This thoughtfully restored cottage promises a peaceful getaway, whether you’re seeking a base for exploring historic towns and Cotswold villages, enjoying scenic countryside walks, or simply relaxing in the beautiful garden.
The Old Post Office has been beautifully restored to retain its historical character while offering contemporary style. Traditional features such as exposed beams, charming fireplace and the original staircase remain, giving a strong sense of heritage. At the same time, modern design elements bring a light and airy feel, particularly in the open-plan kitchen and dining space that flows onto the outdoor decking. The tiered garden, complete with a large lawn and peaceful stream, offers a truly relaxing backdrop for your stay.
The ground floor welcomes you with an airy open-plan living space, combining the dining and kitchen areas. Here you’ll find a stylish breakfast bar, an electric cooker with range, microwave, fridge, and dishwasher. Bi-fold doors open directly onto a decking area, inviting the outdoors in and filling the room with natural light.
For moments of relaxation, the cottage offers multiple sitting rooms, each with its own character. One features a smart TV and a cosy wood burner, while another provides a peaceful retreat with an open fire, perfect for unwinding with a book. A utility room equipped with a freezer, washing machine and tumble dryer provides practicality, and a ground-floor toilet adds convenience.
Upstairs, the master bedroom offers a king-size bed, smart TV and a luxurious en-suite bathroom complete with both a bath and a separate shower cubicle. The second bedroom also features a king-size bed and smart TV. Meanwhile, the hallway bathroom features a shower over the bath.
The outdoor spaces are just as enchanting as the interiors. At the rear of the cottage, a tiered garden unfolds with a variety of areas to enjoy throughout the day. Step out onto the terrace from the kitchen and settle into the seating area with a morning coffee or an evening glass of wine, all while taking in the views across the surrounding countryside. Pathways lead down through landscaped levels to a large lawn, offering plenty of space for relaxation or play. At the foot of the garden sits a charming summerhouse beside a peaceful stream, creating the perfect spot for quiet reflection or reading on warm afternoons.
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.
