Shakespeare House

Renovated with 'panache' by property developers Nick Hunter and Roy Elsbury, this half-timbered, mullion-windowed Elizabethan coaching inn (Grade II listed), in a village near Bicester, hosted William Shakespeare on his journeys to London. The style is theatrical: 'The drama begins in the dining area with its opulent black-and-white curtains and co-ordinated tableware,' said an inspector, 'and continues in the exquisite drawing room which has patterned sofas and a log fire blazing in the inglenook fireplace.' The bedrooms (each named after a character in A Midsummer Night's Dream) vary in size; some have a private bathroom across the hall (robes supplied). 'Oberon was a decent size and had panelled walls painted grey, elaborate gold-framed mirrors, pretty lamps, antiques. The modern black-tiled bathroom opposite had a spa bath and shower with water jets.' The Shakespeare suite has a queen-size bed and a walk-in shower room. A set dinner is cooked on request. 'Nick chatted about the area as he served us. We enjoyed a wonderful combination of soft goat's cheese with apple; superb lamb shank; hot chocolate pudding. The wine came from an honesty bar. Breakfast is also good-quality fare: fresh fruit salad, yogurt and cereal from a buffet; wholemeal toast in a covered basket, home-made jams, lovely pot of coffee.'