THE BACKGROUND

Foxhill Manor came into being in 1909, built by local Cotswold craftsmen and designed by Yorkshire-born architect Joseph Lancaster Ball, one of the leading lights of the Arts & Crafts movement.

Ball designed the Manor to have a central East-West facing body (which has given it the fantastic sunset terrace it enjoys today), and four wings that ensure that, whatever time of day it is, part of the house is always bathed in light. In those days, Foxhill sat at the heart of its own 100-acre plot – today, that has expanded to include the 400 acres of woodland, lakes and footpaths that make up the Cotswolds’ Farncombe Estate.

Initially named as ‘Furzehill’, the Manor became known as Foxhill early in its life, most likely on account of the large number of foxes that could be seen roaming the grounds – and which can still be spotted today, along with owls, rabbits and, on the odd lucky misty morning, deer grazing sedately on the lawn.

From the 1930s onwards, Foxhill was the family home of Henry Maudslay DFC, a brave young RAF Squadron Leader who was involved in the planning and deployment of the Bouncing Bomb for the famous ‘Dam Busters’ operation in May 1943. Maudslay reached his target, but his aircraft was damaged in the bombing and, tragically, shot down on the return journey. Maudslay’s family remained at Foxhill until 1954, and the lost hero’s surviving nieces confirm that little has changed at the Manor since their wartime childhood here – on the outside at least.

Inside, Foxhill has been thoroughly but respectfully rejuvenated, making it warm, welcoming, contemporary and characterful, dotted with artworks inspired by the Cotswolds location, magpie finds from the owner’s travels and the occasional antiquity that, like Foxhill itself, has a story to tell…

DINING

You are invited to sit in the kitchen with head chef Iain Dixon and he will create a menu with you, but that doesn’t mean you have to stick to it.

Iain is a dab hand at making magic with the finest foodstuffs that the Cotswolds location has to offer, using regionally sourced and freshly foraged ingredients to create sophisticated, satisfying dishes, packed with flavour and presented with flair. If you are not sure what you fancy, just let Iain conjure something up for you.

Then choose what time you would like to dine and where in the Manor. the Dining Room, the Drawing Room, the garden, your bedroom, or somewhere else entirely – just say the word and your host will make it happen, wherever and whenever you like.

During the day just ask your hosts if your fancy lunch, or an afternoon snack and you will be given a list of house specials, or go off-menu and order whatever you’re in the mood for.