Historic Cotswold House, Dog-Friendly, Secret Grdn

A Historic Cotswolds Cottage with Secret Garden Luxury and centuries of history abound in this authentic country cottage set in the heart of England’s beautiful Cotswolds. One of Harper’s Bazaar Magazine’s 12 Best Luxury Stays in the UK, this enchanting dwelling is characterised by its oak beam ceilings, roaring fire and picturesque garden. Just a stone’s throw from the shops and eateries of Lechlade town centre, this Tudor house delivers an experience you simply can’t buy. And because it’s ideally situated on the banks of the River Thames, Mother Nature and a range of exciting water-based activities are never far away. An Authentic Elizabethan-Style Home Dripping with History The ancient market town of Lechlade-on-Thames is home to quintessentially English architecture. And this stunning cottage exemplifies that characteristic with aplomb. A Grade II Listed Building, its authenticity, cosiness and historic charm attracted the attention of Harper’s Bazaar Magazine in 2021, which included the house in its 12 Best Luxury Stays in the UK list. The property is dripping with genuine history. Believed to have been built as a home for the Canon of Gloucester, it hasn’t lost any of its elegance or authenticity over the years. Visitors are greeted by a gorgeous stone archway entrance, which sets the scene for what’s to come inside. Magnificent double oak doors lead into a porch, and an internal door makes way for a jaw-dropping hallway — which is dominated by an ancient flagstoned floor. A Sumptuous Living Room As you make your way through this frozen-in-time English cottage, the glorious details and historic features just keep coming. An impressive sitting room lies beyond the hallway, which offers a unique insight into life from a bygone age. A resplendent Tudor fireplace takes centre stage, but it gets a run for its money from the authentic exposed beams that adorn the entire ceiling. This mesmerising room is packed with character and elegance, yet it’s both uncluttered and spacious. Furnished with classic velvet chairs and sofas, this living space is conducive to relaxation, reflection and time spent with the people you love. Open-Plan Living Continuing through the cottage, there’s a second beautiful archway, which is believed to be part of the original home — built more than 400 years ago. This authentic feature leads into an open, vaulted kitchen, which is perfect for open-plan, family living. There’s ample space for dining, entertaining and simply catching up with family after a long day of sightseeing in the heart of the Cotswolds. From the kitchen, you can head through double French doors and into a secure courtyard. While away the hours in the glorious Cotswolds sunshine by relaxing at the courtyard table. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, take a stroll into the Secret Garden! Luxurious Bedrooms The first floor of this magnificent cottage is just as impressive as the ground floor. You’ll find two king-size bedrooms, both of which are adorned by authentic exposed ceiling beams. There’s also a fully equipped family bathroom, complete with shower attachment. But if there’s a queue for the facilities, there’s no need to worry — you’ll find another shower room on the ground floor. Like many authentic English cottages, this home has many secrets to tell. For example, a brief climb up the second flight of stairs reveals another stunning king-size bedroom, as well as a small bunk room. Ideally Situated in the Heart of the English Cotswolds If you can tear yourself away from the splendour of the cottage, there’s a lot to do, see and experience — both in the town and the surrounding areas. Choose from a range of boutique eateries, or cook up a storm with ingredients from a wide selection of family-run grocery stores. You’ll also find the locally renowned Cotswold Tea Shop of the Year a short walk from the cottage. Spend a while strolling through the town centre, and you’ll come across everything from butcher shops to antique stores. Head beyond the town, and you’ll be able to immerse yourself in some of the most beautiful countryside in England. Located on the border of Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire, Lechlade-on-Thames offers easy access to the wider Cotswolds area, as well as historic towns such as Burford, Cheltenham and Cirencester. The ancient cities of Bath and Oxford are also just a short drive away. Be Our Guest We love our cottage, and we’re always excited when we get the chance to show it off to guests. So while you’re there, we want you to treat it as your home from home in the beautiful Cotswolds. To enjoy a truly authentic experience, live as the locals do — and become part of the welcoming community. If you’re driving to us, there is plenty of on-street parking immediately outside the cottage. And if you have a house-trained dog, he or she is welcome to call our cottage home, too. All we ask is that it’s well-behaved and respectful of our neighbours. For any other pets, please talk to us before booking. We want your stay in our cherished cottage to be as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. That’s why we’ll try to be there to meet you when you check-in. But if we’re not available, our trusted housekeeper can take our place. We can also arrange for a key to be stored in a secure lockbox if you prefer, so you can let yourself into the property — perfect if you’re arriving late and just want to get some rest. We’re confident that you’ll have everything you need in our historic cottage for a memorable stay. But we’ll be available if you need any information or assistance. We’ll do everything we can to make your visit to Lechlade-on-Thames something extra special. Always available by phone, text or email to respond to any queries that you might have either prior or during your stay. Arch Cottage is located in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty known as The Cotswolds. A pretty pocket of rural England – from rolling hills and sweeping meadows to bucolic villages and stately homes The Telegraph newspaper explains what it is that keeps us coming back... 1. It’s unremittingly pretty “The glorious, honey-coloured towns and villages of the Cotswolds look as if they have strayed into the 21st century from another era,” writes expert, Harriet O'Brien. “The sheep-shaped past here is appealingly evident in striking wool churches and manor houses built by wealthy textile merchants. Flourishes of later heritage include a fine legacy of the Arts and Crafts movement.” The home of Arts and Crafts' William Morris, Kelmcott Manor, is but a 5 minute drive from The Wilde and is open to the public. 2. There’s plenty of it Covering nearly 800 square miles across five counties (Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire), the “wolds”, or rolling hills, is the biggest of the 38 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England and Wales. 3. It has literary connections Long before Laurie Lee died in May 1997, the writer’s magnum opus, Cider with Rosie, had become a classic. A lyrical portrait of his Cotswolds boyhood, Lee captured the essence of a special corner of England and made it his own. Born in Stroud, Gloucestershire, the scribe remained faithful to the Cotswolds until the end: he passed away in the village of Slad, just two miles from where he entered the world, aged 82. Slad is around a 30 minute drive from Arch Cottage (be sure to visit The Woolpack Inn). 4. And royal connections The Cotswolds may be an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, but it’s also home to some impressive man-made structures, most of which were built for royalty. Highlights include the Prince of Wales’s Highgrove Estate (about 35 min drive from Arch Cottage, and open to the public at certain times of the year) and Corsham Court, a grandiose former royal manor whose gardens were designed by Capability Brown. It is also accessible for the hoi polloi. 5. Cheese is a big deal Every year, on the spring bank holiday, local cheese enthusiasts risk life and limb to chase a wheel of double Gloucester down Cooper’s Hill, one of the steepest slopes in the Cotswolds. The annual Cheese-Rolling and Wake garners international attention and, despite being inherently dangerous, the tradition endures as a testament to the eccentric spirit of the Cotswolds. 6. It’s a gateway to some fine cities The Cotswolds is fringed by some of the country’s most cultured small cities: to the west is festival-loving Cheltenham (15 miles from Arch Cottage); due north is Elgar’s Worcester; flirting with the eastern flanks is the university city of Oxford (40 min drive from Arch Cottage); while due south you will find Cirencester (20 minute drive from Arch Cottage) and Bath (45 min drive from Arch Cottage). 7. Delicious produce abounds Local highlights include Gloucestershire Old Spot pork, lamb, fruit and veg such as asparagus and plums, not to mention double and single Gloucester cheese and fish from Donnington and Bibury trout farms (c.20 min drive from Arch Cottage). 8. And local chefs know how to cook it “Cotswold restaurants worth their salt thrive on the richly varied produce of the region,” writes O'Brien. “Eating out in the Cotswolds has been revolutionised by the rise of the gastropub. Yet should posh pubs not appeal, a number of seriously good traditional restaurants are very much holding their own.” Our recommendations local to Arch Cottage are The Swan at Southrop (10 min drive), The Bell at Langford (10 min drive), The Plough at Kelmcott (15 min drive) and for something really special The Ox Barn at Thyme, Southrop (10 min drive) 9. There are some terrific boozers From 17th-century cider houses to timeworn real ale pubs, you’ll have no difficulty wetting your whistle in the Cotswolds. 10. The villages are stunning Pretty villages abound in the Cotswolds, and while each one has its own flavour, most of them share a similar aesthetic thanks to the gorgeous Cotswold stone they are cut from. Burford (15 min drive from Arch Cottage), Bourton-on-Water (30 min drive from Arch Cottage), Chedworth are some of the handsomest villages in the area. As well as admiring the architecture, visitors can dive into a pub for a pint, tuck into fine Cotswold cuisine in a local eatery or peruse the wares in one of the many antique shops (try Brownrigg at Tetbury for the best of the best in Antiques shops). 11. There are fine gardens If you’re wont to whiling away the afternoon in rose-scented gardens, don’t miss a visit to Hidcote, which is one of the best-known Arts and Crafts gardens in Britain. Created by the famous horticulturalist, Major Lawrence Johnston, Hidcote features herbaceous borders, sculpted hedges and rare trees, amongst other impressive blooms. Other gardens worth making a detour for include Batsford Arboretum and Kiftsgate Court Gardens. 12. You might recognise the locals Royalty aside, Kate Moss (lives in the next village to Arch Cottage), Kate Winslet and Liz Hurley are perhaps the Cotswolds’ most famous residents. Alex James, the Blur bassist turned cheese maker, also lives there, as does Damien Hirst, who owns a 300-room Costwold mansion called Toddington Manor. One wall of the fabulous coffee shop Lynwood's (arguably serving the best coffee outside of London) in Lechlade is adorned with the autographs of all the famous people who pop in for their daily caffeine fix. For those that prefer Tea, there is an excellent Tea Shop opposite Arch Cottage, called "Vera's Kitchen" which has a pretty courtyard for an alfresco cuppa and some cake.