Whenever I embark on these little travel tidbits, I leave reminding myself that we really should do it more often. A weekend here, an overnight there – a getaway ‘quickie’ really does put the world to rights and somehow expands your headspace. I hope that 2019 is going to bring with it a little more travel and a lot less space, especially since we had the most amazing weekend away at The Greyhound in Letcome Regis in South Oxfordshire a few weeks ago (you can catch up HERE).
Just a couple of hours drive from Suffolk and even less from London, the traditional English drinking hole is surrounded by rolling feels and trickling brooks making it perfect for cosy country walks, helped by The Greyhound’s free walking maps. We arrived late in the afternoon in the dark and the cold so I nearly cried with happiness to see the roaring fire in the bar. A labyrinth of winding corridors and multiple floors under historic beams, we were shown to our room up in the eaves of the house.
With sloping ceilings, faux fur throws and rustic ginger biscuits, our country abode was a hidden away nook with all of the necessities. Narrow in size, the room was long and quirky with a small lounge area separating the bedroom and the bathroom, complete with airy sky lights – perfect for watching the stars before drifting off to sleep.
The bathroom was the sole reason I was hoping we’d snag this room after a little pre-stay stalking. The exposed beams, modern sink and electric blue roll top bath was enough to make me complete overlook the lack of shower and jump right in. With enough hotel stays under my belt to compile a Lonely Planet guide, I was in full appreciation for the smaller details that one may take for granted. The full sized beauty products for one, allowing me to have a proper bubble bath without having to dip into additional shampoo reserves and the softest of pillows were a close second.
But the star of the show wasn’t the lighter-than-air bedding or even the blissfully quiet surroundings. It was the food. Ah, the food. Fresh, imaginative and unexpectedly with enough sophistication without being pretentious. Although we know that in the Cotswolds, the food is always exceptional, our last hotel let us down massively when it came to its culinary offerings. But our faith was restored once we got stuck into The Greyhound’s Panko crispy goat’s cheese with apple and celeriac slaw and cranberry relish followed by the pappardelle pasta tossed with lemon, spinach, kale, rosemary and olive oil with crumbled feta cheese. And just when we thought it couldn’t get any better – we were floored by the chocolate brioche pudding with orange sauce.
It was quite simply, the perfect end to our day. The portions were adequate enough to be satisfied without the uncomfortable satiety that comes with a side order of nausea. It was one of those evenings that set everything in motion – passionate and engaging conversation without technology, a relaxed disposition that can only come from being truly switched off from the outside world and a longing to stay for just another night. Yes, we really must do this more often…
With thanks to The Greyhound
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