At a Glance
This out of the way property feels combines familial charm with funky, tasteful décor.
Review
It’s difficult not to feel a stab of design envy as you arrive at the Rectory. This is exactly how you wished you’d decorated your home; the cool flagstones in the hallway; the wooden shutters, like sleepy eyelids, half-shut; and the twinkling candles reflected in mirrors are so charmingly unaffected. Upstairs, the bedrooms are named after the rolling hills of the Cotswold Way, Nympsfield, Nimlet, et al.
The Rectory is refreshingly unlike a hotel: you won’t find a pants press behind the bedroom door or sachets of Nescafé on the tea tray; instead, there are toned-down Cath Kidson faded florals, freshly pressed Egyptian linens on the bed and piles of well-picked books on the mantel. Outside are three acres of idyllically walled gardens, with pansies, foxgloves, freshly cut grass and a weirdly wonderful 17th-century full-immersion baptism pool. (It’s not for swimming, of course; for that there’s a modern heated pool.) The chef who oversees the restaurant at the Rectory, in a wood-paneled that overlooks the garden, is a firm follower of the Slow Food Movement—so kick back and enjoy the feast.
Who Should Stay
Foodies will feel at home at this secluded property. The hotel can also provide rollaway cots, which makes it ideal for those traveling with children.
Indagare Tip: Ask for a room on the far side of the building as bells from the church next door may disturb lighter sleepers.
Written by Daisy Finer