King-size bed. Ground-floor bathroom witthwalk-in shower, basin, heated towel rail and WC. Open-plan living space with kitchen, dining area, and sitting area
The village of Colerne is situated in the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in west Wiltshire, close to both Chippenham and Bath. The village has a Post Office, shops, pubs and a village hall. Close by is the town of Corsham, which offers a vibrant weekly market, and is renowned for its numerous Grade ll listed limestone buildings, many of which have been used as locations for TV series and films. Locally, Corsham Court is well worth a visit where the impressive art collection can be admired or visitors can enjoy the scenic parkland, designed by Capability Brown. Easily accessible is the stunning city of Bath, where there is so much on offer, catering for all tastes, from the magnificent architecture of the Georgian terraces to the celebrated Roman Baths and wonderful abbey. With ample opportunities to eat out, or indulge in a bit of retail therapy, you really are spoilt for choice. Alternatively, take the short drive to the 13th-century village of Lacock, or to Castle Combe, once named England’s prettiest village. Colerne provides visitors with a charming base from which to explore this diverse area.
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.
