Artist Residence Oxfordshire

Rooms

The 15 bedrooms are spread between the main pub and the old outbuildings, and there’s a secluded Shepherd's Hut for those who want to be closer to nature.

Upstairs in the eaves of the pub, the 5 farmhouse bedrooms have original pitched ceilings, lead windows and stripped-back floors made cosy with Morris & Co furnishings, colourful bohemian rugs and vintage chairs. The smallest room is the Rabbit Hole, a compact but quirky hideaway ideal for single occupancy or a short stay for two. More spacious and airy are the Farmhouse Loft rooms with rolltop baths. We stayed in the open-plan Farmhouse Suite with a little more lounging space and a fabulous copper bathtub.

Separate from the main pub, but only a few paces away, are the Stable and Barn rooms, which have lovely private terraces and vaulted ceilings with exposed beams. There's also the Hideaway, which is ideal for a family as it has two bedrooms (a double and a bunk room) and an enormous bathroom. The Burrows are on the smaller side so would work well for those on a budget, and the Potting Shed benefits from uninterrupted views over tranquil fields. Expect plenty of upcycled finds in all.

Wherever you stay, luxury is a given. You get Roberts radios, Nespresso machines, Bramley toiletries, and an extremely well-stocked minibar with carefully selected local treats including Cotswold lagers, cider and gin.

Features include:

• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Radio
• Toiletries
• TV
• WiFi

Eating

Set around a huge open fireplace, The Mason Arms is a thatched, cosy countryside pub, but don't be fooled by its quaint exterior. Designed in collaboration with artists The Connor Brothers, it’s a playful space with lots of eccentric twists. Expect plenty of pop art, patterned wallpaper, vintage lampshades and mismatched easy chairs.

For breakfast, choose à la carte delights such as brioche french toast with streaky bacon and maple syrup, or dippy eggs with sourdough. If you’re feeling decadent, they’ll happily bring it to your room.

The all-day dining menu features posh pub grub, like ribeye steak cooked to your choosing (we went medium-rare and it was perfectly melty), Cornish sole with blood orange and hazelnut, or for veggies, pumpkin gnocchi with crispy sage butter. The whole dining experience is a casual affair with local, seasonal and foraged produce; meat is sourced from neighbouring farms, herbs from the kitchen garden, and cocktails inspired by the countryside.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Coffee maker
• Restaurant
• Room service

Activities

• Country walks right from the doorstep - there are Hunter wellies to borrow if you need them
  
• The market town of Witney (5km) has shops, a 12th-century church and a standout vegan restaurant called the Eden Cafe. Borrow one of the hotel's free bikes and cycle there
  
• Visit studenty Oxford (16km), steeped in culture and history. See the excellent Ashmolean Museum, the Radcliffe Camera, the Bodleian Library (featured in the Harry Potter films) and the famous colleges
  
• Explore the Cotswolds with its chocolate-box villages and towns such as the antiques centre of Burford (20km)
  
• Spend a morning at Burford Garden Company - which is far more than a garden centre! There's designer clothing and homeware, a gourmet food hall and cafe, an art gallery, and plants galore
  
• The village of Minster Lovell (9km) has a ruined 15th-century manor house beside the River Windrush, with beautiful wild swimming spots nearby
  
• Don't miss splendid Blenheim Palace (14km) - birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and home to the 12th Duke of Marlborough
  
• Head to Daylesford (27km) for its legendary organic farm, deli, cafe and cookery school

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cycling
• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Shopping / markets
• Walking

Kids

Families are welcome but it feels like more of grown-up getaway. In the pub, there is a kids' menu and plenty of board games available to borrow.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

The Hideaway is best for families as it sleeps four in a double bedroom and a full-length set of bunks in the second bedroom, plus it has a big family bathroom. Some of the larger rooms (Farmhouse Suite, Farmhouse Loft, Stable, Stable Suite and Barn Suite) can fit an extra bed or baby cot.

Distances:

• Hospital: 19km (Oxford)

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Artist Residence Oxfordshire is set in South Leigh, a small village between Witney and Oxford, on the edge of the Cotswolds.

By Air:
London Heathrow (86km) is your best bet if arriving from overseas. The small airfield outside Oxford (16km away) receives a few short-haul and private flights.

By Car:
It's about 1.5 hours' drive from London, Birmingham or Bristol. See our car rental recommendations. EV charging is available at the hotel.

By Train:
Hanborough Station (10km) is connected to London Paddington by hourly direct trains (journey time 1 hour 15 mins). Book a taxi from the station in advance.

Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.

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