Working Away in Tetbury: The Ormond at Tetbury, and the Questions I Still Want Answered

I wrote this one from a bed that wasn't mine: The Ormond at Tetbury, booked at short notice because a client wanted me on site.

The room, and why it beat the chain down the road

I packed a bag on a Sunday night, said goodbye at the school gate, and spent Monday morning working out where the nearest decent sandwich shop was. The pin is here if you want a look: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wkT9Xowr1FSGQtuLA?g_st=ac. It's a quaint old place, low beams, lots of floors, the sort of room where the kettle sits on a chest of drawers that's older than the building it's in. I paid less than £70 per night, which for a room this close to the job is hard to argue with.

I usually end up in a chain thst ryhtmes with Billage when I'm working near Malemsbury. Identical carpets, a window that doesn't open, breakfast in a bag. The Ormond at Tetbury is the opposite: small, full of character, and the person on reception personally took me to my room and gave me the full run down of everything.

What I look for in a hotel when I'm away for work

Every working parent has a list. Mine is short:

• Somewhere to park that doesn't cost more than the room

• Wifi that works in the room, not just the lobby

• A walkable pub or takeaway, because I'm not driving after a full day on site

• A proper kettle and actual milk

• Quiet by 10pm, because I'm up at half six

This one scored on all five. The parking is round the corner, and the bar downstairs shuts at 10ish, which is fine by me.

Three evenings in a town I don't know

I have three evenings to fill and no intention of spending them watching whatever was on the telly in the room.

My criteria:

• Where would you eat within walking distance? Nothing fancy, just a good plate of food and a pint.

• Is there a golf course within twenty minutes with a reasonable price per round? Unfortunately I didnt have the clubs in the boot and a free minute.

• Is there anything worth a look that's open after 6pm? A museum, a decent walk, a bit of local history, anything.

• Where do I get a proper coffee before 7am?

I said I would add whatever came back to the post afterwards, so it became useful for the next person stuck in a hotel in Tetbury on a Tuesday night. That still stands.

The quiet bit of working away from home

The bit nobody warns you about isn't the travel. It's the evenings. At home, if im not working late, it's dinner and bedtime after a full run down of everyone's day.

But for now, it’s work, Dave on tv and maybe a pint.

Over to you, again

Leave a comment with your recommendations for Tetbury, or email me through the contact page if you would rather not post publicly. Food, golf, a decent walk, a good café: all welcome.

And the hotel photos are still owed. It's a lovely little room at a good price, and places like this deserve a mention.

Related: Our Family Visit to York