This homey Cotswolds hotel has a new restaurant that’s worth the trip alone

With a buzzed-about new chef taking the helm at The Rectory, Alice Reynolds checks in to give the menu a try

Mar 4, 2026 - 10:49

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This homey Cotswolds hotel has a new restaurant that’s worth the trip alone

Tucked away in a petite Cotswolds village, this boutique stay is effortlessly cool, and has an exceptional restaurant

Location

Originally built as the residence for the rector of All Saints’ Church in Crudwell and his 14 children, this Grade II listed house became a hotel in 2017.

The Rectory sits in the peaceful village of Crudwell in the south of the Cotswolds in Wiltshire. The nearest station is Kemble, which is seven minutes from the hotel by taxi, and a 70-minute train journey from London Paddington.

Crudwell features winding country lanes, honey-hued houses, a pretty church, Potting Shed Pub (owned by The Rectory), as well as the separate family-run pub and hotel, Pettifers.

Market town Cirencester is a 20-minute drive which offers independent shops and restaurants woven into its cobbled streets, the largest parish churches in England, Church of St. John the Baptist, to marvel at and, as you’d expect, numerous markets including the Charters Market which is of the oldest in the country which you can catch on Mondays and Fridays.

Other notable attractions to visit are Malmesbury Abbey (less than 10 minutes) and Westonbirt National Arboretum (15 minutes).

The vibe

The hotel is grand Regency era style with sweeping corridors, lofty ceilings, and buckets of character. The drawing room is an effortlessly cool place to hang out with plush velvet furnishings, and teal walls which feature striking abstract art. Expect to hear the likes of “Fred Again” playing softly in the background.

Friendly, attentive staff light the fire as you settle into the drawing room

Friendly, attentive staff light the fire as you settle into the drawing room (The Rectory Hotel)

The spacious dining room flows into a light-filled restaurant extension that’s exquisitely decorated yet feels laid-back. There’s no sense of being rushed away from your table after meals. You’ll find families playing board games, and couples chatting long after service has ended.

The moody hotel bar tucked away behind the restaurant sets an elegant tone for the evening.

Outside, the hotel’s pretty grounds feature a pond framed by meticulously clipped topiary, which is the focal point in winter, while a heated swimming pool takes centre stage between May and October.

The service

Friendly, attentive staff are on hand to offer seamless and thoughtful service, such as lighting the fire as you settle into the drawing room. The bartender is knowledgeable and deft at making any cocktail so you can ask for a specific drink. The cocktail menu itself focuses on the classic recipes while allowing room for exploring new tastes – I tried my first Pisco Sour for instance.

Bed and bath

A sweeping staircase, with twisted balusters, and a polished mahogany handrail leads to 15 bedrooms in the main house. Rooms come in four sizes from “large” to the “little one”, each with their own take on boutique charm – think pastel textiles, antique furniture and patterned wallpaper.

Classic FM drifting from a Roberts radio when you first enter your bedroom sets a soothing tone.

The bathrooms are a space you want to linger in, with Victorian roll-top baths, retro basins, flower-shaped glass lights and full-sized Bramley products.

Rooms have a soft colour palette

Rooms have a soft colour palette (The Rectory Hotel)

Food and drink

The hotel’s new head chef is Damian Clisby, who previously headed up London restaurant Petersham Nurseries. I can confirm that he has crafted an exquisite menu that’s a homage to local suppliers and produce. Expect full-bodied flavours and hearty portions like the mean beef Sunday roast that comes with generous slices of meat, carrots cooked in beef fat and a show-stopping Yorkshire pudding. The vegetarian option is spiced chickpeas, pumpkin and apricot bastilla with labneh.

Breakfast is an elevated affair, with sourdough toast, honey glazed ham, pastries and Bloody Mary’s laid out buffet-style. Plus you can order from an enticing a la carte menu, with dishes including Turkish eggs and eggs Benedict. There’s also a cooked breakfast with the option of veggie or meat.

If you’re staying more than one night, consider dining at The Potting Shed, which has a classic menu of pub fare brimming with local produce, such as wild mushroom mac and cheese, and a twice baked Double Gloucester souffle.

Facilities

The Rectory is designed to make you feel at home with a drawing room, dining room, and bar that guests can use at their leisure. Between May and October, the heated pool is open to all guests. A thoughtful welcome pack highlights the best things to do locally, as well as lovely walks starting from the front door.

The heated pool is open during the summer

The heated pool is open during the summer (The Rectory Hotel)

Accessibility

There is no lift or adapted rooms at the hotel.

Pet policy

Guests are permitted to bring dogs for £30 a night, if booked into one of the designated rooms. Furry friends are welcome in communal areas, the reception lounge, drawing room and bar, as well as on a lead by the pool. Dog treats and beds can be provided.

Check-in/check-out

Check-in is from 3pm, check-out is 11am.

Family-friendly?

Rooms are best suited to couples and friends, and the comfortable cottage is ideal for families with older children. It has three bedrooms, a living room complete with a fireplace, and a kitchen.