The Manor House Hotel and Golf Club

The Manor House, dating back to the 14th century, stands in a village named after the Norman castle that once occupied the site. The house has seen centuries of life and stories, one of its former residents, Sir John Oldcastle, even inspired William Shakespeare’s character Sir John Falstaff in Henry IV. In the 19th century, it was home to English geologist and political economist George Poulett Scrope, who lived there with his wife Emma, the great-granddaughter of Sir Robert Long. Scrope is credited with designing the Manor House’s Italian, Classical, and medieval Gothic-style gardens and summerhouse, which remain a highlight of the estate today.

Over the years, the building has changed and grown. While it still keeps its medieval core, later additions and renovations, especially during the Victorian and Edwardian eras, have added elegance. During the Second World War, The Manor House played an important role as the headquarters for the New Zealand Forestry Officers. Shortly after the war, it was converted into a hotel, welcoming guests who wanted to experience the English countryside with a touch of history. Even today, The Manor House has a lived-in, historic feel. With its stone walls, warm rooms, and quiet gardens, it’s easy to imagine the centuries of stories held within.

The Manor House in Castle Combe is a historic English country house that blends architectural styles from different periods. The core of the building dates back to the 17th century, and it was extensively rebuilt in the early 1800s, giving it a mix of Tudor and Gothic Revival features that still feel authentic today. The exterior is built from local rubble stone with ashlar dressings, steep gabled roofs, mullioned and transomed windows, and a central Tudor‑arched doorway with carved shields that reflect its long past as a manor estate.

Inside, many period details remain, including original oak panelling, fireplaces from the early 1700s, and decorative plaster work added during the 19th century. Rooms have high ceilings and exposed timber beams that match the classic character of the house. Outside, the formal gardens and terraces sit alongside lawns and parkland, making the architecture and landscape feel connected. Wheelchair users will find access throughout the main areas easier, with thoughtfully placed lower bathroom sinks and toilets fitted with grab rails, so you can move around comfortably without missing any of the character or views

Bybrook Restaurant

Bybrook is the main fine dining restaurant at The Manor House. The dining room features exposed brick walls, timber rafters, and a calm, understated interior. The kitchen is led by Executive Chef Robert Potter. Menus change with the seasons and make use of produce from the hotel’s vegetable garden and orchard where possible. Guests can choose between a four-course menu or a tasting menu. The restaurant has held a Michelin star since 2017 and currently holds four AA Rosettes.

Opening hours:
Breakfast: Daily - 7 am to 10.30 am | Dinner: Wednesday - Sunday: 6 pm to 8.30 pm

Manor Dining

Manor Dining provides a more casual dining option. The all-day menu is served in the lounges and on the terrace during good weather. Dishes range from lighter plates to full three-course meals. For a quieter and more formal setting, the Shakespeare Lounge is used for lunch and dinner service.

Opening hours: Lunch - 12 pm to 3.45 pm | Dinner - 6.30 pm to 8.45 pm

The Time Bar

The Time Bar is a relaxed space for drinks and light meals. It offers a wide selection of gins and cocktails and is often used by guests before or after dinner. The bar has oak paneled interiors and views over the grounds. It is also known as the place where Margaret Thatcher worked on her memoirs.

Opening hours: Daily - 11 am to 11 pm

Afternoon Tea

Afternoon tea is served daily and follows a traditional English format. Guests can choose from a range of teas, including single estate and blended selections. Service begins with savory sandwiches, followed by warm scones served with clotted cream and strawberry jam. The final course features a selection of pastries and cakes. Traditional afternoon tea is priced at GBP 48 (USD 64.55) per person, with optional additions available. As afternoon tea is popular, advance booking is recommended.

Opening hours: Daily - 1 pm to 4 pm

Shakespeare Lounge
Venue type and style: An indoor ceremony space suited to smaller, intimate weddings. The room is historic and elegant, with bay windows overlooking the lawns and a fireplace that is used during the winter months.
Capacity: Up to 40 guests

Bybrook
Venue type and style: An indoor ceremony space located within the Manor House. The room features oak beams, chandeliers, and leaded glass windows with views across the lawns. This venue is available only with exclusive use of The Manor House.
Capacity: Up to 150 guests

Dunstanville Suite
Venue type and style: A private indoor ceremony space with oak-beamed ceilings. The suite includes access to a terrace with views across the woodland valley of Castle Combe.
Capacity: Up to 110 guests

Wedding Pavilion
Venue type and style: An outdoor ceremony venue set within the grounds. The Victorian pavilion features fluted columns, decorative panels, and open views of The Manor House and the surrounding landscape. Ceremonies are weather-dependent and available year-round.
Capacity: Up to 150 guests

Cultural and Outdoor Experiences

There is plenty to do at The Manor House, and much of it begins right outside the door. The hotel sits beside a championship 72 golf course that stretches through the Wiltshire countryside, shaped by gentle slopes, tree-lined fairways, and wide open views. Designed by Clive Clark with Peter Alliss, the course has been part of the landscape for decades. A round here usually includes a stop at the halfway hut, set inside a converted Airstream trailer, before continuing back toward the clubhouse. Coaching is available for guests who want a little guidance along the way.

The Clubhouse is where the day naturally slows down. Some arrive straight from the course, others come simply to eat, drink, or sit for a while. There is a relaxed lounge bar with comfortable chairs, a Spike Bar that opens directly onto the greens, and a terrace that works well on warm days. Food is served throughout the day, live sport plays quietly in the background, and there is also a small gym and a pro shop where guests can browse golf gear or arrange tee times and equipment.

On clear nights, the countryside setting makes stargazing possible. After dinner, guests often take a drink from the bar, pick up a couple of blankets from reception, and head away from the lights. Sitting back in a deck chair, it is easy to spot satellites crossing the sky and, now and then, a shooting star. When it is time to explore beyond the grounds, the surrounding area offers easy day trips. Castle Combe Circuit is close by for high-speed driving experiences, while Westonbirt Arboretum offers quiet walks among thousands of trees. The Cotswolds can be explored with local guides, passing through villages and open countryside at a relaxed pace.

Bath is close enough for a full day out and is often paired with a visit to the Roman Baths or time at Thermae Bath Spa, where rooftop pools look out across the city. Bath Abbey is also worth a stop, known for its soaring ceilings, stained glass, and calm atmosphere. Other nearby places include the historic village of Lacock, the Jane Austen Centre, and Longleat, with its stately home and safari park. Stonehenge is another popular excursion from The Manor House. Seeing the stone circle up close gives a real sense of its scale and age, and it remains one of the area’s most talked about landmarks. Each spring, the MARS Badminton Horse Trials take place just a few miles away, adding a seasonal highlight to the surrounding countryside.

The festive season at The Manor House is shaped by small traditions rather than just decorations. At Christmas, guests are given their own tree to decorate, fires stay lit throughout the house, and days are filled with warm drinks, familiar comfort food, and quiet moments indoors. The atmosphere feels calm and settled, with time to slow down and enjoy the season. New Year’s Eve is celebrated with a house party-style gathering. Guests arrive during the day, often starting with lunch in the Time Bar before walking the grounds. The evening begins with Champagne and canapés, followed by dinner in Bybrook.

Later, celebrations move to the Shakespeare Lounge for dancing and the midnight countdown. Roaring fires, clinking glasses, cocktails, and mugs of creamy hot chocolate topped with marshmallows carry the night through to the start of the new year. Valentine’s season offers a more intimate stay, with romantic packages. Options include proposal-focused experiences with thoughtful touches, and packages that add private hot tubs and celebratory drinks, allowing guests to tailor the occasion to their plans.

Alongside seasonal events, The Manor House is also used for corporate gatherings and private celebrations. Set within wide parkland, it offers a quieter alternative to typical meeting venues, with several flexible rooms suited to workshops, team meetings, and small conferences. Work sessions are often balanced with relaxed downtime, such as outdoor meals, barbecues on the lawn, or team-building activities. An experienced events team supports these gatherings.

The Manor House is equally suited to private celebrations, including birthdays, reunions, and family gatherings. Some guests opt for smaller sit-down meals in more intimate rooms, while others plan larger evenings with music and dancing in the main event spaces. Food is handled by the kitchen team behind Bybrook, with menus that can range from formal dinners to more relaxed outdoor meals, depending on the style of the event.