Posted on March 25, 2021
A little escape. That’s what most of us are excited for this spring and summer.
The honey-hued cottages in The Cotswolds draw everyone to these rolling hills each year with their picturesque, olde English charm. However the best way to experience these traditional cottages is by booking a staycation where you can cosy up by the fire, stare up at the wood beams and enjoy a perfect cup of tea immersed in the epitome of English romance.
We’ve shortlisted our favourite cottages for a getaway as well as some great spots to book the perfect cottage stay. Scroll down to start exploring!
Little Cotswold Cottage
Little Cotswold Cottage in Great Rollright has captured the hearts of staycation lovers on Instagram.
It’s perfectly located to explored the best of The Cotswolds region and beyond, with pubs and shops within 5 miles. If you have a well-behaved dog, they’re welcome to join your trip and lounge in front of the wood burner after a long day of walks. This property is all about the details, we love the little bay window with seating, an idyllic reading nook. It even comes with its own ‘Sweet Shop’ so you can sample delicious retro sweets, the perfect after dinner treat!
This cottage has been decorated with luxurious, vintage-inspired furnishing but feels completely light inside with its white walls, Cotswold stone and reclaimed wood and the experience is topped off with the gorgeous roll-top bath. Make sure you pack your fave bubble bath for the trip!
Check availability and book here.
Cotswold Cottage Gems
Spending quality time with friends and family will be the top of most people’s to-do lists this summer, and Cotswold Cottage Gems were founded to help you do just that.
All cottages are hand picked, boasting special features where groups can make themselves at home. Whether home is playing games around a roaring log burner or kicking off muddy boots at the end of the day and pouring a well-deserved glass of wine, Cotswold Cottage Gems can cater for you. With 11 traditional cottages to choose from, there’s plenty of variety from village-centre Grade II listed buildings to a remote 300 year old converted stone barn.
Peruse their gorgeous collection of Cotswold Cottages here.
Thyme
Thyme is the village within a village in The Cotswolds. A restored historic Cotswold manor and farm, it’s known for its gorgeous hotel rooms and restaurants, however the owners have also restored a number of the historic buildings to self-catering cottages and houses, perfect for a staycation.
If you’re looking for a home away from home come April 12th, exclusive lets of Thyme’s houses and cottages make the perfect week away. Their Ox Barn restaurant terrace will also be open for al fresco lunches, as well as their shop and Meadow Spa.
One of our favourites is the Old Walls cottage, a quintessential Cotswold cottage spread over three, rambling floors with sweeping views over green parkland and flocks of Black Welsh Mountain sheep. Featuring a cosy sitting room with a wood-burning stove and a lovely conservatory for dining, this cottage is ideal for small families or couples.
Find out more about booking a stay in Thyme’s cottages and houses here.
Unique Homestays
Unique Homestays is the place to go for luxury cottages and out of the ordinary homes. If you’re looking for a gorgeous cottage stay in the heart of The Cotswolds but want something a little different, make sure you check out Unique Homestays’ listing. The one which really stood out to us was Filly Island, based in Cirencester.
The cottage was used to store the cart for the neighbouring mill’s horse in the 1700s but today it's a creative and romantic self-catering cottage like no other. Sat upon a tiny island accessed by a humpback bridge, enjoy your morning tea outside surrounded by the gentle flowing river. Everything in the cottage is gorgeous and considered, from the red roll-top bath to the wood-burner and rustic kitchen. A stay on little Filly Island will be a memory that lasts and you can find out more here.
You can also search more Cotswolds cottages available to book on Unique Homestays here.
Daylesford Cottages
Set in over 2,500 acres of The Cotswolds’ rolling organic countryside, Daylesford is nestled in the heart of this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is the perfect place to escape for a stay in their beautifully converted Cotswolds stone cottages.
Taking parts of the original farm such as the pantry, the storage shed and wood store, Daylesford have restored these buildings to luxurious, traditional Cotswold cottages. Each one is an idyllic space to retreat and relax with log fires and cosy furnishing. Daylesford’s award-winning farm shop and café are just footsteps away from the cottages meaning you have all the supplies you need for your stay right on your doorstep.
An added bonus is that each booking comes with a bespoke welcome pack which includes relaxing classes in their Bamford Wellness Spa.
Check out the cottages available to book in Daylesford here.
The Studio, Middle Duntisbourne
We came across this gem in Instagram recently! Relax in beautiful interiors housed in a Cotswold stone and oak space, snuggled amid a cosy hamlet at The Studio in Middle Duntisbourne on the edge of the River Dunt.
Spend your days rambling through nature or hop into a car to explore Cirencester, Bibury, Stow-on-the Wold and Cheltenham which aren't too far away. At night, make the most of the gorgeous kitchen and dining area by picking up some local ingredients to cook up a delicious feast before spending the evening stargazing and listening to the sounds of nature soothe you to sleep.