A hotel described as one of the finest buildings in Bourton-on-the-Water has changed hands following a deal brokered by Colliers International.

Classic Cotswolds property The Dial House has been snapped up by the Barons Eden Group, which operates some highly individual businesses including Hoar Cross Hall Spa Hotel, Eden Hall Day Spa and Huxleys café.

Director Adrian Pearson from Barons Eden said: "While we operate in different parts of the hospitality and leisure industry our basic concept is high-quality service in distinctive surroundings.

"They don't get much more distinctive than The Dial House - situated in a lovely Cotswolds town in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

"This is a great opportunity with strong footfall and from the company point of view it has many facets."

Mr Pearson said The Dial House was trading well and would continue to be run as a boutique hotel "with the odd tweak", with the option of further investment through a soft refurbishment later.

The 15-bedroom Grade II listed hotel (pictured) was built in 1698 and was on the market at £1.95million for the freehold.

Colliers International hotels director Peter Brunt, who has sold dozens of hotels across the area over the last couple of years, said The Dial House was very much the jewel in the crown.

"It was a very confidential sale but generated an awful lot of interest as Bourton-on-the-Water is one of the top three most visited towns in the Cotswolds," he said.

"The Dial House has a lovely wide frontage that really catches the eye and has arguably the best view of the River Windrush, which serenely drifts under the many low bridges of the town.

"It is hard to imagine a nicer hotel in a better position for year-round profitable trade. In addition to the wonderful honey-walled house there is an acre of gardens offering further scope for sympathetic development."