In a Cotswold town on the River Windrush, duck under the wisteria-draped arch of this well-updated hotel and enter a building rife with history. Formed from a row of 17th-century honey-stone houses, the hotel has restored flagstone floors, ancient beams, deep armchairs and big open fireplaces just right for taking afternoon tea by. It is managed by Mark Jelinek for Cotswold Inns and Hotels. Up the galleried staircase, colourful checks and jaunty tweeds give the variously sized bedrooms plenty of contemporary country charm. Two of the best rooms have a log burner or open fire; pooch-friendly rooms have direct outdoor access. There are board games, local ales and ciders and a menu of nibbles and light meals in the bar. In the restaurant, settle into sunlit lunches and dinners by candlight.