The Lion Inn, Gloucestershire

Overview

Nestled in the heart of the picture-postcard medieval village of Winchcombe, this 500-year-old inn combines heritage and modern day comforts to deliver a relaxed yet charming place to wine, dine and stay overnight.

The décor of the eight individually designed bedrooms is tasteful and attractive - expect vintage-chic furnishings, power showers, comfortable beds and high-quality linen. The restaurant serves creative dishes that make full use of the very best seasonal produce, while a cosy bar, complete with snug armchairs, flagged floor and vast inglenook fireplace, dispenses local ales and offers a broad-ranging wine list. In summer, dine alfresco in the gorgeous lavender-filled garden, replete with teak tables and posh cream brollies.

The inn's location in Winchcombe is hard to beat for its timeless Cotswold charm, but if you want to explore further afield it's the perfect base for walking with the Cotswold Way passing through the village. There are numerous heritage sites nearby and it is also an easy drive to Cheltenham if you fancy a glam day at the races or simply want to explore the shops in this fine Regency town.

Rooms from

8 doubles: £100

Good to know

Visa and Mastercard accepted
Alfresco & private dining
Pay car park behind pub
Dog stay: £15

Town and city
Experience the picture-perfect charm of this Cotswolds village, or explore nearby Regency Cheltenham.

Outdoor adventures
A great base for walking (Cotswold Way) and cycling, and there are numerous heritage sites nearby, too.

Quiet romance
The inn's idyllic location and charming interiors make it a beautiful destination for a couples' retreat.

Dog-friendly
Dogs are welcome on overnight stays in all of the rooms, beds and bowls can be provided on request.

Rooms

Focusing on the simpler things in life, the eight en suite rooms offer the perfect place to relax. Spacious, comfy and television-free, you can easily disconnect and unwind.

Each room sports a unique historic quirk, whether it be a restored Mickey Mouse mural, a wooden carousel horse adding a decorative touch, or a fabulous hayloft conversion.

Beds are dressed with high-quality linen and sumptuous feather duvets, and smart tiled bathrooms have rain showers or claw-foot baths and complementary handmade Bramley toiletries.

Restaurant & bar

The kitchen team are passionate about using fresh, local and seasonal produce and source from the best local artisan suppliers.

Menus evolve with the seasons - nibble on whitebait with paprika mayonnaise, then follow mussels with nduja, Suffolk cider, leeks and parsley, with venison haunch, celaric puree, gratin potato, girolles and smoked pancetta, or whole Cornish plaice with heritage potatoes, potted shrimp butter and samphire. Leave room for tonka bean panacotta and blackcurrant puree, or a plate of British cheeses.

In summer, head to the gorgeous garden and unwind alfresco with a lunchtime sandwich and a pint of local ale. Inside, the spacious bar is relaxed yet vibrant place to be, while in the Snug you can settle into comfortable armchairs with a good book, watch passers-by from the window seat, read the papers, play Scrabble, revive yourself with a coffee or relax with a glass of wine.

Private dining

The Clubroom is a light and airy space seating up to 20 guests - ideal for dinner parties or corporate meetings. The patio is also a great spot for an intimate garden party or summer wedding reception.

Experiences

Explore the pretty parkland that comprises the country’s largest private collections of trees and shrubs, and enjoy a one-night stay in the Cotswolds at a choice of two Epicurean Collection inns nearby.

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Things to do

The landscape around Winchcombe is characterised by stone walls and buildings, rolling grasslands, beech woods and pretty villages - all best appreciated via an extensive network of tracks and bridleways designed for walkers, cyclists and horse riders alike.

But if you don't want to go too far, the village centre location is hard to beat for classic Cotwolds charm - think unspoilt Medieval Saxon town, gorgeous heritage architecture, quaint cottages, excellent tearooms and superb antique shops. Sudeley Castle, one of the few castles left in England that is still a residence, is just a short stroll away, and the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, which runs classic steam trains, is just down the road.

History lovers shouldn't miss Hailes Abbey, once a site of great pilgrimage because it claimed to hold a phial of Christ's own blood, or The Rollright Stones, which represent nearly 2,000 years of Neolithic and Bronze Age development. The regency spa town of Cheltenham - home to festivals of literature, jazz and horse racing - is just a short drive away.

Getting here

Directions

Nearest train station: Ashchurch
Taxi from station: 20min
Drive: Cheltenham, 22min; Tewkesbury, 25min; Gloucester 46min; London 2hr 44min

Address

37 North Street, Winchcombe, Gloucestershire GL54 5PS

The Lion Inn

From £100 per night