The Wheatsheaf Inn, Gloucestershire

Overview

Situated in the market town of Northleach, Lucky Onion's creeper-covered and country-smart Wheatsheaf Inn boasts a fabulous dining room, characterful bar and 14 glamorous bedrooms.

With well-chosen artworks, leather armchairs and open fireplaces, The Wheatsheaf is the kind of place you can squirrel yourself away and spend a day or two, and there's even a treatment room if you need some pampering. Expect a contemporary quality here, too, with dining that is both rustic and modern, and the sort of all-round attention to detail that really elevates this inn.

There's plenty of charm inside and out with a cosy snug and a game bar, alongside a stunning terrace garden for sunny summer days. For those fancying some alfresco dining, choose from the smart first level terrace with its hardwood furniture, attractive planters, outside heaters and pizza oven, or relax on one of the wooden tables on the neat lawn. The whole space is surrounded by a Cotswold-stone wall, with rows of pruned trees and country flower borders.

Rooms from

Doubles: £110

Good to know

All major credit cards accepted
Disabled access
Private and alfresco dining
Parking available
Dogs welcome overnight

Family favourite
With a children's menu designed by the local primary school, expect a fabulous - and kid-approved - range! There's a babysitting service too.

Dog-friendly
Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome in the main front bar and the game bar. Dogs can also stay overnight in three of the bedrooms.

A touch of culture
With the vibrant city of Cheltenham a short drive away, as well as a number of National Trust properties close by, there's plenty to keep culture and history buffs entertained.

Rooms

The 14 double rooms are a classy bunch with a mix of shapes and sizes and each decorated in a stylish and contemporary manner, yet retaining all the charm of an original coaching inn.

The colours are fashionably muted, save for some splashes of colour from artworks and designer fabrics and wallpaper, with cool, industrial-style lighting, original beams, exposed brickwork, stripped plank floors, and sturdy and well-chosen furniture such as hand-crafted Hypnos beds ensuring a high-quality feel throughout. There are three rooms on the ground floor with direct access to the garden areas.

The bathrooms really up the glam stakes with some rooms featuring roll-top baths, others with trendy modern showers and all stocked with handmade Bramley toiletries. Treatments such as holistic Swedish massage, waxes, manicures and make-up lessons are available at the in-house Treatment Room.

Restaurant & bar

Focusing on seasonal British ingredients, the daily-changing menu delivers robust and hearty flavours along with a touch of sophistication.

The kitchen serves a real range of food from breakfast through till dinner - from avocado and poached eggs on sourdough toast at breakfast to more refined evening main courses of ribollita, Tuscan bean soup with Swiss chard, croutons and parmesan, followed by lamb cutlets, spiced lamb neck ragu, potatoes and saffron labneh, or Hereford ribeye steak from the grill. For pudding, perhaps try Cambridge burnt cream, raspberries and shortbread.

There's a good selection of real ales and craft beers on tap and the wine list is a cracker, with over 300 bins to choose from and 15 available by the glass in two measures. If you fancy something stronger, peruse the cocktail list or try one of the 20 types of malt whisky on offer.

Private dining

The Gun Room, seats up to 20 boardroom-style. With high ceilings, eclectic decor, and state-of-the-art facilities including Apple TV, this unique event space is perfect for larger meetings, presentations, or away days in the countryside. The stylish and secluded Poker Room seats six around a large round table and has views over our gardens. It's the ideal place to host a smaller meeting.

Things to do

History buffs should head to Chastleton House and Garden, a Jacobean house where little has changed in 400 years. Built in the early 1600s and owned by the same family until 1991, the house serves as a fascinating time capsule - you'll really feel like you've stepped back in time.

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

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. With advice and guidance, this activity is a perfect way to get a little shooting practice, whether you are an experienced shot or just a beginner.