in close proximity to the spa. Or, if guests would prefer to be even closer to nature, why not take a stroll, jog or cycle along the village lanes adjacent to the River Leach?

The Thyme Hotel is much more than a simple escape to the country. It is about leaving with a greater sense of appreciation for the land; the same admiration that the owners and their enthusiastic team of staff have for the site themselves. Caryn Hibbert considers Thyme to be an extension not only of her family home, but of who she is as one passionate for all things local, sustainable and fresh. Such makes one’s visit to Thyme a particularly organic and sentimental one.