The Maytime Inn

Located on a quiet country road in the village of Asthall, the Maytime's charming three-story building dates back to the 17th century when it was a coach house and a blacksmith's workshop. The interiors are decorated in a cozy, rustic style with original stone walls, exposed oak ceiling beams, hardwood or stone floors, and solid oak furniture. The spacious outdoor patio behind the building offers sweeping views of the surrounding countryside, and is a pleasant place to have a meal or drink. It's a small independently owned property offering an authentic English country pub atmosphere. As the village is on the path of several hiking routes crossing the area, it's a popular spot with hikers and couples on weekend breaks.

The Maytime Inn is located in the charming and quiet village of Asthall in the Cotswold Hills. This is a rural area surrounded by fields and marshes, and the village is on many regional walking and hiking routes. Guests staying here would need a car to get around, as public transportation is limited. The closest bigger town is medieval Burton, about a seven-minute drive away. The city of Oxford is a 40-minute drive away, while the historic town of Stratford-upon-Avon is a one-hour drive from the inn. The closest airports are Heathrow, a one-hour-and-40-minute drive away, and Birmingham Airport, about a 90-minute drive away.

In keeping with the country-pub atmosphere, the Maytime Inn's six guest rooms are decorated in a cozy rustic style, with a few quirky vintage accents. Floors are covered in beige wall-to-wall carpeting, and the oak furniture is finished in warm tones. The brown faux-leather headboards, industrial-style bedside lamps, and oversize vintage clocks over the beds give the rooms a fun touch of retro-chic. Other quirky touches include textured accent walls, and a wardrobe made from an old-fashioned steamer trunk in the Saddlers Room. Standard in-room amenities include 26-inch flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, iPod speaker systems, and coffee- and tea-making facilities. Homemade cookies and fresh milk for tea are thoughtful extras. The bathrooms are generously spacious and tiled in white or light gray faux stone tiles. They feature vintage-style vessel sinks, large walk-in showers with large waterfall power showerheads, floor heating, towel warmers, and free toiletries. Some of the guest rooms -- such as the Farriers Room -- are a bit cramped, while the Hunting Room is one of the largest, and includes a separate bathtub. Note that some of the rooms located in the original building, such as the Boot Room and the Yard and Groom Room, have low ceilings. And some guests have complained of poor soundproofing between the rooms.

The historic Maytime Inn offers typical pub-style accommodations, with a few extra on-site features. A full English breakfast of bacon, eggs, fried tomatoes and mushrooms, sausages, baked beans, breads, cereals, and pastries is included in the room rate. The on-site restaurant has fixed times for lunch and dinner, with an a la carte menu of standard pub fare, along with sandwiches. The bar serves a variety of drinks, including different types of craft and international beer, ciders, fine wines, and over 70 different types of gin. The pleasant outdoor seating area has scenic views over the gardens and surrounding countryside. The restaurant and bar space can also be rented for private dinners and functions. A small indoor seating area offers a selection of newspapers, books, and board games. On-site parking is free, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.