Across road from the Old George, I entered the Eliot Arms and noted a much more sedate atmosphere. A huge old inn (although a stone on the higher ceilinged back half indicates it was added in 1990), it had some pleasant jazz piped in rather than inflicting an assault by television. I enjoyed a Sunbeam, citric and astringent, a beer I have had many times before (like the other offerings, Oxford Gold and–I think–Spitfire…both very good but the Sunbeam suited my palate for the day).
South Cerney is an old town, and I think when it was founded some Prince was going to party like it was 999. The Cotswold stone is in every bit of construction if only to put a façade on a clapboard structure but it gives the neighbourhood a unified look. The village is worth a bit of exploration and the proximity to the lakes of the Cotswold Water Park make this a likely stop for future trips.
