Immaculate riverside Cotswold cottage - sleeps 4-6

The Old Groom's House is a detached, two-bedroom cottage in the grounds of our historic home, The Old Rectory. A contactless stay is available. Its charming setting is instantly relaxing, with a private terrace overlooking mature gardens, dairy pasture and the tranquil River Avon. Renovated in 2020, so everything is fresh, bright and immaculate, it sleeps 4 people comfortably, and there’s a double sofa bed if you have extra guests. There’s plenty of secure parking behind electric gates. There’s a bright living space with split stable door and picture windows looking out to open farmland. The kitchen is fully equipped, including a Neff oven and hob, combination microwave, dishwasher, washer/dryer and large fridge/freezer. The bathroom is very large, with stone floor, bath, WC and a walk-in power shower. Bedroom one is on the ground floor with a comfy king size bed. Bedroom two is upstairs and has ample storage and super king size bed which can be divided into two decent singles if preferred. There’s a proper little dining table, though the private terrace is a perfect spot to enjoy breakfast, lunch or supper in good weather. And there’s toasty central heating and an electric fire and fan heater for when it’s not. We’ve tried to anticipate everything a guest might want for the perfect stay (including mod cons like ultrafast fibre WiFi). And whilst Groom’s cottage is a separate, private place, we’re not far away if we’ve overlooked anything you might need. The tiny hamlet of Dauntsey is the perfect base for exploring everything the west country and the Cotswolds have to offer. Groom’s guests have a private all-year round hot tub for exclusive use by the Groom’s cottage, in a little private sun trap just beside the Groom’s terrace. The owners are in the main house, we are here to support you if you need us. The grounds are reasonably large and there is plenty of space for everyone. As well as river watching or fishing, we also have other entertainment to keep our guests amused. We have a small rowing boat and canoe. Guests have been known to swim in the river on warmer days. The Groom’s house has a private hot tub, on the Groom’s private terrace. On the front lawn we play croquet, on the back lawn we play badminton and boules, and we have cricket bats, hockey sticks and balls. Explore the grounds to find the fruit bushes, the vegetable patch and the riverbank Dauntsey is a tiny unspoilt village, half a mile from Great Somerford. Our nearest market town is the historic Malmesbury, famous for its abbey, where the first king of England is buried. It's brilliant for walking, cycling or riding. Approx distances for days out: Malmesbury, 5 miles; Tetbury, 10 miles; Castle Combe, 11 miles; Westonbirt Arboretum, 12 miles; Cirencester, 17 miles; Avebury Stones, 17 miles; Roman Bath, 21 miles; Bristol Zoo, 29 miles; Longleat, 32 miles; Stonehenge, 33 miles; London, 94 miles. We are equidistant between junction 16 and 17 of the M4 and a 15 minutes from either junction. We are 20 mins from Chippenham railway station, or Kemble railway station or airfield. We are 30 minutes from Swindon Railway station. The no 91 bus to and from Chippenham does pass right by the house with a limited schedule, it passes through Great Somerford and Little Somerford. A car is the best mode of transport to get here, and when here bikes are great as its very flat around us. For keen cyclists, we have plenty of safe storage areas for bikes to be kept overnight and serviced in the dry. And as we are on the edge of the Cotswolds, there are a great many incredible cycle routes and walks very close by. There are also excllent riding stables nearby in Brinkworth. Winter highlights - from November to March at sunrise and sunset we have mesmerising murmurations of thousands of starlings whirling in the sky around three trees on the far side of the field. There's nothing more beautiful than a white frosty morning and even on a chilly winter's evening, you can enjoy feeling warm outside from a 40* hot tub and the roaring firepit. Spring highlights - the green shoots appear and the garden blossoms with an abundance of flowers. The treehouse over the river is good place to bird and animal watch. The cows appear in the field in April kicking up their heels with the excitement of being out in the meadow with the lush green grass. Summer highlights - the waters are so shallow you can walk around in the river, or swim in the deeper parts. It's easier to explore the river in the kayak rather than the boat which can get beached. The BBQ and croquet lawn is always set up, the hedgehogs come out at night. The veg patch is bursting and the flowers are blooming everywhere. The country shows and local village fetes are great fun. Autumn highlights - even with nights drawing in, evenings can still be enjoyed outside (in dry weather). The hot tub, BBQ and firepit terrace is protected from any wind. The boats come in for wintering and the garden is closed down by October 31st. Hallowee'n is always a big occassion, and then we prep for Christmas. The decorations go up on December 1st and festivities begin.