Accomodation
My husband Charlie and I have two pubs in the Cotswolds, with eight bedrooms each: The Bull Inn at Charlbury and The Swan Inn at Ascott-under-Wychwood, which we opened in May this year. The feel of the latter is perhaps more boutique hotel than traditional pub; we've tried to instil a sense of English homeliness with lots of colour, texture and pattern. Each bedroom has been put together by a guest designer or design studio, including Oka (room 1), Penny Morrison (room 5) and Barneby Gates (room 8). Room 4, by Molly Mahon, features her block-printed 'Birds & Bees' wallpaper in pea green and, like several others, has a large bathtub in the bedroom. Double rooms start at £100, B&B.
Shopping
One of the most inspirational couples in the Cotswolds design world are Karen and Anthony Cull, who own and run Anton & K, specialising in Swedish and French decorative antiques. They have a warehouse near Winchcombe and have recently opened a pop-up shop at Daylesford, too. Station Mill Antiques Centre at Chipping Norton, where numerous sellers are found under one roof, has been a godsend for furnishing our two pubs, and I will always try to grab half an hour at the nearby Jaffé & Neale, my favourite bookshop, which also sells delicious coffee and cakes.
The Old Pill Factory at Witney and Antiques At Heritage in Woodstock are both great sources for interesting, quirky objects including china and glassware. I have a passion for lustreware jugs in particular. My guilty secret (you almost need to take out a mortgage before you go in) is The Store at Soho Farmhouse, where Alex Eagle curates a stunning collection of fashion, furniture, jewellery and design, including clothes by my all-time favourite designer Vita Kin. There's a good swimwear selection, too - handy when you've forgotten your cossie and want a dip in the Farmhouse's fabulous pool.
On Fridays, I'm always busy with my own pop-up shop at The Bull Inn, where I sell plants, vases, books and, of course, flowers - all sourced from local growers, including the inspirational The Land Gardeners. And, at weekends, I often take the children to Burford Garden Company, which, alongside plants and garden paraphernalia, sells old-fashioned, tasteful wooden toys - no pink nylon to be seen.
Food and Drink
Plants & Pilates in Woodstock prides itself on being the first solely plant-based eatery in the area. The food - raw and vegan - is delicious as well as good for you. Worton Organic Garden huge market garden, one of the best farm shops for miles and a lovely café lined with cookbooks and serving great coffee and homemade cake. Though I say it myself, for the best burgers and Bloody Marys (made from smoked vodka and served with crispy bacon), there's nowhere better than The Bull Inn - it's the dream hangover cure. And for a special night out, Pen Yen, the Japanese grill in the Boathouse at Soho Farmhouse is unbeatable.
