With its rolling hills, gentle streams and medieval bridges, The Oxfordshire Cotswolds is an abundant garden all to itself, but the outside space at The Old Cottage fits pretty snugly into the bucolic beauty.
The garden here is small but perfectly formed, with a backdrop beyond the stone walls of the rolling Cotswold hills. The garden room opens onto a terrace with table and chairs. Fire up the barbie, break out the steak, pluck your drinks from the wine fridges and clink your glasses to al-fresco living.
Find your own space at The Old Cottage to mingle, chill or chat. If cosy were a house, this would be it. Come together or be quietly apart in light, warm rooms that remind you of the importance of family and friends.
Pad barefoot across warmed floors in the garden room to relax on squishy sofas and take in the lawn, terrace, stone walls and the view beyond across the valley. Close the shutters for extra snugness and wiggle your toes in front of the log-burning stove in the lounge, or escape with a book to the study.
On fine days, you’ll want to be in the great outdoors, drinking in the clean air and the endless views. But if the clouds part, The Old Cottage has the perfect spaces to dig into the DVDs, pile into the popcorn and fire up a family film night. Waive the kids’ bedtime, keep them up for cards or charades and enjoy the lazy lie-in tomorrow.
Despite its contemporary beauty, life at The Old Cottage is all about rural simplicity. Meal times mean a trip to the local farm shop for hot baked bread, croissants, honey, cheeses and quiche. Say hello to the alpacas.
The kitchen is all set up for you to sizzle and shine. Create wholesome roasts and rustic stews served up on the farmhouse table that sits at the heart of the kitchen. Get everyone together, break some bread, pass the butter and pop a cork or two. Remember what family life should be like.
But if the lure of the air and the views is too strong, the barbie’s set to sizzle the steaks and sausages. Hang out on the terrace and drink it all in. If all that seems like too much trouble, call up our chefs, put your feet up and let us strut our culinary stuff on everything from a one-off celebration to a fully catered break.
Eating out? You won’t do much better than going gastro at The Falkland Arms, pan seared sea bass and roast pigeon breast have all helped to secure a Visit England award. And all just a highly satisfactory stagger away.
Sleeping six in three bedrooms, The Old Cottage mixes contemporary beauty with good old-fashioned cosy charm. Watch your head as you climb the stairs (this is a quaint and quirky grade II-listed cottage) and stake your claim.
The oak-floored master comes with king-sized bed and en-suite with rainshower. Down the corridor is another double, with views panning out over the Cotswolds, and next door is a twin – perfect for kids to break bedtime curfews with torches, books and sweets. Enjoy the lie-in. A stylish family bathroom completes the upstairs.
