A beautiful, comfortable Cotswolds hotel set in delightful scenery with fantastic nearby dining options, the Rectory is the perfect choice for a relaxing weekend escape to the country.
Set among several acres of beautiful walled Victorian Gardens, The Rectory is a stunning Georgian stone building, built by a former rector to accommodate his large family. It certainly has the feel more of a luxurious house than a hotel upon entering – rather than a formal lobby there is a beautifully decorated entrance hall with a simple desk, and not a phone or computer in sight, although staff were prepared for our arrival and only too happy to accommodate any requests.
The bedrooms are decorated simply and tastefully, with wooden panelling and beams, pale creams and florals on the walls and incredibly comfortable beds – the look is a lovely mixture of old-fashioned English country home, with modern boutique hotel styling. The bar and lounge have similar decor with splashes of colour throughout– muted corals, terracottas and lilacs against stone shades and brown leathers all appear beautifully warm, especially against the open fires. We could have spent hours curled up here, and despite the hotel seeming fairly full during our stay, barely heard a pin drop.
The Rectory’s restaurant is a lovely light, airy room, and we ate a delicious breakfast there the morning after our stay, with the option for a cooked Cotswolds breakfast or a buffet of fresh fruit, yogurts and cereals. However, for dinner we elected to try the Potting Shed Pub (just a minute across the road from the hotel), sister business to the Rectory and winner of British Dining Pub of the Year in the Good Pub Guide. It is a beautiful pub with a menu that did not disappoint – our delicious, imaginative starters of duck and plum boudain, and a guinea fowl and chorizo risotto were only improved upon by a standout main of traditionally British jugged hare, a rich and gamey dish served with roasted winter vegetable cresse. There is an excellent wine selection, or you can enjoy quirky non-alcoholic options such as a strawberry and basil spritzer. We shared an unusual but fantastic hot winter fruit soup for pudding, and were reluctant to leave the comfortable pub – which is certainly worth a visit whether you are a Rectory guest or just find yourself in the area.
The hotel is family and dog friendly, and babysitting, cots and baby monitors can be arranged for you along with activities such as croquet on the lawn in summer, or hints and tips for nearby walks which come with the loan of wellies and maps if needed. Nearby attractions include the pretty market town of Tetbury, the Cotswolds Water Park Lakes, and Go-Karting all within ten miles – along with the close proximity to Bath and the Regency town of Cheltenham.
Rooms: 12 double rooms decorated with a beautifully eclectic mix of modern and antique, with flat screen TVs/DVD players, iPod docking stations, retro Roberts radios and organic Bamford bath products.
Rates: From £105 per night to £195 per night for the stunning Leckhampton room.
Facilities: Free WiFi throughout; Spa treatments; a heated outdoor garden swimming pool; three acres of gardens; a library of books, CDs and DVDs; loaner iPods and digital cameras; and a conservatory that can be booked as a conference venue accommodating twenty.
Check out time: 11am
How to get there: Reachable by train from London Paddington to Kemble in an hour and a half – the Rectory staff will collect you personally from nearby Kemble station, or will arrange taxis if this option is not available.