Wisteria-covered stone cottages and babbling brooks welcome guests to Blockley, a traditional little Cotswold village that gives Lower Brook House its peaceful and enviable location. The hotel offers six individually furnished bedrooms and homemade modern European dinners and breakfasts all in a home from home atmosphere.

You could while away the hours reading a book by the fireside or in good weather, take in the fine British sunshine. The restaurant offers a seasonal menu of simple dishes that are created from locally sourced produce. From amongst five starters expect to find wild boar pâté with black currant compote and wholemeal toast, and salt and pepper squid with a squid ink spaghetti and chilli jam. Among mains, pan-fried chicken breast comes to the table with black pudding and Muscat jus, and sautéed Tamworth pork chop appears with shallot, sage, and cider.

Desserts of hot chocolate fondant with clotted cream or a trio of citrus shots beckon alluringly.