The Lygon Arms

A 17th-century former coaching inn that counts Charles I and Oliver Cromwell, sundry Windsors and Hollywood royalty among past guests can fairly claim to be historic. Now with a spa and 13-metre indoor pool, and in the care of Iconic Luxury Hotels, it blends original features – inglenooks, panelled walls and beams – and period and contemporary furniture to impressive effect. There is a wide choice of bedrooms, from the Charles I suite in the main house, with a carved four-poster, to contemporary annexe rooms, open-plan courtyard suites with a landscaped terraced garden, and cottage rooms with furniture by Gordon Russell. All have a modern bathroom and a coffee machine. A reader vouches for an accessible courtyard room with ‘a roll-in shower, luxurious decor’. In the showstopper Lygon Bar & Grill with barrel-vaulted ceiling and minstrels’ gallery, menus of Cotswolds produce include dishes such as glazed Old Spot pork belly, black pudding, carrots and apples – among vegetarian options a beet burger or spiced lentil and spinach casserole. ‘Not a cheap hotel, but it has a lovely “feel” and the staff are very pleasant and helpful.’