The Ebrington Arms

I've been feeling a bit guilty lately, as I haven't given this little blog hardly any attention in ages.  I must apologise.  It wasn't intentional- it's only that we've just had baby number four and I've had no leisure time at all these past few months.  Anyways, we're back!  And now for the first of what is planned to be a series of spotlights on some truly exceptional places to visit the next time you're in the Cotswolds.

The star of this post is the lovely Ebrington Arms, a beautifully restored 17th century pub with some of the highest standard food in the area and rooms that place them top of the list in some of the world's most exclusive ratings and review guides.

The hotel is just two miles from Chipping Campden, which should already put it at the top of your list.  Every  ingredient necessary for the ultimate Cotswolds experience is here in spades- a beautiful English village set amongst rolling green hills, friendly and professional landlords, outstanding locally sourced traditional food cooked to perfection, a parade of the finest local Real Ales that changes all the time, roaring firs in Inglenook fireplaces, a beer garden overlooking the Cotswold hills, perfectly decorated guestrooms, endless special events and games, and, essentially, wonderful service.

Just imagine....

• Waking up to their Full English breakfast (if my doctor would allow it, I'd wake up to one every morning)
• Going for a long ramble across the hills along The Cotswold Way, or stopping at any one of some of the finest attractions in England- Hidcote Gardens, Broadway Tower, Snowshill Lavendar, Sudeley Castle, Westonbirt Arboretum
• Then returning to a roaring fire in the colder months or the beer garden in warmer times, a pint of Uley's, then tucking in to... (my choice) Todenham Manor Farm belly of Old Spot pork, stuffed with black pudding, seared scallops, curly kale, mustard mash, cider jus
• Followed by games in the pub, perhaps some port and cheese by the Inglenook, and finally...
• Heading up to your room, complete with beamed ceilings, rolltop bath, and a view over the hills. 

Come come, you must be convinced by now!  No?  Perhaps you should read about their awards, then.  Here they are:

• Featured in The Good Beer Guide and The Good Food Guide four years running
• Michelin Guide “Eating Out in Pubs” three years running
• Two AA Stars for food, one of only 34 pubs in the UK!
• CAMRA North Cotswold Pub of the year Winner, 2009, 2010, 2011, and Runner Up in 2012
• AA Four Star rating for Guest Rooms
• Featured in Alistair Sawday’s book “Special Places” Pubs & Inns
• An excellent 4.5 out of 5 rating on TripAdvisor

And finally, the photos.  Lots of them- they did such a good job of capturing their establishment that it was almost impossible to narrow down the selection at all- so here is a set that I think gives a very solid flavour of what's in store for you in the near future.

Their website is here: http://www.theebringtonarms.co.uk/

And you can do a little virtual exploring of the village from outside the pub here with Google Street View: 

View Larger Map

And, last but not least, I leave you with this quote on the Ebrington Arms taken directly from Alistair Sawday's:

"The glorious gardens at Hidcote Manor and Kiftsgate Court are a ramble across fields from the Ebrington Arms. This is a relaxed and rustic Cotswold stone pub that has been restored and revived by Claire and Jim. Little has changed in the 17th-century bar, hub of the community, cosy with low beams and roaring fires. Bag a seat and share pints of Purity with the regulars, or seek out the fun dining room next door. Worn stone floors, fresh flowers and a delightful mishmash of tables and chairs set the scene for some terrific pub food cooked from mostly local produce. Dishes are simple yet full of flavour, so dive in to scallops with celeriac purée and black pudding, calves' liver with garlic mash and caramelised onion jus, and apple, strawberry and ginger crumble. No need to negotiate the route home when you can bed down here; bedrooms (up steepish stairs) are full of charm, with chunky wooden beds, colourful throws and plump pillows, deep window seats with village or country views, and smart new bathrooms. A properly unpretentious pub, run by the nicest people."