Cotswold 40th birthday trip!
 

Hello, I'll driving from Bath to Coventry on my birthday and am looking for a pleasant place to stop in the middle for a night. Am looking at Circencester with a stay at the Kings Head Hotel, but maybe there is a better suggestion for a nice country inn that is a little bit of a splurge. Just need a nice room, with a good restaurant!

Also, any suggestions about where to stop on the way, the not to be missed towns. We will be traveling in the middle of October.

Thank you!

I love the Lamb Inn in Burford - or for a treat how about the Swan in Bibury?

Being in Bibury after the day trippers have decamped would be lovely.

"Being in Bibury after the day trippers have decamped would be lovely."

Hmm...

For much of the year, there's a very short window indeed between the crowds disappearing (around 1630) and darkness descending on near complete desolation.

The Swan's food is pretty hohum, and it's frankly charmfree for individuals or couples. Pretty from outside, and I'm sure it's well run - but once it gets dark there's absolutely nothing else for miles but that dull provincial hotel - with practically no likelihood at all of pub chat. Even in the real local pub up the road.

In high summer, there are lovely and easily accessible walks nearby till late at night. From late August to early May, though, the choice has to be between staying in a micro- or real town (like Burford or Cirencester, though on the proposed route Stow, Norhleach or Chipping Campden would do just as well) and splurging on a proper Cotswold country house hotel with high quality food: on that route, Barnsley House is an obvious choice, though Soho Farmhouse at Great Tew is the hardcore supertrendy alternative (review of soft opening: http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/...cle1581675.ece ). Bibury Court - Bibury's other hotel - is neither: it's now perfect for weddings and divisional awaydays but utterly grisly for real people wanting a pleasant evening.

Cirencester's Kings Head has relatively recently reopened: a local blogger gave it a rave review a couple of weeks ago (http://www.thiscotswoldgirl.com/2015...d-cirencester/)

Here are a few you could consider. I hear good things about them.

http://www.thewildduckinn.co.uk/

http://www.thecrowninn-cotswolds.co.uk/

http://www.falconpainswick.co.uk/

Oh great! Thank you all for your responses. My concern was that Circencester might lask a little charm compared to smaller quainter villages surrounding. But it seems like being in a larger town might not be such a bad idea at that time of year!

The Soho Farmhouse does indeed look fabulous! But the extra hour of driving on the birthday day might be a deal breaker!

Might stay with The Kings Head Hotel as it seems we will be able to find a god meal in Circencester!

Any other recommendations welcomed! Or places to stop on the way for cream tea!

Now hesitating between The Kings Head Hotel in Circencester, and The Wheatsheaf Inn in Northleach.


Anyone know of these places and can recommend?