The Frogmill, Gloucestershire

Overview

Renovated by Brakspear in 2018, this rambling 16th-century inn is now a stylish Cotswolds bolthole, close to Cheltenham and some of the Cotswold's most sought-after spots.

With added wow factor and amazing attention to detail, the Frogmill boasts traditional beams and flagstones which complement more contemporary features and warm heritage hues. There's a rustic-smart bar with large wooden tables, panelled walls and hop-strewn beams, and a relaxed dining area with rugs on bare boards, an eclectic mix of furniture, and a quirky décor with books, paintings, plants adorning walls, shelves of books and fireplaces.

The Snug is a great chill-out space with sofas and easy chairs, table tennis, shuffleboard, and billiards, and the super front terrace, with its restored waterwheel and colour flower borders, is the place to relax when the sun shines. Modern British pub food, 28 fabulous bedrooms and the stunning Mill Room function space (perfect for weddings!) complete the rural picture.

Rooms from

Doubles: £130

Good to know

All major credit cards accepted
Disabled access
Alfresco & private dining
Wedding venue
Parking available
Dog stay: £20

A touch of culture
From the Cheltenham Folk Festival and Literary Festival, to an array of historical sites closeby, there's plenty of things to keep you busy in the local area.

Family favourite
Families can expect a big welcome - splash out on the family suites with sofa beds.

Outdoor adventures
Explore the 100-mile Cotswold Way - beginning at Chipping Campden it's a great way to discover this lovely region.

Alfresco

Fabulous terrace with posh reclining wooden chairs and deck chairs, smart teak tables with blue brollies, a huge metal fire pit to huddle around on cooler evenings, and an outside bar and kitchen.

Rooms

You are spoilt for choice with 28 rooms of varying sizes spread across four buildings with a mix Cosy (snug), Classic, Superior, Deluxe and Signature rooms to suit all budgets and requirements, including family suites and dog-friendly rooms with terraces.

Splash out on the deluxe rooms for oodles of space, huge beds, double-sinks, walk-in showers and freestanding tubs. Each room has been kitted out with home-from-home comforts to make guests feel as comfortable as possible: Feather & Black bed and mattress, Nespresso machine, Roberts radio, magazines along with plenty of indulgent Temple Spa Aromatherapy bathroom products.

Signature Room 8 oozes history and charm with a tiny door and steep staircase leading to a vaulted timbered room with fabulous bathroom and its own private roof terrace - a real surprise. If you're celebrating, then stay in the Suite and savour the queen size bed, the wood-burning stove, the well-stocked fridge, the double-ended tub in the vast bathroom and the private alfresco terrace.

Restaurant & bar

The kitchen at the Frogmill is passionate about using quality local produce and the modern British menus are built around two essential pieces of kitchen kit: the Josper grill oven and the American smoker.

The smoker burns whisky barrel and hickory wood-chips to smoke scallops, salmon, pork and tomatoes to perfection. Expect to find pub classics (Dexter beef burger) alongside excellent steaks (grass-fed Dexter beef), whole lobster, pork belly ribs and some great sharing dishes from the grill, perhaps smoked barbeque short rib beef.

Beyond the traditional range of Brakspear ales on handpump, enjoy an impressive array of drinks. Look to the chalkboards for the choice of cocktails; there are plenty of boutique gins available including locally distilled Cotswold Gin and Silent Pool, as well as the craft bottled beer list. The short wine list favours France and there's a wide selection offered by the glass.

Private dining

The stunning Mill Room function space is perfect for weddings, easily seating 150 guests. There is an intimate private dining room seating 8 and The Snug is a versatile space for small functions and celebrations, replete with traditional games to play.

Things to do

A purveyor of an incredible selection of the finest cheeses with a good selection from local producers, cheese fanatics should head to the Cotswold Cheese Company in Moreton-in-March. They also sell other artisan produce such as breads, biscuits, crackers and chutneys, so you can stock up on delicious, local fare to take home with you.

Don't miss The Woolpack Inn, an iconic Cotswold 16th-century pub. Its long-enjoyed association with Cider With Rosie author Laurie Lee, who was a regular here. The pub is still packed with Lee memorabilia but the excellent food and local ales are reason enough to pop in.

Not far from Northleach are several country estates and shooting schools where clay pigeon shooting regularly takes place, including Ian Coley's Sporting at Andoversford. It's the perfect way to get a little shooting practice, whether you are an experienced shot or just a beginner.

Situated in a secluded part of the Coln valley and run by the National Trust, the Chedworth Roman Villa dates from around AD 120. Open daily from mid-February to the end of November, it was originally believed to have been a farmhouse.