Phyllis Court Club is set in 18 acres with lawns sweeping down to the river Thames. It is on the finishing line for the Henley Royal Regatta. Dining is either in the stylish Dining Room, the light Orangery Restaurant or, in season, the riverside Grandstand Pavilion. Corporate events, weddings and dinner can be arranged, even a hospitality box on the finishing line. Traditional England at its best.

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The Cotswolds Plough at Clanfield has 11 refurbished bedrooms housed in an old Cotswold building in a pretty village. Its restaurant has won plaudits for its modern cuisine, specializing in fish and game. Lunch is available and there are several dining areas. It is situated near to William Morris’ Kelmscott Manor and is a good centre from which to explore the Southern Cotswolds and Oxford.

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Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons, owned by Orient Express and run by Raymond Blanc, needs no introduction. It is one of the best known hotel/restaurants in the UK, largely because of its cookery school. Bedrooms are luxurious, with sitting areas and marble bathrooms. Gardens include a Japanese tea garden and two-acre vegetable and herb garden, whose produce is used in the kitchens.

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The Old Bank Hotel was converted from a Barclays (Martins) Bank and enjoys an excellent location in the centre of Oxford, with its own car park at the back. Air-conditioned bedrooms are large and decorated with modern art. Dining is in the ground floor Quod Bar & Restaurant, open all day.

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The Old Parsonage, Oxford, dates back in parts to the 16th century. Each of the 30 bedrooms is different and the fulcrum of the hotel is the all-day restaurant and bar. In winter a log fire burns in the hall; in summer the garden area and terrace are popular. There is limited parking.

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The King’s Head, in Bledington, is under the same management as the Swan (above) but is situated in the picture postcard village of Bledington, opposite the village green.
Its 12 bedrooms include one four-poster and they and the bathrooms have all been refurbished to a high standard. Downstairs dining areas are divided into the bar, a private dining room or the restaurant. Whichever you choose, you will be well satisfied.

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The Old Swan & Minster Mill has recently been acquired and refurbished to a high standard by the De Savary family. The old Swan (pictured) is 600 years old and has 16 suites above a characterful bar and restaurant, serving excellent food. The Minster Mill next door has fishing rights, a small gym and bedrooms divided into cosy and special. In reality all are contemporary and comfortable, special being a bit bigger.

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The Swan Inn at Swinbrook is bordered by a cricket field on one side and stream on the other. Six stylish bedrooms have recently been added in the adjoining barn. Book early for lunch or dinner as it gets very busy. Dining areas are divided into former dining rooms of the inn and a newly added conservatory. Or you can eat in the garden.

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Burford House is a Restaurant with Rooms set on the hill of this iconic town, much used in tourism literature promoting the Cotswolds and even the whole of Britain. There are just eight stylish bedrooms. Dinner is currently served Thursday through Saturday but lunch and Cotswold cream teas are available every day.

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Mill House Hotel dates back to 1770 when it was built on the site of a flour mill mentioned in the Domesday Book. Today it has cosy bedrooms, award winning cuisine, wedding and conference facilities and is a great place from which to tour this south-eastern corner of the Cotswolds. It sits in ten acres of gardens, with its own trout stream.

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