Boutique Inns in the Cotswolds
We love the Cotswolds; the rolling hills, relaxed pace of life, easy access from London and Birmingham… but most of all we love their inns! Full of charm and character, the popularity of the area means that many of these ancient buildings have been lovingly renovated to provide boutique accommodation.
A good night’s sleep is only the beginning though, as many of these inns in the Cotswolds are now renowned for their fine dining and have been awarded AA Rosettes and Michelin Stars as a consequence. Imagine walking the picturesque countryside during the day, and then retiring back to a cosy inn for dinner, drinks and a comfy bed. It doesn’t get much better than that!
So without further ado, here are our staff picks for our top 5 favourite boutique inns in the Cotswolds.
Top 5 Boutique Inns in the Cotswolds
Our first choice is the 12th century Castle Inn Hotel in Castle Combe. With its open fires, exposed beams and quirky sloping walls, it’s not hard to imagine that the inn was once a retreat of Oliver Cromwell! The bedrooms are all elegantly decorated with antique furniture, and the restaurant serves a creative British menu. After dinner, guests are welcome to relax in the lounge bar which offers an extensive range of drinks.
Several times winner of the prestigious “Prettiest Village in England” award, Castle Combe nestles in a wooded valley, with the meandering Bybrook River flowing through its heart. With no street lights or TV aerials, architecturally, little has changed in this traditional Cotswold village over the centuries.
The Castle Inn, Castle Combe
Number two on our list is the Kings Hotel in Chipping Campden. This four star luxury hotel dates as far back as the 1600’s, and now offers 15 stylish bedrooms in the hotel and 5 brand new luxury rooms in a cottage at the back of the property. Flatscreen TV’s and wireless connections are standard throughout.
The restaurant has been awarded two AA rosettes and serves locally sourced British cuisine. The friendly bar offers everything from afternoon teas to fine wines and again offers WiFi access. During the summer, definitely take advantage of dining alfresco on the terrace or lawned garden!
Boasting the second highest density of listed buildings in the country, the charming old wool merchants’ town of Chipping Campden remains untouched by the centuries.
The Kings Hotel, Chipping Campden
Set in the historic market town of Northleach, this 17th century traditional coaching inn now offers 14 individually designed bedrooms fitted with all modern luxuries. With roaring log fires in the winter, the Wheatsheaf Inn serves delicious pub food all year round.
The Wheatsheaf Inn is ideally set for exploring the glorious Cotswolds countryside, with Cheltenham Racecourse and Cirencester Polo Club just a short drive away. Nearby sites of historic interest include Sudeley Castle, the only private castle in England to have a queen buried within its grounds and Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Winston Churchill.
The Wheatsheaf, Northleach
Our fourth choice is the Old Swan & Minster Mill in Minster Lovell. With a history dating back over 600 years, the property seamlessly blends a Victorian mill with stylish, modern rooms and a late medieval inn, comprising 15 charming guest rooms and suites. Tucked away in one of the most romantic corners of the Cotswolds, it enjoys a riverside location surrounded by woodland and orchards.
The hotel boasts a gastro-pub full of original features such as beams, roaring log fires and flag-stone floors. In the summer, you can also relax in the picturesque gardens with a drink from the bar. The Garden Spa features an indoor heated plunge pool, a poolside rock sauna, steam room and ice fountain. Outside there is fishing, walking, croquet and tennis for guests to enjoy.
Said to be the region’s most haunted village, Minster Lovell is perhaps best known for the picturesque ruins of the 15th century Minster Lovell Hall, which occupies a beautiful rural setting beside the River Windrush.
The Old Swan, Minster Lovell
And last, but by no means least, located in the beautiful unspoiled Cotswold village of Kingham, the Kingham Plough is a family-friendly dining pub with rooms. Offering six individually decorated, comfortable en suite bedrooms, guests can turn their evening meal into the perfect getaway in the country.
Serving award winning food, the kitchen delivers an exciting take on English classics, transforming locally sourced produce into delicious dishes.
Just a short drive away are the dreaming spires of the historic city of Oxford and Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon.
The Kingham Plough, Kingham, near Chipping Norton
Well that’s it! If you think we’ve missed out any boutique inns then let us know by dropping us an email or a tweet.
Disclaimer: The properties listed above are only suggestions from Historic UK, and Historic UK takes no responsibility for any facilities and descriptions that may have changed since the writing of this article.