7 July 2026 ∙ Today’s Cotswolds Huddle took us to one of the Cotswolds’ most celebrated hospitality destinations, The Fish on the beautiful Farncombe Estate. Blessed with glorious sunshine, spectacular woodland views, and exceptional hospitality, it was a Huddle that perfectly captured everything we love about bringing people together.
The Fish is one of three remarkable properties that make up the Farncombe Estate, alongside the luxurious Dormy House, where we celebrated our 100th Cotswolds Huddle back in November 2025, and the exclusive-use Foxhill Manor. Together, they have firmly established themselves as market leaders in hospitality, inclusivity, and creating truly memorable guest experiences. One thing quickly becomes clear when you visit Farncombe Estate: they simply don’t do anything by halves.
∙ WAS THIS THE BEST EVER HUDDLE? ∙ Every Cotswolds Huddle has its own personality, and each venue brings something completely unique. But every now and then, all the ingredients come together in a way that feels extra special and today was one of those… and then some. The setting, the warmth of the welcome, the sunshine, the incredible food, the above-and-beyond hospitality, and a room full of what must have been 100+ wonderful people created one of those mornings that everyone was still talking about long after they had driven home. Today’s Huddle at The Fish was perfection and it will certainly take something very special to top this one.
∙ A WELCOME THAT SET THE TONE ∙ From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with the warmest of welcomes by the wonderful team at The Fish. Their genuine friendliness and effortless professionalism immediately made everyone feel at home, creating exactly the relaxed atmosphere that the Cotswolds Huddle is all about. Huddlers gathered both inside in the lounge and outside on the terrace, where conversations flowed naturally against one of the most magical backdrops imaginable.
∙ SURROUNDED BY NATURE ∙ There are some venues that instantly encourage you to slow down, breathe deeply, and appreciate where you are. The Fish is undoubtedly one of them. Looking out across the estate over the charming Hilly Huts, surrounded by mature trees and Cotswold countryside, we felt immersed in nature. It was the perfect setting to spend a summer afternoon catching up with familiar faces, making new introductions, and enjoying the company of our incredible business community.
∙ RELAXED LUXURY DONE PERFECTLY ∙ As always with the Farncombe Estate, the hospitality was exceptional. Throughout the morning, guests were treated to refreshing cold drinks before enjoying some of the most delicious freshly made pizzas, generously served by the team.
∙ THEY THOUGHT OF ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING ∙ One thing that deserves a special mention is the incredible care the team took in looking after every single person in the room. As someone who is vegan and, admittedly, never shy about pointing out when plant-based options are an afterthought, I couldn’t have been more impressed. The Fish didn’t just cater for everyone, they catered brilliantly. Tea, coffee with plant-based and dairy milk options, cans of Coke and Diet Coke, chilled water, plentiful fruit platters, some of the best vegan croissants I’ve ever eaten (so I had two!), delicious Danish pastries, and then a seemingly endless stream of pizzas emerging from the kitchen, including an outstanding vegan pizza served with a smile and a wink (“vegan pizza, anyone?”). It perfectly summed up Farncombe Estate’s approach to hospitality: everyone is made to feel welcome, everyone is thought about, and nothing ever feels like too much trouble.
∙ SECOND TO NONE ∙ Food and drink at The Fish is always second to none. They have mastered the art of delivering an outstanding culinary experience without ever feeling formal or intimidating. Everything feels beautifully relaxed, effortlessly luxurious, and completely welcoming, making it a place where exceptional food can simply be enjoyed. It perfectly reflects the philosophy that runs throughout the Farncombe Estate: luxury without pretense.
∙ THE BEST COMPANY UNDER THE SUMMER SUN ∙ With the sun shining across the Cotswolds, it was one of those mornings that reminded us why the Huddle has continued to grow since it first began back in 2013. For a couple of hours, new introductions became business friendships, and ideas were shared in one of the most inspiring settings we’ve visited. Our Huddles have never been about formal networking. They’re about creating genuine connections, and The Fish provided the perfect environment for exactly that.
∙ THANK YOU, FARNCOMBE ESTATE ∙ A huge thank you to everyone at The Fish and across the Farncombe Estate for looking after us so brilliantly. Every member of the team made us feel incredibly welcome, and their generosity, attention to detail, and passion for hospitality shone through in everything they did. It was a privilege to spend the morning with one of the country’s leading hospitality groups, and we’re already looking forward to returning.
∙ FABULOUSLY CAPTURED BY RUPERT MARLOW ∙ As always, a huge thank you to Rupert Marlow for capturing the day so beautifully. Rupert’s photography documents genuine moments, natural conversations, and the spirit of the Cotswolds Huddle itself. His photographs perfectly reflect the connections that make our community so special, and we’re incredibly grateful for the wonderful memories he continues to create month after month.
