Seven Tuns

Up in Chedworth Woods to the north of this memorable Cotswolds-stone inn is a large Romano-British villa, during its heyday in the 4th century home to some of the richest people in the country. For many today, this idyllic country pub is arguably more of a second home. It has stood here above the Coln Valley, supposedly the longest in England, since 1610 and is said to take its name from its seven chimney pots, rather than beer casks as you might expect. Across the road from the pub, there is a raised terrace with a stream and a little waterfall, and a path heads up past pretty cottages to St Andrew's, the village church. Inside the pub are the beams, bare floorboards and stone walls implicitly promised by the creeper-camouflaged exterior. At lunchtime order a pint of Young's Bitter, or one of the nine wines by the glass, and enjoy something light such as a ploughman's, or a mixed meat platter. For something more substantial, try herb-crusted seasonal fish pie with mixed salad; home-cured ham with eggs and home-made chips; or trio of local sausages with creamy mash and onion gravy. Typical of an evening meal in the log-fire-warmed restaurant might be pan-seared scallops with roasted tomato salsa; traditional toad-in-the-hole with rich onion gravy; and Mediterranean vegetable and tomato tagliatelle with home-made focaccia. In the beer garden is a revolving South African barbecue, a renovated skittle alley and a newly added boules court. The pub is renowned for live music evenings and other events, such as its Guy Fawkes Night, considered by some to be the best pub display in the Cotswolds.