Following many months of lockdown in London we were keen to escape to the countryside for some fresh air and a taste of freedom. The Cotswolds was the obvious choice for a short staycation as it's only a two hour drive from London and home to many beautiful boutique hotels. Barnsley House has long been on my list of must-visit hotels but, due to an increase in the number of people opting for a staycation in place of their usual sun holiday abroad, we were disappointed to discover that it was booked up for part of our trip. Just as I was about to check out some other options on my must-visit list, I spotted a link to the hotel's sister property in Barnsley. Located right in the centre of the village and just a short walk from Barnsley House, we were delighted to discover that the Village Pub had availability on the nights that Barnsley House was booked up. So we decided to split our trip across the two properties, spending the first half in the cosy traditional Village Pub and the second in the beautiful Barnsley House hotel (which you can read about here).
It was a wonderful feeling to be out on the open road and we arrived in the early afternoon (following a few short pit-stops to take in the views). The picturesque village of Barnsley is set right in the heart of the Cotswolds and is comprised entirely of beautiful stone cottages and well tended gardens. The Village Pub is a charming, traditional stone building with an elegant terrace tucked away at the back - perfect for the beautiful summer weather we have been enjoying. On our way to collect our room keys we passed tables of friends and couples enjoying a drink or a light bite under large umbrellas shading them from the sun - the odd dog dozing happily at their feet.
Our room was located just off the terrace and in a separate building to the pub itself. I will admit that I was a little worried that noise might be an issue but this isn't the type of pub that attracts a raucous late night crowd. We stayed in the Clover room which is one of their 'Smart Pub Rooms'. The influence of its sister hotel is evident in the beautifully decorated rooms and the little floral touches throughout. Worth noting that these rooms aren't quite as spacious as their 'Even Smarter Pub Rooms', but certainly perfect for a short stay. Soft lighting, fluffy pillows piled high, easy listening playing on the vintage-style Roberts radio, retro phone by the bed and Ren amentities in the bathroom - this is far from your standard pub accommodation!
The Village Pub offers a hearty menu with ingredients sourced from local producers. We were seated at a cosy corner table next to the fireplace and offered some delicious freshly baked bread (supplied daily from Barnsley House) whilst we perused the menu. The fiancé had the leek and potato soup to start (because it came with a homemade sausage roll on the side!) and I had a very tasty superfood salad. We both opted for fish for main course - salmon and new potatoes for me, battered haddock and hand cut chips for him. There were some really good options on the wine list and I enjoyed a delicious New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc with my meal.
I find that hotel breakfasts can be hit or miss, it's the one meal that people are usually most particular about - eggs can often be too wet or too dry or too runny and bacon not quite crispy enough. I don't envy restaurants, it can't be easy to always get it right. The Village Pub makes it look easy! The fiancé polished off his full English and my porridge (topped with berry compote and a dollop of cream) was absolutely delicious. The friendly and cheery service was the cherry on top and just the best start to the day.
The Village Pub is an absolute gem and we highly recommend it - especially if you can't get the dates you are looking for at Barnsley House or your budget won't stretch. As guests at the Village Pub, you have access to Barnsley House and can book treatments at the spa and dine at the Potager restaurant (though access to the house and the Potager restaurant has been limited to Barnsley House residents only while Covid restrictions remain in place). We will definitely be back and it will remain a firm favourite for dinner or drinks when we are visiting the Cotswolds.
The fiancé was finally back in his element taking some landscape shots out in the countryside and captured this on one of those pit-stops I mentioned on our drive down ...
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