The Oxfordshire-based property developer Daniel Ede’s childhood visits to the hotel and restaurant the Feathers in Woodstock — ten miles north of Oxford on the eastern edge of the Cotswolds — left such a deep impression that he bought the place in September 2023, determined to rescue it from fustiness.
Resuscitating the grade II listed property on Market Street, predominantly dating from the 17th century, has taken ten months and about £4 million. While the interiors are now dapper, it’s kept a pleasing wonkiness. Downstairs the sophisticated walnut Aviary bar leads into the low-ceilinged, terracotta pink and dark wood panelling of the Nest restaurant; upstairs 23 gold-and-grey bedrooms are set around a warren of stairs, or tucked into eaves. The Feathers is the new chick in town, but it’s already knocking the competition off its perch — quite the feat in a charming Cotswolds spot where there are six other hotels within a five-minute walk.
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The do-not-disturb signs in the bedrooms say “I’m roosting” — and that’s a great description for the five categories of bedrooms and suites that are built for lounging and snoozing. Rooms are decorated in a warm colour palette that reflects the Cotswolds outside, with the carpets in a downy grey and brown sofas the colour of clay providing a counterpoint to flashy gold mirrors and bathroom fittings.
Entry-level Woodstock rooms are still spacious enough (the smallest is 16 sq m) and have double beds, while suites are king-sized. All rooms come with robes, slippers, palm-sized Roberts radios, smellies from Urban Apothecary, a powerful Cloud Nine hairdryer and plenty of plug points.
Nightingale, the suite that spans the attic space, is the most romantic, with views towards the finials that top Blenheim Palace on one side and Chipping Norton on the other. An accessible room and dog-friendly suites will be opening in the annexe, a few seconds’ walk across the courtyard, shortly.
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The Aviary bar — centred around a huge wood-burner and furnished with tête-à-tête-friendly love seats — neatly ties in the birding theme with a cocktail named the Feathers of Woodstock and made with (what else?) Grey Goose vodka and elderberry and Earl Grey cordial. The wine list has an Italian focus, from montepulcianos at a reasonable £30 a bottle to a burgundy at £220.
Next door, the Nest is an elegant wander through modern British cooking. Nibbles to start include a rice-paper-thin English coppa with nutty homemade sourdough or a starter of Cotswolds wood pigeon pâté with a blackberry reduction. Mains bring delightful surprises: a crimson-rare venison fillet is plated with mushrooms and cheery greens, plus a side of mash topped with a thumping venison ragu, while the duck breast comes with a cheeky duck spring roll. To finish there are cheeses and chocolate ganache, although the malted creaminess of the namelaka is worth saving space for. No awkward buffets the morning after either; breakfast is à la carte. The full English comes with perfect poachies, while a fluffy crumpet is stacked with smoked salmon and eggs.
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There’s no gym or spa, but crucially for a town as parking permit-heavy as Woodstock, there is a private car park a few minutes’ walk away. Phone ahead for the code to get in.
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Woodstock town centre has a charming selection of independent shops and cafés. But the big hitter is Blenheim Palace. Christmas festivities take place until January 1, 2025, with the courtyard teeming with market stalls and the house dressed for Christmas as a backdrop to the sound and light display Neverland at the Palace, inspired by the story of Peter Pan and complete with Tinker Bell, Captain Hook’s pirate ship and a giant crocodile.
Laura Jackson was a guest of the Feathers (feathers.co.uk)
