Cotswold Magic – The Kings Hotel

The Kings Hotel, a Luxury Boutique Hotel in Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire

The Cotswolds is one of the most beautiful parts of England, its rolling hills, woodlands and grassland shelters thatched medieval stone-built villages, historical towns, fine churches and stately homes and gardens. The Cotswolds contains many unique features derived from the use of the distinctive local yellow Jurassic Cotswold limestone.

The Cotswolds covers an area across six counties, notably Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire and is characterised by many attractive small towns and villages. These small towns and villages include Bourton-on-the-Water, Broadway, Burford, Chipping Norton, Cricklade, Dursley, Malmesbury, Moreton-in-Marsh, Nailsworth, Northleach, Stow-on-the-Wold and Stroud.

My favourite Cotswold town is the charming, well preserved settlement of Chipping Campden, distinguished for its elegant terraced High Street, dating from the 14th/17th century and the home of the Arts and Crafts movement, founded by William Morris.

Like many other towns in the Cotswolds, it is a popular tourist destination with old inns, hotels, specialist shops and restaurants. The outstanding High Street is lined with honey-coloured limestone buildings and boasts a wealth of fine architecture. The High Street curves in a shallow arc lined with a succession of ancient houses each grafted to the next but each with its own distinctive embellishments.

 Chipping Campden is the best piece of townscape in Gloucestershire, arguably one of the best in England

Architecture Historian, Sir Nikolaus Pevsner

In 1970 the High Street and much of the rest of the town was officially designated a conservation area to preserve the ancient town for centuries to come.

I was lucky enough to spend a weekend at The Kings Hotel, which is situated right in the centre of the town, between the Town Hall and the Market Hall with its splendid arches, built in 1627.

The Kings Hotel is a charming 18th century town house and wedding venue with distinctive and stylish accommodation. Sympathetic and careful renovation means the hotel offers all modern-day comforts of a top-class hotel, yet retains the character and history of a Cotswold stone building. Situated in the heart of picturesque Chipping Campden, with its own private car park, it is the perfect base from which to explore the town and the rest of the Cotswolds.

The Hotel Bar overlooks the Square and is an ideal place for meeting friends after shopping, a pre-drink before an evening out or eat from a wonderful selection of gourmet bar food.

Local ale brewers Hook Norton feature on draught and you can choose from a good selection of quality, yet affordable classic wines by the glass or bottle. After walking the High Street, I found the window seats were the perfect spot for enjoying a pint of beer and reading the newspapers. Or quietly glancing out of the window for a spot of `people watching`, from time to time! For the winter months there is also a log burner to keep the room nice and warm.

The restaurant with its golden stone, beamed ceilings and a huge candle strewn open fireplace, has 2 AA Rosettes for its high standards of service and the quality of its ingredients and dishes. My wife and I enjoyed a superb meal in the evening. The food was excellent, and the staff were all very friendly and professional in their service. The meal was of a very high standard, beautifully cooked and the presentation was what I would expect at such a prestigious small hotel.

To Nibble:

Home Made Breads & Flavoured Butters

To Start:

• Marinated Cheltenham Beetroots – Goats Cheese Mousse, Balsamic Jelly, Hazelnuts
• Pressing of Wild Rabbit and Ham Hock- Truffled Herb Puree, Heritage Carrots, Potato and Pork Fat Brioche

To Follow:

• Cornish Cod Loin – Braised Barley, Chicken Wing, Smoked Squash, BBQ Leek

• Glazed Breast & Croquette of Duck – Yellow Chanterelles, Caramelised Swede, Spiced Damson & Elderberries

Desserts:

• Dark Chocolate Crème – Iced Banana & Caramel, Coffee Crumb, Passion Fruit

• Blackberry & Pistachio Mousse – Wild Blackberries, Fig Leaf Ice cream, Granola

Liquor Coffees:

• Brandy Coffee
• Irish Coffee

My room was at the rear of the main Hotel gardens in what are called the Cottages. I was staying in a Cottage Master Room (Broadway). We were on the top floor in the loft – a beautifully romantic and very generous space. The room was filled with light and very quiet.

In the cottage room was a King size bed, a comfortable seating area, En-suite bathroom and a large fan to keep the room cool during those hot days. My wife and I had our luggage carried to our room and we were also given a torch attached to the key ring for the walk back in the dark over the uneven, gravel surface of the car park. It proved to be invaluable, when walking back to our room after visiting the restaurant.

It was a delightful room, which had everything we needed for our stay. It is an old building, so I was not surprised to discover the floors creaked a little and if you were not careful some bottles may even slide down the bedside table. Not a problem! It all added to the experience of staying in a small Cotswold town of character.

Having a small private car park was very helpful as car park spaces in the centre of Chipping Campden are difficult to find and you would have to pay a pound an hour for the privilege. The car park spaces are limited in the Hotel car park, so if you are arriving late be sure to check before you arrive that there are still spaces available.

The outside patio at the back of the hotel is a wonderful space to enjoy drinks on a sunny day or a late, warm spring/summers evening. It is a spacious garden area, which has been well maintained with flower borders and small shrubs.

The Kings Hotel is full of character with many original 16th and 17th century features. I was told that many of the other rooms are large en-suite bedrooms with nice antique furniture and comfortable beds.

The ‘Kings breakfast’ is wonderful, we didn’t need lunch on either day we stayed. The Kings breakfast comes highly recommended. It will definetly set you up for the rest of your day. The award-winning breakfast menu is extensive, full English, omelettes, kippers, eggs and there was also table full of fruit, very fresh pastries, yogurt, fresh bread, banana bread and delicious berry compote. And all of this comes with as much tea or coffee as you can drink!

If you are looking for a special place to celebrate a birthday, family get-together or a relaxed business meeting, the Kings Hotel has the perfect small room, for that private dining experience. The Garden Room is a stylish room with French doors leading onto the garden terraces and is a charming setting for that exclusive dinner. The garden room will accommodate up to 20 people. You can design your own menu tailored to your guests needs in consultation with the hotels chef or a smaller buffet can be arranged. The choice is yours!

 “There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.” – Henry James

I didn’t sample the Kings Afternoon Tea, but I did spot a tea being carried in for some guests in the Bar and it looked special! Afternoon tea at Kings is very popular, with locals, walkers and guests staying at the Hotel. The old tradition of afternoon tea is still well and truly in fashion at Kings.

The Hotel serves a variety of cream teas, full afternoon teas or for a touch of luxury, sparkling afternoon teas with a glass of champagne. The Hotel will cater for all dietary requirements: gluten free, vegetarian, vegan.

The Kings Hotel, is also the ideal location for a short break. The Hotel is set in relaxing surroundings right in the centre of the town. In a short walk you can explore one of the most beautiful villages in the Cotswolds.  A two or three-night getaway could include afternoon tea on arrival, dinner in the evening and breakfast each morning in the beautiful Gloucestershire countryside.

The Kings Hotel ‘s Restaurant is the perfect setting for that special meal with family and friends in an award-winning dining room.  Make yourself comfortable beside the fire and savour the wonderful dishes, hand prepared by award-winning chefs.

If you want a comfortable stay in relaxed surroundings with great food, check out this wonderful, friendly Hotel. I cannot recommend this hotel highly enough. The staff I met were all very professional and friendly. The Kings is a Cotswold Hotel full of character and charm but with all modern conveniences, situated in the very heart of Chipping Campden.

 Did you know?

• The Kings Hotel is part of the Eden Hotels group which in 2014 -15 were awarded ‘Small Hotel Group of the Year’ at the AA Hospitality Awards.
• Graham Greene, the prolific English novelist, playwright, short story writer and critic, lived with his wife Vivien at “Little Orchard”, in Chipping Campden for three years?
• The 102-mile Cotswold Way walking trail follows the Cotswold Edge escarpment from Bath in the south to Chipping Campden in the north? There is a plaque near to the Market Hall which celebrates this fact.
• Chipping Campden is also known for the annual Cotswold Olimpick Games, a celebration of sports and games dating back to the early 17th century.
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  If you visit The Kings Hotel, Chipping Campden as a result of reading this review blog please mention The Travel Locker.

 

Disclosure: My stay was courtesy of Eden Hotel Collection.

Most photographs courtesy of Eden Hotel Collection.