Description
Summary
The Hermitage is a romantic Cotswold stone cottage, located in the large grounds of a beautiful manor house in the picturesque village of Poulton, surrounded by beautiful countryside. Although small, Poulton has a well-regarded pub and a nice park close to the cottage. The village is five miles away from the Roman town of Cirencester, the largest market town in the Cotswolds, and is also close to many other picture-postcard Cotswold villages, including Bibury, Barnsley and Eastleach, with the stunning Coln Valley just a short drive away. As well as being close to the many beautiful towns and villages of the Cotswolds, Poulton is also well placed for exploring further afield places, such as Oxford, Bath, or even a day-trip into London.
This charming cottage was stylishly refurbished by an interior designer in early 2017, adding a lovely contemporary style that enhances the character features, which include stone mullion windows and a beautiful wood burning stove. This character is complemented by the cottage’s modern facilities, including wireless internet access, a Smart TV and a well-presented kitchen.
The Hermitage sleeps two guests in a king size bed, with a lovely bathroom. There is a beautiful garden at the side of the property, and off street parking is available. This is a perfect option for a couple looking for a relaxing break, in a stylish property.
Manor Cottage, a lovely property that sleeps 4+1 in two bedrooms, is next door to The Hermitage, also in the grounds of the manor house.
Description
Sitting in the grounds of Poulton’s lovely manor house, The Hermitage is a charming, self-contained cottage. The lovely oak front door opens into the main room, and the following rooms are in the cottage:
- Bedroom/living room: A stylish and inviting space with stone mullion windows and a cosy wood burning stove. This large room contains a king size bed, a dining table with four chairs, an arm chair, small sofa and a Smart TV;
- Kitchen: A step leads down from the living area to the well-presented kitchen, which contains an electric oven, four ring induction hob, fridge, slimline dishwasher, washing machine, toaster and kettle;
- Bathroom: Located off the kitchen, the bathroom contains a large walk in shower, toilet and wash basin.
Directly outside the cottage, there is a private, unenclosed garden area. This includes a peaceful patio area, with a table and four chairs, plus a charcoal barbecue. There is private parking for one car directly outside 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.
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 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 size and configuration
- King size bed
Bathroom
- Walk-in shower, toilet and wash basin
Heating, fuel and logs
The property has electric storage heaters.
Electricity is 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, or directly from the owner.
Services provided
The property has free wireless internet access and a Smart TV, plus a Bluetooth speaker.
Mobile phone reception is generally limited inside the property, but is usually better outside.
Parking
There is a private parking space for one car outside the property.
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 a high chair are available on request.
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 low door frames, a step down into the cottage and a step from the living area into the kitchen, which could pose difficulty to guests with limited mobility.
The smoke 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
The Hermitage was launched as a Holiday Let with Character Cottages in February 2017. Customer reviews and feedback for this lovely property are provided below:
Other Guest Feedback:
-"Lovely cottage! Great location.", Hazel, December 2020
-"Lovely spacious apartment for two! It was cosy and stylish. Check in couldn’t have been easier.", Sally, December 2020
-"A beautifully cosy cottage tucked away in beautiful grounds. Warm, bright, comfortable, exactly what you need to come home to after a full day of exploring the surrounding area.", Emily, December 2020
-"Really enjoyable stay. Great location for exploring the Cotswolds.", Peter, October 2020
-"Great place and really good value for money - the cottage has everything you would need and is really cosy - really enjoyed our stay.", Lauren, September 2020
-"Our stay at the Hermitage was wonderful. It was exactly as pictured. Check-in/check-out could not have been easier. Character Cottages was extremely thorough in their directions to the property. A 'guide book' within the cottage was also extremely detailed and gave us some great tips for our stay. Poulton was a sweet village and a great 'home base' to set off to other villages/walks in the Cotswolds.", Julia, September 2020
-"From the initial booking to arriving at The Hermitage, both Character Cottages and the Host could not have been more welcoming and helpful. Communication was quick and friendly and both Character Cottages and the Host were only too happy to suggest places to eat, local pubs and where to go for walks etc. Prior to checking-in we received a pre-check in document via email and this included special COVID-19 guidelines which made us feel very safe. Shortly after arriving Nick (the Host) knocked to introduce himself and ask if we had settled in okay. Another lovely touch was the red velvet cake that welcomed us on the dining table as we arrived. The Hermitage was styled perfectly for the surroundings and had all the amenities we could ask for - Do note that you will need a car but I imagine that this is the case for most areas in The Cotswolds. Thank you again to both Character Cottages & Nick for a perfect stay!", Stevie, August 2020
-"The Hermitage was a great hub for our little break in the Cotswolds. It was in a perfect location to explore many of the well-known attractions and there’s a well recommended pub (The Falcon Inn) across the road. The actual place was very cosy and well furnished inside. I would definitely recommend to my friends and family.", Charles, August 2020
-"Wonderful cottage with nice touches and a great location for exploring the Cotswolds and surrounding area. Would definitely recommend!", Sam, July 2020
-"This place really is an ideal place to see the cotswolds and surrounding countryside. Everything you would want to see is within half an hours drive. The locals are friendly, the nature is fantastic and the Hermitage is fully equipped to make that time better. For anyone tech dependant- worth a note the phone signal (especially O2) is largely non existent. So bear that in mind if you fancy going entirely off grid!", Rob, July 2020
-"We had a wonderful time at this cosy yet stylish stone house in the grounds of a beautiful Manor House. Small but perfectly formed. A great location for exploring the pretty villages of the Cotswolds (you really do need a car). Nice pub just round the corner. You can hear the road a little but it’s generally lovely and quiet. We’re keen to return soon!", Ross, July 2020
-"The Hermitage & the surrounding grounds are very beautiful & makes for the perfect tranquil getaway from busy London. Directly across from the local pub and 10/15mins walk to the local cafe. The cottage itself was gorgeous and had everything we needed to make our weekend getaway perfect! Can’t wait to book again. Thanks!", Rachel, July 2020
-"The Hermitage is a lovely AirBnB for those looking for a secluded yet peaceful countryside escape in the Cotswolds. The studio arrangement feels very homely and spacious. Would highly recommend. If pushed the only thing missing is the lack of a freezer (so do keep that in mind if you fancy ice cold drinks in the summer heat).", David, July 2020
-"The Cottage was exactly as described - beautifully clean, cosy and well-appointed. The hosts couldn’t have been more accommodating. Do not hesitate to book! We had an excellent week and would love to visit again soon.”, James, March 2020
-“Wonderful stay at the lovely Hermitage cottage, thank you! Beautiful, stylish space with thoughtful touches and extra amenities (coffee machine, washing machine), which made our stay that much more comfortable and cozy. Lovely big bathroom and stunning walk in shower. We’ll be back, thank you!”, Megan, February 2020
-"We absolutely loved our stay at the Hermitage! Was a lovely cosy cottage to get away from it all. Loved the log burner and the very comfy king size bed! The chocolate cake was also a very nice touch. We felt very welcome and comfortable and look forward to returning very soon.", Katy, February 2020
-"Beautiful cottage with everything you could need. We will definitely book again.", Lisa, January 2020
-"The cottage was absolutely perfect, great village with a lovely pub over the road ( The Falcon Inn ) . If you are interested in experiencing the Cotswolds, Hermitage cottage makes the most stunning base.”, Richard, January 2020
-"Gorgeous little modern gem. Comfy bed, has everything you need for the stay. Lovely owner Nick greeted us upon arrival. Pub across the road was great too.", Susan, November 2019
-“Lovely place, great location, perfect for a weekend escape.”, Leo, November 2019
-“Charming bolt hole perfect for exploring the Cotswolds. Small village outside of Cirencester. We spent much of our days driving so it was delightful to come home to this sweet spot and cook a meal and build a fire. Don’t miss Bibury. Wonderfully furnished with everything you need. Be certain to find out where the small shop in town is lest you have to travel for basics.”, Amy, November 2019
-"Perfect bolt hole to relax and explore the Cotswolds! Would definitely recommend.”, Chloe, October 2019
-“Lovely little place - feels very private and cosy, and all the furnishings in the flat are top notch. Good location as a base to go on walks around the area, recommend Bibury. Easy check-in, nice touch of a cake and milk left in the fridge along with all the cooking equipment you’d need. Thank you!”, Dan, October 2019
-“Great cosy place for exploring the attractions around Cirencester. The patio area is lovely to have breakfast in the mornings when it gets full sun. Good food across the road at The Falcon pub.”, Karen, August 2019
-“A great space to retreat and unwind. Very comfortable and cosy.”, Diane, August 2019
-“Thank you very much for a lovely stay in The Hermitage. We had a wonderful time exploring the Cotswolds and the Hermitage was the perfect place to come back to in the evening. We were also very grateful for the milk and cake! I’m sure we will be returning at some point in the future.", Luke, August 2019
-“We spent 12 days in this lovely cottage. It's very spacious and comfortable, and the location worked out great for us where we got to explore different parts of the Cotswolds AONB. We loved our time at this cottage a lot. It's also professionally run very well. We even got an email in advance to schedule a mid-week cleaning service. We've stayed at other airbnb properties longer than this and never even got a cleaning service. I think it makes a big difference.”, Kubra, July 2019
-"A beautiful escape in a sweet village. A great location to explore the surrounds areas! We would highly recommend a stay here!”, Caroline, June 2019
-"We had a fantastic stay at the Hermitage. It looked just like the photos and host were kind enough to drop by to check if things were ok and also left a cake for guests! Definitely recommend this. Food at the Falcon Inn was great too.", Peiyi, June 2019
-“Great little place. It was perfect for my wife and I.”, Jeff, May 2019
-“Perfect place. Absolutely amazing cottage to stay, it was beautiful. The hosts even left us a cake when we arrived. The place was clean and tidy and had everything that was needed. AMAZING”, Phoebe, March 2019
-"Great weekend away. Convenient and central location, the cottage was spotless and had everything we needed with lovely personal touches. Hope to come again soon.”, Beth, March 2019
-"A lovely little cottage with everything you could need. We loved the wood burner with the wood and we could wonder across the road to the pub which has good food. Also loved the chocolate cake on arrival!”, Faith, March 2019
-"Great little place to stay to explore the Cotswolds. Compact but well arranged and very cosy. Recommend the pub across the road, The Falcon, really nice food too.”, Paul and Laura, March 2019
-"Another wonderful long weekend spent in this lovely cottage. Can't wait to go back again.", Kerry, February 2019
-"Second visit and loved it just as much as the first visit. Beautifully and tastefully decorated. We can't wait for our third visit. The cake was a considerate and well appreciated touch by the owners. Wonderful memories and very fond of the cottage.", Samantha, February 2019
-"Fantastic property, perfect weekend retreat.", Peter, January 2019
-"Beautifully presented cottage, above average fittings and comfy bed. Close to Cirencester- literally 5 mins. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and highly recommend.", David, January 2019
-"We just loved The Hermitage. Above average facilities and the bed was lovely and comfy. The bathroom has under floor heating which was great on the cold winter nights, and the shower is huge.", Kerri, December 2018
-"Lovely accommodation in beautiful Cotswold Village, great pub/restaurant, and community shop.", Chris, November 2018
-"We enjoyed a quiet, comfortable stay in this peaceful and romantic hideaway in the Cotswolds. Our host Nick greeted us right away, and was happy to be helpful and give tips about where to get groceries, and to see local attractions. The kitchen is well-equipped, and we were delighted to find a little treat from our co-host, Susan. Thank you for your wonderful dwelling!", Susan, September 2018
-"This was a beautiful cottage with every amenity to make our stay very comfortable. The kitchen was excellent and we loved the bathroom and slept well in the comfy bed. The village and others close by were lovely and we found this cottage to be an excellent base for touring the Cotswolds. We would love to return to this cottage!", Lis, July 2018
-"Beautifully furnished, comfortable & well equipped cottage in a pretty & peaceful village ideally located for exploring the surrounding area. Many thoughtful touches by the owners ensured a warm welcome on arrival - fresh flowers on the patio table, complimentary wine & cake and everything needed to make a cuppa too. Delightful pub with restaurant (The Falcon) close by serving delicious food. Thoroughly enjoyed our 3 night stay and hope to return in the future.", Andrew, June 2018
-"Lovely well presented property with good quality furnishings. The property was always warm with plenty of hot water, great walk in shower. The Hermitage is in close proximity to Bibury, Cirencester, and other places of interest and lovely walks. We had a fantastic Easter break even though the weather was against us.", David, April 2018
-"The Hermitage has been a perfect destination for us. It was lovely staying there and Nick and Susan were very helpful and friendly with everything. We will come back as soon as we can.", Philipp, March 2018
-"Absolutely fantastic weekend at The Hermitage! Perfect retreat to relax and recharge the batteries! A beautifully furnished bolt hole, tucked into a quiet corner of The Manor House garden ... We'd planned to see a little of the Cotswolds but The Hermitage was so cosy we couldn't tear ourselves away! Loved it, will most definitely be back. Thank you!" Kevin, March 2018
- "We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in this super cosy Cotswolds cottage! The cottage was really nicely decorated and all amenities worked well. Great shower! Our hosts also left us a delicious cake and fresh flowers which was a lovely touch! We'll definitely return!", Erik, March 2018
- "The Hermitage was amazing! Made to feel really welcome as soon as we arrived, it felt like a home away from home, would love to return!", John, February 2018
- "Wonderful cottage. Loved how the owner popped across to fill the bird feeder and we managed to have a quick chat. The little added extras were so thoughtful.", Samantha, February 2018
- "This was excellent accommodation for a stay in the beautiful Cotswolds; spacious and well appointed, idyllic setting, accessible to so many interesting places, perfect hospitality!", Rita, October 2017
- “Lovely and clean. Much more space than a hotel room. The welcome cake was a lovely touch.”, Vikki, August 2017
- “Beautiful cottage superbly presented. Thank you so much! ”Katie, July 2017
- “A lovely modern country style cottage - perfect base for exploring the Cotswolds and had everything we needed for a comfortable stay. We met Susan who was very welcoming and friendly and gave us lots of good advice on great places to visit. Would definitely be recommending them to our friends and family!”, Shehanie, June 2017
- “The Hermitage is a stunning little retreat in the lovely Cotswolds countryside. We loved our stay here. The owners have done an amazing job of renovating the place, with many thoughtful and beautiful touches. They were so hospitable and easy to communicate with. The Falcon Inn, just across the street, was a lovely place for dinner. We highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a relaxing oasis.”, David, June 2017
- "A lovely cottage in a delightful village. So well thought out and presented by the owners Nick and Susan, who could not have been more friendly and helpful. We had a lovely stay with our 4 month old and would definitely come back - but maybe to the cottage as he gets older!", Abigail, May 2017
- "We were thrilled to stumble upon the Character Cottages website and the marvellous Hermitage property. The Hermitage is stunning, both inside and out. You could say it's small but perfectly formed. The decor is sensational and very comfortable. We loved it so much, we have booked our next trip back there before we had left!" Emma, May 2017
- "The Hermitage was truly superb, beautifully presented, spotless, excellent in every way. Just wonderful to find something that is as good as the pictures and description showed. Loved the Character Cottages booking and response 10/10." Linda, May 2017
"Great little bolthole for two, everything you need for a great holiday, furnished to a very high standard and centrally located for the Cotswolds, Oxford, Bath." Alan Green, March 2017
Inventory
Our aim is for you to enjoy The Hermitage 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. The following inventory is a template and will be updated with the real information soon!
| Main appliances, furniture and facilities | ||
|---|---|---|
| Barbecue and utensils | Bed linen, bath sheets and hand towels | Bluetooth speaker |
| Four ring induction hob | Fridge | Wireless internet |
| Kettle | Dishwasher | Outdoor table and seating |
| Electric oven | Toaster | Smart TV |
| Washing machine | Travel cot (without linen) - upon request | High chair - upon request |
| 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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Clothes drying rack | CO detector | Smoke alarm |
| Fire blanket | Fire extinguisher | First aid kit |
| Hair dryer | Iron | Ironing board |
Travel
The Hermitage is located in the heart of the Central Cotswolds village of Poulton, approximately five miles from Cirencester.
Travelling by car
Poulton is easily accessed by car, being located on the A417 and within four miles of the A419 and A429 (Fosse Way), which are two of the main roads through the Central Cotswolds.
Travelling by train
The nearest railway station to Poulton is Kemble (approximately ten miles away), which has regular, direct services to London Paddington, with a typical journey time of less than ninety minutes.
Travelling by plane
Poulton is within easy reach of a number of international airports:
- Birmingham International Airport: 67 miles, approximately 90 minute drive;
- Heathrow International Airport: 83 miles, approximately 80 minute drive;
- Bristol International Airport: 52 miles, approximately 85 minute drive.
