Romantic Cotswold Restaurant

[jdwoodbury]

Hi,

Looking for a place for our 5yr wedding anniversary, I live in Swindon so it needs to be a drive away. Mostly I am looking for setting and ambiance, although clearly the food needs to be good but not necessarily Michelin star good.

Recommendations are appreciated

[miniman]

Whatley Manor - www.whatleymanor.com

Calcot Manor / Gumstool Inn - www.calcotmanor.co.uk

You don't mention price though.

[jdwoodbury]

Budget not realy an issue, but we pretty warm and cosy to sleek modern restaurants.

[5678]

We've stayed here before, good food and some nice rooms. http://www.cotswoldhouse.com

[SmokinV8]

peartree at purton, lovely hotel and supurb gardens to look out onto whilst eating and restaurant is A1.

[RESSE]

miniman said:

Whatley Manor - www.whatleymanor.com

Calcot Manor / Gumstool Inn - www.calcotmanor.co.uk

You don't mention price though.

Calcot Manor is superb - excellent recommendation.

[5678]

RESSE said:

Calcot Manor is superb - excellent recommendation.

Interesting this seems popular. I was looking into a Spa break for the wife and this place came up. The bonus is that they are children friendly and we have a 5 month old.

[RESSE]

I haven't been with the family, but have had some excellent lunches at Calcot Manor.

A place that used to be recommended was the Lygon Arms in Broadway:

http://www.lygonarms.co.uk/

[mikees]

RESSE said:

I haven't been with the family, but have had some excellent lunches at Calcot Manor.

A place that used to be recommended was the Lygon Arms in Broadway:

http://www.lygonarms.co.uk/

+1 excellent

[SL]

RESSE said:

I haven't been with the family, but have had some excellent lunches at Calcot Manor.

A place that used to be recommended was the Lygon Arms in Broadway:

http://www.lygonarms.co.uk/

Personally, I'd pass on the Lygon Arms and go to Russells which is just down the road. The owner used to be the manager of the Lygon Arms and really knows his stuff

http://www.russellsofbroadway.co.uk/

[kryten]

Swindon itself is somewhat lacking in top quality restaurants for special occasions.

I like the Pear Tree as its pretty closeby but you will have to go further afield to step up a notch.

The Harrow at Little Bedwyn is stunning (their website does NOT do the food justice) and you can taxi back to Swindon (if we're not staying away, this is where I'd go for a special event).

The Manor House at Castle Combe is good and definitely VERY traditional (borderline stuffy).

[littlegreenfairy]

Inglesham Forge is very nice and very cosy. Think it's still run by the same family who are just lovely.

[Bonefish Blues]

How about: http://www.lacock.co.uk/Angelhome.html

[Slaav]

This is a really tricky one to answer.

Most of the recommendations above are great and will (I am sure) do the job.

On teh basis that you need to drive from Swindon to get anything decent; how about a stay over?

Barnsley House or even simply the Village Pub in Barnsley are worth a look. Rooms in VP are good and VFM considering everything else - you also get to use the main house facilities despite paying the pub prices

Calcot Manor is a bit of a banker for a nice 'special' meal. Friends have been down and stayed at most of the venues mentioned. We have stayed at many before buying down here.

WHat sort of food? Really olde World and traditional stiff etc?

Calcot is lovely but a little 'new' in the main nice restaurant. Gumstool is a NO for a special occasion although good for summer lunch.

Manor House in Castle Coombe would allow you to squeeze in a track day (It is PH after all)

WHat about somethign different? Thornbury Castle? Great venue and setting whilst being special and keeping some cosy feel despite being high end.

A great book or website to work from is http://www.johansens.com/

Go for COuntry House Hotels and we have rarely come across a bad one.

Ideas, ideas....

Probably too much choice unless you give a clue as to what you like in more detail? Where have you been and loved? Or loathed?


Whatever you do and end up, Good Luck and have a great time! NIce to see someone making an effort

[jdwoodbury]

I am seriously looking at the Pear Tree, unfortunately we cannot do a stay over as we have an 8 month old baby and my wife does not trust the in-laws for an overnight babysit

[jdwoodbury]

Many thanks for all the suggestions, I fell like trying them all at some point!

I do have a recommendation of my own which is the New Inn at Coln-St-Aldwyns....but been there too many times for it to be special for the 5th anniversary

[Slaav]

New Inn is good also - agreed!

I have a hell of a story about that place from many moons ago.... hell of a story!

So an evening trip then.


Pear Tree is meant to be lovely - some friends arranged an evening there which we unfortunately couldnt make and they said it was well worth the trip all the way from Woburn.


So I guess you are looking at something akin to the New Inn then? But not somewhere you have been to as often?

What about The Bell, at Sapperton? Glos dining pub of the year a few times. A breeze up the A419 (except for this weekend obviously)

Or on a similar theme but more quirky pub, The Wild Duck at Ewan?


Another nice pub near the water park (so convenient for you) is the Bakers Arms (http://thecotswoldgateway.co.uk/pubs-thebakersarms.htm)


Keep coming back to this for you though : http://www.thornburycastle.co.uk/directions.asp?PS...


As I said, Good Luck and dont forget to report back! When is it?


editted to add:

Cant believe I havent mentioned this one - should tick every box for you! VFM - I have had boys' lunch there and lovely evening meals for Birthdays etc. Great setting and certainly old fashioned with absolutely TONS of character. The Ritz it isn't but if you dont go for this meal, then go for tea or lunch one day!

http://biburycourt.co.uk/

Edited by Slaav on Friday 15th July 19:48

[Bish]

this is nice too

http://www.therectoryhotel.com/

linked into the potting shed pub too which is superb.

[jdwoodbury]

littlegreenfairy said:

Inglesham Forge is very nice and very cosy. Think it's still run by the same family who are just lovely.

I have driven past this place several times but never considered it...is it really any good, bever mentioned by people I know in Swindon.

[littlegreenfairy]

jdwoodbury said:

I have driven past this place several times but never considered it...is it really any good, bever mentioned by people I know in Swindon.

It always has been known as very good and we've always had an excellent time there. It's very family friendly (but not screaming kids if you get what I mean) as they take an interest and very helpful/accomodating. Very oldy worldly inside and cosy- think beams and nice solid furniture.

My parents first visited 35 years ago and I do believe it's the same owners. They used to have the nicest Spanish waiter- a proper old gent- when I was little but I feel he may have retired as he would be ancient now!