The Plough Inn, Kelmscott, Cotswolds - Explore & Book
"Visiting Kelmscott is like stepping back in time. This tiny hamlet has little more than a handful of ancient cottages, a grade-I manor house (once home to William Morris), a pony or 2 keeping the paddocks tidy, and a local watering hole, The Plough Inn. Except The Plough is so much more than that. Not only is it a welcoming bar with a great selection of ales; it’s also an atmospheric restaurant where diners can unwind over everything from moules frites and Sunday roasts to peanut brittle chocolate cake. Even better, it’s not just villagers who enjoy this informal hideaway; thanks to 8 chic and cosy bedrooms, it’s a home-from-home for anyone who wants to stay.
We arrived on a sunny Friday evening to find the beer garden filled with end-of-week chatter, birds singing out from the trees and docile hounds ambling through the bar. It was the perfect antidote to the grey, bustling city centre from whence we’d came, and with each passing hour I felt my shoulders sink a little lower - surely the aim of every public house.
Highs
One of the most enchanting and peaceful countryside settings we’ve come across; Kelmscott is full of character and very relaxing
An easy romantic weekender; bring bikes or go walking along the Thames path, then enjoy a wonderful dinner in the restaurant
We loved our evening G&Ts in the sunny garden, filled with a happy mix of locals, out of towners, kids and couples
The bedrooms feel calm and cosy, with echoes of William Morris in their fabrics and colours
Rates are very wallet-friendly, especially mid-week
Lows
No food is served on Sunday night, Monday or Tuesday - we suggest avoiding these nights
This is essentially a pub with rooms: don't expect hotel services, (check-in is done by bar staff, for example)
No baby cots or extra beds for kids; bring your own travel cot or book additional rooms for little'uns
Right out in the sticks; you'll need to drive here or take taxis" - Melissa Burfitt