A romantic retreat on a stunning estate in the Cotswolds, this cottage is a wonderful place for two to enjoy and is a particularly special place for proposing or celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary or birthday.
Kipling Cottage is one of twelve luxury holiday cottages set within the peaceful grounds of an historic country estate near Chipping Norton in the Cotswolds. The cottage was formerly the cow barn of the manor house on the estate and is now a cosy, romantic hideaway for two. If you have a dog, you can bring him or her along too if you wish. Highlights include a gorgeous private garden, a luxurious freestanding bath and a lovely open fireplace, plus you will have access to the stunning estate gardens and shared luxury facilities including an indoor swimming pool, gym and spa.
The cottage has a unique charm that makes it a truly romantic place to stay if you’re looking for somewhere secluded, peaceful and very pretty.
Step through the front door into the open-plan drawing-room/dining-room/kitchen where you can get cosy on the sofa and, on chilly evenings, light the fire and snuggle up. Highlights here include an antique carved oak mantelpiece over which is a gilt-edged mirror, plus antique upholstered chairs.
The kitchen space is well-equipped for making everything from breakfast in bed to a three-course dinner. Carrara marble surfaces and a Belfast sink combine with essentials including a fridge/freezer, an oven and hob and a dishwasher. There’s a table in the middle of the kitchen which is perfect for enjoying laid-back meals together.
Climb the stairs, which are quite steep, that lead straight into the galleried bedroom which has a king-size, four-poster bed. The en-suite bathroom features a stunning, bateau-shaped bath with a shower over, a marble-topped washstand with basin, a WC, a heated towel-rail and a shaving point.
Outside, there is a secluded garden with a lawn and terrace where you can sit and eat, take shade under the umbrella, or light the barbecue to whip up a delicious lunchtime feast.
You’ll also have access to the estate’s stunning gardens which feature a mix of formal and informal elements, as well as the on-site shared facilities including the indoor swimming pool, spa and gym.
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.
