Overview

A very nice, clean, well maintained and pleasant hotel, on the High Street of the town centre, an ideal base for touring the Cotswolds. However, nice as it is, it is not a wheelchair friendly hotel, to many steps to contend with, no lift for bedrooms, although there are about six rooms available out in the courtyard area, very nice looking, but again without accessible facilities, so although a lovely hotel, we cannot recommend this for disabled travellers, thus the low stars count, but worthy of more stars for able bodied visitors. If you are able bodied though, or you can cope with a few steps, then go for it, you will not be disappointed. The property dates back to the 14th century, and used as a coaching inn for wool traders. The Noel Arms was originally called “The George” but changed to its present name of Noel Arms Hotel in 1819, and is now a grade 11 listed building. It is an old honey-coloured stone inn, and has indeed the charm and character that this lovely town of Chipping Campden can offer, and with history behind it, you will enjoy your coffee break here that is of course if you can cope with its many steps. It is situated just where it needs to be, right on the High Street, and opposite the main but small car park area. If you are staying overnight, then there is a small car park for you at the rear of the hotel, which you need to drive through the ancient archway just off the High Street. Today, it has a bar, a lovely restaurant, 28 bedrooms, although none are accessible, although they advertise room 28 on the ground floor has having a walk-in shower. But a few can be booked on the ground floor of the court yard, but this is not attached to the main hotel. As an old building, some of the bedrooms are small. As for dining here, they hold a good reputation of offering fine food, from breakfast, taken in its own restaurant, with a very good buffet spread provided, coffee break can be taken after ordering from “The Coffee shop” or you may enjoy lunch on wooden tables at the bar, or in The Dovers bar, a conservatory like building just inside the hotel and next to its open area dining area, or sit outside at many tables when the day is warmer, but smokers also use this space, and then dine for the evening at its pleasant little restaurant. OUR FINAL THOUGHTS, AND PHOTOS Overall, despite not being wheelchair friendly, if you can cope with a few steps, then we will recommend this hotel for you. Arriving at High Street, the main car park stands in the square (photo 1) opposite the hotel (photo 2) with charges, but the only disabled bay stands at the end of the row next to hotels entrance. ( If they charge for this we do not know, but we parked on it for over an hour and received no ticket. ) It is just a few feet to reach the front door, with a small step your carer needs to get you over, then a push pull door handle to get you inside. (photo 3) To your left you will find a lovely “Coffee Shop” where you can order, or sit and wait for service. However, you have to get down some steps to reach the seating areas, but these are comfortable enough, in pleasant surroundings (photo 4) and although not Hot, a nice cup of coffee is provided (photo 5). There is room for sitting to dine in at the dining area known as the conservatory, although no glass roof, but it is comfortable and pleasant (photo 7) but if you wish you could drink or eat outside in a very appealing terrace (photo 8). We sat inside at very comfortable lounge chairs (photo 9) leading to another dining area (photo 10) and just next to this is the passage that leads to the toilets (photo 11) and stairs for bedrooms. The toilets are basic, one marked for disabled (photo 12) which is clean and tidy, with grab bars and pull cord (photo 13) We found we had to leave wheelchair outside though, as small, with a door that needed to be pulled to get in. Opposite our seating by the coffee shop, a small passage leads to the bar (photo 14) and the very nice but small restaurant (photo 15) with a good reputation for its plain simple food, bought from local producers. Back up the steps again, and opposite the coffee shop, you will find the reception desk, plain and simple, but maned from morn till late (photo 16) The receptionist was very helpful, and took care of our needs. There are rooms available in the courtyard, six comfortable bedrooms (photo 17) but would be a bit of a let down if raining and you needed to get into the main hotel for dining, and one of these, stands opposite the terrace area (photo 18) All in all, a nice looking hotel, and for able bodied, we would certainly recommend it.

Transport & Parking

It is a lovely drive through northern areas of the Cotswold, and following our sat NAV directions, you will arrive along Park Road with old stone Cotswold atmosphere, before arrive at the Market place, which has a reasonable amount of parking spaces, but only one disabled spot, and that is by the library opposite the main car park itself. It is just a matter of feet then to reach the Hotel.

Access

Not an easy hotel, from a small step to enter the hotel, then a number of steps to sit at tables for coffee, and to enter the bar and restaurant areas. However, if you go out via it’s ancient archway, over to the right from its main entrance, and go down a slight slope to the rear of the hotel and it’s open air sitting area, then this may suit you well. There is no lift here, and bedrooms are not advertised as accessible, sitting areas all require you using steps, so bear this in mind.

Toilets

Once you are down on the lower level then toilets are available and one marked as disabled, and just about accessible, though we left wheelchair outside. It has a grab rail, and pull cords, but not to roomy in there. Very clean and tidy though.

Staff

Nice and friendly, and receptionist offered a full and kind honest thoughts as regards the accessible features of the hotel.

Photos