The Kings Head Inn, The Green, Bledington, Oxfordshire, OX7 6XQ. Tel: 01608 658365; email: info@kingsheadinn.net; website: www.thekingsheadinn.net

The King's Head Inn is a member of The Great Inns of Britain (www.greatinns.co.uk).

A delightful old inn on a tranquil village green in the beautiful Cotswolds, Bled-ington's King's Head Inn is ideal for a weekend of relaxation, romance and sight-seeing – and the food it serves is outstanding.

How do you get there?

It's an easy hour-and-a-half drive from Bristol via the M5 and the picturesque roads of the rolling Cotswold Hills. There's ample car parking at the rear of the inn.

First impressions:

With its quaint village green, winding lanes and babbling brook, the village effortlessly evokes an older, more romantic image of England. The inn is a 16th- century former cider house which, despite a few ex- tensions and modifications over the years, still retains its old-world charm.

What are the rooms like?

There are 12 bedrooms, all of which have been individually and thoughtfully decorated. The six bedrooms above the pub have character and charm and have standard double beds, while the six courtyard bedrooms have more style and space and have king-size beds.

What else can you do?

There isn't a huge amount to do in the village itself apart from taking a slow stroll around the green and surrounding lanes.

What's on the menu?

The bar and restaurant serve a range of delicious dishes using, where possible, locally sourced and organic ingredients. We both started our meal with fresh Cornish scallops, which were simply prepared and served on a crispy slice of ciabatta with a buttery shrimp sauce. I enjoyed my home-cooked sea trout and spring onion cakes with lemon and chive mayonnaise, while my travelling companion revelled in his local Dexter sirloin steak with field mushrooms, chunky chips and Roquefort and chive butter sauce. Chatting to owner Archie Orr-Ewing, we learned that the meat comes from his family's farm in a neigh- bouring village. There is an excellent range of locally produced ales to choose from. My partner was particularly enamoured with his Hooky bitter, which is brewed at nearby Hook Norton, and the Cotswold Premium lager was going down a storm with the regulars.

What else is there to see and do in the area?

We explored nearby Stow-on-the-Wold, an historic market town with an elegant array of Cotswold townhouses, fine antique shops, art galleries and gift shops. We then made the short hop to the celebrated village of Bourton-on-the-Water, which Archie described as "the Venice of the Cotswolds". Another picturesque destination, it boasts a model village and motor museum as well as its famous 18th-century bridges spanning the gently flowing River Windrush.

Any gripes?

None.

How much does it cost?

Pub rooms cost £70-£75 per night, Courtyard Doubles £100, King Size Sleigh £110, Executive Rooms £125 and the Courtyard Twin is available at £100. Prices include full English breakfast.

The verdict:

Our overnight stay at this classic English country inn in the heart of the Cotswolds really did deliver everything that it promised – and more.

NATALIE HALE