Dating back to 1554, The Falcon is a small, select boutique hotel and restaurant situated in the centre of the beautiful Cotswold village of Painswick

Overlooking the historic village church and its famous 99 clipped yew trees, The Falcon Painswick is not only charming but an incredibly welcoming break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. From the moment I arrived, I felt transported to yesteryear and felt time had come to a complete standstill.

Painswick is a historic wool town which boasts a fine array of listed buildings sitting in narrow winding streets. The inn itself provides a perfect base from which to explore not only the immediate area but also the Cotswold villages and surrounding areas.

My recent visit to The Falcon Painswick was over a cold and dreary weekend, but that just added to the warmth of the place. Our bedroom – like the other 10 mix of twin, double and king rooms – was individually styled and overlooked St Mary’s Church. A pair of binoculars to look at the rolling countryside beyond it was a real touch and a far cry from the brick walls I’m used to. Antique furniture dotted around the room gave it an authentic feel, and the spacious seating area with a couch created a living space that was hard to pull myself away from.

But the lure of food had my guest and I dashing downstairs in a flash. The restaurant and bar is incredibly popular with guests and non-guests alike. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, it provides a great hub to have a warming drink or a bite to eat while taking a break from exploring the area, while in the evening it attracts smartly dressed people for a meal or a few drinks.

The Falcon is the kind of place where you can find a friendly local or two propping up the bar ready to give advice on the area, and to point you in the direction of the best sights and places to see in the Cotswolds. You can easily lose yourself in deep conversation discovering all it has to offer while glugging some good wines and real ales.

Food, as expected at a place like this is a deliciously home-cooked fayre. The restaurant prides itself on providing seasonal British food with an interesting twist. Expect to find dishes like monkfish wrapped in parma ham, celeriac gratin, wilted spinach and sauce Veronique, and pork pie wedges with English mustard. There are also plenty of old school favourites like the chicken kiev with garlic roasted new potatoes and green beans to indulge in. And there are lots of vegetables to tuck into to make you feel virtuous. But when there is good wholesome food, it’s hard to resist a bit of a treat. The salted caramel chocolate tart with salted caramel ice cream went down very well – I savoured it to the very last mouthful.

No photos can truly do justice to this cosy inn. It’s definitely one of those places you need to visit for yourself. And while you are there, don’t forget to pop into Meggies, the onsite shop where you can find gift ideas, cards, home interiors, accessories, jewellery and lots more for that touch of nostalgia for years to come.

The Falcon Painswick – Where and How?

The Falcon is located at New Street, Painswick, Gloucestershire GL6 6UN, United Kingdom. For more information or to make a reservation, call +44(0)1452 814222 or visit www.falconpainswick.co.uk.