From chaste kisses to nude tennis matches and clandestine encounters, Rivals shows the entire spectrum of romantic moments in the heart of the Cotswolds countryside.
With the first three episodes of season two of Rivals now out on Disney+, it’s clear, as with the first instalment, that Brits just can’t get enough.
While few will be seeking quite the same gossip and debauchery as is featured in the show, it remains true that the Cotswolds are universally appealing as the setting to a gorgeous weekend away.
The show would certainly make the late Dame Jilly Cooper proud – as would the knowledge that her novels, upon which the show is based, have inspired more than a few staycations in her native region.
Whether you fancy a romp in a glamorous cottage à la Maud O’Hara or a gigantic home in the style of Rupert Campbell-Black’s sprawling estate, the Cotswolds has something for all tastes.
If you’re in the market for a Rivals-esque weekend, be it with a love match or a gang of pals, here’s where to book…
A weekend with the boys? The second series of Rivals is out…and is likely to introduce even more fans of the show to the Cotswolds
A LOVE NEST À DEUX?
Rookery Hall – Broadway, Worcestershire
A bolthole: Rookery Hall has all the hallmarks of a Rivals protagonist’s humble abode
Rookery Hall is tucked away near Broadway, offering a suitably polished base for fans dreaming of their own Rutshire retreat.
Inside, lofty ceilings, exposed beams, rustic chandeliers and elegant interiors give the living spaces a sense of country-house drama that would suit Rupert Campbell-Black’s world of rural glamour.
Rivals moment: Pop into the nearby Lygon Arms hotel for a drink or even a coffee – the fireplaces and ancient interiors will have you feeling like you’re a cast member of the show.
Book it: Seven nights in June from £991, sleeps four, www.sykescottages.co.uk.
The Loft, Stow-on-the-Wold
The Loft in Stow-on-the-Wold practically screams ‘romantic getaway for two’
Want to hide away from the world with a lover – secret or otherwise? If so, Stow-on-the-Wold’s Loft lets you get away from it all; as you lock the door behind you on your attic hideaway, you can shut out all the noise and disconnect. Enjoy terrace breakfasts, a comfy bed under slanted wooden-beam ceilings and a cosy countryside feel.
Rivals moment: Visit arguably one of England’s oldest inns, The Porch House, in Stow-on-the-Wold.
Book it: Two nights in June for a weekend for £359, sleeps two, uniquecotswoldcottages.co.uk.
Hammonds Farmhouse – Stroud, Gloucestershire
Try out Hammonds Farmhouse for a cosy cottage getaway with a stately appeal
For those looking to channel the grandeur of Rupert Campbell-Black’s sprawling estate, Hammonds Farmhouse offers an impressive group getaway on the edge of Stroud.
Packed with character, the property features exposed beams, honey-coloured chimneys and generous living spaces, creating a stately atmosphere with all the comforts needed for a memorable break with family or friends.
Rivals moment: A nearby circular walk to Haresfield Beacon provides hidden forest and open fields in equal measure.
Book it: Three nights in June for £2,746, sleeps 16, www.sykescottages.co.uk.
THE PUBS WITH ROOMS CELEBRITIES LOVE
The Falkland Arms, Great Tew
The kind of cosy Cotswolds pub where you hope they’ll be up for a lock-in, The Falkland Arms in the pretty village of Great Tew dates back to the 16th century.
It has TV pedigree too; millionaire television producer John Lloyd came up with the idea of long-running quiz show QI while at the bar.
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi have all been spied dining here, as have Benedict Cumberbatch and Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
Rivals moment: With its mazy nooks and crannies, it’s a discreet place for a clandestine meeting
Book it: Double B&Bs from around £145, falklandarms.co.uk
The Fox, Oddington
An very English pub: The honey-hued Fox in Oddington entertains high society and celebrities
Owned by Daylesford Organic creator Carole Bamford, wife of billionaire Tory donor and JCB chairman Lord Bamford, The Fox is a character-filled pub with six trendy suites for guests who want to stay a little longer.
Who might you spy perched at the oak bar, by the large inglenook fireplace, or sinking into the chocolate-coloured armchairs in the Tack Room? Geri Horner and Christian Horner are frequently spotted here.
Rivals moment: Shaking off a heavy one? The Fox roast, including Wootton pork and beef, will sort out a weekend of boozy excess.
Book it: Doubles B&B from £324, thefoxatoddington.com
The Bull, Charlbury
Hire out The Secret Garden Room for an intimate dinner with friends at The Bull in Charlbury
Cosy doesn’t mean chintzy; as 16th century The Bull on Sheep Street in Charlbury proves. Masterclass minimalism lets beamed ceilings and fireplaces sing, with sink-in leather chairs and plenty of candlelight building an ambience as seductive as the open fire menu; plates include Dover sole, pork chops and flat-iron steaks.
Ten accommodation options – including two-bed Loaf Cottage – promise earthy decor, rolltop baths and super king-size beds.
Rivals moment: Fancy an intimate dinner with the hunting set? Book out the The Secret Garden Room for up to 28 guests.
Book it: Doubles from £195, thebullcharlbury.com
WEEKEND PARTY PALACES
Cotswold View Manor, Broadway
Stay at the Cotswold View Manor, near Broadway, for a lavish weekend away with friends
Situated on a sprawling 500-acre estate is the spectacular Cotswold View Manor.
Guests staying here, and it can fit up to 20, are treated to luxurious amenities including a swimming pool and private spa on the estate, as well as a hot tub and sauna within the manor’s grounds.
The eight ensuite bedrooms are elegantly decorated with all the modern comforts tied in with charming touches, from roll-top baths and walk-in showers to four-poster beds.
The ladies’ cloakroom is fitted out with a central table surrounded by eight plush stools, while framed mirrors are conveniently places around it – perfect for getting ready for a grand evening of celebration with your friends.
Excellent for lavish dinner parties and dances, there is even a ballroom that can fit up to 60 guests.
Rivals moment: Catch a romantic movie in the cinema room
Book it: A two-night weekend in June costs £18,000, thewowhousecompany.com
Ebrington Manor, Ebrington, Gloucestershire
Ebrington Manor, Gloucestershire, is an elegant staycation option for a sophisticated party weekend
It even has its own tennis court, which might remind some Rivals fans of one well-known scene
Think oak-wood panelled walls, timber stretching across the ceiling and – this 15th century abode has it all.
Ebrington Manor is nestled in the orchards of a fruit farm in the Cotswolds and sleeps 16 across its eight beautifully-decorated bedrooms. With a drawing room for gatherings and a dining room for hosting, there isn’t much more you would want from this stately home.
Guests should make time for exploring the grounds however, as there is a tennis court kitted out with rackets and balls, it may remind you of a particularly well-known tennis scene in the Rivals…
Rivals moment: The Ebrington Arms, an award-winning pub nearby previously named the Number One Summer Pub by The Times
Book it: A three-night weekend in June costs £7,475, bighouseexperience.com
Ewelme Manor, Dursley
Ewelme Manor, in Dursley is a gorgeous Georgian country home
A beautiful Georgian country house located in Dursley, Ewelme Manor greets guests with an outdoor water fountain feature and the elegance continues inside.
Period fireplaces warm the rooms and there is even a heated pool on the south-facing terrace for those who want to enjoy the outdoors.
Waitress-served in-house catering is also available to add to your booking, if you want to indulge without worrying about navigating the Aga.
Rivals moment: Berkeley Castle is only a 15 minute drive away and featured in some of the polo and lunch scenes in Rivals
Book it: A two-night weekend in June costs £9,325, the manor sleeps 14 to 26, kateandtoms.com
GLAM HOTELS TO CHECK INTO
Cowley Manor, Nr Cheltenham
The immaculate lawns, sun umbrella-filled terrace and stone balconies at Cowley Manor Experimental invite the same hazy summer parties frequented by the likes of Rivals’ Lord and Lady Baddingham.
Cowley Manor remains a place to see-and-be-seen…and has a raft of stylish rooms
With its origins dating back to 1695, the hotel will certainly make you feel as though you’re among old English aristocracy, but the modern amenities bring comforts you may seek, from deep bathtubs to private balconies. The spa’s slate lined indoor pool offers views of the outdoors, so you won’t miss out on any of the action.
Rivals Moment: The hotel’s Experimental Cocktail Club Cotswolds is the perfect place for an afternoon cocktail or cheeky nightcap, be it a fresh cucumber spritz or a ‘Planters Penicillin’ with lapsang tea to mask the spirit taste.
Book it: Doubles from £429, cowleymanorexperimental.com
Lucknam Park, Wiltshire
A regal setting…Wiltshire’s Lucknam Park is ideal for an indulgent weekend away
Surrounded by 500 acres of stunning parkland, this glamorous estate features 42 unique, individually styled rooms, a world-class spa complete with Japanese amethyst rooms, private cottages, and an on-site equestrian centre with 35 horses.
Guests can also enjoy exquisite dining at the Michelin-starred restaurant, with standouts including Citrus cured trout and Miso roasted hispi.
Rivals moment: Start the evening with a negroni in the Drawing Room or Library, perhaps?
Book it: Doubles from £429, lucknampark.co.uk
Estelle Manor, Oxfordshire
Mahogany panelling and luxurious upholstery greets those who check in at glamorous Estelle Manor
Experience unparalleled luxury at this 19th-century Neo-Gothic mansion that feels straight out of a film set.
Situated on 40 acres of stunning Oxfordshire parkland, this Grade I-listed gem is the area’s only AA 4 Red Star hotel, boasting 108 ornate rooms – including the themed Shakespeare Suite – and scenic views of the River Stour.
Indulge in exquisite dining, from Oxford cheddar soufflé to Beef Wellington, across four distinct venues, or host an exclusive dinner in the private Billiards Room, featuring tailored service to meet your every desire… (within limits).
Rivals moment: Take a dip, fully clothed of course, in the 25-metre swimming pool
Book it: Doubles from £725, estellemanor.com
Where did Dame Jilly Cooper live – and can you visit?
Dame Jilly Cooper is pictured at her home in October 2023. She fell at the Grade II-listed property before being rushed to hospital where she died
The ‘Queen of the bonkbuster’ author, famed for her raunchy romance novels, sold more than 12million books in her career.
Dame Jilly Cooper is almost synonymous with the Cotswolds backdrop of her novel. Her Grade II-listed home in the Cotswolds, The Chantry, is located in the pretty Gloucestershire village of Bisley.
She lived there for more than four decades, from where she produced her raunchy novels.
Dame Jilly died on October 5, 2025 following a fall in her home at the age of 88.
Dame Jilly is pictured here outside her home in Bisley, Gloucestershire, in 1991
While her former home is a private residence, not open to visitors, you can certainly take a trip to the nearby village.
Bisley, situated near Stroud, supposedly inspired the fictional town of Rutshire in her novels.
It’s popular among fans who are desperate to walk in the footsteps of their favourite author.
Clay pigeon shooting, hiking paths, bike trails and miniature railways at Mizens are all highlights in the region.