For many people The Cotswolds is England at its most charming. Honey coloured villages with an assortment of thatched cottages and graceful mansions and churches are connected by meandering roads which edge around hills, dales, woods and rivers. Peace, beautiful views and the promise of an impeccable cream tea or pint of real ale at the end of the day is what visitors to The Cotswolds find. The popularity of the area means that there’s a lot of choice when it comes to accommodation, and unfortunately, not all of it is worth the asking price. But our Gurus' recommendations for the best pubs with rooms in The Cotswolds are all just as good as they look in the photos. In our hand selected properties you’ll find a warm welcome, great food — some of it award-winning — cosy rooms, many with breathtaking views, and the opportunity to get some personalised advice on how to get the most out of this beautiful area.
For local exploring
- The Wheatsheaf Inn in Northleach is a superb base for anyone wanting to explore the wider Cotswolds. Its central location means you can easily get to Bourton-on-the-water, Bibury, Cheltenham or Cirencester. Rooms are classic yet contemporary, but for something special book the Bigger Boutique Rooms with their Emperor sized beds and in-room rolltop tubs.
- The Bell at Stow is located in gorgeous Stow-on-the-Wold, close to Moreton-in-Marsh and well placed for not only countryside explorations but also tips to Cheltenham. Its thriteen rooms offer the best of traditional features and up-to-the-minute interiors, and the restaurant serves classic dishes using seasonal local fare.
- You will find The White Hart Ford at the opposite end of the Cotswolds, so ideal for exploring Chippenham, Castle Coombe and day trips to Bath. Eleven comfortable rooms are decorated in a traditional yet contemporary style with plenty of woollen throws and a country-chic vibe.
For Walkers
- The New Inn at Coln is a 17th century coaching inn with 13 modern, comfortable rooms and an award-winning restaurant and bar. Perfect for walkers and well positioned in a very pretty village.
- The Ragged Cot is a lovely 17th century inn in a beautiful spot overlooking 600 acres of National Trust land — perfect for long walks. There are just nine rooms. The menu is seasonal and very good.
For Foodies
- Russell’s of Broadway is a chic little restaurant-with-rooms in the postcard-perfect village of Broadway. It has seven large rooms with high ceilings and exposed stone walls. The superb cuisine is modern European.
- The Feathered Nest is a gastro-pub with four, newly added, rooms. Traditional, practical and countryfied, you’ll also find a lush garden and a 3 AA Rosette awarded restaurant.
For Couples
- The Swan Hotel is a beautiful, 17th century coaching inn on the River Coln in the popular village of Bibury. The 22 rooms have cosy fires in the winter, while in summer the gardens are spectacular. The decor features gingham, floral-upholstery and four-poster beds.
The Best Coaching Inns in the Cotswolds
- The King’s Head is a characterful country inn with 11 simple, homely rooms stuffed with wonderful bric-a-brac finds and curiosities. Scenic and great value.
- in a village just outside Burford, The Swan Inn, is an elegant riverside inn with 11 boutique-style bedrooms and a fine, seasonally changing British menu.
- The King’s Arms in Didmarton, near Stroud, is a traditional, 17th century coaching inn which has been stylishly converted. There are just six rooms, decorated with antiques, four-poster beds, George Stubbs paintings and sheepskin rugs. There’s great pub food and real ale, and rooms start from very reasonable rates.
For Great Value
- The Porch House in Stow-on-the-Wold claims to be Britain’s Oldest Inn — it’s been around since 947, so it’s got a good case! Inside the Heritage Listed building are 13 stylish rooms with exposed stone walls and beams and roll top baths that are priced very keely.
Still not sure?
