Crime & Safety
Five Cotswolds hotels named in UK’s best places to stay for 2026
The list has been compiled by The Sunday Times and features the top 50 spots in the country to take a trip to.
Oxfordshire’s sole entry is Estelle Manor, which can be found in North Leigh, near Eynsham, at the edge of the Cotswolds.
“The atmosphere is one of moneyed playfulness; its approach is classy, not flashy,” reads the publication. Think haute country wear by day and off-duty stealth wealth by night.”
READ MORE: Award‑winning Cotswolds private school named among best in UK
Elsewhere in the Cotswolds, Broadway’s House of George W Davies also makes the cut.
The Sunday Times writes: “The exterior is quintessentially Cotswolds honey-yellow limestone, while inside there are contemporary nods such as multicoloured glass light fixtures and abstract convex mirrors, though the overall vibe across all ten guestrooms is classic.
Also signalled for praise is Thyme in Southrop, just over the Oxfordshire border into Gloucestershire.
“The emphasis here is on relaxation, whether you’re doing that in the 150 acres of perfect green that surround the centuries-old estate or in the peaceful Meadow Spa,” remarks the national newspaper.
READ MORE: Beckhams in Cotswolds row with neighbour who lives 9,000 miles away
Charingworth’s stunning Hyll also makes the top 50, having only opened last summer in Gloucestershire.
“The warm, golden Cotswold stone exterior may make you think you’re in for a traditional country house experience, but the sexy Scandi aesthetic inside sets it apart: wood flooring, a neutral colour palette and bespoke modern furniture.”
The final Cotswolds spot mentioned is Wild Duck, the 16th-century coaching inn in Ewen, near Cirencester.
“After a seven-year hiatus and a year-long renovation by Country Creatures, the grade II listed pub’s characterful gothic-style bar is once again a regular haunt for well-heeled locals,” says The Sunday Times.
The 27-year-old farmhand from Chipping Norton shot to fame for featuring on the hit Amazon Prime TV series.
It follows life on Jeremy Clarkson’s 1,000 acre farm between Chadlington and Chipping Norton named Diddly Squat.
Over the weekend, father of three Mr Cooper helped out with the charity car wash at Chipping Norton fire station.
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A spokesman for the station said on Sunday: “A huge thank you to all the very generous attendees of our car wash today.
“Chipping Norton – you came out in force to support us – as always – and a whopping £1856.10 was raised for the Fire Fighters Charity.
“A massive thank you also to Kaleb Cooper for joining us for the event and also to members of our senior leadership for joining us and getting stuck in.
“We were so busy we didn’t manage to get a crew photo, so here’s a terribly merged set of photos from the day showing us all. Brilliant day all round.”
The Fire Fighters Charity provides specialist health and wellbeing support for serving and retired fire service personnel, their spouses and dependents.
It provides tailored, lifelong support including mental health, physical rehabilitation and financial assistance to the “fire family”.
Mr Cooper often helps raise money at Chipping Norton’s fire station, taking part in previous car washes.
Nathan Wilkins is wanted in connection with a ‘rape’ in Banbury that happened on March 29 this year.
The 35-year-old is described as a white man, 5ft 7ins tall, with brown hair, an unshaven beard and a slim build.
He is known to frequent shops in Banbury and the Kings Sutton area.
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Investigating officer detective constable Matthew Leney said: “We are appealing for the public’s help in tracing Nathan Wilkins.
“If you see him, please do not approach him, instead call 999.
“However, if you have information as to his whereabouts then please call 101 or make an online report, quoting reference 43260137796.
“Or if you do not wish to speak to the police you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, who will take your information 100% anonymously.”
Southerndown Care Home in Chipping Norton hosted a special police surgery with PCSO Wesley Smith and Lisa Lavington.
The visit focused on local crime challenges and scams.
Subra, general manager of Southerndown Care Home, said: “We know that crime is a concern for us all and scammers particular as they often target the elderly because they can be more trusting.
“We wanted to use the session to make sure our residents as well as friends from within the community were better informed and to know that support is always here at Southerndown Care Home as well as with the local police.”
The session educated attendees on the various ways scams can be disguised, including in-person approaches, phone calls, post, emails, and social media.
Residents, families, and friends took part in the conversation, with some sharing personal experiences and the recovery strategies they found effective.
Southerndown care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals.
It provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care from respite care to long term stays.
The home regularly holds events and activities for its residents, relatives and surrounding neighbours.
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