An airy, open-plan apartment that’s located within five acres of glorious grounds and provides an ideal base for a romantic retreat or a family getaway in the heart of the Cotswolds.
Located on a small private estate and one of five cottages within the grounds, Hawkins Loft provides a cosy place to stay in the pretty village of Kingham. Enjoy a bright open-plan living space with striking artwork and period furniture, a dining area that’s made for socialising and two comfortable bedrooms, each with their own bathrooms. Should you wish to explore the area, Stow-on-the-Wold and Moreton-in-Marsh are just a short drive away, while a selection of family-friendly activities can be enjoyed at Daylesford Farm and the Cotswold Water Park.
Upon entering the apartment, you’ll be greeted by an open-plan living space flooded with natural light and charming features. The lounge is equipped with two sumptuous sofas and a Smart TV, while the dining table comfortably seats six. When the sun is shining, open the Juliet balcony doors and admire the treetop canopy and birdsong with a glass of wine in hand.
Meanwhile, the fully-equipped kitchen contains everything needed to self-cater with ease including a fridge/freezer, oven, four-ring hob and dishwasher.
There are two airy bedrooms, including a double bedroom with a large shower room next door, and a zip-and-link twin bedroom with a large en-suite shower room and double-ended bath. Two further single beds can be added to this room if required.
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.
