The Lygon Arms, Worcestershire

Steve Pirone, Head concierge

Have you always worked at the Lygon?

Actually I just came back to the at the end of March - I was working in London for 16 months, but felt like a robot. Life in London can be a rat race and I was away from my family during the week, which was also difficult. Luckily the new manager at the Lygon called me and I decided to return to the Cotswolds for the quality of life: it was like going home.

I started at the Lygon Arms in 1990 and once you have been there for a while it gets into your bloodstream.

Any famous guests?

We don't have as many overseas visitors as the London hotels, but over the years I have met pop stars, Hollywood film stars and an ex-President. During the week we get a lot of corporate guests and at the weekend people come for the leisure activities. The Japanese and Americans love it.

Any unusual requests?

When people come out to the country they want to do things like hot-air ballooning and horse and carriage rides. However one lady did ask whether we knew a farmer. She wanted to give her husband a present of an afternoon's shepherding with some sheep and a dog. Fortunately there was no problem and we also provided a picnic and champagne.

What about a day out?

We don't book sightseeing tours but tailor private tours instead. Many people have computer printouts from the internet these days with lists of the places they want to visit. Stratford, Warwick and Stowe are popular, but I prefer to send people off on to the B-roads. There are lots of lovely little villages, like Blockley, Paxford and Ford, as well as gardens, stately homes and castles. There are also quite a few speed cameras which I warn guests about! We recently organised a late-afternoon horse and carriage ride for an American gentleman. When he got back he told us that it had made his holiday and that he had felt like royalty.

What about a night out?

Broadway is a small village so the options are quite limited. The hotel's brasserie and restaurant are both excellent and most guests eat in one or the other. There is a Greek and Italian restaurant in Chipping Camden, and an Indian in Broadway. Stratford is only 25 minutes away so the Royal Shakespeare Company theatres are always popular. Guests usually have some champagne before they go, and a candlelit supper when they get back. There is a small cinema in Evesham, but it is not one we recommend. It doesn't seem to have changed since the Seventies.

• The Lygon Arms: 01386 852 255

• Royal Shakespeare Theatre: 01789 403 403