Minster Mill Hotel & Spa, Witney, Oxfordshire

Minster Mill is in honey-stone and thatch Minster Lovell, renowned as one of the Cotswolds' most beautiful villages. Oxford is 16 miles east; Burford, with its coaching inns and antique shops, is six miles west. The romantic ruins of Minster Lovell Hall, a grand mansion abandoned in the 18th century, are a five-minute stroll from the hotel.

By car: The hotel is around 70 miles from London (2 hours), 15 miles from Oxford (30 minutes) and 80 miles from Birmingham (2 hours). Private parking is available.

By rail: London Paddington to Charlbury takes just over an hour. Charlbury is a 15-minute taxi ride from the hotel. Book trains to Charlbury.

This rambling property spreads out from an ancient mill, which is mentioned in the Domesday Book. The restaurant, and bar in a minstrels' gallery above it, are in the main old building. An adjacent cluster of barns is a venue for weddings and parties and the bedrooms are in more modern additions around the 50-acre grounds. The stylishly sleek furnishings create a feeling of laid-back luxury. For a more traditional ambience, pop across the road to the sister property, the Old Swan inn.

Facilities are the big draw of the hotel, from the spa to the extensive grounds with lawns, a tennis court, a gazebo perfect for weddings and a woodland area. The hotel commits to green energy, and there's a hydro-turbine on the grounds. Staff are a charming crew who exude enthusiasm.

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Spa
• Swimming pool
• Pet-friendly
• Tennis court
• Croquet lawn
• Gardens
• Free parking
• Free Wi-Fi

There are 38 Scandi-chic bedrooms decked in soothing colours, with soft throws and textured headboards. Most bathrooms have pleasingly powerful showers; the more upscale rooms also offer a separate bath. All rooms have Nespresso machines with fresh milk in the minibar.

Room types: Classic Rooms, Garden Rooms, Superior Rooms, Feature Rooms, Junior Suites

Key amenities: ensuite bathrooms with L'Occitane toiletries, tea and coffee making facilities, high thread-count luxury cotton bed linen, mini bar, hair dryer, free Wi-Fi

Under a striking vaulted ceiling, the restaurant serves modern British cuisine with great flavour combinations. The bar in the minstrels' gallery above offers a light bite menu.

The Restaurant: Regional and seasonal menu, contemporary British dishes. Open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. Mains from £20.

Mill Bar: Deli sandwiches and refined pub food, extensive wine list. Open for lunch and dinner. Mains from £12.