A stylish village pub in the heart of the Cotswolds has been put on the market.

The Horse and Groom pub, an archetypal English village inn at Upper Oddington, near Stow-on-the-Wold, is up for sale with Colliers International for £850,000 for the freehold.

The building is believed to date from 1580 and is built of Cotswold stone with exposed stone walls, flagstones and hefty beams throughout. It has seven letting rooms and is very well presented.

Peter Brunt, a director with Colliers International's Hotels team, said its location and facilities underlined the Horse and Groom's recent form as a respected gastro-pub.

"This style of business has brought a great deal of success in recent years. This delightful old Cotswold stone building creates exactly the right ambience which has boosted its reputation."

Peter Brunt said it wasn't simply a good-looking country pub.

"It is also a great business. A cosy yet contemporary bar and restaurant plus seven pretty letting bedrooms adds up to a first-class package in a highly sought-after part of the country.

"Within a few miles there are a number of similar businesses, including the King's Head at Bledington, the Fox at Lower Oddington, The Kingham Plough and several in Stow itself, all regularly packed out and all highly successful operations.

"It is a wealthy area, exactly the right sort of place to support an up-market pub like this, so although this is the heart of the Cotswolds and a great favourite with tourists, most of the trade is derived from regular customers, many of whom drive a long way to get to the Horse and Groom."

The vendors bought the property at the end of 2016 to add to a small portfolio but it is very much the smallest of their sites.

"They recognised that its location was pretty well unbeatable but the management time it takes is at least as great as their larger hotels and therefore the return on effort much less. As a result, they have decided to sell," said Mr Brunt.

"Quality freeholds like these are rarely available, so this is a wonderful opportunity for buyers to acquire one of the very best pubs in the Cotswolds."

The Grade II listed property has four public areas including a bar and stylish restaurant. The two other rooms are flexible and can be used as further dining or lounge spaces. There is seating for a total of about 86. The décor is stylish and creates a wonderfully welcoming atmosphere.

Peter Brunt said his clients had discussed the possibility of developing the pub to add 15 further letting bedrooms.

"While no application has been submitted, we understand that the feedback to such an application was positive."