We journeyed to Cirencester for a break. There's was nothing about the town that particularly attracted us other than that it wasn't london. We wanted to walk down streets we didn't know, get coffee from someone who didn't know our names and generally just tumble into anonymity for a few days.
We picked No 12 because we liked the look of the sleigh beds and the roll top bath, and because one of the reviews talked about an establishment scented with Diptyque candles. Perhaps not the most scientific of reasons but everyone's different.
When we arrived we were tired and it was dark, and walking inside the quaint townhouse on a typical Cotswolds esque street was like stepping into a hug. This is how most of the stay here felt - it was warm, comfortable and undemanding, like going back home only without the questions about when a grandchild is going to be produced or why you're still smoking at your age.
Our room, Room One, was positioned at the front the of house with possibly the biggest bed we had ever slept in (that's no joke - at one point when I woke in the night I couldn't even see my other half). Thickly carpeted floors, double glazed windows, beautiful vintage wallpaper and the heaviest of curtains make you feel like you're back in age when we didn't purchase everything from Ikea. The toilet was kind of in the wardrobe, which was slightly odd and not too private, but no doubt a space saving design and one that didn't intrude that much on comfort. The bath was in the bedroom - a thick shower curtain providing some privacy - with an immense shower, with the kind of jungle head that makes you feel ridiculously energised afterwards. The only thing I didn't like about the room was the picture above the bed - a woman cowering (in my interpretation anyway) which if you believe in that sort of thing seems like very bad relationship feng shui to place over a bed.
Cirencester itself is pretty enough - a sanitised version of a Cotswolds town with plenty of places to get a latte and a couple of wonderfully posh deli style restaurants where I had a lovely carpaccio of beef and sparkling crisp prosecco. But it was for No 12 that we had journeyed here and that's where we spent most of our time. If you're the kind of person who marks a B&B by its breakfasts then the spread on offer at No12 is top notch. Even when we arrived two minutes from the end of breakfast on the first morning they were still willing to make us something hot (and were nice about it).
I would highly recommend No 12 if you're visiting c=Cirencester - or anywhere in the Cotswolds - or if you're just looking for an escape. An hour from London then ten minutes in a taxi and you can immerse yourself in Diptyque fragrances, great bacon and the biggest bed on earth.
