Ideal for a family, this cottage is a delightful abode that exudes laid-back English country house style fused with fun. There’s a play den in the drawing room, plus access to shared play areas and an indoor swimming pool.
Barrett Browning Cottage is one of twelve luxury holiday cottages set within the peaceful grounds of an historic country estate near Chipping Norton in the Cotswolds. Barrett Browning Cottage was part of the stable block of the manor house on the estate and is now a cosy abode that sleeps six. Several factors make a stay here extra special. Guests of all cottages have access to the stunning private gardens, an indoor swimming pool, gym and spa, as well as a host of play areas to suit children of all ages. The aim is to make you feel like you are staying in a 5-star country house hotel, so expect attention to detail and luxury touches, however, you’ll enjoy the privacy, independence and space that a home affords.
A former stable, Barrett Browning Cottage is a family-friendly cottage that oozes English country style with pretty, soft furnishings and interesting antiques, yet is very homely.
Step through the front door into the drawing room, a large space adorned with pictures, 18th-century engravings, table lamps, antique furniture, books and stencilled walls. Sink into one of the plush sofas, one of which is Victorian, or the comfy armchair. There’s a Smart TV for entertainment and children will love rummaging in the sideboard which is full of toys and board games. Meanwhile, the door under the stairs leads to a secret den, strictly for children, that’s bursting with dressing up outfits.
On chilly days, light the open fire, but when it’s a good weather day, open the French doors that lead out to the secluded terrace. Here you’ll find a table, chairs, an umbrella and a barbecue so that you can cook up a feast and dine alfresco. You won’t feel overlooked as there’s a large border to each side of the terrace and it faces the lawn and the walled garden of the estate grounds.
From the drawing room, head into the oak-beamed kitchen/dining room where standout pieces include an antique pine dresser set with eye-catching blue-and-white china, while the dining table has seating for six. There’s everything you will need to keep your family suitably fed and watered, including an American-style fridge-freezer, a hob, an oven and a microwave, as well as a dishwasher and washer/dryer.
Upstairs, there is a master bedroom which has a king-size, four-poster bed and an en-suite bathroom with a bath and a shower over it. Two further bedrooms each have two single beds and these bedrooms share a family bathroom that has a bath with a shower over.
You’ll also have access to the estate’s stunning gardens which feature a mix of formal and informal elements, the perfect place for a quiet stroll. There’s also access to shared facilities including an indoor swimming pool, spa and gym, as well as several children’s play areas and a games room that’s ideal for teens.
The Cotswolds is a richly rural area with more than 3,000 footpaths and trails running through farmland and wildflower meadows, as well as ancient woodlands to explore.
For woodland birds, Box Wood tucked away in a valley near Minchinhampton is well worth a visit. Comprised mainly of beech, with some limestone streams running through it, in summer it becomes alive with birds. Listen out for great-spotted woodpeckers and tawny owls, and keep your eyes peeled for treecreepers and nuthatches as they run up and down the trees.
More woods can be found on Crickley Hill jointly managed by the National Trust and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. Located just south of Cheltenham its habitats also include grassland, scrub, and limestone rock exposures. Mixed flocks of tits and finches are common in the woods, while kestrels can often be seen hovering above as they hunt for prey. In summer, the site is also a haven for wildflowers and butterflies.
Cotswold Water Park which straddles the Gloucestershire and Wiltshire border is a vast marl lake system spread over 42 miles. Cleveland Lakes Reserve is made up of two of the largest lakes and is an important site for both wintering and breeding birds including coots, great crested grebes, and little egrets. For bitterns, reed buntings, water rails, and snipes, head to Shorncote Reedbed which also has two bird hides so you can view the wildlife close up.
If you want to see some exotic and rare birds, Birdland in Bourton-on-the-water has a variety of attractions set in nine acres of gardens and woodland. Some of the highlights include the Parliament of Owls, home to eight species of owl, the Pandemonium of Parrots, where you can learn about the 16 species of parrot housed there, and Penguin Shore which has daily feeding displays. There are plenty of spots to have a picnic, as well as a children’s play area, and a gift shop.
Nearby Greystones Farm nature reserve is home to wildflower meadows, Iron Age ramparts, a replica Iron Age roundhouse, a working organic farm, and an interactive discovery barn. The old farm buildings are used by swallows and house martins for nesting and there are plenty of birds of prey to be spotted gliding overhead. There is also the opportunity to view a live camera feed of a barn owl box, and watch the birds as they bring up their chicks.
Farmland birds can be found all over the beautiful Cotswolds countryside. Look out for corn buntings, grey partridges, turtle doves, and yellow wagtails.
