Harrington House
Cotswolds
You get the best of all worlds at this Grade II-listed retreat just a skip away from the heart of Bourton-on-the-Water – the impossibly pretty Cotswolds town with chocolate-box cottages, old-fashioned tearooms, and low-arched stone bridges that span the River Windrush. Not only will you be within walking distance of the Cotswold Motoring Museum, the Model Village, and Birdland Wildlife Park & Gardens, but it’s an easy drive from village beauties Broadway and Bibury. For walkers and hikers, there’s no shortage of thrills, especially for those keen to explore the well-trodden trails and paths around the Windrush Valley, Lower and Upper Slaughter, Gloucestershire Way, Cotswold Way, and Monarch Way.
Harrington House
| • Open February to November and during the festive season • 27 well-appointed guest rooms • Exclusive occupancy: 34 guests minimum • Check in from 4:00pm • Full-board (including cream tea on arrival) • Free Wi-Fi • Free on-site parking • Boot room and drying room • Travel cot • Discovery Point offering a wide range of local area maps, route guides, and information for self-guided walks • Books and games to borrow • Licensed bar • Two lounges • Walled garden and croquet lawn • Landscaped grounds • Electric vehicle charging point - Please note, you will need to bring your own cables to use this EV charging point |  |
Then & now at Harrington House
Showcasing a mix of Tudor, Palladian, and Georgian architectural styles, this stately property was built in 1662 (records show ‘there stands a large cottage with mullioned windows’ on the present site during this time). The first owner was most likely Anthony Collett, whose niece Elizabeth inherited the house and extended it to its current glory with her lawyer husband, William Moore. In 1776, Moore's second wife (also Elizabeth), married Sir James Harrington, for whom the house is named. The house remained in the family thereafter and was purchased by Mr Hall in the early 19th century. In 1860, the property was sold to a Mr Mills who ran Jubilee Cottage (currently guest accommodation) as the Jubilee Inn, using the premises opposite as a malting house for brewing beer. The subsequent owner, Alfred Hadley, continued to use the house much in the same way and lived here from 1870 until 1922 when it changed hands yet again. It became part of our HF Holidays line-up in 1947.
Following a refurbishment in 2017, there’s a pleasing interior design theme throughout. In addition to interesting plasterwork, a grand stairway, and a cupola at the top of the house built in the 1730s and used by William Moore as a lookout, there’s an interesting Rococo ornate ceiling decorated with sunflowers, swallows, monkeys, and flowers. You’ll also find 27 well-appointed guest rooms in three categories (Classic, Premium, and Superior), two lounges, a licensed bar, and an attractive dining room for a wide range of dishes made with fresh and seasonal ingredients. Elsewhere, there’s a handy boot and drying room, books and games to borrow during your stay, a walled garden, a large croquet lawn, and landscaped grounds. The house also has a Discovery Point offering a wide range of local area maps, route guides, and easy-to-follow information for self-guided walks.
Rooms
Designed with your comfort in mind, Harrington House has 27 well-appointed guest rooms available in three categories: Classic, Premium, and Superior.
Classic Rooms are comfortable en-suite guest rooms, ideal for a peaceful night's sleep. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, and shower gel), and a TV.
Premium Rooms are more spacious en-suite guest rooms*. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers, and comfortable mattresses.
Superior Rooms are even more spacious en-suite guest rooms offering upgraded views of the surroundings*. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers, and comfortable mattresses.
We love: Rooms 1 and 2 on the first floor for their master bedrooms, original Palladian design, and lovely views. Room 24 in the Windrush Cottage is a large twin room with its own private garden.
The Choose Your Room service is available at our UK country houses, allowing you the option of choosing and confirming a specific room for an extra charge of £30 per room. This is subject to availability. Upgrade supplements apply.
Check in & check out
You are welcome to check in from 4:00pm at the earliest. On arrival, you’ll enjoy a complimentary cream tea and get to meet your fellow guests, our HF Holidays Leaders, and the rest of the friendly team.
On the day of departure, we kindly ask all guests to check out by 10:00am. You’ll be asked to settle your bill prior to leaving. You may, of course, make a charitable donation to our HF Holidays Pathways Fund if you wish. Please note that we only accept card payments.
Room supplements
| Superior | Premium single | Premium double/twin | Choose your room |
| £25 pppn | £20 pppn | £20 pppn | £30 per room |
*Views and layout reflect each properties unique character and location
About your stay
A warm welcome
We want you to feel comfortable from the moment you arrive. You’ll find a welcome pack in your room with guest registration forms, menus, order forms for dinners and picnic lunches, the Wi-Fi password, and the front door code. Our houses are locked at night, so we recommend noting the Duty Manager’s number on arrival in case of an emergency (or getting locked out).
Evening entertainment
While evening entertainment varies from house to house, the HF Holidays Big Pub Quiz held after dinner on Wednesdays is a weekly staple. Your HF Holidays Leader may be around for tips on guided and self-guided walking routes as well as visit-worthy local attractions.
Walks talks
Our HF Holidays Leaders host guided walking information briefings before dinner on arrival days. This is followed by a group Walks Talk for information on the following day’s walking delights (held before dinner every evening). Self-guided walking guests are, of course, welcome.
The walking day
Prior to setting off on walks, your HF Holidays Leader will run you through a short safety briefing. There’s also an up-to-date weather forecast on display at the house to ensure you have appropriate clothing and footwear. If you choose to do your own walks or are on a self-guided walking holiday, we ask that you please complete an Independent Walker Card each day. These can be found near the Discovery Point in the house.
Food & drink
Led by experienced chefs, we serve a wide range of dishes made with fresh and seasonal ingredients. We always aim to source the best produce available and use home-grown herbs and vegetables from our own gardens whenever possible. Additionally, we have a licensed bar with beers, soft drinks, and a superb selection of spirits. Full-board comes as standard and includes a cream tea on arrival and a hearty breakfast on departure day.
HF Holidays understands the importance of managing allergens effectively to ensure food is safe for guests with food allergies. Whilst we are always able to confidently inform guests which allergens are present in our ingredients and dishes, we are unable to guarantee absolute freedom from the 14 main allergens in our kitchens. Vegetarian and vegan menu choices are available. If you have allergies, food intolerances, or any special dietary requirements, please inform our reservation team at the time of booking.
Accessibility
For accessibility and assistance information, please contact our expert team on 020 3974 8865 or view the accessibility information online for Harrington House
House calendar
- Guided Walking
- Self-Guided Walking
- Special Interests
- Unavailable to Book
Discover Cotswolds
Places to visit
Whether you’re enjoying a guided or self-guided walking holiday, there’s always the opportunity to linger for longer. Here’s our pick of the very best things to see and do within easy travelling distance of Harrington House.
Bourton-on-the-Water
For chocolate-box cottages, old-fashioned tearooms, and low-arched stone bridges that span the River Windrush, this Cotswolds town is only 100 metres away. Highlights include the Cotswold Motoring Museum, the Model Village, and Birdland Wildlife Park & Gardens.
Chipping Campden
A 30-minute drive north of Bourton-on-the-Water, this small market town was once at the heart of the Arts and Crafts Movement. A not-to-be missed highlight is the National Trust-owned Hidcote Manor Gardens in the nearby village of Hidcote Bartrim.
Bibury
Described by William Morris as ‘the most beautiful village in England’ for good reason, this charming town is just a 20-minute drive away. Don’t miss the National Trust-owned Arlington Row – England’s most photographed street.
Broadway
A 30-minute drive away, this lovely town is best known for its horse chestnut tree-lined High Street, Broadway Tower, Broadway Museum & Art Gallery, and Lygon Arms Hotel where Oliver Cromwell spent the night before the Battle of Worcester in1651.
Cotswold Farm Park - Home of Adam Henson
Established in 1971 by Joe Henson, father of farmer and BBC’s Countryfile presenter Adam, this fun-filled park is just a 10-minute drive away. There’s over 50 flocks and herds of farm animals, including Gloucestershire Old Spot Pigs and Highland cattle.
Stratford-Upon-Avon
The birthplace of William Shakespeare, this attractive market town is a 40-minute drive away. Highlights include The Swan Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Shakespeare’s Distillery, and Anne Hathaway’s Cottage.
Blenheim Palace
Home to the 12th Duke of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, this designated UNESCO World Heritage Site is set in extensive parkland. Don’t miss the famous Marlborough Tapestries (the 'Victories Series') in the Green Writing Room.
Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens
A 25-minute drive away, this 160-acre park is home to over 260 species of animals. It also has one of the largest reptile collections in the UK; expect to see crocodiles, lizards, frogs, snakes, such as green anacondas, and venomous snakes including black mambas.
Cheltenham
A 25-minute drive away, this Gloucestershire spa town is most famous for its horseracing, festivals and Regency heritage. Highlights include the award-winning Pittville Park for its magnificent pump room and Montpellier for its independent boutiques.
Gloucester
Home to one of the UK’s most stunning cathedrals, this lovely city on the River Severn is a 35-minute drive away. Don’t miss the Gloucester Docks, Robinswood Hill Country Park, Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum, and the Gloucester Quays.
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway
This volunteer-operated and lovingly-restored steam and diesel heritage railway uses part of the former Great Western Railway's main line route from Birmingham to Cheltenham (it used to run via Stratford-upon-Avon). It is just a 30-minute drive away.
Oxford
An hour’s drive away, this famous university city offers a wealth of historic attractions and museums. Some of the city’s best vantage points can be found at St. Martin’s Tower, the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin, and St. Michael Northgate.
Getting to Harrington House
Getting here
Address
Harrington House
Sherborne Street
Bourton-on-the-Water
Gloucestershire GL54 2BY
Tel: +44 (0)1451 821213
By train
The nearest station is Moreton-in-Marsh.
However, the nearest mainline station is at Cheltenham Spa.
Check National Rail for train times and routes.
By taxi
From Moreton-in-Marsh, it’s a nine-mile journey taking 20 to 30 minutes.
From Cheltenham Spa, it’s an 18-mile journey taking 35 to 45 minutes.
For pricing, please contact Limozena taxis directly.
Limozena
You can pre-book a taxi from our recommended company, Limozena*. We recommend booking your taxi at least seven days in advance by contacting:
Tel: +44 (0)1451 820972
Email: denwalmsley@yahoo.co.uk
A return journey can be arranged on your behalf by the HF Holidays House Manager at Harrington House.
*Limozena is not owned or managed by HF Holidays.
By bus
The 801 bus goes from Moreton-in-Marsh to Bourton-on-the-Water and takes about 30 minutes. Alight next to the Edinburgh Woollen Mill Shop from where it’s a short walk to Harrington House.
By car
There’s free car parking at Harrington House if you decide to drive.
Directions
From the A429 take the road into the centre of Bourton-on-the-Water. At the war memorial by the village green, turn into Sherborne Street. Cross the narrow bridge and continue to just before the road forks. You’ll find Harrington House on the left.
By air
The nearest airport is London Heathrow Airport.
From the airport
Take the train to London Paddington station from where there are direct trains to Moreton-in-Marsh, which takes just over two hours. Then you can get the bus or a taxi to Bourton-on-the-Water.
