The Wheatsheaf Inn, Gloucestershire

Overview

Situated in the market town of Northleach, the creeper-covered, 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.

There's plenty of charm inside and out with a cosy snug and a game bar, alongside a 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 and outside heaters 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
Parking available
Private and alfresco dining

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

Each of the 14 double rooms are decorated in a stylish and contemporary manner, with muted colours combining with daring splashes of colour from artworks on the walls. Designer fabrics and hand crafted beds ensure a high quality and luxurious feel throughout.

Some rooms feature roll-top baths whilst others are fitted with trendy modern showers - all are well stocked with handmade toiletries. Treatments such as holistic Swedish massage, waxes, manicures and make-up lessons are available at the in-house 100 Acres 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 French toast with streaky bacon to more refined evening main courses of grilled sea bass with salsa verde.

There's a good selection of draught ales including Sharp's seasonal Red Ale, Barnsey from Bath Ales and a pale ale such as Monterey from the Beerd Brewery. 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.

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.