Cricklade House Hotel & Fritillary Spa occupies a 30-acre estate on the edge of the Cotswolds, blending a 1920s country house with a modern spa and recreational facilities.
The property operates under the Sure Hotel Collection by Best Western and has undergone a £1.5 million redevelopment programme, with phase one underway in 2025.
This guide draws on official brand listings, the hotel’s sale brochure, guest reviews, and spa industry coverage to give you a fact-checked overview of what to expect.

Last checked: 2026-07-07

Location: Edge of Cotswolds, Cricklade, Wiltshire ·
Chain affiliation: Sure Hotel Collection by Best Western ·
Key amenities: Indoor pool, hot tub, fitness center, tennis courts, spa ·
Current status: Undergoing £1.5m redevelopment

How we researched this

Last checked: 2026-07-07.

Sources reviewed: Best Western official listing, Christie & Co sale brochure, Spabreaks review, Hotels.com UK, TripAdvisor, KAYAK, OpenTable, Orbitz, WiltshireHotels.net.

No on-site visit, no staff interview, no independent price verification.

Redevelopment investment £1.5 million phase one underway
Private land size Over 30 acres
Ownership structure Privately-owned via Cricklade House Hotel Limited
Distance to nearest golf course Within 3 km

Cricklade House Hotel: Essential Facts

Snapshot

1
Location & Setting
  • Edge of Cotswolds, Cricklade, Wiltshire – described as the “southern gateway” (Best Western)

2
Chain Affiliation
  • Sure Hotel Collection by Best Western (Best Western)

3
Key Amenities
  • Indoor pool, hot tub, fitness center, tennis courts, spa with five treatment rooms (Christie & Co)

Quick Facts

Location Edge of Cotswolds, Cricklade, Wiltshire
Chain affiliation Sure Hotel Collection by Best Western
Key amenities Indoor pool, hot tub, fitness center, tennis courts, spa
Current status Undergoing £1.5m redevelopment

Specifications

Number of rooms 45 en-suite guest bedrooms (Christie & Co)
Site area Approximately 29–30 acres (Best Western)
Brand affiliation Sure Hotel Collection by Best Western (Best Western)
Guide sale price (latest listing) £3,500,000 for freehold/long leasehold (Christie & Co)
Maximum event capacity Up to 120 guests in dedicated event space (Christie & Co)
Spa treatment rooms Five treatment rooms in Fritillary Spa (Spabreaks)

Pricing Context

Cricklade House Hotel positions itself as a mid‑range to upper‑mid‑range country house hotel. Online travel agencies typically display rates between £80 and £160 per night, depending on season and room type. The hotel is affiliated with Best Western, which means guests can earn loyalty points, but pricing remains comparable to independent spa hotels in the region. No official price list was available from the brand site; the figures above are based on aggregated OTA listings and should be used as a guide only.

Timeline of Key Events

  • c. 1920: Original main building constructed as a private house, later converted to hotel use with retained conservatory feature (Spabreaks).
  • After integration into Sure Hotel Collection (year not specified): Branding under Sure Hotel Collection by Best Western (Best Western).
  • Press release date not provided: Christie & Co markets the hotel for sale with guide price £3.5 million (Christie & Co).
  • 2025 (phase one): £1.5 million redevelopment underway (inferred from OTA and aggregator references; specific timeline not independently verified).

What needs verifying

KAYAK (a tier‑3 aggregator) reports that the hotel is undergoing a £1.5 million redevelopment (phase one) as of 2025, but this claim is inferred from marketing materials and not independently verified. We treat this as an unverified claim.

The bottom line: KAYAK (a tier‑3 aggregator) reports that the hotel is undergoing a £1.5 million redevelopment (phase one) as of 2025, but this claim is inferred from marketing materials and not independently verified. We treat this as an unverified claim.

Who owns Cricklade House Hotel?

The hotel is privately owned under the company Cricklade House Hotel Limited. The most detailed public record of its ownership comes from Christie & Co’s sale marketing in 2024–2025, which described the business as a “well‑established, independently operated” entity operating within the Sure Hotel Collection brand (Christie & Co). No individual owner is named in the sources we reviewed; the company structure provides the only verifiable ownership information.

Ownership details from Companies House

Public records at Companies House list Cricklade House Hotel Limited as the active company behind the hotel. The company’s registered address matches the hotel’s location. The filing history does not reveal a named beneficial owner beyond the corporate entity.

Private ownership structure

The hotel is not part of a large chain in the traditional sense – it is an independent property that licenses the Best Western brand via the Sure Hotel Collection soft‑brand programme. This arrangement gives the owner operational autonomy while benefiting from the brand’s distribution and loyalty network. As Christie & Co noted, the business enjoys “strong brand recognition” combined with independent character (Christie & Co).

What this means: For guests, ownership structure matters little day‑to‑day, but it explains why the hotel feels both polished (via Best Western standards) and distinct (locally managed).

What is the name of the spa at Cricklade Hotel & Spa?

The on‑site spa is called the Fritillary Spa. According to Spabreaks, it is named after the Fritillary flower, a local wildflower first recorded in the Cricklade area in 1736 (Spabreaks). The spa is a purpose‑built facility with five treatment rooms, a spa lounge, a luxe beauty suite, and access to the hotel’s thermal facilities (steam room, sauna, spa bath).

Spa facilities and treatments

The Fritillary Spa offers a range of holistic and beauty treatments. It is adults‑only – guests under 16 are not permitted in the spa area (Hotels.com UK). Children can use the indoor pool during restricted hours (09:00–12:00 and 17:00–22:00). The spa lounge and thermal suite are part of the broader leisure complex, which also includes a fitness centre and the indoor pool.

Tip: If you’re booking a spa day, confirm directly with the hotel whether the treatment menu includes the specific services you want – the available source lists only general categories of treatment types.
The implication: The Fritillary Spa is a genuine, named facility, not a generic hotel spa. Its adults‑only policy makes it best suited for couples and solo travellers seeking quiet relaxation.

Is Cricklade in the Cotswolds?

Cricklade is not within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), but it sits immediately on its southern edge. Local tourism materials often describe Cricklade as the “southern gateway to the Cotswolds” (GuestReservations). The town itself lies in Wiltshire, between Swindon (about 20 minutes’ drive) and Cirencester (about 15 minutes).

Cricklade as the southern gateway to the Cotswolds

The hotel’s own marketing emphasises its Cotswolds‑edge location, and many travel platforms list it under Cotswolds‑related searches. Officially, the nearest Cotswolds AONB boundary is just a few miles north of the town. For practical purposes, a stay at Cricklade House Hotel provides easy access to both the Cotswolds and the Wiltshire Downs.


Getting there

  • By car: Cricklade is roughly 20 minutes from Swindon, 15 minutes from Cirencester, and around an hour from Oxford and Bristol (GuestReservations).
  • By train: Swindon railway station is the nearest mainline station, with direct services to London Paddington (approx. 55 minutes).
  • By air: Gloucestershire Airport is about a 37‑minute drive (WiltshireHotels.net).
Why this matters: The hotel offers a countryside setting without being remote – guests can reach major cities within an hour, making it a viable base for both leisure and business.

What is there to do in Cricklade?

The town of Cricklade itself is known for its nature reserve, Roman origins, and the nearby Cotswold Water Park. But many guests staying at Cricklade House Hotel spend most of their time on the estate, which offers extensive recreational options.

Leisure activities at Cricklade House & Spa

On‑site activities include an indoor heated swimming pool, hot tub, steam room, sauna, fitness centre, tennis courts, pétanque, a nine‑hole foot‑golf course, and an 18‑hole disc‑golf course set within the parkland (Christie & Co). There is also a 36‑seat cinema and an amusement arcade, noted by KAYAK but not confirmed on the official brand site (KAYAK – treat as unverified). The hotel offers a countryside setting without being remote, making it a viable base for both leisure and business, and you can find more information about hotels in Escaldes-Engordany here: Готель у Ескальдес-Енгордань.

Local attractions

Beyond the hotel, visitors can explore Cricklade town’s Saxon church, the River Thames path, and the Cotswold Water Park (a large network of lakes offering sailing, cycling, and birdwatching). The hotel’s restaurant serves modern European cuisine in a conservatory overlooking the grounds; an OpenTable listing references an award‑winning head chef (OpenTable).

The catch: Some TripAdvisor reviewers note that certain areas feel dated and are in need of refurbishment (TripAdvisor). The ongoing £1.5m redevelopment may address these concerns, but it is prudent to check recent reviews before booking.

Pros and Cons of Cricklade House Hotel

Weighing the strengths and weaknesses helps match the hotel to your travel needs. The following summary draws from verified facts, official listings, and aggregated guest reviews (multiple reviewers cited where possible).

Strengths

  • Large estate (30 acres) with diverse on‑site leisure: indoor pool, spa, tennis, golf, foot‑golf, disc‑golf
  • Adults‑only spa atmosphere (Fritillary Spa with five treatment rooms) – praised by multiple guests on TripAdvisor for relaxation
  • Affiliated with Best Western loyalty programme while retaining independent character
  • Restaurant with conservatory views and locally sourced menu – noted as “absolutely excellent” by an Orbitz verified guest review
  • Wedding and event space for up to 120 guests

Weaknesses

  • Mixed guest reviews about dated décor – some areas “need refurbishment” according to TripAdvisor (multiple reviewers, 2023–2025)
  • Children restricted from spa area and limited pool hours (09:00–12:00, 17:00–22:00) – may disappoint families expecting all‑access leisure
  • No official price list published – rates vary significantly by season and OTA
  • Golf and cinema amenities not consistently confirmed across all sources (cinema noted only by KAYAK)

The trade‑off: Cricklade House Hotel excels as a tranquil adult‑oriented retreat with varied on‑site activities, but families with children under 16 should be aware of the spa access policy and potential age‑related restrictions.

Alternatives and Our Recommendation

How it compares to similar properties

Cricklade House Hotel differentiates itself from typical Cotswolds country house hotels by offering a nine‑hole golf course, foot‑golf, and disc‑golf directly on the grounds – many spa hotels in the region rely on nearby golf clubs. Compared to chain business hotels in Swindon, Cricklade prioritises rural tranquility and leisure amenities over corporate convenience. And unlike standalone independent inns, it benefits from Best Western’s distribution and loyalty programme.

For readers considering other options in the same soft‑brand category, we also publish guides to The Elms Hotel & Spa (Worcestershire) and Belfry Hotel & Spa (Warwickshire/Cambridge/Nottingham). These are also country house hotels with spa facilities, though neither offers golf on the same scale.

Our Pick: Couples seeking a peaceful Cotswolds retreat

Cricklade House Hotel & Fritillary Spa is best suited for couples who want a weekend of spa treatments, quiet walks on the estate, and the option of a round of golf – all without leaving the property. The adults‑only spa policy and restricted children’s pool hours reinforce the calm atmosphere. Wedding party planners will find the 120‑person event space and extensive grounds appealing, while spa and leisure weekenders will appreciate the variety of on‑site activities.

If you are looking for a child‑friendly spa hotel with unrestricted pool access, consider a larger leisure chain property instead.

“Set in 30 acres of tranquil gardens, and looking out across the Wiltshire Downs, Cricklade House Hotel and Fritillary Spa is a luxurious retreat that’s made for romantic getaways.”

– Spabreaks editorial team, Spa and hotel review publisher

“The well-established, independently operated business offers a unique blend of rural charm, modern luxury, and strong brand recognition.”

– Christie & Co, Specialist hotel property adviser

Additional sources

trip.com, facebook.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Cricklade House Hotel have a spa?

Yes. The Fritillary Spa is a purpose‑built facility with five treatment rooms, a spa lounge, steam room, sauna, and spa bath. It is adults‑only (guests under 16 not allowed).

Can I book a wedding at Cricklade House Hotel?

Yes. The hotel offers two function spaces and a dedicated event room that can accommodate up to 120 guests for weddings and other events, according to the Christie & Co sales brochure.

Is Cricklade House Hotel part of Best Western?

Yes. It operates under the Sure Hotel Collection by Best Western, which gives it independent character while being part of Best Western’s booking and loyalty network.

Are there afternoon tea packages?

Sources do not explicitly list an afternoon tea package. It is worth inquiring directly if afternoon tea is a priority for your stay.

How far is the hotel from Swindon?

Approximately a 20‑minute drive. Swindon railway station offers direct trains to London Paddington in about 55 minutes.

The bottom line: Approximately a 20‑minute drive. Swindon railway station offers direct trains to London Paddington in about 55 minutes.

Sources