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Beaumont House - Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

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Cheltenham's most luxurious B&B

When it comes to boxes, we’re not quite sure where to put the stunning Cheltenham villa that is Beaumont House. Not big enough to be a hotel, yet far too luxurious and quirky to be your average B&B, it’s pretty much in a box of its own – and it’s all the better for it. Set in a pretty garden on the outskirts of vibrant Cheltenham (10 minutes’ walk from the centre), this award-winning guest house is an ideal base from which to explore the town and the stunning Cotswold countryside and Malvern Hills that surround it.

The Ten bedrooms at Beaumont House are all very individually designed. The standard doubles are stylishly decorated in classic colour schemes of cream, red or green, while others are altogether more adventurous. The ‘Out of Africa’ room mixes animal prints with an amazing safari-style bed and tribal wall-hangings, while its ‘Out of Asia’ equivalent is decorated in rich colours, with a low bed, bamboo and oriental artwork. It might sound like it shouldn’t work, but it does - and provides a weekend with a difference in the process. All the rooms are luxuriously equipped, with modern en-suites complete with drenching power shower or bath, flat screen tellies and wifi. The Africa and Asia rooms, together with the huge Prestbury Suite have treaty whirlpool baths (the Prestbury even has a flat-screen telly in the bathroom, so you can enjoy The Antiques Roadshow from the comfort of your bathtub).

Breakfasts at Beaumont are as luxurious as you might expect, with kippers and smoked haddock on the menu for that proper Edwardian start to the morning. Morning constitutionals can be taken in the lovely gardens, which make the perfect summertime spot for post-racing cocktails or a pre-dinner snifter.

Where is it?

Elegant Cheltenham is undoubtedly a weekend destination with a bit of class. Home to some of the best Regency architecture in the country, plus one of the most famous racecourses in the country, and one of the best-known girls’ public schools in the country, it’s certainly a thoroughbred as far as British towns go. And all this because of pigeons (the story goes that in 1716, a flock of pigeons discovered a spring on the site of what is now the Ladies’ College, became rather happy and healthy after frolicking in it’s waters and inspired some clever entrepreneurs to persuade rich humans to do the same – Cheltenham soon became one of the most popular and glamorous spa resorts in England).

But don’t go thinking that all these gentrified connections have made Cheltenham a slow-moving, Sloane-alone oasis of dull. Far from it – great bars and restaurants, a thriving arts scene, great shopping and, of course, those race horses, make it the ideal destination for a buzzy, yet beautiful weekend retreat.

If history is your bag, you only need wander around Cheltenham to soak it all in. The stately town hall (www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk Tel: 01242 227979), is a good place to start, with its cavernous, pillar-flanked main Hall as its gorgeous centre piece. Today, it’s one of the best places to catch live music and comedy in town. The other historical must-see is Pittville Pump Room ( Tel: 01242 227979), a masterclass in Regency architecture, and the place to be in 1830. You can still taste the Cheltenham spring waters there (if you really want to – quite frankly, they’re disgusting…). At the far northern end of the town, the Pump Room overlooks pretty Pittville Park, which, with its lawns, gardens and two lakes is a perfect place for a picnic.

If relaxing doesn’t appeal, Cheltenham is also a great place for that ageless past-time – shopping. From the high street, at the smart town-centre Regent Arcade shopping centre, to the high brow on The Promenade (or “The Prom”), surrounded by white, Regency buildings. But for something a bit different, venture out of the centre and find The Suffolks and The Montpellier districts – colourful collections of independent boutiques, galleries, pavement cafes and antiques shops, with a cool, village-y atmosphere.

Cheltenham’s cultural scene is vibrant and worth seeking out at any time of the year, but for some of the best music and cultural talent in the country, it’s worth planning your visit around one of the town’s many festivals. The Cheltenham Music Festival (www.cheltenhamfestivals.com Tel: 01242 227979), held in July, has been running since 1945 and is one of the best classical music events in the country. Musicians, orchestras and singers come from all corners to perform in venues across town, including the Town Hall and Pump Room, plus churches, bars, theatres and in the open air. The Cheltenham Jazz Festival (contact details as above), in late April, is arguably even more famous, and is a mecca for jazz fans from all over the world, while the Cheltenham Literature Festival (contact details as above) in October is a ten-day feast of all things written, attracting big-name authors, poets, comedians and, well, wordsmiths generally. There’s even a world-class Science Festival in June for any boffins needing a busman’s summer holiday.

All of these festivals mean that throughout the year, Cheltenham’s population numbers rise and fall like they’re on a pogo stick, and vacancies at hotels and B&Bs do the same. But if there’s any one week that the inefficient traveller is almost guaranteed to find no room at the inn, it’s in March, during The Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse when whole of Cheltenham gets gripped by horse racing fever culminating on the Friday with the world-famous Cheltenham Gold Cup. With its backdrop of beautiful Cotswold scenery, Cheltenham Racecourse (www.sudeleycastle.co.uk Tel: 01242 602308) - aka Liz Hurley’s wedding venue - with its tumbling ruins and eminently wander-able gardens, are just a twenty minute drive away. For more information on what to see, where to go and the best places to eat in the area, read The Weekenders Guide to The Cotswolds.

Where can I eat?

Cheltenham is full of great places to eat, but it’s reputation as a bit of a gastronomic destination means that, for the best places at least, you need to book ahead. This definitely applies for the two-Michelin-starred Le Champignon Sauvage (www.lumiere.cc Tel: 01242 222200), a gorgeously stylish and romantic restaurant that serves mouthwatering, vibrant fusion dishes. A Cheltenham stalwart is The Daffodil (www.thedaffodil.co.uk Tel: 01242 700055), where the menus are great, but the restaurant itself is the star. Located in an old art-deco cinema, and recently refurbished by modern-day fop, Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen, it’s simply a stunning place to sit and enjoy. If you’d rather escape the centre of town, chill out and gorge yourself on comfort food, the area’s best gastropub, The Langton (www.thelangton.co.uk Tel: 01242 258941) in the pretty village of Charlton Kings (about 2 miles outside Cheltenham) is fab. Way-above-average pub grub, sharing plates and posh pizzas mean there’ll be something for everyone.

For something a bit different, Brosh (www.broshrestaurant.co.uk Tel: 01242 227277) is a fantastic Eastern Mediterranean restaurant that’s received rave reviews. Serving vibrant and exotic dishes influenced by Moorish, Arabic, Jewish and Mediterranean flavours, it’s a refreshing change from the norm. And the bread… oh, the bread is to die for.

Top of page

When it comes to boxes, we’re not quite sure where to put the stunning Cheltenham villa that is Beaumont House. Not big enough to be a hotel, yet far too luxurious and quirky to be your average B&B, it’s pretty much in a box of its own – and it’s all the better for it.