A beautifully thatched and beamed Cotswold cottage that’s immaculately and tastefully furnished and feels homely, loved and cherished. Sleeping 4 in a comfortable king size double and twin bedroom, it’s perfect for a family, two couples or one couple who like a little extra room. Centrally located in the historic village of Bretforton (and a stone's throw from the historic Fleece Inn), it’s an ideal base to explore surrounding Cotswold villages – many of which are within a 10-minute drive. Please note that additional guests above the maximum capacity are not permitted to stay overnight. THE SPACE>> Located in the heart of Bretforton, just across from the village green, next door to Bretforton Village School’s playing field, within sight of St. Leonard’s Church and a stone’s throw from the National Trust-owned Fleece Inn, Old Fox Cottage will capture your heart even before you go in. The Tiffany-blue front door, with its foxy door knocker, peeping out from under the immaculate thatched roof, sets the tone for your stay here. It is a delightful property. The owners, Adam and Lois, have worked tirelessly to produce a look and feel that is tasteful and luxurious throughout the cottage. With its peaceful blues, calm creams and woodland themes, you’ll feel particularly warm, cosy and cosseted here. The attention to detail is fantastic, with every mod con anticipated and provided. Shut the front door and all the worries of the world melt away. What makes this cottage additionally attractive is the village of Bretforton itself, which is a friendly, welcoming place best demonstrated by its community shop, stocked with essential items and tasty goodies. Similarly, the Fleece Inn is a warm and friendly place with an impressive calendar of events and activities to enjoy while sampling their hearty menu and fine wines and beers. Even if you never venture further than Bretforton, you’ll have a great stay. However, being just 6 miles from Broadway and Chipping Camden, 12 miles from Stratford-on-Avon, 18 miles from Cheltenham, 30 miles from Birmingham and 40 miles from Oxford, the best of the Cotswolds is on your doorstep. One of England’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the Cotswolds is renowned for its lovely, honey-gold stone cottages amidst quiet, well-preserved villages set in rural countryside. Walking, sight-seeing and cycling are the most popular activities with visitors to Old Fox Cottage. FACILITIES Sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms (one double, one twin) Family bathroom with individual shower and bath facilities, complimentary shower gel and shampoo On-street parking Central heating WiFi Child friendly Laundry/utility room with combined washing machine, tumble dryer All bed linen, bath towels and tea towels provided Electric woodburner Hairdryer in every bedroom Gas cooker with oven Kenwood microwave oven Hotpoint dishwasher Fridge Freezer High chair Integral stairgate Private enclosed garden – safe for children Outdoor patio/dining area Patio furniture Gas BBQ Flat screen digital Samsung TV in Living Room plus digital Samsung TV in Master Bedroom Historic pub, The Fleece Inn, within 60 paces Car recommended if wanting to explore LOCAL AMENITIES Bretforton is a small Cotswold village with a remarkable beating heart. The Community Shop and Café has become a social hub for the village, selling a wide range of essential items and local produce. Open from 7.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday; 8am – 5pm Saturday; and 9am – 1pm Sunday. You can find the Community Shop in the same grounds as Bretforton Social Club, which can be accessed by car from New Street or on foot via Main Street. For a more substantial shop, there’s Warner’s Budgens, 6 miles away in Broadway (open 8am – 9pm Monday – Sunday). The Chadbury Farm Shop in Evesham is also an excellent source of fresh local produce. Alternatively, for a big weekly shop or if you need a pharmacy, there is a Morrisons and Tesco Superstore in Evesham. If you’d like a break from cooking, the Fleece Inn serves traditional English favourites, including locally grown asparagus during the season (April is high season), local faggots, home-made pies and fish and chips. (They even do take away fish and chips, cider and beers.) They serve food made from with at least 30% of the ingredients sourced from within 30 miles of Evesham. Best of all, it’s in walking distance of the Cottage. When you’re ready to go adventuring, Broadway, Broadway Tower and Chipping Camden are great for walkers, cyclist or for a short car trip. Some of the Cotswolds’ most popular villages, towns and attractions are within a 30-minute drive, including Bourton-on-the-Water, Snowshill, Batsford, Moreton-in-Marsh and Stow-on-the-Wold. See the ‘Guidebook’ below for details of things to do and places to see. FULL DESCRIPTION GROUND FLOOR Entrance Hall Enter through the partially glazed front door straight into the light-filled Entrance Hall, which combines as a snug vestibule (great for sinking into the comfy armchairs while pulling off boots and coats) and practical room with cupboard for coats and wellies and a helpful umbrella stand. With its wooden floor, cream tongue-and-groove panelling and original beams, the Entrance Hall offers a warm welcome. Left into… The Living Room The Tiffany blue and cream theme continues into this lovely room, tastefully furnished with two sumptuous armchairs and a large double sofa. The most striking feature in here is the inglenook fireplace with original beam work. Within the fireplace is a wood-effect electric burner. The Living Room is all ready for a cosy night in, where you can enjoy the large, flat-screen digital TV with Blu Ray DVD player and a wealth of films. Alternatively, there’s a Wii console with games if you’re feeling more energetic. An Emma Bridgwater DAB radio with iPod docking station on the dresser is set up for playing your own playlist or a podcast. Back and left to... The Kitchen The beautiful and immaculate country-cottage kitchen has been carefully designed so that every appliance you’ll need for your stay is there, but cleverly hidden away to provide everything you need in a small space; the only obvious appliance is the gas hob with built in oven and extractor hood above. However, an integral slimline Hotpoint dishwasher and integral fridge can be found beside the cooker, whilst behind an ingenious bifold cupboard you’ll find the bread bin, Kenwood microwave and Dualit toaster and kettle. The wall units house everything you’ll need to cater for your group. There’s also an iron under the large ceramic sink and a high chair, picnic basket and vacuum in the under-stair cupboard. Left through to… Utility/Laundry Room A compact space where you’ll find the Hotpoint combined washing machine/dryer, a small library of books, re-chargeable tea light candles and storage cupboards housing cleaning materials and the boiler. Left through to… Family Bathroom As with the rest of the cottage, this room is impeccably and tastefully appointed with limestone floor and travertine wall tiles. Relax and soak away stresses in the large roll top bath that sits under the small private window overlooking the side path. Or enjoy a rainfall shower in the separate elevated double-shower enclosure. The bathroom is thoughtfully stocked with all the shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath you could need – so don’t weigh your luggage down with those heavy items. Return out to… Dining Conservatory Streaming with bright light (even on an overcast day), the heated Dining Conservatory is a great living space: by day it’s an extra living and eating space where you’ll sit to enjoy your breakfasts and lunches and access the patio garden and BBQ outside. By night, it can be transformed into an intimate dinning space with shimmering lighting. Return to…   UPSTAIRS Up the stairs from kitchen turning right into... Master double bedroom The oldest part of the cottage, the master double-bedroom has a cosy yet luxurious feel, tucked under the beams and eaves. From the iron-frame double bedstead you can enjoy private views through the traditional cottage windows. The cushioned window seat is a wonderful place to sit and while away some relaxation time. The bedroom has a lovely full-length cheval mirror, a deep clothes closet, a hairdryer and a digital flat-screen TV for bedtime viewing. Up the stairs from kitchen turning left into... Twin Bedroom A delightful room with two large, single beds, fluffy bed linen with bed throws, original beams and window overlooking a flat roof to the patio beyond. Ideal for children, this room would also suit two adults because of its L-shaped layout, providing individual privacy in a shared space. OUTSIDE The area to the rear of the cottage has been laid to patio and is reached either through the side gate and path or through the back door from the Dining Conservatory. In this clever us of space you’ll find a lovely, ivy-walled sun trap. The main patio area is up two stone steps where there’s a large ‘Outback’ gas BBQ, a rattan-style patio table with four matching chairs to one side and two rattan-style sofas with all-weather coffee table on the other. For a property in the heart of a village, this outside space is marvellously private being surrounded by high walls. (Note: one small window overlooks the area to one side but seems rarely unused.) Guests have the entire house to enjoy. For any queries or emergencies, please contact the owner, Adam Smith. Bretforton is a small Cotswold village with a remarkable beating heart. The Community Shop and Café has become a social hub for the village, selling a wide range of essential items and local produce from 7.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday, 8am – 5pm Saturday and 9am – 1pm Sunday. You can find the Community Shop in the same grounds at Bretforton Social Club, which can be accessed by car from New Street or on foot by Main Street. For a more substantial shop, there’s Warner’s Budgens, 6 miles away in Broadway (open 8am – 9pm Monday – Sunday). The Chadbury Farm Shop in Evesham is also an excellent little source of fresh local produce. Alternatively, for a big weekly shop or if you need a pharmacy, there’s Morrisons and Tesco Superstore in Evesham. If you don’t fancy cooking, The Fleece Inn is just across the village green. When asparagus is in season, it’s the only place to really enjoy this local speciality. The local faggots, home-made pies and fish and chips are favourites of ours. (They even do take away fish and chips, cider and beers!) When you’re ready to go adventuring, Broadway, Broadway Tower and Chipping Camden are great for seasoned walkers or a short car trip out. Whilst further afield, Bourton-on-the-Water is a firm favourite for children with its famous Model Village, Birdland and ice cream parlours. Should you have the misfortune of feeling unwell whilst you’re with us, there’s a doctor’s surgery in Evesham and hospitals nearby in Worcester and Cheltenham. The nearest dentist is Evesham Dental Health Team. If you want to explore the surrounding Cotswolds, we'd recommend you have a car. But there are some great walks and cycling routes on your doorstep in Bretforton! Please note that additional guests above the maximum capacity are not permitted to stay overnight. Family events are welcome at the property, but it is our policy not to take bookings for single sex group celebrations, which includes Stag and Hen nights, or groups where the majority are under 25 years. Parking: There’s free on-street parking any time, day or evening, outside Old Fox Cottage. Alternatively, guests can park in the village square just opposite the cottage Please be aware that Old Fox Cottage is a very old house and has steep stairs and low beams. There are also a few steps up to the outside, raised patio area Due to these unique features, characteristic of a Grade II listed building, we would not recommend Old Fox Cottage for people who have mobility issues