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Insider guide to Bath

By Condé Nast Traveller

Bath travel guide

This is one of the most gorgeous cities in Europe, but beneath her Regency façade she's also something of a good-time girl. Local Joanna Weinberg knows all the best secret places in Bath Despite its utter Englishness, Bath is a continental wonder, the sort of city that even in Italy or France would stop you in your tracks. For every tourist-worn attraction (and there are plenty), there is a new discovery to be made in this city on the edge of the Cotswolds : quiet paths meander along the river and canal, carved stone angels rest peacefully next to pretty chapels, and there's music everywhere from buskers more likely to channel Joan Sutherland than Joan Jett. There's plenty of culture, too, with superb small museums, pop-up supper spots and a stream of year-round festivals.

In the meantime, for all its establishment façade, Bath has a thriving independent scene. Milsom Street, the city's main thoroughfare, leading south, has all the big high-street names, but it's the northern part, where boutiques sit cheek-by-jowl with excellent cafés, delis and restaurants, that's worth exploring thoroughly. And all over the place, stylish, privately run B&Bs are giving bigger hotels a run for their money.

In the end, Bath is a place for simply wandering around. Sweeping crescents of immaculate Georgian architecture bump into ancient cobbled alleys, and wherever you look there's a corner of such classical beauty that it makes you stop and stare. Listen carefully and you might hear the ghosts of horse-drawn carriages.

Pictured: Roman baths

Where to stay in Bath

WHERE TO STAY

CLASSIC HOTEL FOR YOUR FAVOURITE AUNT: The Royal Crescent Hotel No self-conscious modernity or austere minimalism here. Instead, plumped pillows, heavy curtains and old-fashioned glamour. Afternoon tea comes on a cake stand, of course: crustless sandwiches, crumbly, still-warm scones, to be eaten, in warm weather, in the pretty garden. But it's the location that's unbeatable, on one of the most graceful crescents in the world (Manolo Blahnik has a house a few doors along), a short walk from the city centre. 16 Royal Crescent (01225 823333; www.royalcrescent.co.uk ). Doubles from £205 STYLISH B&B WITH A VIEW: Hill House You'll get a warm welcome from owners Harry, Douglas and Jasper the dog at this elegant but still homely three-storey townhouse. From tea on arrival, to the sprig of bay in the butter at the elegant communal breakfast table, beautifully laundered linen and pretty pots of seasonal flowers in every room, the attention to detail here belongs to a much grander hotel. It is well-located off Lansdown Hill (so be prepared for a bit of a climb). And do ask for a room with a view (it's amazing). 25 Belvedere (01225 920520; www.hillhousebath.co.uk ). Doubles from £100 FRIENDLY RETREAT: Brindleys The winding path through a cottage garden of lavender, rose and wisteria sets the tone at this very lovely Bath B&B. Rooms are pale, with pretty furniture and little chandeliers, and the seasonal breakfast menu is chalked up on a board in the sunshine-yellow dining room. Turn one way out the door and you'll be in the heart of the city; turn the other and you can happily lose a few hours walking along the meandering canal towpath, with easy access to the excellent restaurants, pubs and pretty chapels of Widcombe. 14 Pulteney Gardens (01225 310444; www.brindleysbath.co.uk ). Doubles from £110

Pictured: a bedroom at Brindleys

Where to eat in Bath

WHERE TO EAT

HOT LUNCH SPOT: Sam's Kitchen Small but lovely, this low-key café is a big hitter in the food stakes. Come for the signature lunch - a melting joint of meat, beautifully roasted, carved and piled onto a selection of fresh, Ottolenghi-style salads - or just stretch out with a great coffee, wonderful cakes or the very best Sunday brunch. Check the website for ever-revolving pop-up dinners in interesting spaces around town. 61 Walcot Street (01225 481159; www.samskitchendeli.co.uk ) BEST PUB FOR SUNDAY LUNCH: King William Pub and Dining Rooms This small pub, on the corner of the busy London Road leading into the city, kicked off the gastro movement in these parts. The wine list is eclectic, the beer and cider local, and there's serious but simple food in the dining rooms. Sunday lunch is a particular treat: the beef is rare; the slow-cooked lamb can be cut with a spoon. 36 Thomas Street (01225 428096; www.kingwilliampub.com ). About £50 for two UNRECONSTRUCTED INDIAN: The Eastern Eye Good, traditional curry served amid Regency domes and pilasters; the architecture forms a grand frame to delightfully lurid, not quite trompe l'oeil murals. There's splendid service, a jolly atmosphere and it's easy on the wallet. 8A Quiet Street (01225 422323; www.easterneye.com ). About £40 for two LUNCH ON A PRETTY TERRACE: The Bath Priory For Michelin-starred food without the stuffiness, come to this lovely old-fashioned hotel at lunchtime: there's a brilliant-value set menu and the best petits fours this side of Paris. Sit outside on the pretty terrace when it's warm. Weston Road (01225 331922; www.thebathpriory.co.uk ). Three-course lunch menu from £25. Book ahead CLASSY VEGETARIAN: Demuths Restaurant Light, modern and stylish, this is a spot real foodies flock to, and where carnivores say 'I didn't even miss the meat.' Expect the attention to detail that comes only with fine dining: mixed local brassicas come with a garlic custard, roasted carrots with fresh ewe's cheese. All very pretty on the plate, too. 2 North Parade Passage (01225 446059; www.demuths.co.uk ). About £50 for two GASTROPUB WITH A GARDEN: White Hart Inn Scattered with tumbling roses and pots of geraniums, the gorgeous courtyard garden at this excellent gastropub is a brilliant summer escape. Big screens are rigged up outside for headline sporting events (not football, though - too uncouth): expect strawberries, cream and Champagne for Wimbledon. Widcombe Hill (01225 338053; www.whitehartbath.co.uk ). About £40 for two

Pictured: alfresco dining at The Bath Priory

Where to drink in Bath

WHERE TO DRINK

SERIOUS COFFEE: Colonna & Small's Home to the 2012 UK Barista Champion, this coffee shop has stripped-back decor, exposed-brick walls and white tables. There are three different espressos, filtered coffees that should only be drunk black, advice on the best flat whites, and the heady, heavenly scent of constantly roasting coffee beans. Just don't ask for a decaf. 6 Chapel Row (07766 808067; www.colonnaandsmalls.co.uk ) GREAT 1940S TEA SHOP: Bea's Vintage Tea Rooms Young, powder-fresh waitresses in vintage dresses, with immaculately set hair, serve lunch and classic high tea in this unstuffy tea room. Chintz without swag, mismatched chairs, jazz on the radio, great scones: the perfectly English antidote to all that coffee. 6-8 Saville Row (01225 46552; www.beasvintagetearooms.com ) A BAR WITH DRAMA: Door 34 Right behind the Theatre Royal, this little bar also calls itself the Liquid Alchemists' Lounge. Their All Day Breakfast starts with gin, and their Bloody Bull is spiked with Bovril. Get here early if you want a seat - it's teeny-tiny. 34 Monmouth Street (01225 444770; www.door34.co.uk ) EXCELLENT COCKTAILS: Circo Downstairs at The Halcyon hotel, Circo is one of those bars you could happily lose an evening (or afternoon) in - deep, buttoned leather sofas, velvet stools, a mirrored bar with every imaginable bottle twinkling at you. Stacks of fruits and lumps of ginger on the counter ensure the freshest cocktails. 2-3 South Parade (01225 444100; www.circobar.co.uk )

LIVE MUSIC HUB: The Bell Inn The walls of this scruffy pub are covered in posters for live music acts, testament to the excellent, if old-school, performances here on Wednesdays. With two sound stages, and a garden for smokers, this is where the rockers rock up. 103 Walcot Street (01225 460426; www.thebellinnbath.co.uk )

Pictured: The Bell Inn

Where to shop in Bath

THE BEST SHOPS IN BATH

COOL LIGHTING: Felix Lighting Specialists Loved by film and theatre designers, this shop is a real find, selling items such as an original spotlight from the Suez Canal and reconditioned Walk/Don't Walk New York pedestrian signals. 6 Bartlett Street (01225 315110; www.felixlightingspecialists.co.uk ) GLAMOROUS SECOND-HAND: Vintage to Vogue With its black-and-white spotty chaise-longue, and piles of early- to mid-century accessories on every available surface, this shop sells proper vintage fashion. You can find anything from a silk beach robe fit for 1930s St Tropez to a 1960s sailor suit. The pieces are sourced for quality and condition, with prices to match. 28 Milsom Street (01225 337323; www.vintagetovoguebath.co.uk ) ELEGANT UNDIES: Mee Boutique This is the place for pretty modern tea dresses, excellent underwear and unusual costume jewellery; there's even a classy shoe boutique next door. 9A Bartlett Street (01225 442250) FIT-LIKE-A-GLOVE BOOTS: Duo With great leather boots in 21 calf sizes and well-trained staff, this shop gives you an almost bespoke experience at little more than high-street prices. 33 Milsom Street (01225 460745; www.duoboots.com ) QUIRKY PRESENTS: Prey It's hard to pull off a really great gift shop, but this one is so fab you'll want to move in. From funky, clashing cushions to handmade faux nature scenes in glass bell jars and vintage buttons; and with a fashion boutique upstairs, there's nothing you wouldn't want to buy here. 3 York Buildings, George Street (01225 329933; www.prey-shop.co.uk ) HEAVENLY BOOKSHOP: Topping & Company Booksellers In a long, slender room with ceiling-to-floor wooden shelves, this shop has every book you could ever wish for. The staff are passionate, extremely well-read, and so dedicated that not only will they find the perfect novel for you to disappear into, they'll also wrap every hardback in a protective cellophane sleeve. Call ahead for top-notch bi-weekly author events. Truly, a bookshop of dreams. The Paragon (01225 428111; www.toppingbooks.co.uk )

Pictured: Duo shoe shop

Cultural things to do in Bath

A BIT OF CULTURE

FESTIVAL FUN The city's annual literature festival (held in March), children's literature festival (in October), film festival (in November) and Mozart Fest (also in November) draw an ever-changing mix of cultural stars. Mozart Fest is a particular treat, as many of the events are held in the classic Regency rooms that Bath is famous for. For more information visit www.bathboxoffice.org.uk SMALL BUT SLICK ARTS SPOT: The Holburne Museum If you want a quick dose of culture, this is where to find it, including light installations you can lose yourself in and exquisite exhibitions of baroque cabinetry. This eclectically curated art museum also has a gorgeous glass-fronted café in a sculpture garden, and a great programme of classical music concerts and other cultural events. Great Pulteney Street (01225 388569; www.holburne.org ) IMAGINATIVE KIDS' THEATRE: The Egg The Theatre Royal is known for being one of the main provincial venues that good touring productions stop at. But it's The Egg, the kids' theatre next door, that is worth a visit for magical puppet shows, mesmerisingly imaginative plays for young children and swashbuckling adventures for the older crew. Sawclose (01225 823409; www.theatreroyal.org.uk )

Pictured: The Holburne Museum

Things to do in Bath

BEST THINGS TO DO IN BATH

IN HOT WATER: Thermae Bath Spa They're huge, hot and very high. The naturally heated waters of Bath , the main attraction among the fashionable set for hundreds of years, have been reimagined for today and are now surrounded by smooth glass and concrete. You can lounge, hang out and people-watch rather than immerse yourself in a fancy spa experience. The open-air pool on the roof is particularly lovely on a wintry evening. Hot Bath Street (01225 331234; www.thermaebathspa.com ) PUNT ALONG THE RIVER: Bath Boating Station A punt and a picnic provide a perfect alternative view of the city. Or take the Lady Lena, a beautiful 1890 electric wooden launch, for a cruise. Weeping willows kiss the surface of the water as you drift along in a leisurely daze. Keen Rattys and Moles can even stay in pretty rooms right on the riverbank. For more information, visit www.bathboating.co.uk and www.ladylena.co.uk TAKE A BAKING MASTERCLASS: The Bertinet Kitchen Richard Bertinet is a charismatic French master boulanger with a twinkle in his eye and an energetic way of kneading. Book early at his cookery school: although it's not cheap, his morning class, an introduction to bread-making, gets sold out six months in advance. It is certainly worth it if you want to unlock the secrets to making chewy, crusty bread, impressive fougasse, and focaccia as light as a goosedown pillow. Look out for one of the three Bertinet Bakeries around town for lunch or just a croissant break. 12 St Andrew's Terrace (01225 445531; www.thebertinetkitchen.com ) CLASSIC ATTRACTIONS: The Roman Baths, Jane Austen Centre and Bath Assembly Rooms Walk through the beautifully restored Roman Baths museum, alongside the original baths and carefully reconstructed architectural fragments, to get an idea of what all the fuss has been about for the last couple of millennia. Get snapped with a Regency lady or gentleman host at the Jane Austen Centre (and try on a costume yourself) for an experience of the city's more recent history. Or waltz into the Assembly Rooms to gawp at the original Georgian chandeliers in the venue that dominated Jane Austen's social scene - it often hosts classic concerts, too. The Roman Baths ( www.romanbaths.co.uk ); Jane Austen Centre ( www.janeausten.co.uk ); Bath Assembly Rooms ( www.nationaltrust.org.uk ) ON AND OFF THE BEATEN TRACK Almost all of Bath is untouched, but the best streets in terms of classical Regency architecture are Royal Crescent (lookout for Royal Victoria Park, great for children with its three-abreast slides and mechanised diggers for scooping), The Circus, Great Pulteney Street and Milsom Street. It's hard to believe that this is how cities used to look - and that this one still does. But it's once you're off the main thoroughfares that you get a real sense of Bath. Wander the cobbled alleys around the abbey for shops catering to locals and visitors alike. Or visit the eight chapels of Widcome, with their stone angels, serene, mossy graveyards and pretty interiors. Search for Widcombe Chapel Trail on www.thisisbath.co.uk to find open days. FUDGE WORTH FIGHTING FOR: Fudge Kitchen Handmade fudge is stirred in huge copper cauldrons by wenches in aprons and bonnets while you wait. Probably the best fudge in the world. 10 Abbey Churchyard (01225 462277; www.fudgekitchen.co.uk )

TRADING PLACES: Green Park Station This domed glass building, which was previously a train station, is now home to Bath's various markets, where you'll find excellent local produce. Look out in particular for Jamie Oliver's favourite, Tom Calver, selling his Westcombe Cheddar here on Saturday mornings, as well as bimonthly vintage and antiques markets. Head to Source Antiques, a permanent shop in the building, for 1950s kitchens and mid-century light fittings. Very cool. Green Park Road (01225 787910; www.greenparkstation.co.uk )

Pictured: dancing at Bath Vintage & Antiques Market

Published in Condé Nast Traveller February 2013.

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The Best Airbnbs in the Cotswolds, From Cozy Cottages to Historic Manors

By Sarah James

There's no shortage of smart hotels in the Cotswolds, set on rambling country estates or in impressive manors. But taking over an Airbnb isn’t just often a more affordable option, it’s a brilliant way to see the honey-hued villages like a local. These are the best Airbnbs across the region, offering a glimpse of some of the prettiest Cotswolds villages. For more options in the UK , see our pick of the best Airbnbs in the UK .

We've vetted these listings based on Superhost or Guest Favorite status, ratings, amenities, location, previous guest reviews, and decor. All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Historical tower, Much Marcle

This Gothic tower, surrounded by its own walled Victorian garden, seems straight out of a fairytale. If the novelty of staying in a Rapunzel-esque tower doesn’t win you over, the 200-acre wildflower meadows and orchards will. Wake to a breakfast hamper of fruits and croissants to tempt you from the four-poster bed. The manicured lawns are a picture, with a fire pit making a perfectly decent barbecue. Head up the stone spiral staircase to the upper drawing room, and you’ll find a wood-burning stove and wonderful views over the Malvern hills. The bathroom is separate, so bear that in mind, although it is only feet away.

Sleeps: 2 Price: From around $152 per night

Hoo Cottage, Chipping Campden

Cute-as-a-button Chipping Campden, the village where this charming cottage sits, marks the beginning of the Cotswolds Way. This carefully restored bolthole is also one of the few thatched stone properties across the region. Inside is a true rustic retreat with an open fireplace, original ceiling beams, flagstone floors, and an aga range cooker. All you’ll need is within walking distance, although bring a car should you wish to explore further afield. Stay four nights, and the hosts will also provide a welcome hamper of goodies.

Sleeps: 4 Price: From around $241 per night, with a two-night minimum stay

The Granary, Headbourne Worthy

A rare five-star experience awaits at The Granary—217 reviews and counting, each and all of them glowing. And really, with an outdoor copper bath, wood-fired hot tub, and idyllic rural location among acres of rolling farmland, why wouldn’t it? Sunrise and sunsets here are especially dreamy, and you’re only three miles away from the pubs and restaurants in lovely Winchester.

Sleeps: 2 Price: From around $253 per night, with a two-night minimum stay

17th Century Barn, Great Milton

It’s a traditional 17th-century barn, but not as you’d expect. Enter through the sweeping entrance into an elegant and refined space with a muted color scheme that balances sleekness with a big dose of coziness. Everything is finished to a very high standard, with a private terrace, proper laundry room, underfloor heating, and plenty of room to stretch out and relax. The location is perfect for both walks in the Chilterns and exploring pretty Oxford. The barn is also set in the same village as Le Manoir aux Quat Saisons , with its Raymond Blanc-helmed restaurant that’s retained its two Michelin stars since opening 39 years ago, so book ahead for dinner one night. Previous guests have been thrilled after a stay at 17th Century Barn, describing it as even better than the pictures would suggest.

Sleeps: 4 Price: From around $361 per night

Stacey Lastoe

Tonya Russell

Laura Kiniry

Nora Zelevansky

Rumple Cottage, Bath

When you think of the Cotswolds, you think of little homes like this, with its traditional sandstone frontage, creeping vines around the front door, and pretty floral wallpaper in clashing shades adding a bit of countryside flair to proceedings. This cottage sits in a row of matching Georgian cottages on a private lane on the Wiltshire/Somerset border. The inside is as luxe as the outside is charming; there’s a statement freestanding nickel bath with brass taps, a powerful rainfall shower head, a draped canopy over the bed, and tasteful, vibrant furnishings. Dogs are welcome to stay, and there’s plenty of open countryside around for daily romps.

Sleeps: 2 Price: From around $206 per night, with a two-night minimum stay

The Old Tailor's, Woodmancote

This little cabin was built in 1906 and was a tailor's studio once upon a time. The timber frame and corrugated iron have been sympathetically restored into a gorgeous industrial-style living space, finished in deep, rich hues with plenty of wood paneling, opulent textures, and home comforts. A glamorous copper shower adds some wow factor to the bathroom, and original features have been retained where possible, including a pretty vintage sink basin. For those seeking total R&R, it’s a good pick; it sits in the heart of the quaint Cotswold village of Woodmancote in an area of outstanding natural beauty. You will need a car to reach the pub, as it is rather isolated, but there are plenty of beautiful walks close by, and Cirencester town is just a 15-minute drive away.

Sleeps: 2 Price: From around $187 per night, with a two-night minimum stay

A thatched cottage, Kingham

For a quintessential lovely weekend break in the Cotswolds, it’s hard to beat this 16th-century thatched cottage. All the hallmarks are there, from a cozy log burner to an enviable aga-style range cooker and wooden beams in the bedrooms—painted white and teamed with block print wallpaper. In the mornings, there is tea, coffee, and bake-at-home croissants—if the weather permits, take them outside in the patio garden surrounded by apple trees. For a long Sunday lunch, one of the best country pubs , The Wild Rabbit, is right nearby, and Daylesford Farm is a 20-minute stroll away.

Sleeps : 4 Price : From around $278 a night, with a two-night minimum stay

Cotswold Farm Hideaway, Gloucestershire

Modern and antique furniture sit side by side in this series of farmhouses near Tetbury. There are three cottage boltholes on site—the biggest, Whitehall, has an inglenook fireplace and a bread oven, ideal for lazy mornings spent tearing into a freshly baked loaf, while recently renovated Winterspring once belonged to an artist and has a large garden for sunny evenings. Bring the whole crew and take over the lot.

Sleeps : 12 Price : From around $830 a night for all three cottages, with a four-night minimum stay

Daisy Meadow, Faringdon

The heart-shaped bed nook says it all really—it doesn’t get much cuter than this luxury shepherd hut, available to rent on Plum Guide , which handpicks the world’s best holiday homes. The cozy bolthole is primed for a romantic escape, with a window by the bed nook overlooking rolling hills, sheepskin rugs by the log burner, and a barbecue on the wooden verandah, plus a kitchen with a stove. Your four-legged friend will love exploring the enclosed garden—the place is dog-friendly , too.

Sleeps : 2 Price : From around $182 a night, with a two-night minimum stay

Temple Guiting Manor, Temple Guiting

There’s room for a total of 36 people across 15 unique bedrooms at this 15-acre estate, making it ideal for a multi-generational or mega group getaway . In the main Temple Guiting Manor, as well as the five large and characterful bedrooms connected by secret staircases across the top floors like a sort of 15th-century indoor maze, you’ll find a church-like dining room/games room dominated by a huge banquet-style table (and a suit of armor which you must absolutely resist trying on) connected to a multi-level kitchen with wonderfully toasty heated floors. There are also not one but three cozy living and entertaining spaces, each decorated with the owner’s eclectic oil paintings and beautiful oversized art books.

Wander outside and you'll find a tiny doorway to a secret cinema—complete with a fridge filled with gin-flavored ice cream—installed in one of the building's former dove coops, while a tasteful Swedish-style hot tub can be found permanently bubbling in the other: ideal to dip into following a swim in the outdoor pool (available if not otherwise being used by tenants in the barn building) or match on the tennis courts. Come sunset on a warm day, however, it is nigh on impossible to drag yourself away from the dreamy manicured gardens and the infinity wall looking out into the Cotswold countryside, accompanied by the soothing sounds of just a trickling stream and the occasional bleating sheep—a soundtrack that has no doubt remained unchanged since the building was first crafted back in the 1400s. — Becky Lucas

Sleeps : 36 Price : From around $7,290 per person per night, with a four-night minimum stay

The Coach House, Burford 

Deep walnut hardwood flooring is the canvas at this Burford coach house. The split-level studio-style space is all creamy whites and soothing grays, with host Anna leaving sunshiny bunches of flowers on the dining table and fresh eggs from her chickens in the kitchen. A 15-minute walk brings you to the center of Burford, where classically British pubs such as The Lamb Inn serve smart twists on traditional English plates , and The Burford Garden Company draws green-thumbs from all over the country.

Sleeps : 2 Price : From around $108 a night, with a four-night minimum stay

Stone-Built Home, Churchill

The stone barn structure of this Airbnb might date from the 1900s, but the interiors have been smoothly renovated for a thoroughly up-to-the-minute aesthetic. Squishy leather sofas are scattered around the inglenook fireplace, while pendant lights hang from the restored beams in the kitchen. Three bedrooms include a twin room that’s perfect for kids.

Sleeps : 6 Price : From around $371 a night, with a three-night minimum stay

Asphodel Cottage, Cirencester

Exposed beams, a creamy flagstone kitchen, bedrooms in the eaves of the thatched roof—this 17th-century house ticks every box on the country cottage checklist. The stone steps leading to the bedrooms are original, so it's worth taking care as you clamber up 400 years of history after a heady supper. A 10-minute drive away, the pretty market town Cirencester—the biggest town in the Cotswolds—was one of the most important sites in Roman Britain. Pick up local supplies and take them back to the cottage’s garden for a picnic.

Sleeps : 2 Price : From around $184 a night, with a four-night minimum stay

Old Bakehouse, Kingham

Glass doors lead from the flagstone-floored living room of this 350-year-old cottage to the patio, where you can sizzle up locally sourced produce on the barbecue. Inside, there’s a wood burner and an inviting claw-foot bathtub upstairs for chillier nights. Make sure to duck under the original beams in the two bedrooms.

Sleeps : 4 Price : From around $182 a night, with a three-night minimum stay

The Coach House, Bretforton

This property makes up part of Bretforton Manor, a Jacobean estate that’s a 10-minute drive from Chipping Campden in the picturesque North Cotswolds. It’s a cozy spot for two: Whitewashed walls give the illusion of lots of space and big skylights flood the rooms with sunlight. The point to write home about here, though, is the manor’s grounds and communal areas, which guests staying in the coach house have access to: There’s an indoor pool, five acres of gardens, a lake, an orchard, and a tennis court to explore.

Sleeps : 2 Price : From around $152 a night, with a two-night minimum stay

17th-Century Cottage, Kingham

Quirky fabrics and pastel colors abound in this traditional Cotswolds cottage in the foodie village of Kingham. Two smart bedrooms overlook the cobbled streets below, and there’s a dinky patio for espresso outside on summer mornings. Walk to The Wild Rabbit, one of the best restaurants in the Cotswolds, for a supper of twice-baked cheese soufflé or braised lamb shoulder, or to The Kingham Plough for a hearty Sunday lunch.

Sleeps : 4 Price : From around $192 a night, with a three-night minimum stay

Church Loft, Chipping Norton

An ultra-modern twist has been given to this loft in a Chipping Norton church. A muted color palette throughout, a sleek kitchen, and subway tiling in the bathroom give the apartment a Scandinavian hotel feel, but the huge windows look out over quintessentially English countryside.

Sleeps : 2 Price : From around $140 a night, with a two-night minimum stay

This article was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller UK .