In ‘lovely Cotswold stone buildings around a pretty courtyard’, this mostly 16th-century former coaching inn has had a stylish make-over. ‘Its historic and quirky features have been enhanced with beautiful fabrics and colours,’ say the nominators in 2018. There are several relaxing lounges. ‘We had a tiny sitting room and fire to ourselves, where we enjoyed cocktails.’ A wide choice of bedrooms too. Ground-floor courtyard suites open on to an individual terrace garden, while the Great Chamber Suite has a vaulted ceiling, antique furniture and heirlooms. The ‘relaxed informal’ atmosphere is helped by ‘friendly, efficient staff’ in ‘smart jeans’. Food is served all day in the lounges and bar, but the place to dine is the Bar and Grill, with barrel ceiling and minstrels’ gallery, where chef Ales Maurer’s seasonal British dishes include Gower salt marsh lamb; Cotswold ale-battered cod; Buckland tomato, courgette and basil risotto. Breakfast has free-range eggs, good pastries, French toast with salted caramel crème fraîche. In the same inclusive spirit that saw both Charles I and Oliver Cromwell accommodated in the Civil War, children and dogs are made welcome. (Sarah and Trevor Beeton)