Hand Picked Hotels agrees to acquire four Cotswold hotels
Hand Picked Hotels has agreed to acquire four Cotswold hotels from Andrew Brownsword Hotels. The deal covers the freehold interests in Buckland Manor, The Slaughters Country Inn, The Slaughters Manor House and Old Swan & Minster Mill. Financial terms were not disclosed. Hospitality & Catering News carried the announcement on 15 September 2026.
The four properties hold 118 bedrooms
The four hotels hold 118 bedrooms between them, on the Hospitality & Catering News count. Brownsword files Buckland Manor under Worcestershire, both Slaughters properties under Lower Slaughter, and Old Swan & Minster Mill under the Cotswolds.
A first presence in the region
The deal gives Hand Picked its first presence in the Cotswolds. Hand Picked operates 21 country house and coastal properties across the UK and the Channel Islands. Julia Hands founded the group. The company holds partnerships with Bollinger, Chapel Down, Blenheim Palace and the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu.
What the two sides said
Julia Hands, chair of Hand Picked Hotels, said the Cotswolds has long been one of Britain's most admired destinations and that establishing a presence in the region had been an ambition of the group for some time. "We are proud to become the next custodian of these properties and are committed to preserving what makes them special while investing in their future success," she said.
Ignace Bauwens, group director of Hand Picked Hotels Holdings (Guernsey) Limited, said the immediate focus will be continuity for guests, support for colleagues and close work with local partners and communities.
John Badley, chief executive officer of Andrew Brownsword Hotels, said the agreement marks the beginning of the four hotels' next chapter.
Who advised whom
Hand Picked Hotels was advised by Deloitte, Michels & Taylor and Withers. Andrew Brownsword Hotels was advised by Savills and Burgess Salmon. The law firm names itself Burges Salmon.
How the handover reads
The hotels keep trading under their existing names following completion. Hand Picked will manage the transition for employees, guests, suppliers and local stakeholders. The release and the Hospitality & Catering News copy both describe the deal as an agreement to acquire.
Brownsword still lists all four
Andrew Brownsword Hotels still lists all four properties in its own collection on 24 September 2026, on a site that markets the company as Brownsword & ABode Hotels.
A luxury division chief appointed weeks before
Hospitality & Catering News reported on 19 August 2026 that Andrew Stembridge joins Hand Picked on 1 September 2026 as chief executive of its luxury division.