A fine old house, formerly the home of a prosperous Cotswold merchant, recently extended but leaving the 17th century façade intact. The atmosphere of calm and quiet order is relaxing in itself and coupled with the fresh English cuisine makes for refreshment of the soul, whether your stay be short or longer.

Start with a buffalo salad, by way of a change, or possibly a gravalax of Scottish salmon, before going on to some panfried prime British sirloin steak, with tasty roast breast of duck as an alternative, though with all those famous Forestdale ducks in the bathrooms a little care might be in order. The tart au citron invariably satisfies with a tia maria parfait as fallback. A good wine list also carries French house wine at £10.60 and New World at £11.50.