Barnsley House, Cirencester, Cotswolds

The hotel is set in its own spacious grounds in the appealing village of Barnsley. You'll find lovely Bibury close by, while handsome Burford, with cafés and antique shops, is a little further out.

This is a surprisingly accessible haven - it's four miles from Cirencester and a 90-minute drive from west London (on a clear run).

By car: 2 hours from London and around 1 hour from Bristol and Oxford. Free on-site parking available.

By train: London Paddington to Kemble takes just over an hour, after which, a taxi takes 20 minutes. Book trains to Kemble.

Step through the door and you're in a sitting room with a cosy crackling fire. There's a bar next door, and a light-filled dining room along the back of the property gives onto a terrace and glorious garden. The interior has been designed to feel like a relaxing and stylish home, and the décor is soothing.

Staff help create a warm and friendly atmosphere. The garden has the wow factor and offers year-round interest - guests can wander the grounds as they wish. Hidden away in a woody area are the small cinema and spa.

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Terrace
• Spa
• Tennis court
• Cinema
• Free parking
• Free Wi-Fi

Rooms are spread across the main house, old stable yard and two outbuildings. Choose a suite under the eaves for magnificent garden views. Bathrooms feature roll-top tubs.

Room types: Cotswolds, Laburnum, Garden, Barnsley, Stable Suite, Potting Shed Suite, Davina Suite, Rosemary Verey Suite, Secret Garden Suite, Home Farm Cottage

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with Ren toiletries, bathrobes and slippers, tea and coffee-making facilities, pantry, free Wi-Fi

The Potager restaurant is elegant and serves Mediterranean cuisine using ingredients from the garden and locally. We loved the home-grown squash risotto with candied pumpkin seeds. For less formal dining, hop across the road to The Boot.

The Potager: fine dining, locally sourced produce, seasonal menus. Open daily for dinner, Mon-Sat for afternoon tea and Sun for lunch (12-2pm).

The Boot: traditional country pub, Cotswolds ales. Open daily from 12pm.