Single-storey. One king-size bedroom. Shower room with walk-in shower, basin and WC. Kitchen. Living/dining room
Central heating
Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge, dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer
TV, WiFi
Fuel and power inc in rent
Bed linen and towels inc in rent
Travel cot and highchair available
Large garden, terrace with table and chairs
Ample off-road parking
One well-behaved pet welcome
Sorry, no smoking
Shop 1.5 miles, pub 0.5 miles
Also known as Stow, Stow of Wedale translates to ‘holy place in the valley of the shrine’, which describes it perfectly. A small village in the Scottish Borders area, not far from England itself. The village is sat in a stunning valley, providing incredible panoramic views wherever you look. It is not only a pretty village, but also full of history, it was home to a 7th century castle, but now has just one that is from the 1400’s. Stow is also home to a rarely seen packhouse bridge, built in the 1650’s due to their wool and agriculture involvement. The village offers a shop, post office, bowling green and a traditional sweet shop with walls lined with jars of sweets. There is also a train station here allowing you to travel to Edinburgh if you wish, just 25 miles away. The charming village of Tweedbank is just a short drive away, a delightful place worth seeing.
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.
