Family Friendly Courtyard Cottage in the Cotswolds
- Internet Access
- Log Fire
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Golf nearby
- Horse Riding
- Tennis
- Walking
Nestled in the idyllic Cotswolds village of Ilmington, this lovingly restored cottage offers comfort and character in a peaceful rural setting. Original antique furnishings combine with contemporary features to create a soothing atmosphere.
This courtyard cottage retains its traditional style with modern comforts - the sitting room and hall with wooden floors and antique rugs, a country kitchen and an open log fire, and as a result it has a unique and warming ambience. The owners aim to offer you a cottage which makes you feel truly welcome– the fire is laid for your arrival, there is a collection of books for you to browse and borrow, the bedding is soft and comfy, folders of information on the local area are on hand, a welcome pack including homemade bread and jam and a bottle of wine is provided, and the rooms are filled with fresh flowers. Many past visitors have confessed to falling in love with the cottage and this beautiful part of the world, so much so that they have been reluctant to leave! Perfect for allergy sufferers as no pets allowed (sorry to those of you with pets).
The pretty village of Ilmington sits within the Ilmington Downs on the Warwickshire/Gloucestershire border. There are 2 pubs within a short walk of the cottage, the award-winning Howard Arms and the Red Lion, both of which serve excellent food and local beer, and the village is also home to a village shop, a sports club, , a children’s playground, and tennis courts. The picturesque surroundings make this perfect walking and cycling countryside, and you can also golf, horse ride and fish within a 10 mile radius. The gardens at Hidcote Manor, just 3 miles away, are well worth a visit, but there are numerous other historic monuments and National Trust properties in the area, not least Upton House and the renowned Warwick Castle. The theatres of Stratford-upon-Avon are a short drive away, there are museums and art galleries to explore, places like the Cotswold Wildlife Park and Birdland Park and Gardens will keep everyone happy, and there is always a farmer’s market or a village fête to get involved in.
Getting There:
The nearest rail station is Moreton-in-Marsh (8 miles) and the train from here to London takes just 1.5 hours (the drive takes around 2 hours). Stratford-upon-Avon rail station is also around 8 miles from the cottage, and Banbury is slightly further. There are 4 airports within easy reach – London Heathrow is 1.5 hours away, Birmingham is 45 minutes, Nottingham East Midlands is 1hr 15 and Bristol and Luton both 1hr 50, and Stansted and Gatwick are within a 2.5 hour drive. The village of Ilmington is located between Shipston on Stour and Chipping Campden and detailed driving directions will be given upon booking.
Nearest Airport:
Birmingham 45 minutes
Nearest Train Station:
Moreton-in-Marsh 8 miles
Nearest Restaurant:
Howard Arms and Red Lion pubs in the village
Nearest Shop:
In the village
Nearest Market:
Tues Moreton in Marsh 8 miles Fri Stratford 7 mls
Car Hire:
Advised
Interior Details
The cottage has 2 bedrooms, one super king (Austrian twin make up) and one twin, and 2 bathrooms, one with a bath and one with a shower. The large kitchen is well equipped with modern appliances including Nespresso machine, a big table and French doors which open onto the garden, and the sitting room has a fireplace, comfortable furniture and a 40 inch TV, as well as a DVD player and lots of DVDs, classic board games and jigsaws for rainy days and evenings in, and a music system. You can beam your subscriptions to Netflix, Amazon etc. onto the TV from your device. Wifi access is unlimited. There is an emergency landline phone in the cottage as mobile reception in the village is poor.
Exterior Details
The kitchen leads out to a small private garden with garden furniture, an umbrella, a BBQ and fresh herbs for the cook, growing in the flower beds. There is a table tennis table in the garage and parking for 2 cars outside the front door. The entrance to the cottage and the main house is shared but a raised roundabout with a cherry tree separates the two properties from one another.
Conditions of Rental
Changeover day is usually Saturday and stays are subject to a weekly minimum most of the year. Short breaks are available in low season, with a three night minimum. Arrival time is 4pm and departure time is 10am. A deposit of 25% of the full rental amount is required to secure the booking, together with the return of the booking form agreeing to the terms and conditions (both will be emailed to you and the procedure can be carried out entirely online). The balance is due 12 weeks in advance of arrival. No smoking. Children over 5 years are welcome. Be aware that the staircase to the bedrooms is quite steep. No pets. Maximum occupancy is 4. When you arrive you will find home baked bread, homemade jam and biscuits, tea and coffee, a bottle of wine and some candles waiting for you in the kitchen. The owners live close by (within the grounds) and although they will leave you completely alone if you wish they are also available to give advice and answer questions if required.
