The Lamb Inn

Occupying 15th-century weavers’ cottages subsumed by an 18th-century inn on the aptly named Sheep Street, this is the kind of traditional, inclusive, tea-by-the-fire sort of place that sits so well in a historic market town. It is now owned by Fuller’s, who have done nothing to compromise the character of a bar ‘clearly popular with locals’ with its stone floor and settles, or a beamed lounge with soot-blackened inglenook (both dog-friendly). The bedrooms, by contrast, have contemporary styling, an espresso machine, home-made flapjacks, posh toiletries and, on the pillow, a little jar of Cotswold lavender. They differ mainly in size (let them know if you prefer a bath or shower, double or twin beds), but Shepherd room has an antique four-poster and feature fireplace. In Allium suite you can watch the plasma-screen TV while steeping in a roll-top bath. For a family, it can form a duplex with Rosie, with private garden. In the restaurant or the garden, the menu includes dishes such as lobster risotto, charred sweetcorn, sorrel oil. The ‘pigeon starter and the lamb were good’, although the wine list is ‘not very special’.