Nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds, Thyme is more than just a hotel in the English countryside—it’s a passion project turned pastoral retreat. What began as a family restoration effort in the early 2000s has flourished into a countryside haven where food, nature, and hospitality intertwine. Founded by Caryn Hibbert, who transitioned from a career in medicine to the world of hospitality, Thyme started as a cookery school before expanding into a full-fledged destination with 31 beautifully designed rooms, two restaurants, two bars, a spa, and flourishing gardens across 150 acres of farmland. At its core, Thyme is a celebration of connection—to the land, food, and the people who bring it all to life.
This ethos is carried forward by General Manager Camilla (Milly) Hibbert, who grew up watching her mother build Thyme from the ground up. Here, she shares her perspective on the estate’s evolution and women’s role in hospitality.
Thyme is a true family-run labor of love. What was it like growing up surrounded by the evolution of the estate, and how has that shaped your approach to hospitality?
“We moved to the property as a family in 2001, and by 2003, my mom and grandfather took on the challenge of restoring the old agricultural barns next to our home—they were in complete disrepair. At the time, my mom had stepped away from her career as an obstetrician and gynecologist to focus on raising me and my brothers. When we moved, I was eight, and she was looking for a new project to sink her teeth into.
I’ve watched it all evolve—from crumbling, forgotten buildings to the beating heart of the village once again. It’s been an incredibly organic journey. If you asked my mom whether she envisioned Thyme becoming what it is today, she’d absolutely say no—she never set out with that level of ambition. But we’ve grown into it, which gives our guests.
Many return year after year, watching the property and experience evolve. And even though we’re now a full destination, it’s still a family affair—everyone plays a role. Even my brother, who’s our chef, is a creator at heart. When you have creative people, they never stop.”
The hospitality industry has long been male-dominated, yet Thyme’s leadership is largely female. How have you navigated this space, and what shifts would you like to see for women in hospitality?
“Well, there’s a lot of female energy at Thyme. I came into hospitality from a different angle—my previous career was in advertising, working with brands adjacent to the industry. My mother also transitioned into hospitality from medicine, so neither of us took a traditional path. But I think those varied experiences bring something valuable, and I’ve grown into my role at Thyme with incredible mentors along the way.
Our leadership team is quite balanced between men and women, and that mix is what fuels our creativity. We don’t do things by the book, and that diversity in leadership allows us to take a fresh, innovative approach. Creativity is the common thread that ties us together, but I will say—women have another level of creativity.”
Thyme blends luxury with sustainability and a deep connection to nature. How do you balance maintaining high-end hospitality while staying true to these eco-conscious values?
“Sustainability at Thyme isn’t just a philosophy—it’s woven into our foundation. It started as a collaborative project with my grandfather, a physicist and engineer, whose main goal was implementing green technology. He designed the buildings to be as energy-efficient as possible, incorporating ground source heat pumps, biomass boilers, advanced insulation, and heat recovery systems. Even the stone used for our floors was chosen to retain more heat in these large spaces. But sustainability requires daily commitment.
We’re always refining our approach through small but impactful changes. We’ve never offered disposable slippers, so we opted for reusable British wool socks and crocs. When guests kept taking refillable amenities, we went further—creating a three-in-one bar that’s now a guest favorite and a truly waste-free solution.”
Thyme extends beyond hospitality with Bertioli, a lifestyle brand celebrating nature through scents, textiles, and wellness. How does Bertioli complement the ethos of Thyme, and what inspired its creation?
“In starting Thyme, Mum always wanted it to be more than just a place—she wanted to create an experience that embodies English country life. Everything we do is rooted in nature, tied to the land and seasons. Bertioli follows the same philosophy, with products inspired by our estate’s habitats.
We have four key collections—’Kitchen Garden,’ ‘Cutting Garden,’ ‘Woodland,’ and ‘Water Meadow’—each reflecting a different part of the estate.
At Thyme, we immerse guests in these elements. A ‘Cutting Garden’ bedroom might feature floral patterns on the walls but be scented with the ‘Kitchen Garden.’ A ‘Water Meadow’ room could have river-mint wallpaper paired with its namesake fragrance. It’s about multi-sensory design—connecting people to nature through pattern and scent. It’s a little mad, but it’s unique.
As we expand Bertioli through our interiors, the style embraces a more-is-more English country house aesthetic. I’m fascinated by how nature-based design impacts well-being—research shows it can evoke the same stress-reducing, happiness-boosting effects as time spent in nature itself.”
What advice would you give to other women looking to step into leadership roles within hospitality, especially in the boutique or family-run space?
“The best piece of advice that I was given was to seek help and guidance from others. Meeting and talking to people and listening to other people’s stories and journeys helps you understand your own. It’s the best way to grow and build a community around what you’re doing. Especially in hospitality, you’re working anti-social hours, you might not be at the New Year’s Eve party, and surrounding yourself with people in the same industry can be helpful. And just keep going! There are so many ideas that can come to life. There’s never too big of a challenge. And as a women, finding women who can support and guide you is truly the best.”
– As told to by Britney Eschelman
