Bourton Coach House

Come for ‘the Venice of the Cotswolds’ and this thoughtful place to stay which you enter through the south-facing garden courtyard, a good spot for sunbathing or eating al fresco on the picnic bench. The underfloor-heated kitchen is very well equipped and there’s a dining table too, but there is such a vast choice of places to eat in the village and beyond that you have every excuse to be lazy.

Unwind in the sitting room by the wood-burner (logs provided), choose a book or a game from a cabinet full of old-fashioned favourites and some surprises, find Sky TV and DVDs for rainy days. Bedrooms (one facing the street, the other the courtyard) are smartly turned out and both have swish en suite bathrooms upstairs. There’s also a handy downstairs loo.

Head out for lovely walks along the river Windrush with its pretty stone bridges. Set off to Upper and Lower Slaughter or walk around Bourton Lakes. Return to much comfort.