An ideal retreat for families and friends, this stylish and spacious Cotswold cottage, which sleeps up to eight, is just a stone's throw from the River Thames with its many activities (paddleboarding, anyone?) and from the town’s teashops, antiques stores, and riverside pubs. With its blend of wooden beams and retro decor, the cottage delivers 3 bedrooms, bathroom, downstairs loo, two living areas, large dining kitchen with doors leading to the garden and a summer house (writing room/library).
The space
The spacious cottage provides guests with all they need for a holiday by the river, including wellies (and maps) for walking the many riverside routes, picnic basket and blanket for riverside lunches, two mountain bikes and helmets for exploring the area, and even a paddleboard – which can be launched at the jetty just a minute’s walk from the front door.
Built in the 1800s, the traditional Cotswolds cottage boasts a number of original features, including exposed Cotswold stone and wooden beams, and is stylishly furnished with a super-chic 1950s kitchen, pink SMEG fridge and mix of William Morris and V&A wallpaper.
The cottage offers three bedrooms (one spacious double, a smaller double, and a downstairs room with access to the garden with a double sofa bed) and two reception rooms with comfy sofas.
With flexible accommodation, the cottage could comfortably accommodate eight guests (two families). Two of the bedrooms offer wardrobes with hangers. There are two bathrooms, a main one upstairs with loo and walk-in power shower, and a downstairs loo.
With its fireplace, exposed stone walls and wooden beams, the main living room is super-cosy with three sofas and a stack of board games and books to keep all the family entertained. A separate family room has two sofas and a TV equipped with Freeview.
With its 1950s look and feel, including vintage cupboards and pantry, the spacious kitchen features a breakfast table and is well equipped with fridge/freezer, range-style oven, microwave, washing machine, toaster and NutriBullet, as well as plenty of crockery, glassware, cutlery and pots and pans. The pantry offers cooking basics, from olive oil and flour to herbs and spices, to help you cook up a culinary Cotswold storm.
The kitchen patio doors open on to a small patio, with a barbecue, leading into a bijou but beautiful private garden with picnic table and summer house – with its desk, mini library and sofa – providing a magical escape to chill, read or write.
Towels, beautiful bed linen and complimentary toiletries are all provided, as well as a travel cot, highchair, ironing board and iron upon request.
Guest access
This historic, quirky and stylish cottage sits in the centre of the lovely riverside Cotswolds town of Lechlade, the highest navigational point on The River Thames, providing the perfect place from which to explore the wider Cotswolds. The Roman town of Cirencester is just 20 minutes away, and Lechlade is within an hour of the stunning spa towns of Cheltenham and Bath, and the university cities of Oxford and Bristol.
There is private parking for two cars just 50m away.
With its strategic position on the banks of the River Thames, Lechlade offers stunning riverside walks and other activities including wildlife watching and fishing, as well as boat, canoe and pedalo hire. There’s a riverside coffee shop, three riverside pubs, and a plethora of cafes and independent shops on the high street and in surrounding villages.
The nearby Cotswold Water Park delivers 180 lakes and wetlands over 40 square miles with plenty of watersports and lakeside activities on offer, including the Cotswold Country Park & Beach, a 20-minute drive away and home to the largest inland paddling beach in the UK, as well as mini golf and watersports. A 10-minute drive in the other direction is the 160-acre parkland and gardens of the Cotswold Wildlife Park, a great family day out with a fascinating collection of mammals, birds and reptiles. And a 20-minute cycle away is Kelmscott Manor and gardens, the inspirational Cotswold retreat of Victorian textile designer William Morris.
For eating out, Lechlade and surrounding villages offer plenty of choice. On the doorstep, discover authentic Indian dishes (Khushi), the best coffee outside London (Lynwoods), tasty Tapas (Vera’s Kitchen), gourmet pizzas (Sourdough Revolution), and homemade pub cuisine at the world-famous Trout Inn, a 17th-century inn with a garden bar, riverside seating, and local ales. Less than a minute walk from the front door is The Riverside Pub, serving a good selection of beers and pub classics with views of the Ha'penny Bridge. They also have a pizza kitchen. Also less than a minute away is the popular New Inn Hotel and its large garden which extends all the way down to the river.
Nearby village Southrop delivers Thyme at Tithe Barn with its stylish cocktail bar, village pub cookery school and eaterie The Ox Barn which serves seasonal British dishes including eggs laid by Thyme’s own chickens. While nearby village Filkins offers The Five Alls with its beer garden, local ales and hearty Sunday lunches and the picturesque Plough Inn at nearby Kelmscott delivers outstanding food.
The owners have lived in Lechlade for the last 10 years and know the area like the back of their hand. They live in another property in Lechlade and are available to meet you upon checking in and can help with local knowledge, recommendations and will be available for any assistance during your stay.
Other things to note
TVs x 2
Record player and records
Huge selection of books and games
Paddleboard and paddles
Two mountain bikes with helmets
Picnic basket and rug
Garden with barbecue, summer house and veg patch
Broadband Wifi available throughout
Washing machine / dishwasher
Nutribullet
Microwave
Pets allowed
Bed linen and towels provided
