The Wheatsheaf Inn

Rooms

Georgie clearly had fun decorating the 14 rooms; all balance style and eccentricity with quirky touches - mirrors made from vintage cogs, Harrods crates for bedside tables - providing a dash of theatricality. Floral Lewis & Wood wallpaper, snuggly mohair blankets and swathes of tweed nod to the country setting, while striking artwork adds contemporary cool.

No room is huge, but all have comfy Hypnos beds and snazzy Bang & Olufsen TVs, plus complimentary bottled water and nibbles. Bathrooms (many open-plan) are even plusher, with walk-in rain showers and/or freestanding tubs. Lovely touches include gorgeous Bramley toiletries, tubs of bath salts, fluffy robes, and hessian bags of cotton wool and other sundries.

Our Excellent Room (Room 1) lived up to its name, with double doors leading to a vast bathroom with a sparkling zinc slipper bath - though the Krüger painting of a twisted face (reminiscent of Munch’s ‘The Scream’) might not be to everyone’s taste. Other stand-outs include Excellent Room 9, whose lofty bathroom has exposed stone walls, Very Good Room 6 - perhaps the sleekest of the lot with its masculine grey and black palette and open-plan shower - and pale-and-pretty Very Good Room 10 and Excellent Room 11, both with their own entrances off the garden terrace.

We’d happily stay in any, though light sleepers should avoid Good Room 5 above the kitchen.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Central heating
• Complimentary snacks and bottled water
• Cots Available
• Extra beds
• Hairdryer
• Iron
• Satellite TV
• Toiletries
• WiFi

Eating

It’s not every day you dine in the company of Kate Moss, whose portrait gazes down from the walls of The Wheatsheaf's convivial dining room. It’s a hint of rock'n’roll in an otherwise traditional setting, where chunky wooden tables, lovingly weathered armchairs and padded banquettes sit next to open fires.

Chef Anthony Ely focuses on robust flavours, with local ingredients featuring strongly on his daily changing menus. We feasted on melt-in-the-mouth cheddar and mustard soufflé, followed by a tender sirloin steak - slightly overdone, but the blue cheese sauce and fries were excellent. The generous portions left us full, but in the name of research we shared a ridiculously rich chocolate and peanut ‘Marathon pudding’ - a good name, as it based on a marathon bar and was a struggle to finish alone.

Just as impressive was the wine list, which ran to 20 pages (we counted), and the roster of regional beers and international lagers in the bar.

The continental breakfast was equally appetising. We sampled croissants, perfectly ripe avocados, berry compote with Greek yoghurt and granola, homebaked ham, cheeses and toast; all washed down with fresh orange juice and coffee. For those suffering from a sore head, pour-yourself Bloody Marys were also on offer alongside a big jar of more traditional medications. Though it cost extra, our pancakes with crispy bacon and maple syrup were well worth the spend!

The restaurant is also open for cream tea from 4-6pm, and bar snacks and drinks are available throughout the day. You’ll need to book for lunch and dinner.

If you fancy a change of scene, you’ll find plenty of options within a short drive. Cirencester bistro Made by Bob (20 minutes away), The Tavern in Cheltenham (also owned by Sam and Georgie) and Daylesford's super-stylish organic farm shop, cafe and restaurant come recommended.

Features include:

• Bar
• Children's meals
• Restaurant
• Room service
• Vegetarian menu

Activities

• Mooch around Northleach, once an important wool trading town on the road to London, now a sleepy village with honey-coloured houses, a pretty church and a handful of antique shops
  
  
• Other Cotswolds towns and villages worth visiting include Bibury, Stow-on-the-Wold, Burford and Cirencester, all within a 30-minute drive. Bike hire can be arranged if you’d prefer to explore on 2 wheels rather than 4
  
  
• Lace up your walking boots, ask staff to pack up a picnic, and amble through rolling hills and wooded valleys. Maps showing suggested routes are available from the bar
  
  
• History buffs will enjoy the mosaicked remains of Chedworth Roman Villa, 5 miles down the road, the restored gardens at Kiftsgate Court and Hidcote Manor, and the palatial piles of Blenheim, Sudeley and Rousham
  
  
• Soak up the Regency splendour of nearby Cheltenham, and splash the cash in its many boutiques. Or don your glad rags and head to Cheltenham racecourse
  
  
• Staff can arrange fishing and shooting (enquire when booking); there’s even a gun safe in the cellar in you have your own equipment. If you don’t fancy aiming at live birds, clay pigeon shooting is on offer nearby
  
  
• Staff can also organise horse riding, and point you in the direction of the nearby Indoor Climbing Centre
  
  
• Sailing, wind-surfing, kayaking and water-skiing are available at the Cotswold Water Park, a collection of inland lakes a 20-minute drive away
  
  
• Back at the inn, unwind by the fire or have a massage in the small treatment room (book in advance)

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Climbing
• Cycling
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Horse riding
• Kayaking
• Sailing
• Shooting
• Shopping / markets
• Water-skiing
• Well being
• Windsurfing

Kids

The Wheatsheaf may be super-stylish, but its laid-back ambiance makes it a good option for families. There's no need to feel self-conscious about lively children in the sociable communal areas, and children will find board games and toys to enjoy. In warmer months there's a small garden with a Wendy house to play in.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Toddlers (1-4 years), Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

A baby cot or extra fold-out bed can be added to all Very Good Rooms, and Excellent Rooms can accommodate 2 additional beds or cots. Most rooms have bathtubs as well as showers, but be aware that some bathrooms are open-plan, with a separate loo.

Distances:

• Airport: 1 hour 15 minutes (Bristol or Birmingham)
• Hospital: 25 minutes (Cheltenham)

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The Wheatsheaf Inn is located in the Cotswolds village of Northleach, just off the A40 between Cheltenham and Burford. It's a 2-hour drive from London, and around an hour from Bristol or Birmingham.

By Air:
Bristol (99km / 1 hour away) is the closest airport and has many domestic and international services. You can also fly to Birmingham International (101km / 1 hour away) or London Heathrow (150km / 2 hours away), both served by numerous flights.

By Car:
The inn is an easy drive from the M5, and you’ll need a car if you want to explore the Cotswolds. The Wheatsheaf has a free car park for guests. For car hire see our car rental recommendations.

By Train:
The nearest rail stations are Kingham, which is served by trains from Oxford and Worcester, and Kemble, which has trains from London, Swindon and Cheltenham. Both are around 20 minutes from The Wheatsheaf, and staff can arrange a taxi to meet you.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

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