The Fuzzy Duck Hotel

Ilmington Rd, Armscote, Stratford-upon-Avon

Where better to commemorate the 400th year of Shakespeare’s death than The Fuzzy Duck, a stone’s throw from Stratford-upon-Avon? The owners have transformed this former 18th-century blacksmith’s shop into a stylish pub, restaurant and hotel that makes an ideal base for exploring the bard’s hometown and the pristine Cotswolds countryside. While away the afternoon with a jug of Mad Goose ale in the tartan armchairs by the fire or sniff out the connoisseurs’ cabinet, a refined collection of whiskies (including plenty of interesting Japanese), before moving into the airy dining room for a menu of seasonal dishes based on the Cotswolds’ luscious natural larder. Perfectly cooked scotch duck egg makes for a satisfying starter, while rump of lamb with crispy breast, niçoise potato and red wine sauce is a rich feast of tastes and textures. There are just four luxurious bedrooms, all decorated in soothing shades of pearl and dove gray. King-size beds are cloud-like masses of silk, faux-fur and cotton, and if you fancy a nip there’s even a decanter of sherry on standby; reach for your Complete Works and it’s the
sort of set-up that sees a lie-in last all day. IL. Doubles from £110