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The Kings - Chipping Campden

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Classy Cotswolds retreat

In the heart of stunning Chipping Campden, itself in the heart of the stunning Cotswolds, The Kings is one stunner of a weekend retreat. A 17th and 18th century town house, built from the honey-coloured Cotswold stone that helps make this part of the world so picturesque, this cosy hotel is the epitome of rural chic – fantastically renovated, beautifully designed and full of little bits of luxury.

The Kings’ twelve bedrooms are all different, yet all super-stylish. Comfy antique beds mix with contemporary pieces and bundles of period features, such as beams and gorgeous sash windows to create little retreats, full of character. All have crisp linen and squishy duvets, fluffy bathrobes, flat-screen tellies and White Company toiletries. Big sofas and armchairs make the rooms even more comfy, while airy views over the market square or the gardens are the icing on the cake.

Downstairs, the successful mixing of old and new continues, with both the light, airy restaurant and bar stylishly decorated within some of the oldest rooms in town. The buzzy Kings Restaurant, overlooking the square, is great, serving vibrant and modern British dishes, including fantastic seafood shipped direct from Brixham Harbour. In the summertime, The Kings’ lovely garden makes for perfect al-fresco dining, while romantic winter dinners are perfect, lit by the restaurant’s roaring open fire. The hotel bar is just as popular, serving simple, yet very tasty, light dishes alongside a good selection of real ales. Squidgy sofas and loads of newspapers make for a super-relaxing Sunday lunch.

Where is it?

Lovely Chipping Campden is one of the most unspoilt towns in the Cotswolds. Once a thriving market town, the market square is still central to this bustling tourist favourite, with foodie shops, antique emporiums and small boutiques-a-plenty. The town is a potterer’s paradise, but is also perfectly placed for those who take stretching their legs a bit more seriously. The 103-mile Cotswold Way, which starts at Chipping Campden and ends at Bath, might be a little much for a weekend stroll, but there’s plenty of other trails, paths and walking routes right on The Kings’ doorstep. One of the nicest walks is a 4-miler that takes you from Chipping Campden up Fish Hill to Broadway Tower (www.broadwaytower.co.uk Tel: 01386 852390) Built in 1799 as a grand, gothic folly, this mini castle was a favourite hang-out for the many artists, writers and musicians inspired by Broadway (William Morris, JM Barrie, Elgar and Henry James to name but a few) and is also one of the best viewing points in England – on a clear day you can (apparently) see 14 counties. For adventures on two wheels, Cotswold Country Cycles (www.cotswoldcountrycycles.com Tel: 01386 438706), just outside Chipping Campden, hires bikes and advises on good bicycling routes in the area.

The little town of Broadway that nestles under Fish Hill is also a must-visit and just a 6-mile jaunt from Chipping Campden. It really is the stuff of picture book fantasy – a broad sweep of a main street flanked by gorgeous, honey-coloured Cotswold stone houses and shops and red chestnut trees. Founded after the Norman conquest and home to the famous Lygon Arms – where both Charles I and Oliver Cromwell were known to have stayed during the Civil War – the town is steeped in history. Broadway is crammed full of antique shops, specialist food shops and cafes, but it’s most famous for its plethora of art galleries. For an amazing selection of styles and disciplines of art – both contemporary and from as far back as the early 19th century, visit the three Broadway galleries belonging to John Noott (www.john-noott.com Tel: 01386 858969). The galleries are perfect for browsing, but if you’re itching to start your collection, they also offer a great “Own Art” scheme, where you can pay for a piece in monthly installments.

Of course, staying in Chipping Campden means the rest of the Cotswolds is right on your doorstep - miles and miles of beautiful countryside, chocolate-box villages and fascinating history. Read The Weekenders Guide to the Cotswolds for the best in what to see, do and eat in the area.

If culture’s your thing, drive twenty minutes north of Broadway and you’ll be in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon, the home of British theatre (or ‘Willy’s World’ as it was re-named on one memorable school trip). Shakespeare’s birthplace (www.shakespeare.org.uk Tel: 01789 204 016), a pretty, timbered house in the centre of town, and his resting place, Holy Trinity Church (www.stratford-upon-avon.org) on the banks of the River Avon, together with the chocolate-boxey, thatched Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and gardens (www.shakespeare.org.uk Tel: 01789 292 100), where the young William wooed the love of his life, really are fascinating places to visit and are, essentially, the English version of Graceland. But the best way to appreciate the impact that Stratford and its most famous son has had on our history (and the phrase “it’s what he would have wanted” suddenly springs to mind), is to watch some of his greatest works performed by the best actors around. The world-famous Royal Shakespeare Company is based at Stratford, and while their Royal Shakespeare and Swan Theatres are undergoing a transformation until 2010, the new 1000-seater Courtyard Theatre is still a tremendous place to see Shakespeare performed where it belongs (not to mention a vibrant repertoire of more modern works). For a full guide to what’s going on and to book tickets, contact the RSC (www.rsc.org.uk Tel: 01789 403444).

Where can I eat?

Both the restaurant and the bar at The Kings really are a no-brainer of an eating option – not only is the food fantastic, but there can be nothing better than enjoying a great meal and a bottle (or two) of vino, knowing that your bed’s within staggering distance.

If you are looking for an alternative, however, there are lots of great restaurants in the area. Juliana’s Restaurant at Cotswold House (www.cotswoldhouse.com Tel: 01386 840330) offers mouthwatering fine dining in super-stylish surroundings, while Hick’s Brasserie, also at Cotswold House is perfect for that special lunch or lighter supper. A little further afield, but equally as delicious is the lovely Churchill Arms (www.thechurchillarms.com Tel: 01386 59400) in the nearby village of Paxford, 2 miles from Chipping Campden. A beautiful pub serving a fresh, uncomplicated menu - it has locals and foodie critics flocking. Otherwise, The Lygon Arms (www.the-lygon-arms.com Tel: 01386 852255) in Broadway, a historic paragon of a place, has two popular restaurants open to non-residents – The Great Hall and Goblets Brasserie – both of which serve fantastic food, whether you’re after a full-monty of a silver service experience or a more relaxed, but equally mouthwatering menu of British classics.

Outside Broadway, the Cotswolds are full of great restaurants and gastro-pubs – read The Weekenders Guide to The Cotswolds for the best in the area – but special mention should be made of The Fleece (www.thefleeceinn.co.uk Tel: 01386 831173) in the village of Bretforton, 5 miles outside Chipping Campden. The only pub owned by The National Trust, The Fleece has been around since Chaucer’s Time, and has stayed pretty much the same since the mid 17th century. The interiors are ancient, with heavy beams, flagstone floors and an open hearth. The food is hearty but fantastic and the huge range of real ales served has made The Fleece a real CAMRA favourite. As if that wasn’t enough, the inn also plays host to the Annual Asparagus Festival in early summer - check out the British Asparagus website for details of this year’s event (www.british-asparagus.co.uk).

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This cosy Cotswolds hotel is the epitome of rural chic – fantastically renovated, beautifully designed and full of little bits of luxury.