Culture Trip’s Guide to the Cotswolds

A refined aesthetic with millennial pink walls and plenty of blonde wood makes the Barrel Store look more like a Scandinavian retreat (replete with hygge-style throws) rather than a family-friendly hostel. Plonked in the pastel market town of Cirencester, this sprawling hostel ensures a comfortable visit within easy reach of everything the arts and crafts village has to offer. The New Brewery Arts Café next door gives 10 percent off to the Barrel Store’s guests, making those chunky chocolate brownies even more irresistible.

Terence and Gemma have been running the Angel for almost a decade, and in that time, they’ve perfected low-key comfort, the kind that oozes a British sensibility, such as kicking off your wellies after a long woodland walk. Low-slung ceilings and plush, pillow-loaded beds beg you to hop in and relax, which is what you should do – but not before a hearty meal in the downstairs pub. The baked gnocchi sprinkled with herby breadcrumbs and creamy basil pesto is highly recommended, and it’s light enough that you’ll be able to enjoy a seasonal crumble after.