Enjoy the Cotswolds at their finest

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Former resident Rosemary Verey designed Barnsley House’s gardens in an English classical revival style

A Verey special Gloucestershire garden

There is no bad time to visit Barnsley House, a Grade-II-listed manor house hotel buried deep in the Cotswolds, but late spring into early summer sees its surroundings at their finest. The grounds, created by legendary designer Rosemary Verey in the ’50s, are a veritable Arcadia come April, with blossoms in full throttle in the Laburnam Walk, borders and knot gardens, and vegetables starting to make an appearance in the kitchen garden. There are surprises hidden here too, with a private cinema and a spa offering escape from inclement weather. The hotel itself, a 17th-century wonder of golden Cotswolds limestone, has surprises of its own: the traditional bones of the interior, with its romantic mullion windows and wooden floorboards, clothed with unusual adornments such as disco balls and double baths. Food is also a highlight, with local produce served in accomplished dishes such as rack of lamb and confit duck. MAKE IT HAPPEN Barnsley House has various room styles, ranging from superior doubles to suites with private courtyard gardens (from £200; barnsleyhouse.com). Lunch, afternoon tea and dinner are served in The Potager restaurant (dinner mains from £14). The hotel is set within 11 acres of grounds, which guests are free to roam; the spa, with outdoor hydrotherapy pool and various treatments on offer, is within them (half-day including treatment and twocourse lunch £115; facial from £40; free use of pool). Barnsley is a small village in Gloucestershire, five miles from Cirencester and just off the A429. Trains run to Kemble, nine miles away, from London Paddington (via Swindon), Cheltenham and Gloucester (firstgreatwestern. co.uk). Barnsley also has a lovely inn (thevillagepub.co.uk).