OWLPEN MANOR ESTATE  – PRIVATE HIRE

In 1974, Sir Nicholas and Lady Karin Mander moved to Owlpen to begin restoring a Tudor manor house as a home for their growing family. Over the years they have re-built the traditional estate to create the perfect country house location for independent tourist and group travellers, who come from all over the world to see the Cotswolds, and enjoy the history, natural beauty and cuisine of this hidden corner of the Cotswolds. The Owlpen Estate is ideally suited to family groups, or large gatherings of friends, who are looking to come together in one place to enjoy a weekend away. As the whole valley is privately owned, it is totally private and use is absolutely exclusive: nobody else comes in and out apart from you, your guests and our dedicated team who keep Owlpen running. With a combination of accommodation, private dining and a whole range of activities, there couldn’t be a better place to enjoy the English countryside for a weekend away with your nearest and dearest.

Our weekend Private Hire special offer includes the following:

• Exclusive use of the estate for two nights, from 3pm on the Friday and checkout 5pm on Sunday.

• Accommodation for all 40 guests in our nine boutique holiday cottages.

• Friday evening welcome drinks for all.

•Three-course Saturday night fine dining experience, including food and selected drinks, for 40 people.

• Sunday morning breakfast for everyone the next day.

• Concierge service from the estate office: we can organise an array of additional activities on the estate, over the course of the weekend. 

ACCOMMODATION

We are delighted to offer nine boutique self-catering holiday cottages at Owlpen Manor which sleep 40 people in total, in houses, barns and woodland homes for between 2 and 8 people. Enjoy comfort, design and peace and quiet in this unspoilt privately-owned Cotswold valley. Choose from a selection of stunning listed buildings built of Cotswold stone, elegantly restored and refurbished to a high standard. Although we do not claim to be ‘luxury’ accommodation, all cottages have been given a 4 star rating by the Visit England tourism authority. We have a range of properties that are perfect for independent travellers who want to stop off as a part of a wider trip for a few days, or stay for longer periods and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the Owlpen valley more fully.

The Grist Mill

Converted 18th century water mill with its own garden, four bedrooms, two bathrooms and open plan living space on the ground floor. Two doubles, two singles. Sleeps 8.

Woodwells

Comfortable Victorian farmhouse on the edge of the woods, with views west over the valley. Three bedrooms, one on ground floor. Two bathrooms. Separate kitchen, dining room, living room. Sleeps 6.

Marlings End

Old schoolhouse on the edge of the estate built of Cotswold stone. South-facing views from private garden. Three bedrooms, kitchen, dining room, living room. Sleeps 5.

Summerfield

Cosy open plan living in a converted Cotswold stone barn, with views over the valley. Sleeps 2.

Peter’s Nest

Cotswold stone cottage nestled in the woods. Private garden and parking, open plan living, wood-burning stove. Sleeps 2.

Apple Loft

Studio apartment in the upper floors of our 15th century Cyder Barn. Open plan bedroom/ living room/ dining area and separate bathroom. Sleeps 2.

The Court House

Grade 2 listed building dating to 1628, in the gardens of the manor house itself, which echoes the architecture of the manor house. Like a doll’s house!  Lots of character, separate living room and dining room, three bedrooms. Sleeps 4, plus two children.

Over Court

Modern semi-detached house with open plan kitchen and three bedrooms. South-facing garden with panoramic views over the valley. Sleeps 5.

Manor Farm

Semi-detached house adjoining Over Court, with a fine 18th century four-poster bed and wood-burning stove. Sleeps 4.

 

FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES

During your visit, we are happy to arrange many different activities to enrich your experience of the estate, without having to make arrangements yourself. A selection of activities is as follows:

Guided nature walks on the estate, offering a deeper understanding of the flora and fauna of this remote Cotswold valley.

History tours of the manor house and gardens.

Horse riding: we work closely with a local riding school who come and pick up guests straight from the cottages, and take them on the less-known trails around the valley. They can also arrange picnics, or take guests to the pub for lunch on horseback.

Massage sessions, in the gardens or inside.

Yoga classes, in the manor gardens or the new pole barn.

Flower arranging workshops, using flowers from the estate where possible.

Seasonal cookery classes, once again using the produce grown in the vegetable garden, orchard and hedgerows.

Gliding: the local gliding club offers lessons and gives guests an opportunity to see the Cotswolds from the air!

Clay Pigeon shooting.

We can also arrange tours of other country houses in the area (by prior arrangement) and guided visits to other local attractions in the Cotswolds and the Wye Valley.

 

THE CYDER BARN AND POLE BARN

For centuries, the Cyder Barn was used as the store house of the medieval estate. Recent studies have dated the structure to 1446, so it is one of the oldest surviving barns in the Cotswolds. Next to it is the new Pole Barn, built using larch timber from the Owlpen Estate, and both barns can be used together.  Our catering team create bespoke menus to suit tastes and dietary requirements. Food is locally sourced whenever possible, and we always try to offer guests a choice of meats from the Owlpen farm. This includes beef, pork, lamb, venison, pheasant, and farm free range organic farm eggs.

 

SAMPLE MENU

Chicken Liver Parfait, Bruschetta and Apple Chutney Candied, Golden & Baby Beetroot, Goats Cheese and Walnut Pesto

Beetroot Cured Salmon, Watercress, Horseradish Cream, Home Baked Sourdough Rye Bread

Smoked Haddock and Salmon Fish Cakes, Tarragon, Chervil, Spring Onion, Gherkin and Caper Salad with Peas

Baked Aubergine & Pomegranate Salad with Yoghurt & Fresh Mint

Vegetarian Sharing Boards: Grilled Summer Vegetables, Halloumi & Basil Pesto, Harissa Spiced Humous, Beetroot, Cumin & Coriander Falafels, Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce, Home Baked Nigella Seed Flat-Bread

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Slow Roasted Belly of Pork, Apple Sauce, Crackling and Cider Reduction

Braised Cotswold Lamb Shank, Parsnip Purée and Rosemary Jus, Seasonal Vegetables

Roast Chicken with Chestnut Stuffing, Celeriac Purée, and Red Wine, Lemon and Thyme Jus

Sea Bass with Braised Fennel, New Potatoes and Lemon

Trio of Local Sausages, Celeriac Puree, Braised Puy Lentils, Cavalo Nero and Caramelised Red Onion Gravy.

NB vegetarian option also available.

Chickpea and Aubergine Tagine, Quinoa, Apricot and Roasted Cashew Nuts (v)

Roasted Squash, Stuffed with Almonds, Hazlenuts, Sunflower & Pumpkin Seeds, Puy Lentils and Vegetables with a Roasted Garlic, Rosemary and Red Wine Jus (v)

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Owlpen Mess – Raspberry, Strawberry, Meringue, Cream, Saffron

Chocolate Brownie, Salted Caramel Ice Cream Sticky Toffee Pudding, Toffee Sauce and Vanilla Ice Cream

Home-made traditional apple crumble and vanilla custard

Summer Pudding, Clotted Cream and Mixed Berry Coulis

A Selection of English Artisan Cheeses, Crackers, Grapes, Celery and Apple Chutney

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Tea and coffee served afterwards

 

DRINKS

Alongside your meal we offer a range of drinks which are included in the price, outlined as follows:

Welcome drink: a glass of premium sparkling wine. This comes accompanied by a range of soft drinks including Owlpen estate elderflower pressé, heritage lemonade and local Bottle Green cordials.

Wine for the meal: two glasses of Owlpen house wine, divided up between red and white according to your preference. We also operated a fully stocked bar, available to you and your guests all evening.

For Friday evening welcome drinks we include the following:

A glass of house wine with a selection of white, red or prosecco.

A selection of 30 bottles of premium lager.

Bottomless soft drinks: elderflower pressé, apple juice and orange juice.

Drinks are served from 6-8pm, in the gardens or the barns, depending on the weather and time of year. We also operate a fully stocked bar, available to you and your guests. 

 

PRICES

Our weekend private hire offer is priced at £9750, for 40 people in total, between November and the end of March.  For additional guests to the main event there is an additional fee of £64.50 per head.

The fee includes the following:

• All accommodation from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon
• Welcome drinks in the gardens or barns, Friday evening
• Three-course fine dining in Cyder Barn, Saturday evening
• Brunch in the pole barn, Sunday morning
• Help with arranging weekend activities on or off the estate
• Event coordination

Other activities listed above are priced separately, and can be arranged in advance, directly through the estate office. 

CONTACT US For more information, please contact Bella Wadsworth: 01453 860261 and hello@owlpen.com