Sitting in the dock, at the Bay (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Sitting in the dock, at the Bay

The Tudor period is my favourite historical time and secretly I always fancied strutting around in my own Elizabethan castle or house, so I was looking forward to my stay at the Bay Tree Hotel, Burford - the 'Gateway to the Cotswolds'.

The hotel did not disappoint. Built in 1590 by Chief Baron of the Exchequer Sir Lawrence Tansfield, the hotel has romantic stone fireplaces and an impressive tapestry and oak panelled hall.

Outside is a walled garden and crochet lawn which doubles as a wedding drinks' reception area and, of course, has well manicured bay trees.

My husband and I stayed outside of the main house, in the Old Justice mastersuite. We debated how the room came by its name and decided it was from a horse that was stabled there. In fact, it was an old courthouse with a nineteenth century function far removed from the R&R that we enjoyed.

The Bay Tree was converted into a hotel in 1935 with a new wing and gables, and in 1997 was purchased by Cotswold Inns and Hotels.

Co-owner Pamela Horton designed the dcor in each of the five hotels in the chain; for the Bay Tree she has used National Trust colours from Farrow and Ball paints. Raphael prints adorn Old Justice's walls and tasteful art mingles with manor house-style tapestries throughout the hotel.

Old Justice mastersuite consists of a four poster bed, a sitting area and bathroom. I love the character of old country hotels not present in city hotels, even those with more stars to their name.

After seeing the 'standard' rooms I almost suggested it was too bland a description. They had good proportions, thoughtful decoration, bathroom and beautiful views over Burford or the garden. Another of the suites had a working fireplace, which would be lit on arrival in winter months.

The dinner also lived up to expectations. With impeccable service we were treated to two appetisers. For the starter I chose smoked haddock and salmon fish cakes with sweet chilli and rocket and my partner opted for warm salad and wild mushroom, asparagus and crispy bacon with parmesan.

Feeling in a fishy mood I ate grilled fillets of John Dory with basil mash and a smoked salmon beurre blanc, while my husband choose grilled breast of duck with fondant potato and a lemon grass & honey velout. Both were tasty and cooked to perfection.

Not being able to resist dessert, we had mouth-watering iced milk and mango parfait with clotted cream and mango coulis and vanilla panna cotta with honey ice cream & mint coulis. Coffee came with petits fours.

The varied wine menu gave useful descriptions for non-connoisseurs like me. We decided on Oxford Landing, a white Australian chardonnay, a light wine with overtones of melon and figs.

The next day breakfast offered a good selection of fruit, pastries, juice, cereal and cooked breakfast. A good start to a day pottering and shopping in Burford.

Contact The Bay Tree on 01993 822791. Prices start at £119 per night for a single person. Worth checking out for a proper treat is the champagne break from £225.