If you’re looking for a perfect weekend stay, a pub in a hidden gem town comes close to the ‘utopian ideal’ of what a pub should be.
The picturesque market town of Northleach is one of the Cotswolds’ best-kept secrets.
Nestled amongst greenery, the village is quietly tucked away from the busy A40 and just a 90 minute drive from Birmingham. It also is home to one of the region’s best pubs – The Wheatsheaf Inn – recently named on a Michelin guide to the UK’s quaintest and cosiest.
It earned high praise from the prestigious guide. The inn’s pub was lauded as an ideal and friendly place for food and drink, with the inn providing a lovely place to lay your head.
The Michelin guide said the Wheatsheaf Inn is as “true as can be to the classic, slightly utopian ideal of a public house as a welcoming place for a drink and a delicious bite to eat”. The experts lamented: “If only there were more places like this, the world would be all the better for it.”
This pub offers a contemporary spin on classic English country cooking and, according to Michelin, this is served up in an atmosphere of casual elegance. They write: “The crowd is stylish without intimidation. Kate Moss is something of a local talisman, and her portrait hangs in the dining room.”
If you fancy an overnight stay at the Wheatsheaf, you can choose from one of 14 rooms all stylishly decorated with everything you might need – some rooms even come with copper baths for a touch of old school elegance.
After a delicious meal and a wonderful night’s sleep you can venture into the charming village of Northleach. One of the key sites is the striking parish church, which has sat on the same plot at the heart of the town since 1100.
The St Peter and Paul’s Parish Church of today has very little of the original building still incorporated, but there’s no denying it still looks magnificent as it towers over the town.
This charming little village also has a claim to fame as the filming location for the hilarious BBC comedy This Country starring Daisy May Cooper and her brother Charlie Cooper as cousins Kerry and Kurtan Mucklowe. With a population of just under 3000, this village is small but mighty.
In the heart of the town is the Market Square which is a bustle of activity, especially on Saturdays when the weekly market is held.
At the end of the main road lies the Old Prison which has been turned into a magnificent café that serves breakfast and lunch. You can feast after exploring the historic site.
Built in the 1790s, this was once a fine example of a model prison used to inspire better care and rehabilitation of prisoners throughout Britain – It even served as a blueprint for London’s Pentonville Prison.
For those keen for a longer day trip, the Cotswolds Wildlife Park is just 20 minutes down the road. This park is a popular attraction for young families. If you fancy a less structured wander, there’s plenty to explore in the surrounding countryside.
