The Bothy, Bibury, romantic, Cotswold cottage

This beautiful, one-bedroom, 1-bath, 17th Century bothy, originally built to house cattle and a herdsman, has been lovingly converted into a luxurious and romantic bolthole for 2. The Bothy sits in the grounds of Arlington House, in the heart of the Cotswolds, and includes many extra welcoming touches that will delight you and make your stay that little bit special. Just a few minutes' walk from a local pub, with a roaring log fire and garden, and Arlington Row Cottages and 10 miles from Burford Please note that additional guests above the maximum capacity are not permitted to stay overnight. THE SPACE>> As you pull through the wrought iron gates and up the driveway of Arlington House, a stone’s throw from the popular village of Bibury, you’ll see the Bothy straight ahead. At first view the Bothy seems like an unimposing Cotswold stone barn. However, the moment you open the front door you’ll immediately realise you have chosen a luxurious and perfectly proportioned Cotswold bolthole for two. This old stone bothy was originally used for cattle over the centuries and has recently been converted. It now offers a light, bright and stylish accommodation for two. Downstairs is an open plan, elegant sitting room with a well-equipped corner kitchen. A spiral, contemporary staircase leads upstairs to a beautiful bedroom with an ensuite shower room. Outside, you are provided with a garden bench at the Bothy’s front door, where you can sit and enjoy a peaceful beginning or end to your day in the Cotswolds. Facilities Sleeps 2 in 1 king-size double bedroom 1 ensuite bathroom - with large walk-in shower, contemporary wash basin, W.C. and tall heated towel rail. Parking for 1 car Garden bench at front door 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 (online viewing only) Card and boardgame 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 Microwave Ironing board and iron Outdoor seating: a bench is provided at the front door Safety equipment: fire extinguisher, fire blanket, carbon monoxide monitor, smoke alarm, First Aid kit. Full Property Description Ground Floor Living-Dining-Kitchen Area Step through the Bothy’s front door into the delightful, elegantly furnished, open plan living area, with polished limestone floor tiles, a comfy sofa and smart TV. A perfectly equipped corner kitchen, with a fridge, toaster, kettle, gas hob and oven, is at the far end of the room, while a bistro table is provided for guests to dine at, with a window seat providing one of the seats. (Trays are provided should you wish to eat sitting on the sofa.) A fabulous, antique wall-sized mirror reflects light into the room, making this open plan living area beautifully bright. A narrow, contemporary spiral staircase winds upstairs to: Upstairs Bedroom Simple elegance best describes the Bothy’s luxury ensuite bedroom, with its vaulted and exposed beams, grey and white colour scheme and combination of antique and contemporary furniture. The room is furnished with a king-size bed, reading lamp, a wardrobe and drawer, a small sofa, luggage rack and full-length mirror. A hair dryer, iron and ironing board are also provided for guests. The door in the bedroom that leads to external stairs was originally used by the herdsman who lived above his cattle. The morning sun streams through the door’s window, which can be enjoyed while lying in bed, but curtains are provided should you prefer to keep the light out for a lie in! (This door should only be used in case of fire. Please leave the keys in the door at all times.) Bathroom The elegant ensuite bathroom has a large walk-in shower, with handheld and overhead showerheads, a contemporary wash basin, a dual flush W.C. and a tall heated towel rail. All towels, shampoo and soap are provided for guests. Outside Guests access the property using the owners’ private driveway. Parking space for one car is located to the front of the Bothy. A bench to the side of the front door is provided for guests’ use – a lovely pace to sit and contemplate the day ahead or the day just gone by. The whole of the Bothy is for guests' use. The owner lives on-site and is available if guests need help Arlington was first mentioned in the Domesday Book (1086) and was for centuries a village known for cloth making. Arlington village and Bibury village sit side-by-side, separated by the River Coln, a tributary of the River Thames. The village’s honey coloured cottages are what many visitors regard as quintessential Cotswold, with many visitors making a beeline to the famous Arlington Row cottages, once depicted on the inside cover of every UK passport, and just a minute’s walk from the Bothy. Arlington was also the ancestral birthplace of John Custis II, who emigrated to the Colony of Virginia and named his Virginian mansion "Arlington" after the village. Arlington Mansion was abandoned, but the name was used again by his great-great-grandson, George Washington Parke Custis (the grandson of Martha Washington and step-grandson and adopted son of George Washington, the first President of the United States), as the name for Arlington Estate on the south shore of the Potomac River near what is now Washington, D.C. Today it is known as Arlington National Cemetery. The 19th-century artist and craftsman William Morris called Bibury "the most beautiful village in England" – he probably meant Arlington too! A car is not essential but is recommended. One marked parking space, in front of the cottage, is available for guests to use. Guests access the parking and property using the owners’ private driveway. 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. Points of Note The Bothy is not suitable for anyone with mobility issues, as the staircase from the living area to the bedroom is narrow and spiral. (The Bothy’s sister property, Sycamore Barn, directly behind the Bothy, has a wide and regular staircase, walk-in shower with all accommodation on one level once the stairs have been ascended, and therefore could be suitable for guests with limited mobility issue.) As the Bothy is over 300 years old there are small creatures that have lived in the building long before the owners converted it. Therefore, do not be surprised that from time to time you may see a little field mouse and more frequently a wood louse or two. The owners do all they can to leave the place immaculate for guests, but sometimes, as the door is closed, they may come out to play! If you are concerned please contact the owners. The Bothy’s Smart television is currently set up for online watching only, via Netflix, BBC (iPlayer), ITV (Hub), Channel 4 (Catch Up) and Channel 5 (My5).