Dotted with traditional pubs, upmarket hotels, bustling delicatessens and charming gift shops, Chipping Campden’s high street is a huge draw for visitors. Now a conservation area, the original sandy coloured limestone buildings look particularly Insta-worthy covered in snow, or in the height of summer. Here’s Culture Trip’s guide to the best hotels in Chipping Campden.
The Seagrave Arms is a family and dog-friendly inn, belonging to the Epicurean Collection of boutique countryside pubs. The dishes are wonderfully simple, allowing the fresh, local ingredients to take centre stage (pan roasted salmon with crushed new potatoes is a favourite, and you can’t leave without trying the heavenly caramelised onion souffle with Gruyere sauce). Rest your weary head (and stomach) in one of the eight bedrooms, which feature thoughtful touches such as hot water bottles on cold nights and fresh milk every morning for your coffee.
Woolmarket House is the epitome of rural Cotswolds. Sat right on the high street, it has only four bedrooms, where guests can expect to find piles of velvet cushions stacked on window seats, in-bedroom bathtubs and huge gilt framed mirrors. There’s a beautiful pergola-covered outdoor dining area for when the weather’s fine and the breakfast buffet is both generous and delectable. Book the whole thing with a group of friends or tuck yourself away with a partner in one of the rooms for a romantic weekend break.
One of the biggest pulls to The King’s Hotel is its excellent restaurant – with a log burner and cosy corners to curl up in, it’s the ideal spot for a three-course evening meal. Head chef Greg Newman and his team at the Jackrabbit have worked tirelessly to create a truly inspiring menu that celebrates the area’s finest foods. The Gloucester Old Spot pig is a popular dish and don’t forget to leave space for the whipped vanilla cheesecake with poached blueberries and yuzu. Each room is entirely different, so whether you opt for a cosy double complete with exposed brickwork and original beams or the suite with an in-room bathtub, you certainly won’t be disappointed.
Cotswold House Hotel has two places to eat: Bistro on the Square and Fig Restaurant. There’s also a spa, complete with indoor pool, outdoor hot tub and a range of luxury treatments. The bedrooms are filled with contemporary furniture such as glass coffee tables, overhanging lamps and sprawling leather sofas, but the real stars of the show are the bathrooms – with bathtubs easily big enough for two. Make time to explore the beautiful boutiques of Chipping Campden High Street, which is right on the doorstep of Cotswold House.
The whole point of a stay at Three Ways House is to experience the internationally renowned Pudding Club – a Cotswolds institution that takes place at the hotel every weekend. Since 1985, locals and visitors have gathered to celebrate the good old British pudding by joining together in a simple main course followed by a parade of seven different desserts. This is a dream come true for lovers of sweet treats and displays English eccentricity at its finest. Aside from that, the 48 rooms are lavishly furnished decorated with an homage to – you’ve guessed it – the nation’s favourite puddings. Would you expect anything less?
