Vibrant market town has hotel with best breakfast in the country and award-winning attraction
A HISTORIC market town in the Cotswolds has the best hotel breakfast in the country.
Located in Gloucestershire, Cirencester is known because of its Roman origins and polo games.
The UK town can now list another claim to fame after The Kings Head Hotel in Cirencester was named as having the best hotel breakfast in the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2025.
With an inn standing on the site of the hotel since the 14th century, it’s no surprise to find that The Kings Head Hotel leans into its history, with a Roman mosaic on display in the reception area.
The boutique hotel also has an underground spa as well as two cellars that are exclusively used for comedy nights, wine tastings and live music performances.
There are 66 bedrooms in the hotel and 10 apartments.
Each room has been decorated with vintage furniture and some feature huge open fireplaces.
Afternoon tea is served between 1.30pm and 4pm, with advance booking essential.
There are also two on-site restaurants; one is the Kings Head Hotel Restaurant, and the other is MBB Brasserie, where local produce is served.
It also has a Local Deli and Wine Shop where guests can buy bottles of wine, local cheeses, cured meats and bread.
The Kings Head Hotel has a 4/5 star rating on TripAdvisor from thousands of reviews, with one guest writing: “
Another guest added: “We visited for the ‘relax and revive’ spa and afternoon tea package.
“This was a much-needed treat and we couldn’t have been happier at the lovely service we encountered. Lovely big room in a hotel full of character and in a fantastic location for exploring the town”.
Sun Online Travel have found overnight stays starting from £145 per person.
Dating back to Roman times, history enthusiasts will want to visit the award-winning Corinium Museum.
The Corinium Museum houses a large collection of ancient artefacts that were found in the local area like Roman mosaics and Anglo-Saxon jewellery.
There’s also the New Brewery Arts, a former Victorian Brewery that’s been converted into a contemporary art gallery with a cafe and gift shop.
Visitors can watch craftspeople like glass blowers, textile artists, ceramicists, upholsterers, bookbinders and jewellers as they work.
The art gallery is open from Monday to Saturday, with visitors able to drop in at any time between 9am and 5pm.
Cirencester is also known for its summer polo games thanks to the Bathurst Estate, which is home to Cirencester Park Polo Club.
It’s believed to be one of the best polo clubs in the country, with tournaments usually held on Sundays.
There are lots of things to do near Cirencester, including the world-famous Westonbirt Arboretum near Tetbury, the Cotswold Wildlife Park in Burford, and the Cotswold Country Park and Beach part of the Cotswold Water Park.
Cheltenham, Gloucester, Swindon and Oxford are also nearby.
Cirencester is a two-hour drive from London and it’s a 58-minute drive from Bristol.
Three other places to visit in the Cotswolds
THE Cotswolds, known for its picturesque villages and rolling hills, offers numerous charming destinations. Here are three other places to visit:
Bourton-on-the-Water
Often referred to as the “Venice of the Cotswolds,” this village is famous for its beautiful low bridges over the River Windrush, scenic streets, and attractions like the Cotswold Motoring Museum and Birdland Park and Gardens.
Bibury
Described by William Morris as “the most beautiful village in England,” Bibury is renowned for its quaint stone cottages along Arlington Row, the tranquil River Coln, and the picturesque Bibury Trout Farm.
Stow-on-the-Wold
This historic market town offers a quintessential Cotswold experience with its charming market square, antique shops, historic inns, and the impressive St. Edward’s Church, famous for its unique door flanked by ancient yew trees.
Another tiny village in the UK has been compared to a retro 1940s film set.
And an abandoned village in England only opens to tourists once a year.