Description
Summary
Bracken Cottage is a former silk weaver's cottage built from classic honey coloured Cotswold stone which sleeps two guests, in two bedrooms, with two bathrooms. Dating back to the 19th century, the property has retained many of its traditional features including exposed beams, a stable door and a wood burning stove in the living area. This character has been complemented by modern facilities including wireless internet access, two Smart TVs and underfloor heating on the ground floor. There is an attractive garden at the rear of the property and free parking is available in the village car park opposite the cottage.
Location
Bracken Cottage is located on a quiet road close to the heart of the village of Blockley. This peaceful and picturesque village benefits from having two pubs, a community owned village shop & café which serves delicious food during the day and sometimes in the evenings, a historic Norman church and a children’s playground.
Blockley is surrounded by rolling countryside which forms part of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with plenty of walks on its doorstep to enjoy. The village is ideally situated for exploring the many lovely towns and villages of the North Cotswolds, including Moreton-in-Marsh, Chipping Campden and Ebrington, home to the award-winning Ebrington Arms. Popular tourist destinations such as Blenheim Palace, Stratford-upon-Avon and Oxford are also within easy reach for day trips.
Description
Bracken Cottage is the perfect retreat for a couple, small family or two friends, seeking a relaxing break surrounded by the beautiful Cotswold countryside. The cottage is laid out as follows:
| Room | Amenities |
|---|
| Living room/dining room/kitchen |
This cosy open plan living space has lovely character including wooden beams and a stable door. With underfloor heating throughout, this area contains:
- Cotswold stone fireplace with wood burning stove
- two-seater sofa and window seat
- Smart TV
- fold away dining table which comfortably seats two guests
- electric oven and four-ring gas hob
- fridge/freezer
- dishwasher, microwave, cafetière, kettle and toaster
|
| Bedroom 2 |
This pretty room with exposed beams contains:
- king size bed
- shelving unit and two bedside tables for storage
- hooks on the back of the door for additional hanging space
- full length mirror
- chest of drawers (please note this is not for guest use and will be locked)
|
| Family bathroom |
Contains:
- bath with handheld shower attachment, toilet and wash basin
- Victorian drying rack
- cupboard containing washing machine
|
| Master bedroom with ensuite bathroom |
This bright and spacious dual aspect bedroom has lovely countryside views and contains:
- king size bed
- wall-mounted Smart TV
- mirror
- chest of drawers and hanging rail for storage
The bedroom leads into a lovely ensuite bathroom which contains:
- walk-in rain shower with handheld shower attachment, toilet and wash basin
|
The stable door from the kitchen leads out into the lovely long garden, with far reaching views of the surrounding countryside. The patio area closest to the cottage has a garden table with outdoor seating, a charcoal barbecue and a sun parasol. Steps from the patio lead down to a lawn area and then onto another patio with a wonderful herb garden for guests to use at their leisure. There are a variety of pretty flowers and creepers in the garden, making it a lovely area to relax in the warmer months. Please note that a low stone wall marks the end of the garden, over which is a steep drop into a neighbouring property. There is a right of access along the rear of the terraces for neighbours and the postman.
Free parking is readily available in the village car park opposite the cottage.
Key Features
Key Features
Booking and payment
Character Cottages is a marketing agency and we do not own any of the cottages listed on our website. We manage a proportion of cottages within our portfolio and the remaining properties are managed by a third party property manager or the property owner – your pre-arrival email will contain confirmation and contact details for your property manager. Bookings made via us form a legal agreement directly between you and the property owner.
For bookings commencing more than 10 weeks in advance, a 30% non-refundable deposit is required to confirm the booking. The balance payment is then due 10 weeks prior to arrival.
All payments are made subject to the cancellation policy set out in the standard Booking Conditions.
Security deposits
Security deposits are not required (please note that guests are still liable for any damage or additional cleaning required as a result of their actions).
Occupancy
The maximum occupancy of the property is two guests, at any point during your stay. Unauthorised over occupancy is a breach of our terms and conditions and may result in the cancellation of your booking and additional charges. Please consult us prior to booking if you wish to discuss the possibility of having more than two guests at the property.
Despite having two king sized beds, the maximum occupancy has been limited to two guests due to space constraints in the ground floor living area.
Infants who sleep in a cot do not count towards the occupancy figure, however, due to space restrictions, the occupancy figure may only be exceeded one additional infant.
Pets
Regrettably, pets are not accepted.
Bed linen and towels
Bed linen and towels are provided for guests.
Arrival and departure times
Arrival time is after 5pm and departure time is by 10am. Access is via a key safe, therefore it does not matter if you are arriving late at night.
Bed sizes and configurations
- Master bedroom: King size bed (see occupancy above)
- Bedroom 2: King size bed (see occupancy above)
Bathrooms
- Master bedroom ensuite: Walk-in rain shower, handheld shower attachment, toilet and wash basin
- Family bathroom: Bath with handheld shower attachment, toilet and wash basin
Heating, fuel and logs
The property has a gas central heating system.
Electricity and gas are included in the rental price. An initial basket of logs is provided for the wood burning stove and further log supplies can be purchased locally.
Services provided
The property has free wireless internet access and two Smart TVs.
There is no telephone at the property.
Blockley is in a valley and guests should be aware that mobile phone reception can be very poor.
Parking
There is free parking available in the village car park, opposite the cottage.
Housekeeping
Where a letting exceeds nine nights, a mid-stay clean, bed linen and towel change may be included in the price. Please check with us to confirm. Additional housekeeping services may be available on request.
Child friendly facilities
Guests are welcome to bring their own travel cot and high chair, to accommodate one infant.
The garden is not enclosed, therefore young children should be supervised outside at all times.
Initial consumables
A small quantity of initial consumables is provided for your convenience (eg. tea, coffee, sugar, dishwasher tablets, washing up liquid, soap, washing powder, toilet rolls, etc), however, you should not expect the quantity of these provisions to be sufficient for the duration of your stay.
Accessibility, health and safety
This is an old property and has many character features including steep stairs, low beams and multiple floors, all of which could pose difficulty to guests with limited mobility, or carrying babies, both in terms of their general movement and their ability to quickly exit the house in the event of an emergency.
The smoke and CO detectors operate on a sound only basis and, therefore, those who have serious impairment of hearing may not be able to hear the alarm systems and could be at risk.
Smoking
No smoking or vaping is permitted throughout the property.
Photographs
In order to provide you with as much detail of our properties as possible, we sometimes use wide angle photography, which can make certain rooms, or spaces, appear larger than they actually are. Wherever possible, we try to include a floorplan, with detailed dimensions of rooms and areas.
If you have any queries regarding the size of any rooms or spaces, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Reviews
Bracken Cottage was launched as a Holiday Let with Character Cottages in April 2019. Customer reviews and feedback for this lovely property are provided below:
Other Guest Feedback:
-"A lovely stay in a beautiful village. Everything was perfect and wouldn't hesitate to recommend the cottage for anyone looking for a Cotswold weekend away.", Alice, March 2020
-"“A beautiful place to stay to explore Cotswolds. Great walks near by, quiet area and beautiful sunrises from top bedroom window. Cottage is well equipped and village has great cafe, shop and pub/restaurant.”, Lucy, March 2020
-"A lovely character cottage, in a beautiful unspoilt village, perfectly situated for exploring The Cotswolds. Local pub and wonderful village shop and cafe were definitely a bonus.”, Keith, February 2020
-"We stayed in Bracken Cottage for a weekend away and we couldn’t have asked for anything better. Beautiful house, lovely village with a great cafe. Good location to nearby villages to explore. Would absolutely return to Bracken Cottage another time.”,Katie, January 2020
-"Absolutely perfect! This cottage has everything you need and we look forward to staying here again.", Gayle, October 2019
-“We loved our stay at Bracken Cottage. It was perfect for my wife and me and our infant son. It is charming and well-appointed with a lovely back-yard. Parking was easy across the street. It's less than a 300 meter walk downhill to the village cafe. We would stay there again without hesitation.”, Paul, September 2019
-“Great place for some “R&R”, as well as exploring the delightful towns nearby. Blockley is quiet and not touristy, but full of charm, and the locals are very friendly. Also the Great Western has excellent food, as does the local cafe, and the village shop has an amazing array of stock. Bracken Cottage is so quaint, warm and sunny. It has a really comfortable bed and lovely linens.”, Kay, September 2019
-"Very clean cottage, comfy beds and pillows. Good location for the village and for neighbouring villages and walks. Nice small garden to sit out in with table and chairs.”, Lotte, August 2019
-"Fantastic little cottage. Everything perfect.", Graham, July 2019
-"One of the best cottages we have had. Small but ideal for 2.", Brian, July 2019
-"This is a wonderful spot for exploring this beautiful and quiet corner of the Cotswolds.", Jeff, July 2019
-“The cottage was an amazing experience we truly enjoyed it. Everything was perfect! The views and the garden were magical. The village it’s in is quiet and picturesque. I can’t wait to come back! The beds were so comfortable and we got the best sleep of our lives. There really isn’t a bad thing about this place. The host was also very helpful and communicative throughout the stay. One of the best places I’ve stayed at.”, Les, June 2019
-“Cottage was lovely and much more than we expected. We loved horseback riding in Stow on the Wold at Bourton Equestrian Vale and had a lovely dinner in the village shop. Thank you! We will be back! The beds and linen were amazing!”, Oscar, June, 2019
-“We loved the cottage, very well equipped and cosy. We were very lucky with the weather, we walked to Batsford Arboretum, one of the most beautiful gardens we’ve ever seen!!! Visited Bourton-on-the-Water and Burford but being bank holiday Sunday it was heaving with people (not our gig). Stunning Friday dinner at the local café and Sunday roast at The Chequers in Churchill – lovely cat next door, terrified of the baby! We will definitely recommend you cottage to friends! Xxx”, Alice and Piers, May 2019
-"Lovely cottage in a quiet area of the small village. Well equipped with everything we needed. Nice garden, table & bench for eating outside. Village quite steep in places, lovely to walk around.", Neil, May 2019
-“The cottage was lovely and cosy, we enjoyed our stay and had everything we needed. Visited Bourton on the Water, Chipping Campden, Broadway Tower and had a wonderful day in Stratford. Walked the ‘Blockley Village’ 1-mile route – really interesting, all the watermills and little brooks. Lovely meal at Great Western Arms. Great views all around, liked the quietness, bird song, a real getaway. Beds are comfy, lovely soft towels and nice garden.”, Linda, May 2019
-“Great cottage, perfect in every way”, Michelle, April 2019
Inventory
Our aim is for you to enjoy Bracken Cottage as if it was your own home and this information is provided to ensure that you are aware of, and are able to use, all the facilities that are available.
| Main appliances, furniture and facilities |
|---|
| Charcoal barbecue and utensils (without coal) |
Bed linen, bath sheets and hand towels |
Cafetière |
| Four-ring gas hob |
Fridge/freezer |
Dishwasher |
| Kettle |
Microwave |
Outdoor table and seating |
| Electric oven |
Toaster |
2 x Smart TVs |
| Washing machine |
Wireless internet |
|
| General provisions |
|---|
| Bin bags |
Dishwasher tablets |
Hand soap |
| J cloths & scourers |
Salt and pepper |
Small quantity of instant coffee |
| Small quantity of sugar |
Small quantity of tea bags |
Toilet roll |
| Washing up liquid |
|
|
| Other equipment and facilities |
|---|
| 2 x clothes drying racks |
CO detectors |
Smoke alarms |
| Fire blanket |
Fire extinguishers |
First aid kit |
| Hair dryer |
Iron |
Ironing board |
Travel
Bracken Cottage is located on a quiet road in the peaceful, picturesque village of Blockley.
Travelling by car
Blockley is easily accessed by car, being located approximately one mile away from the A44 and approximately three miles away from the A429 (Fosse Way), which are two of the main roads through the North Cotswolds.
Travelling by train
The nearest railway station to Blockley is Moreton-in-Marsh (approximately three miles away), which has regular, direct services to London Paddington, with a typical journey time of approximately 90 minutes.
Travelling by plane
Blockley is within easy reach of a number of international airports:
- Heathrow International Airport: 76 miles, approximately 90 minute drive;
- Birmingham International Airport: 42 miles, approximately 60 minute drive.
