Sycamore, Bibury, romantic, Cotswold cottage

The Sycamore is a beautifully designed, luxurious retreat for two in the popular Cotswold village of Arlington, in the parish of Bibury. The owners have spared no expense furnishing this bolthole, using a clever combination of contemporary building materials, sumptuous fabrics, gorgeous antiques and eye-catching artwork. The Sycamore sits in the grounds of Arlington House, in the heart of the Cotswolds. A few minutes' walk from the famous Arlington Row and a local pub with roaring log fire. Please note that additional guests above the maximum capacity are not permitted to stay overnight. THE SPACE>> Facilities Sleeps 2 in 1 king-size double bedroom 1 ensuite shower room - with large walk-in shower, contemporary wash basin, W.C. and heated towel rail. Parking for 1 car in marked bay Private rear patio All bed linen, bath towels and tea towels provided Hairdryer Kitchen starter consumables: e.g. teabags, fresh coffee, sugar, fresh milk, salt/pepper. Cleaning starter pack: scourer, cloth, washing up liquid, bin bags, kitchen paper, baking foil. Bathroom essentials: hand soap, toilet paper, shampoo, body wash Heating and hot water via gas central heating with individual thermostat controls. Free Wi-Fi TV: flat screen, smart TV with Amazon Firestick Card and boardgames Kitchen with toaster, kettle, utensils, crockery, cutlery, glassware (champagne flutes, tumblers and wine and water glasses) cafetiere, food preparation (grater, jug, sieve), saucepans, kitchen foil and trays. Oven/hob (gas) Fridge-freezer Microwave Ironing board and iron Outdoor patio seating area with seating for 2 BBQ – charcoal (please provide your own fuel) Safety equipment: fire extinguisher, fire blanket, carbon monoxide monitor, smoke alarm, First Aid kit. Full Property Description Ground Floor Hallway Step from the gravelled parking area immediately in front of The Sycamore into an entrance lobby with polished limestone floor, handy coat hooks and a pretty antique chair - ideal for perching while you remove your boots or shoes before heading up the beautiful oak staircase to the open plan living space and king-size bedroom. First Floor Dining-Living-Kitchen Area Emerge at the top of the stairs to a brightly lit, elegant and beautifully decorated living space, with the stunning king-size antique bed in view at the far end. A dining table at the top of the stairs comfortably seats two around a contemporary, glass-top table. The dining space leads to a central island housing the oven and hob, crockery and glassware. At the far end is a double ceramic sink, kettle, toaster and fridge-freezer, while a sideboard at the dining end houses a microwave oven. Within the main living area, but slightly off-set, is the delightful seating area, with a three-seater sofa and plush, velvet cushions, a coffee table and a large smart TV with an Amazon Firestick. The living area has bi-fold doors that open out on to the patio. At the top of the stairs, French doors open out onto an elevated walkway that leads round to the back of The Sycamore’s patio. Bedroom At the far end of The Sycamore is the beautiful bedroom, with a king-size bed on a fabulously carved mahogany bed frame, creating an opulent feel, perfect for any couple wanting to escape for a romantic break. The bedroom has bedside tables with reading lights, a comfy antique armchair and occasional chair, with a low coffee table between the chairs, a large double wardrobe with hanging space and shelves and a Velux window (with fitted blind) that allows the sunlight to flood in. Shower Room Just opposite the dining area is the entrance to the luxurious shower room, which features a large walk-in shower with handheld and overhead showerheads, a contemporary wash basin with vanity unit and large mirror, a dual flush W.C. and a heated towel rail. All towels, shampoo and soap are provided for guests. Outside The Sycamore’s guests have a private patio at the rear of the property, accessed through the living area’s bi-fold doors or through French doors at the top of the stairs. A table and seating is provided along with a charcoal BBQ (please provide your own fuel). The patio looks out to a towering beech tree and Arlington House’s lovely garden. Please note: The Sycamore’s patio adjoins the owners’ private garden. Though it may be tempting to take a stroll in the garden, we ask that you remain on the patio as the main garden and pool is not for The Sycamore guests’ use. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Guests have access to whole property Owner is available if guest needs assistance Local Amenities Places to Eat Guests at the The Sycamore are lucky to have plenty of great pubs, cafes and restaurants to choose from, with a few in walking distance. Here are the owners’ local favourites: The Village Pub, Barnsley (3 miles away) Casual dining in a traditional pub with outdoor seating. Good food. Barnsley House, Barnsley (3 miles away) The original home of Rosemary Verey, the highly acclaimed garden designer, a stunning boutique hotel and gardens open to non-residents. Well worth a visit. The Wheatsheaf, Northleach (6.5 miles away) Casual dining inside and out with great food and cocktails. The New Inn, Coln St Aldwyns Traditional pub with a good menu. You can do a lovely walk cross country to Coln St Aldwyns from Bibury - it takes about 40 minutes each way or drive the 3 miles by car. The Swan, Bibury – a 2-minute walk A small bistro attached to the hotel offers non-residents breakfasts, lunches and suppers. Good food and surroundings and within staggering distance although sometimes it can be a bit too quiet! The Catherine Wheel, Bibury – a 1-minute walk The nearest old-fashioned local pub that offers traditional pub grub. Made by Bob, Cirencester (7 miles away) If you would like to explore Cirencester, Bob’s is the best restaurant in the town, whether it is for brunch or a full-blown supper. Linwood Cafe, Fairford (6 miles away) Great for a coffee, breakfast or a lunch time snack. The Organic Farm Shop, Cirencester (6 miles away) Fab food that is largely grown on site. On the Burford Road, just outside Cirencester Things to Do Walking There are some lovely walks that you can start from Arlington/Bibury. Maps are provided with the printed Welcome Guide at the property and are attached to bookings made directly with Bolthole Retreats. Fishing If you would like to try your hand at fishing, and have your own rod, the Swan Hotel offers access to the riverbank in Bibury. Just ask at reception for details. Alternatively, you might want to take the easier option and catch your own trout at the Bibury Trout Farm. You can just turn up and they will provide you with everything you need. Water sports The nearby Cotswold Water Park at South Cerney offers a great selection of water sports, from kayaking and sailing to water skiing and rowing. There is also a lake for swimming, and you can hire bikes there to explore the local area Polo Between May and September, you can watch a polo match almost every Saturday and Sunday either at the Cirencester Park Polo Club or the Beaufort Polo Club (near Tetbury). If you have never watched it before, just turn up with a picnic and enjoy this very English pastime on a lovely summer day, there is nothing nicer, and you may be lucky and catch a match with a member of the royal family playing! Shopping Cirencester is the nearest town that offers a selection of really good boutiques, small independent shops and the Corn Hall in the Market Square, which features a home, fashion and garden bazaar from Monday to Thursdays, antiques on Fridays and crafts on Saturdays. (The Corn Hall occasionally holds specialist fairs on a Sunday. A farmer’s market is held in the Market Square, Cirencester on the 2nd and 4th Saturday in the month, from 9am to 2.30pm. See the Cirencester Guide at the end of this Welcome Guide for more details about the town’s attractions. Burford Garden Company is just 8 miles away and is known as the next best thing to Liberty’s outside London. It is well worth a visit to browse, shop and enjoy the great food in their cafe. Burford – known by many as ‘the Gateway to the Cotswolds’ is also very sweet with lovely shops and eateries. Museums and archaeological sites As an important area to the Romans, Cirencester and the surrounding villages offer some interesting museums and archaeological sites, including the Corinium Museum in Cirencester and Roman sites at nearby Chedworth and Withington. A car isn’t essential for a short break at The Sycamore but recommended if you want to explore further afield as public transport is limited. By Train The closest train stations with connections to London Paddington (1hr 15 minutes travel) are Kemble (14 miles) and Swindon (17 miles). Please see ‘Taxis’ for transfers to the cottage. House Rules Please respect the owners and their neighbours; this is a very quiet village and do not play music loudly or use the property to host a party. A maximum of two people may sleep overnight at The Sycamore. The garden at Arlington House, beside The Sycamore, is the owner’s private space. Guests are asked not to use the garden. Thank you. The owner’s chocolate Labrador retriever always has a safety collar on to ensure she does not go down the driveway alone. Similarly, she will not venture into The Sycamore so please do not encourage her to do so - you may not get her out if you do! Please note that additional guests above the maximum capacity are not permitted to stay overnight.