A special place to stay in a delightful Cotswolds village
This sympathetically restored courtyard cottage is situated in the beautiful North Cotswold village of Ilmington. With two dining pubs and a shop in the village, it is an ideal rural retreat for a short break, a weekend or a longer self catering holiday. Enjoy the beautiful Cotswolds countryside that surrounds this property either by bike, walking or in the car. Ilmington is situated between Shipston on Stour and Chipping Campden, 7 miles south of Stratford upon Avon and only 45 mins drive from Oxford and Cheltenham so there’s so much to see and do from the cottage.
The cottage is furnished in small 'country house' style with antique rugs on stripped boards downstairs and carpets upstairs. It is a happy blend of old and new with character retained amongst modern comforts. We try to equip it like we would for friends coming to stay, rather than as a typical rental. It has two bedrooms, one twin and one double and sleeps four people in roomy comfort. It has a bathroom with a bath upstairs and also a downstairs cloakroom with shower. The cosy sitting room has an open log fire and is very comfortably furnished. There is an eclectic collection of books to read, a flatscreen TV, a CD player and DVDs as well as games and puzzles for quiet evenings in. The large country kitchen is exceptionally well equipped and has patio door leading to a small and completely enclosed private garden.
We avoid the word 'luxury' which means different things to different people. Rather, we like to think of ourselves as offering something 'special'. We want you to feel that for your time here, YOU are special and this is your own little hideaway, with all that you need to have a lovely relaxing holiday. As we have a lot of overseas visitors coming on long vacations with limitations on luggage, we equip the cottage like a home from home so you don't have to rush out to buy basic kitchen/house supplies straight away. We live close by and whilst carefully respecting your privacy we are nearly always on hand to help and advise when needed. The cottage has several folders of information on the area as well as maps and guides.
When you arrive you will find your beds made up with pure cotton sheets, cosy downy duvets, soft pillows and comfortable matresses with the option of electric blankets as well in the winter. The log fire is set, ready for lighting and in the kitchen you will find just baked homemade bread, with Sansome House homemade jam, homemade biscuits, tea and coffee to start you off,and a bottle of wine and candles left for dinner time. As long as I have them in the garden, nearly every room will have a vase of freshly picked flowers.
The setting is 'special' too - very quiet, the day to day sounds being those of the many garden birds and, in termtime, the happy squeals of the children in the school playground up the road at break time. The bells of the Norman Church of St Mary the Virgin, ring out on Sundays with practice time on Tuesday evenings. There are squirrels, badgers, a deer, a mole and a pheasant on regular visits/eating forays to the garden but they are all (except for the pheasant) almost completely silent.
A walk around the village in May