The Old School Bed and Breakfast

A gravel drive leads to the sturdy stone edifice of the Old School. The trim and tidy grounds are brightened everywhere with fresh flowers and whimsical touches such as willow deer grazing under the giant monkey puzzle tree. And while the building itself might seem staid, the interior is warm and welcoming with wood floors, fresh cut flowers at every turn, and decor that amplifies the personality of the property. Two large common spaces invite guests to linger, the downstairs living room and the upstairs drawing room. The striking upstairs room appeals with its beamed vaulted ceiling, Gothic windows, overstuffed chairs, and wood-burning stove. Decorative elements such as class photos and framed attendance records recall the building’s original function -- it was built in the 19th century as a school. The well-tended grounds include patios, a pond, and manicured spaces with sitting areas. The wilder orchard is the site of Cluckingham Palace, home to a bevy of chickens and rabbits. But aside from this menagerie, the whole place has a decidedly grownup vibe, so it's no surprise that it’s adults only. There is a baker’s dozen of similar accommodations in the area, all around the same price point and some with larger rooms. Two things make the Old School stand out: the hosts’ bend-over-backward philosophy to make their guests welcome and the focus on excellent food.

The Old School is in the village of Little Compton, in the quiet Warwickshire countryside, two hours and 10 minutes by car from London. Though it’s possible to get here by train and cab, most guests drive and make a stop here part of a larger driving tour of the Cotswolds (and beyond). The closest train station is in Moreton-in-Marsh, a seven-minute drive west. A popular restaurant is less than five minutes away by foot, and the village is about a 10-minute walk away. By car, the inn is 10 minutes from the Cotswold Falconry Centre, six minutes from the Wellington Aviation Museum, and four minutes from Chastleton House and Garden. It takes an hour and 23 minutes to drive to Oxford, and it's 30 minutes to Stratford-upon-Avon. Depending on traffic, it takes one hour and 15 minutes to one hour and 40 minutes by car to London Heathrow and one hour and 50 minutes to two hours and 25 minutes to Gatwick Airport.

Named for local schools, the Old School’s four individually decorated rooms -- the Reed, the Dormer, the Kingham, and the Kitebrook -- are spread across three floors. Decor is low-key and unfussy but charming: a woven straw heart hangs over a bed, a wooden rooster perches in a built-in cubby. Fresh flowers in every room are a nice touch. Lots of windows and light earth tones and sage brighten the rooms, and some have views over the attractive back garden. All have king-size beds (one can be converted into a twin) with fine Egyptian cotton linens and oodles of pillows. Bathrooms are spacious and carpeted; some have separate showers and tubs, some shower/tub combos. Each has a hairdryer, fluffy robes, and thick bath sheets. Mini-fridges are stocked with water and fresh milk to go with the variety of teas provided, along with tea service and electric kettles. Rooms have small flat-screen TVs and Wi-Fi. Some rooms are more spacious than others: the Kitebrook and the Kingham both have dormers, which can present a challenge to the tallest guests.

Though the Old School doesn’t have its own restaurant per se, food is a major perk of staying here. Co-owner Wendy emphasizes local produce, from Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs and Prime Lighthorne lamb to local cheeses and vegetables. The breakfast spread she prepares includes eggs served in a variety of ways, bacon, sausage, granola, fresh fruit, fresh juices, tea and freshly ground coffee, and more. Two- and four-course dinners as well as picnic baskets can be arranged, and guests rave about the homemade cakes. The large upstairs lounge, with its striking rafters and Gothic windows, has plenty of comfortable seating to sink into and a selection of books and board games. Guests have the run of the garden as well, with manicured seating areas, a fish pond, the wilder orchard, and Cluckingham Palace, home to chickens and rabbits. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, and free parking is plentiful.