History wasn’t always my favourite subject at school but it was clear there would be no escaping it on this particular visit.

If the old saying is to be believed, Stow-on-the-Wold is the place where the wind blows cold, however it was another natural phenomenon that had taken over when I turned off the main road into the suitably named Back Walls.

Despite being well into spring, well, the period of time we are supposed to have spring in England, the evening was incredibly foggy, making it difficult to see from one side of the road to the other.

I thought we could do with some of those famous chilly gusts to clear it away but it actually made for a rather atmospheric walk to the hotel, with the illumination of the lamp posts peering through the fog, down onto the historic streets below.

I imagined for a moment that I had been transported back in time to Victorian England in the sort of fog-filled streets that Sherlock Holmes and Jack the Ripper may have pitted their wits against each other.

Note for filmmakers unfamiliar with Stow, it would work perfectly for a historical drama or dream sequence in this kind of weather.

Fitting then, that I would be staying at the oldest inn in the UK.

The Porch House dates back to 947AD and has all the character you would expect of a building that has stood in this bustling town for centuries.

During that time it has had several guises and name changes.

It was known as The Royalist for many years before Brakspear took over in 2012 to refurbish and rebrand.

Inside it is a lovable mixture of the old and the new.

Narrow doorways, corridors, snug nooks and crannies, meet with contemporary touches including the light and airy conservatory dining area which opens out onto a charming terrace to enjoy drinks on warmer evenings than this.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard:

Guests have a choice of dining options, the conservatory being one, as well as the bar and the main dining room, which offer a more formal, refined experience.

Our table was in the main dining room and as far as I’m concerned, was in the perfect spot next to a huge open fireplace which you can well imagine gracing this room for over 1,000 years.

The flames added a cosy, charming feel to the room and the size of the fireplace itself is a marvel.

The dinner menu offers a good range of options to suit all tastes with several meat, fish and vegetarian choices.

I chose the twice-baked cheddar soufflé, served with spinach and whole grain mustard. It was a very pleasant, light starter and the combination of flavours worked well.

My guest plumped for the potted hot smoked salmon which came in plentiful supply, served with the perfect accompaniments of crème fraiche, cayenne, lemon and sourdough.

For the main meal I chose a duo of spring lamb – what else at this time of year?

It came with roasted rump, braised shoulder croquettes, salt-baked celeriac and spinach.

The meat was lovely and tender and it was just the right amount.

My guest chose the 8oz dry aged sirloin steak, which was certainly something to behold.

A delicious large chunk of steak looked like any meat lover’s dream meal and it lived up to its promise, being just that, served with chips, tomato and watercress.

Again, for non-meat eaters there are plenty of fish and vegetarian options, including sea bass, moules mariniere, and pea and mint risotto.

Dessert was enjoyed in the form of a banoffee millefeuille and vanilla crème brulee.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard:

The snug, a mercifully short amble from the restaurant, is the perfect place to relax with a post-prandial glass of brandy or whisky.

Like the entrance and bar area below, bedrooms at The Porch House are a mixture of the old and the new. It can’t be easy to infuse such an ancient building with the comforts of modern living, get it wrong and you may lose what gives the hotel its charm and appeal.

Thankfully, the eras are blended well and wonderfully exposed wooden beams in a double-height bedroom, sit comfortably alongside Nespresso coffee machines.

The centrepiece of my room is a magnificent chandelier, which is ably supported by uplighters on the beams and together, they offer the soft tones that are perfect for such enviable accommodation.

The colour scheme is a perfect fit, with light carpets and duck egg green on the walls making for a restful, warming environment.

Behind the large headboard is a wall of exposed brick and to the right, a sofa and table with television just above, if you find the bed exhaustingly relaxing.

From the middle of the room I spied the first steps of a winding staircase, so I eagerly walked around the corner to find what further delights awaited upstairs.

A good rule to follow in old buildings with low ceilings is to mind your head wherever you go, and this is also the case here – make sure you clock the reminder before it’s too late.

The bathroom contains a large, claw foot bathtub to relax into. No shower as such, but a shower head is provided next to the taps.

A nice little touch was the lovingly-crafted and presented hand soaps, which are branded with the hotel’s name and beautifully wrapped in a tight little package.

Temple spa toiletries are similarly well-presented, in a cute, woven hand basket and the mirrors in the bathroom and main room are pleasingly ornate.

I also liked the retro radio, alarm clock and telephone on the desk.

Stow has always has been one of my favourite of the Cotswold towns and villages. Yes, it’s touristy but where isn’t around here, and its not as crowded as the likes of perennial favourite Bourton-on-the-Water with its busloads of visitors.

The market square is a lovely place to wander around, you won’t be short of cafes and although brand names are present, there is still a healthy number of independent shops to peruse throughout a relaxing day.

The Porch House is a perfect place to spend a night or weekend in Stow.

I started this review with talk of history but this hotel certainly has a bright future and who knows, it may well be around for another thousand years – although the staff may have changed by then.

T:01451 870 048

E: info@porch-house.co.uk

W:porch-house.co.uk