Positioned on the Roman-built Fosse Way, Moreton-in-Marsh is a town steeped in history. Complete with chocolate box houses and meandering streets, it’s the perfect place to explore for a taste of quintessential Cotswold life. We’ve assembled a brief guide to help you to get the most from your visit…
Rest your head at…
Sitting on the aptly named ‘Gateway to the Cotswolds’, the Redesdale Arms is an award-winning hotel that oozes charm and character. Dating back to 1650, a sense of history permeates the Cotswold stone walls giving a cosy and intimate feel.
Stay in one of the 34 bedrooms where you’ll be spoilt with luxurious touches such as whirlpool baths and walk-in showers. Settle down for the evening in the picturesque terrace garden, or cosy up next to the roaring fire in the bar for the perfect end to a day in the Cotswolds.
Featuring oak beams and goose down duvets, this sumptuously decorated hotel is the ideal retreat from the hustle and bustle of day to day life. The 28 bedrooms are all individually decorated with a contemporary modern twist while still maintaining a traditional feel.
Conveniently positioned on the High Street, everything you could need is just on the doorstep. However, the hotel’s own Eatery is well worth a visit, serving up a comprehensive menu that can be enjoyed in the snug bar area. You could also sample their superb cream tea sat out on the pretty terrace area when the weather allows. Dogs are welcome too so your pooch can join you on your holiday!
This magnificent 16th century manor house will provide its residents with a taste of complete luxury. The 35 individually designed rooms boast beautiful views out over the gardens , and with their four poster beds and free standing baths you will have your very own slice of tranquillity.
The centrepiece of the Manor House Hotel is the Apple Tree Cottage. Here you can stay in a secluded corner of the gardens with your own private garden area and hot tub – what more could you want?!
Relax in an armchair in the library where you can enjoy an indulgent afternoon tea, or snuggle up in the lounge area with a glass of wine in hand.
Alongside dining at these wonderful hotels, Moreton-in-Marsh has a great selection of places to get your foodie fix…
For good food complete with a warm and welcoming atmosphere, head to the Yellow Brick Café. Start the day sampling their famous Yellow Brick Cotswold Breakfast, crafted from fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Alternatively you could visit here for lunch; the regularly changing menu is sure to satisfy the appetite of any visitor.
Perfect for cooling down on a sunny day, this café also serves homemade Italian gelato. 18 mouth-watering flavours are on offer – try the Pimms and lemonade flavour for a real summery treat!
Tucked away on Salford Hill just outside of the town centre, The Greedy Goose offers superb home-cooked food. Whether its lunch or dinner, for couples or for families, this stylish restaurant will have something for everyone.
Try the stone-baked pizzas or the locally reared pork sausages with wholegrain mustard mash, or visit on a Sunday and sample one of their roast dinners complete with all the trimmings. The local theme continues with their impressive selection of North Cotswold Ales , coming from just down the road in Shipston-on-Stour.
As the name suggests, this fantastic deli brings the taste of Greek cuisine to the Cotswolds. Open for breakfast, lunch and early dinner, you’ll be spoilt for choice with an extensive, authentic menu.
For breakfast you could try traditional Greek yoghurt topped with honey and walnuts, or later in the day you might sample a traditional homemade pie. Even better, there is an impressive vegetarian and gluten-free menu available meaning there’s something to tickle all taste buds.
You might enjoy a tipple at one of these watering holes…
Local rumour has it that The Bell Inn inspired none other than J.R.R. Tolkien’s ‘The Prancing Pony’, Middle Earth’s most famous pub.
As well as the nod to the much-loved fantasy series, The Bell Inn is also favoured by locals and visitors for its fantastic selection of wines and cask ales. Sit in the cosy interior with a pint in hand, or in warmer months head out to the pretty walled gardens and courtyard area to soak up the sun.
A traditional Cotswold stone pub, The Bear Inn is the ideal retreat for settling down with a pint after a busy day exploring. The bar is stocked with beers from the locally situated Donnington Brewery, with various ales on offer such as the One Fifty Celebratory Ale and their very own Cotswold Gold.
The exposed stone walls and open fire places make for a homely feel, and with dogs welcome too, your four legged friend can keep you company.
Just a five minute drive from the town centre you’ll find the Horse and Groom, a countryside gem brimming with Cotswold charm.
The light and airy bar is host to an array of beers and wines – the three hand pumps take centre stage, offering a regularly changing selection of local real ales. The house pint is Jouster’s from Goff’s Brewery, but it is supported by beers from North Cotswold Brewery, Cotswold Lion Brewery and Prescott Ales to name but a few. Sit back and relax by the wood-burner with a pint or two, or admire the beautiful views offered by the beer garden in summer.
Whilst you’re there, be sure to visit…
Perfect for nature lovers young and old, Cotswold Falconry Centre is home to over 130 birds of 60 different species. Enjoy captivating daily flying displays where you’ll learn all about how the different species hunt and catch their prey, and you can even wander through the aviaries to get up close and personal with these amazing animals.
The centre is home to species that are critically endangered in the wild, as well as a variety of birds native to the Cotswolds such as common buzzards and kestrels.
Just next door to the Falconry Centre is Batsford Arboretum, home to the country’s largest private collection of trees and shrubs. Hosting an impressive total of 2,850 labelled specimens there is plenty to see, with the gardens offering beautiful flora all year round.
There is also a huge garden centre which is a haven for plant lovers, as well as the Garden Terrace Café to provide you with the all-important coffee and cake.
Surrounded by scenic Gloucestershire countryside, the spectacular Jacobean Chastleton House, built between 1607 and 1612 by a prosperous wool merchant, is a beautiful spot to while away an afternoon.
In the 400 years that followed it remained completely unspoilt, acting as a time-capsule which perfectly captures the spirit of the era. Today you can wander around and experience life as it would have been, before enjoying a picnic in the beautiful gardens with stunning views out over Evenlode Valley.
Don’t go anywhere! There’s plenty more of the Cotswolds to explore...
