The best Cotswolds inns
An insider's guide to the top inns in the Cotswolds, including the best for home-brewed ales, local produce, open fires, cosy rooms, freestanding bathtubs and historic interiors, in locations including Tetbury, Northleach, Charlbury, Kingham and Ebrington.
The Village Pub
Cirencester, Cotswolds, England
8Telegraph expert rating
The Village Pub certainly does what it says on the tin ‒ it’s an inn and local hub. Yet it’s also a handsome place of much mellow charm and wide appeal, set in one of the prettiest Cotswold villages. It is run by the glamorous Calcot group of boutique country hotels. The central point is a proper bar area with walls snugly decorated in deep aubergine; you can pop in to enjoy a pint of local Windrush ale beside the woodburner, a framed Barnsley cricket club T-shirt above it reflecting pride in local involvement. Décor is in faded pinks and creamy grey-greens and there are attractively quirky wooden animal heads mounted on the walls. On weekdays, guests can book treatments in the splendid Barnsley House spa. Read expert review From £99per night
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The Ebrington Arms
Ebrington, Cotswolds, England
8Telegraph expert rating
This hidden treasure set in a gloriously unspoilt village is a modern day version of a country tavern – it’s at once a genuine pub that brews its own very smooth ales; a lovely restaurant with real local flavour; and a charming hotel with rural-chic bedrooms. It’s a spacious yet intimate place. You walk into a bar/dining room that exudes warmth, with an inglenook fireplace, exposed beams and flagstone and wooden floor. Beyond are two more dining areas – complete with wood burning stove, exposed beams and settles crafted from old barrels. Chef Ben Dulley offers short, understated menus which reflect his commitment to freshness, with many vegetables straight from surrounding Drinkwater Farm. Read expert review From £165per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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The Kingham Plough
Kingham, Cotswolds, England
8Telegraph expert rating
In its current incarnation, The Kingham Plough is the creation of Emily Watkins and husband Miles Lampson. He’s otherwise a landscape designer; she’s a talented chef, formerly with Heston Blumenthal at The Fat Duck. They wanted to keep a 'pubby' element while also celebrating great British cuisine and have devised a relaxing haven with pleasingly comfy décor. There’s a well-frequented bar with squishy armchairs, a woodburner at one end and a fireplace at the other. Steps lead to a more formal dining room with rugs on hessian flooring and local artists’ pictures on the walls. Dishes are often based on old Cotswold recipes and much inspired by local produce; the likes of Windrush Valley goat cheese and pork from Paddock Farm at Lower Brailes a few miles away. Read expert review From £145per night
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The Bull Inn
Charlbury, Cotswolds, England
8Telegraph expert rating
A 16th-century coaching inn that oozes atmosphere with appealing period accoutrements of inglenook fireplace and exposed stone walls and beams. There’s a modern, arty vibe too, with flamboyant furnishings and striking paintings from the Crane Kelman gallery in London. On one side of the ground floor is a relaxing bar with wooden tables and comfy armchairs, on the other is a more formal restaurant area decked in warm blues and browns and featuring hand-printed horse wallpaper. There are four glamorously devised bedrooms above the bar and restaurant. Each is individually furnished – one has walls hand-painted by artist Fifi McAlpine, another is soothingly deep green. An adjacent barn is available for groups or individuals and houses another four bedrooms that are super-stylish. Read expert review From £85per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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The Howard Arms
Stratford-upon-Avon, Cotswolds, England
8Telegraph expert rating
This is a charmingly traditional pub with contemporary updates of smart feature wallpaper, clever lighting and retro-chic chairs here and there. There are dark, polished flagstone floors by the bar, snoozy leather armchairs in front of a big stone fireplace, and hunting pictures and portraits on the walls. The pub dates back several centuries and has evolved from a collection of barns. From his fennel and pumpkin seed bread with olive oil, to spiced vegetarian tagine and rump of lamb with pea puree, chef Gareth Rufus offers beautifully presented nibbles and dishes based largely on local ingredients. Some of the menu is innovative, some time-honoured pub staples such as steaks and burgers. Read expert review From £110per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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The Plough
Oxfordshire, Cotswolds, England
8Telegraph expert rating
Step through the front door here and you’re in a proper, traditional pub where locals drop by for a pint most evenings – it’s a relaxing space with window seats, fireplace and exposed stone walls, as well as quirky elements such an upcycled gym horse that serves as a bench. The appealingly intimate restaurant lies behind, with wooden tables, kelims on stone floors and inventive flourishes such as lamps fashioned from vintage bike wheels and topped with guinea fowl feather lampshades. When it comes to the food think best of British with an emphasis on Cotswold ingredients and combinations that skilfully bring out great flavours – the likes of hake with mussels, chorizo, tomato and saffron. Read expert review From £120per night
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The Horse and Groom
Gloucestershire, Cotswolds, England
8Telegraph expert rating
The Horse and Groom is a gracious Georgian property that exudes a sense of fun and foodie creativity. Locals flock; visitors from further afield return again and again: it clearly has a winning formula. Excellent meals, good looks and a relaxing ambience are all important elements at play here. Inside is a stylishly comfy bar area with wood-burning stove, pine settles and cushioned window seats. The adjoining restaurant section offers a similar style, with an open fire, rugs on wooden floors and country prints on the walls. Will Greenstock’s modern British cuisine is very much based on Cotswold suppliers nearby as well as veg from the garden. Read expert review From £55per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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The Wheatsheaf Inn
Northleach, Cotswolds, England
8Telegraph expert rating
A creeper-clad coaching inn turned arty, boutique haven. The restaurant draws a regular local crowd and the emphasis is on the very best quality, from menu ingredients to in-room amenities. There are open fires, rugs on flagstone and wood floors, and retro school seats for dining chairs. At the back a strikingly devised terraced garden is a popular summer venue. This is principally a restaurant with rooms; a pub element is retained in a tiny bar area with scant seating. The 14 bedrooms look terrific, decorated in soothing colours and given distinctive character by the bold art on the walls. Beds are clad in Egyptian linen and soft throws. Read expert review From £102per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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The Royal Oak
8Telegraph expert rating
Husband and wife team Chris York and Kate Lewis have put a lot of effort into creating a community venue, and there’s been enthusiastic feedback from locals. The owners have also managed a deft balancing act in attracting city weekenders too, who love the funky-chic vibe. Décor has been kept simple so as to show off the character of this old building. There’s a warm bar/saloon on the ground floor, complete with two fireplaces, a reconditioned jukebox and a bar fashioned from recycled church panelling. There’s also a bistro-style restaurant upstairs, under wonderful beams and wrought-iron chandeliers. Read expert review From £75per night Register Log in commenting policy
