Description
Summary
The Fleece House is an impressive detached Cotswold stone property which sleeps six guests, in three attractive bedrooms, with three stylish bathrooms. Located alongside one of the alleys which would have once channelled the many sheep to market, this beautiful property has been finished in a country-contemporary style and features a cosy wood burning stove, Smart TV, wireless internet access and a well-equipped kitchen complete with bow window. To the rear of the property is an enclosed courtyard garden, and allocated off-street parking is available for two cars.
Location
The Fleece House is situated on a quiet side street in the much loved market town of Stow-on-the-Wold. Enjoying the best of both worlds, the location affords the property the peace and tranquillity regularly associated with the rural Cotswolds, yet with the highly prized trait of being just a short walk from the bustling market square with its array of boutique shops, tearooms, pubs and restaurants. Overlooked by St Edward’s Church, the picturesque market square retains its old town stocks, medieval cross and narrow alleys, or “tures”, which wind their way from the surrounding streets into the square. The town boasts its own rich history and is known for its important role in the English Civil War as the location of the Battle of Stow in 1646.
Stow is perfectly positioned for exploring the glorious Cotswold countryside, with many walking trails and cycle routes on its doorstep including footpaths to The Oddingtons, Broadwell and Lower Slaughter, all home to country pubs. Stow is also well-placed for visiting the many popular villages and towns of the North Cotswolds such as Bourton-on-the-Water, Broadway, Chipping Campden and Chipping Norton, the latter being close to the highly acclaimed Soho Farmhouse members’ club. Further afield destinations such as Sudeley Castle, Cheltenham, Blenheim Palace and Oxford are also within easy reach for day trips.
Description
The Fleece House is a perfect base for a family or group of friends who are seeking a relaxing break just a stone’s throw from the centre of a charming market town. The house is laid out as follows:
| Room | Amenities |
|---|
| Living room |
This cosy and sociable room has been finished in a contemporary style with plush soft furnishings and plantation shutters. Warm and inviting, this room contains:
- stone fireplace with wood burning stove
- three-seater sofa, two-seater sofa and armchair
- Smart TV
- small selection of books
|
| Dining room/kitchen |
The tastefully decorated dining area leads through into the beautifully styled kitchen which has flagstone flooring and a large bow window that looks out over the Mediterranean-style courtyard garden. Bright and spacious, this open plan area contains:
- oak dining table with seating for six
- recessed shelving with wine rack
- DAB radio
- range cooker with five-ring gas hob
- fridge/freezer
- dishwasher, toaster, stovetop kettle, Nespresso coffee machine and cafetière
|
| Study |
Providing a useful space in which to work, or just an area to escape with a book and a cup of tea, this room contains:
- two-seater sofa and leather footstool
- desk and office chair
|
| Utility room |
Located off the study, the utility room contains:
- coat and boot storage
- sink, washing machine and tumble dryer
|
| Cloakroom |
Contains:
- toilet, wash basin and heated towel rail
|
| Bedroom 2 with ensuite bathroom |
This attractive room features an original oak beam and enjoys a light and airy feel with two windows which overlook the quiet street below. Well-proportioned, this room contains:
- king size bed
- freestanding wardrobe
The spacious ensuite contains:
- walk-in rain shower with separate handheld shower attachment, toilet, wash basin and heated towel rail
|
| Bedroom 3 |
This delightful bedroom contains:
- double bed
- chest of drawers and wall hook
- full length mirror
|
| Family bathroom |
A stylish bathroom which contains:
- walk-in rain shower with separate handheld shower attachment, toilet, wash basin and heated towel rail
|
| Master bedroom with ensuite bathroom |
With exposed beams, sloping ceilings and rooftop views of Stow, this elegant bedroom contains:
- king size bed
- chest of drawers and wall hooks
- upholstered bedroom chair
- wall mirror
- DAB radio
The modern ensuite contains:
- bath with handheld shower attachment, toilet, wash basin and heated towel rail
|
Accessed via the lobby, the stunning courtyard features an array of potted plants and flowers, ranging from bay trees to the wonderfully fragrant raised lavender border. The hardwood patio dining set occupies the perfect corner for hosting an al fresco dinner, whilst the two cuddle seats and coffee table provide an ideal spot for a glass of wine or a gin and tonic on a warm summer's evening.
Accessed via electric gates, there is allocated off-street parking for two cars at the rear of the property, and if required, free on-street parking is available nearby.
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 six 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 six guests at the property.
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 by up to two additional infants.
Pets
One well-behaved dog, over one year old, is accepted, at a cost of £20 per booking.
For the comfort of future guests, we ask that dogs remain downstairs, stay off the furniture and that no trace of a dog remains after your departure
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 (second floor): King size bed
- Bedroom 2 (first floor): King size bed
- Bedroom 3 (first floor): Double bed
Bathrooms
- Master bedroom ensuite (second floor): Bath with handheld shower attachment, toilet and wash basin
- Bedroom 2 ensuite (first floor): Walk-in rain shower with separate handheld shower attachment, toilet and wash basin
- Family bathroom (first floor): Walk-in rain shower with separate 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 between October and March, and further log supplies can be purchased locally.
Services provided
The property has free wireless internet access, a Smart TV and two DAB radios.
There is no telephone at the property.
Mobile phone reception is generally OK.
Parking
The property has allocated off-street parking for two cars.
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
A travel cot (without linen) and high chair are provided.
Initial consumables
A small quantity of initial consumables is provided for your convenience (eg. tea, handful of Nespresso capsules, 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, period property laid out over three floors with steps between rooms and restricted head height in the master bedroom, 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.
Stow Horse Fair
The Stow Horse Fair is held twice a year, on the Thursday closest to 12th May and the Thursday closest to 24th October. This is a traditional fair for gypsies and travelling people to meet up and trade which dates back to 1476 when its Charter was granted. Stow is very busy for a day or two before and after each fair, and a number of shops, pubs and restaurants are closed. Whilst many visitors enjoy the colour and vibrancy associated with the fairs, other visitors prefer to avoid Stow on these dates.
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
The Fleece House was launched as a Holiday Let with Character Cottages in September 2020. Customer reviews and feedback for this lovely property are provided below:
Other Guest Feedback:
-"What a lovely and tranquil place to stay. It had been beautifully decorated for the festive period. Such a deceptively spacious property, that caters for every eventuality. The bedrooms were very comfortable & the fire provided much comfort & cosiness for family time in the lounge. The location is perfect for access to the beautiful town of Stow, but also, a great base for exploring the Cotswolds. Many thanks for a wonderful stay!", Samantha, December 2020
-“What an absolute gem the Fleece House is. It's superbly appointed and a great addition to the portfolio of Character Cottages in Stow on the Wold. The location is excellent and the off road parking a bonus. It was spotless on arrival. Love the fire in the lounge which burns well and is easy to get going (even for a novice like me). It was great to sit round the fire, drying off after the rain or a good meal. The quirky layout means you can socialise, relax and work if you have to. Liked the traditional meets modern decor but did find the lighting a bit too subtle in places. We had a lovely long weekend prior to the second lockdown being announced and very much look forward to being able to come again.”, Jennie, Jacqui and Marcus, October 2020
-“ FIRE - The log burning stove is a welcome addition in cold weather. LOCATION - Perfect for wandering into Stow or exploring the local area. EQUIPPED - It is well kitted out with everything you need. EXCELLENT FACILITIES - Three shower/bathrooms, a study, a utility etc. CLEAN & TIDY - Spotlessly clean and everything has its place. EASE OF ACCESS - The parking space is an added bonus. HOSPITABLE - The cake and milk on arrival were a lovely touch. OPEN PLAN KITCHEN/DINING SPACE - Works well for families. UNUSUAL - To find a place as spacious as this so close to town. STYLISH - Love the modern country decor throughout. ENJOYABLE - We've loved our stay from start to finish. Thank you for a lovely stay”, Sarah, Rich and Isabella, November 2020
Floorplan
Inventory
Our aim is for you to enjoy The Fleece House 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 |
|---|
| Nespresso coffee machine (without capsules) |
Bed linen, bath sheets and hand towels |
Smart TV |
| Five-ring gas hob |
Fridge/freezer |
Range cooker |
| Stovetop kettle |
Washing machine |
Outdoor table and seating |
| Small selection of books |
Toaster |
Cafetière |
| Tumble dryer |
Wireless internet |
Dishwasher |
| Travel cot (without linen) |
High chair |
2 x DAB radios |
| General provisions |
|---|
| Bin bags |
Dishwasher tablets |
Hand soap |
| J cloths & scourers |
Salt and pepper |
Washing up liquid |
| Small quantity of sugar |
Small quantity of tea bags |
Toilet roll |
| Other equipment and facilities |
|---|
| CO detectors |
Fire blanket |
Smoke alarms |
| First aid kit |
Fire extinguisher |
Ironing board |
| 2 x hair dryers |
Iron |
Clothes drying rack |
Travel
The Fleece House is located in the centre of Stow-on-the-Wold, just a stone's throw from all of Stow's shops, pubs and restaurants.
Travelling by car
Stow is conveniently located at the junction of seven roads, including the A429 (Fosse Way), and is easily accessed by car.
Travelling by train
The nearest railway station to Stow is Kingham (approximately five miles away), which has regular, direct services to London Paddington, with a typical journey time of approximately 90 minutes.
Travelling by plane
Stow is within easy reach of a number of international airports:
- Heathrow International Airport: 73 miles, approximately 90 minute drive;
- Birmingham International Airport: 45 miles, approximately 60 minute drive.
