Happily green with envy
Dec 24 2010 By Sophie Cross
Sophie Cross heads to the Cotswolds for some R&R at a delightful 17th century inn.
At this time of year there is nothing better than coming in from the cold, rain or snow to a roaring log fire.
And The Green Dragon Inn, nestled snugly in the heart of the beautiful Cotswolds, offers guests this kind of warm cosiness in abundance.
The inn, in the hamlet of Cockleford, provides the perfect escape from hectic city life for a bit of rest and relaxation as well as a base to explore this designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and its historic towns and villages.
After a short drive from Birmingham along rural roads the Green Dragon Inn emerges with a welcoming glow beaming from its windows.
Dating back to the 17th century, you can imagine how weary travellers and coach drivers would have felt pulling up to it after a long journey.
The inn offers cottage-style accommodation ranging from the comfortable to the luxurious.
We stay in the pricier but lovely St George’s Suite, which includes a luxury en-suite bathroom with rainforest shower and stand-alone bath.
Its hot water does run out eventually if you fill the tub – but the results are worth it.
At the other end of the suite from its enormous bed is a sitting room area decked out with comfy sofas just asking to be lounged on in front of its wide screen television.
We set about exploring the rest of the inn. Lined with quaint beamed ceilings and stone flagged floors, the venue has its own function room and regularly attracts wedding parties.
Its bars offer a range of delicious meals and snacks, with regularly changing seasonal dishes listed on the menu along with fine wine and real ale.
Staff point us in the direction of the Mouse Bar which, thankfully, is not infested with rodents but merely features tiny wooden mice intricately carved into the furniture.
The chairs, tables and stools were hand-crafted by skilled carpenter Robert Thompson, known as the “Mouse Man of Kilburn”, meaning each piece crafted from a single section of wood features one of the tiny creatures.
