THE LOWDOWN

With striking interiors, an award-winning restaurant and its very own theatre, boutique hotel Ingleside House brings a big slice of city glamour to the Cotswolds.

This bijou, 11-bedroom stay in Cirencester offers something pretty rare – a stay, supper and show experience all under one roof, and nearly five years on from first opening, it remains one of the Cotswolds’ most stylish stop-offs.

Local entrepreneurs Ian and Chrissie Carling are the brains behind the brand, the vision was to convert a previously unloved jumble of offices into a professional theatre with adjacent boutique hotel and restaurant.

The Grade II-listed building was crying out for something special, and wow, did it get it! Today it’s home to a chic hotel (think Shoreditch meets Hollywood vibes), the buzzy Téatro restaurant and acclaimed Barn Theatre.

It’s even got the virtual silverware to prove its appeal – most recently scooping the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2024 for Best Hotel in Cirencester. Boasting a stellar location on the fringes of this peak-Cotswolds market town, you’re just minutes away from artisan cafés, galleries and boutiques.

THE VIBE

Sophisticated, but with a large shot of starlet sass, Ingleside’s kooky and colourful interiors are a nod to its theatrical sister next door – the whole place gives enormous arty vibes.

There is only one reception space (the Residents’ Lounge) but it’s spacious, very glam, and oozes Gatsby-style decadence; rich velvets, bold colours, thumbable coffee table books and Art Deco lighting.

Chandeliers twinkle like footlights, wooden panelling is drenched in deep jewel greens, velvety chairs beckon in the lounge – a perfect spot for cocktail sippers – and the Powder Room (aka the loos) even gets a look in with a cheeky showgirl wallpaper that’s so fabulous.

Crowd-wise, Ingleside is a good mix of visiting tourists and a strong local fanbase, especially on the excellent live music nights at the hotel. I have friends who regularly drop in for a Sunday lunch, evening cocktail, or romantic meal before anywhere else in the town, so the place has a great buzzing vibe to it throughout the week.

SCOFF & QUAFF

The aptly named Téatro is Ingleside’s semi-basement restaurant, a moody and dramatic diner, with the hotel’s pink and green theme continuing throughout. During the summer the Firepit garden area doubles up as an alternative feasting and sipping area, and it always has a great relaxed bar vibe with heaters and glowing fire pits to keep you warm on chilly evenings.

I was visiting on a nippy late summer evening, so headed for Téatro’s inner sanctum. I’m always a picky eater (much to my partner’s eye-rolling!) but hand on heart I literally loved the sound of everything on Téatro’s menu. It’s tightly and thoughtfully curated with a focus on seasonal and local produce, with some fancy theatrical twists (there’s also a Josper Grill if you loved fired meats).

First up, I went for the Heritage Tomatoes, Elderflower & Basil (VE), a fabulously sun-kissed rainbow of tomatoes that was a gorgeously light, flavour-bomb of a starter.

Mr Muddy plumped for the Marinated Prawns with Garlic, Chilli & Lime which were exceptionally fresh and bathed in a garlicky, citrusy heat that was punchy yet balanced.

We also all agreed that we had to try the Peaches, Prosciutto & Burratta, because it sounded so good, and it did not disappoint, it was seriously amazing.

For mains, I had the Monkfish, Chorizo, Chickpeas, Apple & Fennel. The fish itself was both meaty yet soft (nothing worse than a chewy monkfish) and the smoky, paprika-rich chorizo was top notch.

Mr Muddy had the Martin’s Sirloin / Ribeye, and this one was a star dish – the Josper giving it a smoky perfume and it was melt-in-the-mouth. Add in the Truffle Fries (you absolutely should), and it’ll hit every spot.

Full but valiantly soldiering on, we finished up with the Téatro Style Eton Mess (V), a tangy and tasty deconstructed dream of crisp meringue shards, and the Raspberry Mousse with Pistachio wolfed down by my partner was divine, both light and lovely desserts.

Service was super friendly too, all the waiting staff seemed really knowledgeable about wine pairings along the way with what we’d chosen.

Hot tip? Try the Téatro Tipples. The cocktail menu here is really tempting, starting at a reasonable £8 for a Posh Prosecco cocktail, we loved the Hellfire Clover (Raspberry Gin & Syrup, Habanero Bitters & Aquafaba) and the decadent Gateaux (Absolut Vanilia, Cassis, Chambord, Crème de Cacao & Coca-Cola).

The wine list is well curated too, you have a choice of both local and world wines – we tried the ‘Team Favourite’ on the menu from the local Three Choirs Vineyard, and there’s also a ‘Head Chef’s Favourite’ (a New Zealand Pinot Gris) – having both of these was a nice menu touch when you’re as indecisive as me.

PILLOW TALK

Ingleside has 11 individually-designed bedrooms, all quirkily named after local patrons who’ve contributed to the hotel and theatre. We stayed in one of the Superking Rooms, which was spacious and full of funky design touches, including a very sensuous rubbery bedhead!

Ingleside house hotel room in cirencester

There was an easily-navigable coffee machine, locally made brownie treats as a welcome gift, fluffy dressing gowns, luxurious bed linen, and nothing was too much trouble with house keeping sending up a mini-milk bottle of oat milk to replace the dairy one. The room backed onto a main road through the trees, but you’d never know it, I slept like a log. The bathroom’s continue the funky design theme, and were laden with luxury Molton Brown toiletries (a big plus).

Ingleside house hotel bathroom in cirencester

Previously I’d stayed in the Iwan Lewis Room, named after the Barn’s Director, and I highly recommend this one if you love a bathtub in a room (who doesn’t). You’ll feel like you’re holidaying on Manhattan’s upper East side, not a quaint Cotswold town.

Or, if you want to really treat yourself go for the Carling Suite, a fabulous apartment-style space with a four poster bed. Plus, in any room you can pre-book flowers, chocolates and Champagne for when you arrive (all three why not).

Because there are only 11 rooms, Ingleside never feels too ‘hotely’ with people coming and going all the time, instead it’s actually a real quiet place, which gives any stay a relaxing vibe and means you get a blissful night’s sleep.

Breakfast the next morning was back down in Téatro, and I couldn’t fault it, with a great choice of both continental and fancier options to order, from pastries and pancakes to Avocado and Smoked Salmon on Toast.

WHAT ELSE?

theatre entrance at the barn in cirencester

The Barn Theatre – we mean – what a total gem! This 200-seater independent theatre and cinema is one of the Cotswolds’ most exciting cultural spots and there’s always something fabulous going on, from bold new productions to reimagined classics.

I went to see the talented Faye Brookes and Tom Lorcan (ex-Corrie stars) in Constellations, and it was totally terrific. Book early for this year’s Christmas Carol, on from 1 Dec – 4 Jan, their festive shows are always very popular.

There’s also a great little café bar for pre-show tipples and an all-year round creative community here, in short it’s a little slice of the West End in the Cotswolds.

OUT AND ABOUT

cirencester marketplace with church and flowers

You could easily while away hours (days) here wandering around the honey-stoned lanes, glorious Abbey Grounds, Bathurst Estate (surrounded by the world’s tallest yew hedge), browsing the Farmers’ Market or just going from indie boutique to eateries all day long. Don’t miss the excellent Antiques Market in the Corn Hall every Friday.

It’s famous for its cool café culture, so pay a visit to Knead, Luxe, or Roots + Seeds Kitchen Garden, or the gorgeous and newly revamped Kings Head.

Nearby you are spoilt for choice, there are bucket list Cotswold villages in every direction, from Bourton-on-the-Water in the north to Nailsworth in the west. One of my favourite local days out is the UK’s largest inland beach at the Cotswold Country Park in South Cerney, just 10 minutes away by car.

KIDS-FRIENDLY?

Yes, Ingleside House Hotel is family-friendly, offering amenities like family rooms, kids’ meals, and cots upon request for free.

DOG-FRIENDLY?

Sadly for the Muddy dog, no. Although dogs are very welcome in the Residents’ Lounge and also the outside Firepit area in the summer, the bedrooms and restaurant are not pet-friendly, so make sure to book the dog-sitter.

ACCESSIBILITY?

As it’s a historic, listed building built over three floors there are no accessible rooms and no lift. Guests with mobility issues can contact the hotel directly to discuss what they can accommodate, but be aware that it’s not designed for accessibility.

THE DAMAGE

A one-night stay in a Signature Superking Room starts from a very reasonable £120pn. A full three-course dinner for two (with two sides), without wine, skimmed in at under £100. All in all, great value.

MUDDY VERDICT

Good for:

Fancy feeling like a starlet for the night? Settle in – Ingleside oozes glamour. Perfect for a girly getaway, or a romantic night away (quaff Champagne like a screen goddess in that bathtub). Theatre lovers will be in heaven, how many hotels have an award-winning theatre? Families and Cotswold explorers who want the ideal base for sightseeing the area.

Not for:

Ultra-traditionalists, if you don’t like your Grade II features in a hipster colour pallet it may not float your boat. Spa-seekers will have to look elsewhere – Ingleside doesn’t have one. Dog lovers – whilst you can take Fido into the garden and the lounge, they’re not allowed in the rooms.

To book a stay at Ingleside House visit Ingleside House or email info@inglesidehouse.co.uk.

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Review: Ingleside House, Cirencester

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