A Cotswold Stay Fit for a King at The Fleece in Cirencester
Bed And Breakfast | Featured | Guest Article | Historic | Pub | Pub Accommodation | Short Break | Posted 2022.11.07
A two-day business trip to the Cotswolds recently took me to the fabulous Grade II listed Fleece situated in the centre of Cirencester, a charming and vibrant market town and home to the Royal Agricultural University. When choosing a stay in a pub with rooms, this fitted the bill perfectly.
Reading up on the history, I discovered that Cirencester was once the second-largest Roman town in England and a prosperous wool trade centre during the medieval period. I also discovered that in September 1651, the future King Charles II hid from Oliver Cromwell’s New Model Army at The Fleece, posing as Lady Jane Lane’s manservant. Despite a hefty £1000 price on his head, he remained undetected and shortly fled to France.
I was therefore delighted to find out that I would be staying in Room 1 allegedly the room that Charles and Lady Jane rested in during their 17th Century fugitive stay!
At the time The Fleece was a prominent coaching inn and many of the original features remain today, intermingled with stylish décor and welcome home comforts. I particularly loved the bar – a real buzz despite being a Monday and Tuesday night – with nooks and crannies to sit and enjoy a pint of award-winning Thwaites cask ale or interesting Scillian wine from the carefully-chosen list.
I dined with colleagues in the Restaurant looked after by the amazingly attentive waiting staff who simply couldn’t do enough to ensure every need was fulfilled! We feasted on some fabulous classics including Thwaites Beer Battered Fish and Chips, Seafood Linguine and a tender British native breed sirloin with sea salted thick cut chips – lots of happy customers!
The enormous bed was absurdly comfortable with crisp linen sheets; in my roll-top bath I could indulge with White Company toiletries and sumptuous bath towels; and there was a great collection of teas, shortbreads, and even a Nespresso machine for that all-important morning fix.
Breakfast was equally a treat with delights such as Eggs Benedict, a full English, smoked salmon and scrambled egg, toasts, cereals, yogurt, and fruit to choose from.
Cirencester is crammed with clothing boutiques, antique shops, chic delis, and stunning buildings around a central market square. It is the perfect gateway to explore the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a convenient stop-off when diverting off the M4 and M5.
I will certainly be returning to this fascinating historic pub that promises a stay fit for a King. The atmosphere was friendly and relaxed making business travel so much more enjoyable.
Sophie Braybrooke, CEO, Stay in a Pub
- The Fleece is located in the market town of Cirencester, in east Gloucestershire, an hour away from Bath and Oxford and just under two hours away from London.
- Sophie stayed in Room 1, a slightly larger Featured room with an ensuite bathroom
- A total of 28 guest rooms including Dog-friendly rooms on request
- Address: Market Place, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England, GL7 2NZ
- To book and find out more The Fleece, Cirencester I Gloucestershire I Stay in a Pub
