Quintessentially British with a very ‘of the moment’ interior design, Cowley Manor is the ideal getaway to immerse oneself in the English countryside whilst also having fun.
A boutique hotel since 2002, The Experimental Group took over Cowley Manor in 2022, to add to their already exciting portfolio of venues across the world. The Grade II listed property was then updated to a 31 bedroomed hotel complemented by a spa, restaurant, cocktail lounge, library, mudroom and plentiful living rooms, not to mention the extensive blooming grounds that give you the opportunity to wander around the trees and over the little bridge to the secret stone grotto.
Bringing glamour and zing to the sleepy nature of manor living, Cowley Manor is an exquisite delight of an experience.
The restaurant offers a feast not only in gastronomy but also visually; the bar, in line with the Experimental Group’s cocktail heritage, has been ramped up to include a wide variety of interesting drinks; and the spa, one of the first ever destinations spas in this area of the country, has won the Conde Nast Traveller reader award, creates the perfect atmosphere and offers a tranquil view for visitors who come from far and wide.
And then we have the rooms…
Designed by Dorothée Meilichzon, they are inspired by the 300 year old history of Cowley Manor, a weaving together of classical inspiration with contemporary elements. A sort of “joyeux bordel” – a happy mess – is what you come into in each bedroom with a nod to Lewis Carroll’s iconic Alice and her merry band of misfits: a small hidden door here, a touch of checkerboard there.
Baldaquin beds, blurred maple, verdigris, rattan, bold colours, real plants and glossy lacquer are layered all in the right way, to add to the feeling of an escapade. As Meilichzon puts it “Overall we wanted to do what we love to do : A mix of geometric elements, a mix of styles, of eras, celebrating the multiple alterations of the buildings from 1695 to the 2000s”.
Parla joined this bold adventure in the bedrooms, the spa and the public areas, working on loose & fixed furniture, casegoods and joinery bringing the designer’s imagination alive in various ways. Whilst receiving guidance from the designer, working with the fabrics, colours and finishes, we were also swept up in the excitement of recreating a tribute to Alice in Wonderland. Always a fun challenge to create new pieces, the armchairs and sofas for Cowley Manor added depth to our knowledge of creating quirky shapes in upholstery.
Soft hues and natural woods combed with bold colours and lacquered finishes, in a luscious natural environment, where you can indulge in the best of food and drink: we present Cowley Manor Experimental!
