Beautiful creative cottage.

Entire cottage in North Marston, United Kingdom

  1. 4 guests
  2. 2 bedrooms
  3. 3 beds
  4. 1 bathroom
Hosted by Liz
  1. 3 years hosting

Listing highlights

Top 10% of homes

This home is highly ranked based on ratings, reviews and reliability.

Exceptional check-in experience

Recent guests gave the check-in process a 5-star rating.

Unbeatable location

100% of guests in the past year gave this location a 5-star rating.
Lark's Cottage is a beautiful, creative haven, attached to the owners house, set in 14 acres of mostly re-wilded Buckinghamshire countryside. It is off-grid for electricity and some water so you can enjoy your time guilt free.

Whether you need inspiration to create or just want to relax, there's plenty to spark imagination and calm the soul. Often used as the artist accommodation for the legendary Lark's Tongue Studio, the cottage has been home to some of the biggest names in music.

The space
The cottage consists of 1 double bedroom which looks out to the vegetable garden and 1 twin room with the same aspect. There is a large wardrobe and dressing table in the master and a small cupboard and tall mirror in the twin. There is further storage in the hall.

The bathroom has a bath with shower over it and a glass shower screen, slate tiles and a heated towel rail.

The main living space comprises the seating / TV area with a large 3 or 4 seater sofa, foot stool and oak coffee table. The TV has Netflix, Amazon, Youtube and other smart TV stuff on it. There is also a range of puzzles, boardgames and books for you to enjoy as well as the piano (tuned regularly but it's not the best).

The kitchen / dining area is simple and effective with well stocked cupboards full of all the utensils you'll need. You can cook using the 2 ring electric hob and the microwave combi oven. A cafetiere and some ground coffee is provided as well as the basics like milk, butter, sugar etc. There is a 4 seater dining table with light over.

Outside you have use of the courtyard. The studio also shares the courtyard but at weekends you will have it to yourself. There is a table and chairs out there for you to eat, drink and relax. A charcoal bbq is available on request. Please note that the courtyard is not fully enclosed. Although this is yours while you're staying access through it may be necessary to get to the barn where a tractor and some equipment is stored.

We sit in 14 acres of countryside and you are welcome to explore. Feel free to go to the lake where you can picnic, go out in the rowing boat or swim if you're brave (we do but it's not a swimming pond).

The Studio: Lark's Cottage is part of The Lark's Tongue, the private recording studio where some of the UK's biggest artists made their most loved songs. It's not commercially available and so remains very exclusive. Although this is a working studio, it's actually a very quiet space. While you are staying with us you are unlikely to see artists because the cottage is the artist accommodation. You may occasionally hear us working but only during the week and always at very low levels.

Environmental Conservation: We have a 48 solar panel array plus large batteries which power the whole estate. There is an 8 metre deep well in the main house which provides about 25% of our water. The studio is heated by a ground source heat pump and the ground floor of the house by wood. The cottage has oil fired central heating which will be changed in due course. We have returned the previously farmed land to nature which is why you will see a wide range of birds and wild animals about the place.

Guest access
You have the 2 bed cottage, the courtyard and you can use the lake and walk on footpaths which we'll give you a map of. We ask that you do not use the back door from the kitchen area as this accesses the vegetable patch and the private house garden beyond.

Other things to note
The lake is not enclosed so children are to be watched at all times. The courtyard is open to the driveway so again, children must be watched.

Where you'll sleep

What this place offers

Courtyard view
Garden view
Lake access
Kitchen
Wifi

Accessibility features

This info was provided by the Host and reviewed by Airbnb.
1 of 4 pages

5 nights in North Marston

1 Feb 2024 - 6 Feb 2024

Rated 4.96 out of 5 from 28 reviews.

Guest favourite
This home is in the top 10% of eligible listings based on ratings, reviews and reliability

Overall rating

  1. 5 stars, 96% of reviews
  2. 4 stars, 4% of reviews
  3. 3 stars, 0% of reviews
  4. 2 stars, 0% of reviews
  5. 1 stars, 0% of reviews

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for cleanliness

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for accuracy

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for check-in

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for communication

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for location

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for value

Guest reviews mention

Where you’ll be

North Marston, England, United Kingdom

Neighbourhood highlights

The cottage is situated about 1.5 miles from North Marston which is a sweet little village. It's an easy 20 minute walk across the fields. North Marston has a shop and the lovely Pilgrim pub which is in the Michelin Guide. But you must book early if you want to eat there - dinners served Thurs and Friday and lunch on Sun. Winslow (5 miles) and Buckingham (11 miles) are also very sweet with cafes, markets and delis to enjoy.

We are well served for footpaths and there are some excellent circular walks and cycle routes in the area. Further afield there's loads of National Trust properties to visit like Waddesdon Manor, Stowe Gardens, Mentmore, Claydon House and Ascott House. The Roald Dahl Museum, Tring Natural History Museum and Bicester Shopping Village all make good days out too.

We are just 29 minutes to London Euston from Leighton Buzzard Station which is a 25 minutes drive from us. Silverstone race track is just 35 minutes drive away and the museum there is worth a visit as well as Silverstone Classic and of course the Grand Prix.

Oxford is about 50 minutes drive away. Loads to do here including museums and shopping. Parking is not easy but there is a park and ride.

Meet your host

Host
28 reviews
4.96 out of 5 average rating
3 years of hosting
Born in the 70s
My work: Music producer
Hi I'm Liz and I together with my husband Mike I own The Lark’s Tongue Recording Studio where we make records with some amazing artists. We are now making the artist cottage available on Airbnb. I have a macaw called Atticus who free flies outside, 3 dogs as well as ducks and geese. We love animals! We are keen environmentalists. We are now off grid for electricity and have returned our 14 acres of farm land to nature.

Host details

Response rate: 100%
Responds within a day
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Things to know

Cancellation policy
House rules
Check-in: 15:00 – 22:00
Checkout before 11:00
4 guests maximum
Safety & property
Exterior security cameras on property
Nearby lake, river, other body of water
May encounter potentially dangerous animals