The Rectory
Cotswolds, England
There are three things I look for in a weekend staycation. Homemade shortbread, an honesty bar and a decent pub lunch within walking distance. Luckily The Rectory is a triple threat.
Sandwiched between Malmesbury and Cirencester in the Cotswolds, it’s a couple of hours by car or train from London, making it a front runner for an easy weekend away. Spurred on by the promise of a bath and lots-of-wine, we zipped down the motorway to the dinky village of Crudwell and were met by grand gates, a grand gravel driveway and a very grand looking country house. With 18 rooms, a restaurant, bar, lounge and quite a few dreamy fireplaces all tucked neatly inside, we quickly realised that we had shortchanged ourselves with just a one night stay.
After some homework, we booked the Biggest Room (there are four room categories, helpfully laid out as Biggest, Big, Medium and Small), because I wholeheartedly and unashamedly fell for the bathtub. Deep, freestanding and next to a breezy window. The simple but sweet room lived up to its namesake, with oodles of room to stow your weekend bag/wellies/raincoat/dog/significant other and the four poster bed was just as fluffy as expected.
…because I wholeheartedly and unashamedly fell for the bathtub. Deep, freestanding and next to a breezy window.
Forever a favourite, I will always find great joy in discovering homemade biscuits sitting quietly next to the coffee and mugs, and The Rectory didn’t disappoint with their stash of shortbread.
Two baths later (the bathrooms are kitted out with the entire 100 Acres range so allow time for multiple baths), we ventured downstairs to the in-house restaurant, a candlelit glasshouse which was just as pretty as it sounds. We loved the food, wine and service - another triple threat. We’re still plotting ways to recreate the gruyere and Dorset truffle toastie, and I don’t remember talking during the main course which means my confit pork belly was a success. Breakfast is served in the same glasshouse, but the romantic candlelit tables are transformed into an impressive buffet breakfast spread and we were very content spending a slow Sunday morning there despite the raging winds outside (Storm Dennis, I’m looking at you).
After a post-breakfast bath (essential), we braced ourselves for the storm brewing outside and darted across the road to their sister pub, The Potting Shed. When the lovely team at The Rectory tell you it’s just across the road, they really do mean it. A 10 second dash later and we were sat down near a roaring fire, and 20 minutes later we were tucking into our roasts. It was busy but not crowded, with lots of locals, dogs and laughter. We eked out our lunch as long as possible, mainly to avoid the blustery rain outside but also so we could take our time with an extremely delicious apple pie.
With London calling us back, our stay at The Rectory was over - but I know that the Cotswolds take on a different kind of magic during the summer months so there’s a likely chance we’ll return and I will be reunited with my bathtub once more. Bliss.
