Lamb Inn

SITTING CENTRE STAGE IN SHEEP STREET – where else? – The Lamb Inn was a one-time gathering place for local Cotswolds shepherds. Now, tired townies flock here for reviving country weekends to soak up its olde-worlde vibe.

Recently spruced-up, The Lamb Inn is now a real Shepherd's delight. Effortlessly mixing old-English charm with more up-to-the-minute comforts, it's also a place to sink a great range of local ales. Low ceilings (watch your head!), flagstone floors, oak beams, inglenooks and wisteria-clad walls all underline the Cotswold inn feel – accentuated by the polished brasses and tankards, and a maze of doorways and stairs dating back to the 1400s.

Bedrooms at The Lamb combine cossetting new-age comforts with the quaint and cosy. They have a cottage-y feel, with old beams, vibrant wall coverings and plenty of plump cushions. Many have four-poster or half-tester beds, while home-made flapjacks add a welcoming touch. You can peep out onto leafy lanes or the hotel’s pretty walled courtyard garden.

Shepherd's high

If you’re pushing the boat out, opt for the Shepherd’s room, with its oak four-poster, or the swishy Allium room with its big roll top bath. All bedrooms are stocked with Molton Brown bathtime goodies.

Make time for afternoon tea at The Lamb Inn, curled up by a crackling fire in one of the deep armchairs of the lounge. If it’s warm, find a parasoled corner in the sheltered courtyard garden. Count the poppies and cornflowers, and listen to the birdsong.

Save your appetite for dinner in the restaurant – or dine al fresco in the summer months. Menus feature contemporary English cooking with strong traditional influences, and there’s a fine cellar packed with bins from the old and new worlds.

© Room for Romance