STAY
The best stays in the Cotswolds
The best way to experience life as a local in The Cotswolds is by booking a self-catering stay in a Cotswolds village or town. There is nothing like waking up on a brisk winters morning than in the cosy embrace of a charming Cotswold home. We’ve rounded up our favourite stays, those countryside escapes you keep going back to, a new home away from home.
BY ARCHIE CAWTHRA
27 February 2024
1/14
The Lodge, Down Ampney
Pull up to this glorious countryside escape and you’ll instantly fall in love. This gorgeously golden-hued Cotswold stone retreat for ten is simply magical, offering a blissfully tranquil escape from the every day complete with heated swimming pool, bubbling hot tub, cinema room and games room.
Sleeping ten in five bedrooms, three of which are en suite, this is a wonderful getaway for family get togethers or friends looking to meet up, whether it’s celebrating something special or simply to spend much needed quality time together. There’s plentiful living space inside and out, including three dining areas, so you’ll always have room for everyone whatever time of year it is.
The Lodge, Church Lane, Down Ampney, Cirencester, GL7 5QW
2/14
Armada Cottage, Charlbury
Behind the outwardly traditional stone façade of Armada Cottage lies a stylish and unique retreat filled with earthy hues and natural tones. Elegant styling and a mix of unfussy antiques and modern comforts allow the original features and natural charm of the cottage to shine.
Set over three floors, you’ll find a cosy living room and hand-built kitchen on the ground floor, a beautiful king-size bedroom and bathroom on the first floor, and a gorgeous master suite on the top floor with a super-king-size bed and roll-top bath with views of the church spire. The super-king-size bed can be split into twin beds if required. Wifi runs throughout, smart TVs are located in the sitting room & both bedrooms, and there is also a smart speaker on the 1st floor landing. Books, board games and a travel cot are all here for you to enjoy
Thames Street, Charlbury OX7 3QQ
3/14
Laurel Cottage, Southrop
Set in the picturesque village of Southrop, you will find this heavenly, golden-hued abode. Welcoming up to four guests, it's the perfect base for exploring the Cotswolds, with delightful neutral interiors, a cosy wood burning stove and a heart-warming open fire.
Savour delicious meals from the award-winning Thyme family restaurants, The Swan and The Ox Barn, both of which are within walking distance from Laurel Cottage. The picture-perfect towns of Burford, Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water are well worth a visit and are only a short drive away, with pretty boutiques and enchanting scenery.
Southrop, Lechlade GL7 3NU
4/14
Spring Cottage, Shipton-under-Wychwood
Spring Cottage is a Cotswold stone property in an idyllic and enviably quiet location on the edge of the village, with a beautiful outlook over neighbouring gardens to fields beyond. It has many character features including exposed beams and timbers, stripped pine floors and doors, painted stone walls and an attractive fireplace. A delightful and peaceful country retreat to relax with your family.
Simons Ln, Shipton-under-Wychwood, Chipping Norton OX7 6DQ
5/14
The Studio, Middle Duntisbourne
Surrounded by trees and sitting on the edge of the River Dunt, The Studio is the perfect place for couples to relax and explore The Cotswolds. Situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, along a very quiet country lane in a peaceful hamlet, The Studio is exceptionally well located and offers the best of both worlds with country walks on the doorstep and breath taking views over the rolling hills, yet still within easy reach of Cirencester, Bibury, Stow-on-the Wold and Cheltenham.
Near Cirencester GL7 7AR
6/14
Inkwell Cottage, Fubrook
On the outside, this pretty cottage built from The Cotswolds’ trademark honeyed stone, complete with twin chimneys and climbing roses framing the front door, looks as though it’s as sweet on the inside as warm cherry pie. But be fooled not, there’s not an ounce of twee between Inkwell Cottage’s walls. Handcrafted, atelier in style and ever-so fun, this self-catering home near Burford is a pocketful of luxury throwing all conventionality out of its mullion windows.
Filled to the brim with playful fixtures and salient artwork made by friends, becoming acquainted with Inkwell Cottage is akin to meeting the most bodacious character in the room; witty, lively and overflowing with charisma. Kick off shoes at the door and breeze into the kitchen to put on a pot of coffee, before padding through the courtyard at the back of the cottage and into the artists’ studio, where a chaise-lounge and pile of books tempts guests to forget about the outside world. This modern retreat blows the cobwebs from traditional luxury Cotswolds cottages with vigour.
Fulbrook, Burford, Oxfordshire
7/14
Prosper, Chipping Campden
Contemporary interiors and understated luxury beckon for an exquisite staycation, with four ensuite bedrooms welcoming up to eight guests. There's ample space for relaxing and hosting at Prosper, with a large kitchen and dining space, plus a Morso wood burning stove in both the lounge and snug, promising cosy moments fireside in the colder months.
A retreat for all seasons, the outside space is simply sensational, with a large, manicured lawn, outdoor dining space, electric wood-fired hot tub and a 10m heated outdoor pool, which is available from April to September. Should you wish to pull yourself away from Prosper's captivating beauty, the postcard pretty Cotswold towns of Broadway and Chipping Campden are only a short drive away, with a host of award-winning restaurants, independent boutiques and delis filled with delicious treats to take back to your retreat for lavish banquets with your loved ones.
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8/14
ARC, Painswick
With a commanding view of Gloucestershire’s miraculous Five Valleys, Painswick bears a notable history and heritage to match the inescapable beauty that encompasses the town. Built on the foundations of its own legendary stone, and grown from its chronicled wool trade, the characterful town takes you back to a simpler time, warmed by the narrowed streets and familiar cottages we’ve grown up to consider quintessentially British.
True to its Cotswold heritage, ARC Painswick takes the form of Cardynham house, a 15th Century Wool merchants Manor house found at the heart of the town, restored to its ancestral beauty and embellished with modern comforts to create a homely, hearty and halcyon juxtaposition of the classic and the contemporary. Architecturally arranged around the internal courtyard at the core of the estate, ARC Painswick has a tidal movement to its layout, with each room sat in harmony with the next – crafting an intimacy, friendliness and serene ambience across the manor.
Tibbiwell Ln, Painswick, Stroud GL6 6XX
9/14
Four Hundred Summers, Bibury
With walls of random tumbled limestone and an ashlar chimney that sends hail-fellow smoke signals curling above the gable roof, arriving at Four Hundred Summers has all the feeling of flapjack-scented homecoming. Vegetables turn plump in a Victorian greenhouse, yew hedging makes foliate compartments of the topiaries, and a hot tub brings Nordic clout to what is otherwise an utterly quintessential luxury Cotswolds cottage in Ablington.
10/14
Lavender, Bath
Nestled in a pretty village in the rolling Wiltshire countryside, Lavender, originally a schoolhouse, is simply a dream come true. Living up to its country-cottage setting it feels delightfully cosy inside, yet is deceptively spacious, sleeping up to ten lucky guests.
Step through the door and you'll discover an enchanting home which epitomises laid-back luxury and country living charm. With exposed butter-rich Cotswold stone walls, underfloor heating, classic furniture and gorgeous interiors, this is a blissful homestay, whether you're there for a weekend or longer.
Outside, the spectacular, beautifully manicured gardens offer additional living spaces during warmer weather with three separate dining areas, whilst two wood burners, a snug and a cinema makes Lavender perfect for a wintery break too.
Perfectly positioned in its rural setting, Lavender is also just a short drive away from some fabulous places to visit such as Bath and the glorious Cotswolds. Under two hours from London and just under half an hour from Bath, this is the perfect getaway for families and friends wanting to spend time together.
11/14
Bank House, Fairford
Originally home to Capital & Counties Bank in the 1800s, Bank House has been transformed throughout as a spacious getaway for families exploring the Cotswolds. Located on Fairford High Street, shops, restaurants and scenic trails are in very short walking distance.
Passing through the striking entrance hall leads to a reading and board game room. The original bank vault located underneath has been reimagined as a private cinema & games room.
The first floor is home to a very well-equipped kitchen, open-plan dining/living space with striking artwork from London’s Maddox Gallery and local artists, and a large seating area with TV. The dining room boasts a large, reclaimed teak monastery table.
The second floor boasts two adjacent super-king bedrooms and modern bathroom. Both bedrooms offer luxury Mattison Beds, soft gowns, and calming pillow spray. Bedroom 2 is furnished with two full-size single beds and can be made into a super king bed on request.
12/14
Coachman’s House, Lower Oddington
The old farmhouse overlooks Lower Oddington village, which itself is steeped in history, dating back to at least Anglo-Saxon times.
The oldest part of Coachman’s House was built in the seventeenth century from local oolitic limestone, formed in the seabed 200 million years ago. More recently it has been part of the thriving farming community.
A large inglenook fireplace was exposed and carefully restored in the living area, forming the heart of the property, and providing a welcoming place to relax and unwind.
Bespoke design details include hand carved kitchen oak cabinetry by local craftsmen using techniques dating back to the stone age with an adze wood chipping tool, resulting in a completely unique finish. Handmade tiles work in harmony with the natural woodwork.
13/14
The Cottage, Feathered Nest Country Inn
The dog friendly Cottage, known as 'Little House' on the original deeds, sits within the grounds of the 15th century inn. Recently refurbished throughout, the Cottage features original flagstone flooring in lounge area with a sofa-bed and open fireplace, a super-king sized bed upstairs, a free standing oversized bath and shower room and a well equipped modern kitchenette.
Nether Westcote OX7 6SD
14/14
Honeysuckle, Nether Westcote
Residing in the charming village of Nether Westcote surrounded by rolling Cotswolds countryside lies our Grade II listed, chocolate-box cottage. Carefully curated with timeless country style and modern luxury in mind, our undeniably enchanting homestay promises rustic, original features and effortlessly striking interior touches. With four beautiful bedrooms and endless living spaces for moments of togetherness, this is a wonderful getaway for families and friends alike. Along with the offering of a wood burning stove, cinema-style snug, and a delightful cedar hot tub, Honeysuckle is only an hour and a half from London, perfect for those daydreaming of escaping the hustle and bustle. Flee the ordinary, where a magical escape exists within the honey-hued walls of our exquisite Cotswolds home.
Nether Westcote OX7 6SD