QUICK TAKE
KJ Travel Founder Kate joined CSB Travel and fellow Top Producers for a luxury England itinerary across the Cotswolds, Bath and London. This trip included stays and site visits at properties like The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, Cliveden House, and The Chancery Rosewood, plus a festive journey aboard the Belmond British Pullman. The result: a curated, advisor-tested England itinerary, a refined mix of English countryside charm and London sophistication.
Why This Trip Matters For Our Clients
Top Producer status is not just a line in a bio. It reflects years of collaboration with hotel partners, careful itinerary design, and a consistent standard of service. Trips like this are our chance to:
Walk the hotels we book for you
Test transfers, guides, and experiences firsthand
Deepen relationships with on-property teams
Come home with real, lived-in knowledge that informs every recommendation we make
And that knowledge compounds year after year. Our advisors combine firsthand exploration, deep supplier relationships, and insider intelligence from our network to match you with the exact right property, timing, guides and itinerary structure. It's the difference between reading about a destination and truly understanding how to experience it.
The Cotswolds: Storybook Villages
The English countryside leg began on a crisp November morning in the Cotswolds, where everything looks like it was designed for a period drama.
Stone cottages, smoky chimneys, winding country lanes, and antique shops that seem to have been there forever. With expert local guides, Kate moved through some of the region’s most charming villages: Stow-on-the-Wold, Broadway, Painswick and Castle Combe. Each had its own personality, but all shared that honey-stone, postcard-perfect Cotswolds look.
Kate spent time inside some of the area’s most compelling luxury hotels and countryside estates for our clients:
The Painswick – Design-forward interiors layered into a traditional village setting, ideal for travelers who want style without losing sense of place.
Whatley Manor – A refined country house with Michelin-starred dining, perfect for food-focused getaways and celebratory weekends.
Lucknam Park – A grand estate with a strong equestrian program, where you can spend the morning on horseback and the afternoon in the spa.
The group also made a quick stop in Tetbury, a market town, and paid visits to a few popular movie film destinations.
Bath: Georgian Facades and Roman Stories
From the Cotswolds, the journey took Kate into Bath.
Bath has a particular kind of elegance. Georgian facades, graceful crescents, Roman history beneath the surface. Checking into The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa was exactly the right way to arrive. Set within Bath's iconic Royal Crescent, this property balances heritage with modern ease:
45 rooms and suites overlooking either the historic crescent lawn or private gardens
A spa that feels like a modern retreat within a very historic setting
Afternoon tea with Taittinger Champagne that becomes its own reason to linger
While in Bath, Kate also visited No.15 GuestHouse - playful, creative design layered into a period property, perfect for travelers who love personality and color.
A walking tour stitched it all together: the Roman Baths, Georgian streets, and a few Bridgerton filming locations that make this city instantly recognizable for many of our clients.
Bath works as a two-night destination with different ways to experience it: stay as a day trip from London via train (about 90 minutes each way), extend it as part of a Belmond train experience, or build it into a multi-day countryside itinerary. You can take the train, hire a private driver, or combine it with a Belmond journey. The point is this: there's more than one way to experience Bath, and we can help you choose the best way to experience it according to your needs.
Cliveden House: Countryside Grandeur Within Easy Reach of London
The drive from Bath to Cliveden House included a stop at Stonehenge, where we can arrange private access, guided day trips, or small-group tours tailored to your interests. Moments like standing among these ancient stones show that luxury travel is as much about meaningful experiences as it is about five-star stays.
After this quick stop, Kate arrived at Cliveden House. This legendary 350-year-old estate (just 40 minutes from London and only 20 minutes from Heathrow) is something special:
With only 48 bedrooms and suites (including a three-bedroom cottage) spread across the main house and East and West Wings
Set within 300+ acres of protected National Trust formal gardens and woodland overlooking the River Thames, Cliveden feels more like stepping back in time than checking into a hotel.
Activities you can enjoy: boat rides, afternoon tea, duck herding, and clay shooting.
Dining is refined modern British cuisine served in an elegant setting. Every corner whispers stories of another era, and every detail has been preserved with intention.
For KJT clients seeking a night or two of true English countryside elegance (without the logistical challenge of being too far from London) Cliveden is unbeatable, it is also an ideal “bookend” stay: one or two nights at the start or end of a trip, where you recover from or prepare for a long-haul flight without spending your final day in an airport hotel.
London: A New Mayfair Address at The Chancery Rosewood
From the stillness of the countryside, the group moved into London’s energy, checking into one of the city’s most talked-about new opening: The Chancery Rosewood in Mayfair, set in the former US Embassy.
The hotel has a very clear point of view. It is built for travelers who want space, privacy, and a contemporary take on luxury:
144 all-suite accommodations, with no standard rooms.
Marble bathrooms with generous dressing areas that feel like private apartments.
Two penthouses for those seeking the most elevated stay.
A 25-meter pool and Asaya Spa for serious wellness time.
Eight restaurants and bars, including Carbone’s first European outpost.
The rooftop Eagle Bar, overlooking Grosvenor Square.
From Kate’s Mayfair Junior Suite base, a half-day private tour of London rounded out the experience, giving the same mix of context and practicality she had in the countryside.
As Preferred Partners with Rosewood, KJ Travel can secure additional perks at The Chancery for our clients: daily breakfast, hotel credits, priority for upgrades when available, and flexible check-in/check-out. In a city where the choices can feel endless, this is exactly the kind of property we love recommending for design-focused, experience-driven travelers.
The Belmond British Pullman
The crescendo of the trip arrived on rails. For the Top Producer celebration, Belmond hosted the group on the inaugural festive journey of the Belmond British Pullman, and it was every bit as special as it sounds.
The day began at The Belmond Cadogan with breakfast and a site visit. From there, the group transferred to Victoria Station for champagne in the Belmond lounge, a calm pocket in the middle of London’s bustle.
Then, five indulgent hours aboard one of the most beautifully decorated trains you can imagine:
Vintage carriages dressed for the holidays
A five-course menu
Champagne, and all the festive details
The English countryside rolling past the windows
When we talk about bucket-list experiences for our clients who love trains, food, and a sense of occasion, a Belmond journey is very high on the list. Here's what you should know:
There are two types of Belmond trains departing from London: the Belmond British Pullman and the Belmond Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (arriving/departing from multiple European cities). Each offers both day-trip experiences and multi-day journeys.
Popular themed journeys include:
Murder Mystery – A theatrical experience where you're part of the plot
High Tea – Elegant afternoon tea with all the trimmings
Festive Season Journeys – Holiday-themed departures perfect for celebration trips
These experiences work beautifully for couples' trips, girls' trips, family celebrations, or milestone anniversaries. We've had clients do all of these, and each tells a different story about what makes their trip special. Whether it's a day journey or a multi-day experience, a Belmond train becomes the centerpiece of your itinerary.
English Countryside: Best Times to Visit
The English countryside and London have always been classic destinations. But timing matters. Kate loved visiting the Cotswolds and Bath in the fall, when the landscape shifts to warm golds and russets, and there's a coziness to countryside walks and afternoon fires.
Fall foliage season (mid-October to early November) transforms the English countryside into something truly magical. If autumn appeals to you, we can craft itineraries specifically designed around fall trips and seasonal experiences.
The Cotswolds and English countryside shine year-round, but many of our clients love:
Late spring and early summer for green landscapes, gardens in bloom, and longer daylight
Early autumn for fall foliage, cozy fires, and countryside walks
Festive season for decorated country houses, holiday teas, winter festivals, and experiences like the Belmond British Pullman festive journeys
Whether England is on your list for a countryside retreat, a celebration trip, a city-and-country itinerary, or a family holiday getaway, our advisors are ready to help you design the perfect visit.
If this inspired you, reach out, and let's start planning your own winter escape!
FAQs The Cotswolds & London
What is the ideal way to combine the Cotswolds and London in one luxury itinerary?A popular structure for KJ Travel clients is to arrive in London, transfer to the English countryside first, then end in the city. For example: a few nights in the Cotswolds at properties like Whatley Manor or Lucknam Park, then on to Bath and The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, followed by one or two nights at Cliveden House before finishing with several nights in London at The Chancery Rosewood. This flow lets you recover from jet lag in peaceful surroundings, then build toward a high-energy city finale.
Which luxury hotels in this itinerary are best for first-time visitors to England?
For first-time visitors, we often recommend:
The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa in Bath for a classic Georgian experience.
Cliveden House for a taste of stately-home countryside life close to Heathrow.
The Chancery Rosewood in London for modern, suite-only luxury in Mayfair.
In the Cotswolds, choices like The Painswick, Whatley Manor, or Lucknam Park depend on whether you prioritize design, dining, or equestrian experiences.
Why should I use a luxury travel advisor to plan an England itinerary?
A luxury travel advisor like KJ Travel does more than book hotels. We:
Match you with the right property in the right village or neighborhood
Coordinate transfers, guides, and experiences that fit your style
Leverage preferred-partner relationships for added amenities and VIP treatment
Troubleshoot and advocate for you before and during travel
What special perks can KJ Travel offer at hotels like The Chancery Rosewood?
As a Rosewood Preferred Partner, KJ Travel can often secure value-added perks at The Chancery Rosewood, such as daily breakfast, hotel credits, priority for upgrades when available, and flexible check-in/check-out. Similar relationships with other luxury brands mean that in many cases, booking through KJ Travel adds benefits without increasing your nightly rate.
When is the best time of year to visit the Cotswolds and the English countryside?
The Cotswolds and English countryside are beautiful year-round, but many of our clients love:
Late spring and early summer for green landscapes, gardens in bloom, and longer daylight.
Early autumn for fall foliage, cozy fires, and countryside walks.
Festive season for decorated country houses, holiday teas, winter festivals and experiences like the Belmond British Pullman festive journeys.
Your ideal timing depends on whether you prefer gardens, cooler walking weather, or a full festive atmosphere.
Is a Belmond British Pullman journey worth including in my UK itinerary?
For travelers who appreciate fine dining, vintage design, and a strong sense of occasion, a journey on the Belmond British Pullman is absolutely worth considering. It transforms a day trip into an unforgettable experience. It works especially well as a centerpiece experience for a celebration trip or holiday itinerary.
