A Delightful Holiday In The Cotswolds With Manor Cottages

We spent the past week in Cotswolds, enjoying a relaxing break with Manor Cottages. We had been to Cotswolds earlier, albeit for a day but we had fallen in love with the place and had decided that we would come back some day. So when a weeks holiday materialised in the heart of Cotswolds, we knew it was going to be fun and we were not disappointed.

Manor Cottages have an impressive portfolio of beautiful cottages in locations like Stratford-upon-Avon, Bath and The Cotswolds. From cosy cottages for two to barn conversions and from traditional thatched cottages to stunning, large properties capable of accommodating up to 30 people, Manor Cottages cater for all kinds of taste and group sizes. I spent a lot of time browsing through their website and finally zeroed-in on The Planters Studio in Eastleach, Burford.

Planters Studio is a cosy holiday home located in a very rural location in Eastleach, Burford. There are only a couple of other cottages nearby and it was an absolutely peaceful location with countryside walks nearby. The Studio is attached to the owners' cottage but we had the privacy we needed.
While looking through Manor Cottages website, I was shortlisting properties that were compact and cosy and perfect for a couple and this property was just that. An open plan living space on the ground floor included:

• a living area with a large sofa and armchair and
• a kitchen which was equipped with an electric hob, oven and grill, microwave and a small fridge.

A large TV with Freeview and DVD player was also provided. The cottage was well  appointed with the owners taking care of even minor details. I loved the selection of magazines and books - just what a bookworm like me needed.

A galleried bedroom on the first floor included a comfortable king-size double bed, a chest of drawers and a wardrobe. The ensuite bathroom though compact had everything needed.

There was a small, private, enclosed garden area at the entrance to the studio. A bird feeder hung near the entrance meant that we were treated to the sight of beautiful birds and musical birdsong all through the day. A very lovely way to enjoy nature! We spotted Blackbirds, the Great spotted woodpecker (was very shy and difficult to photograph), Starling, Coal tit, Goldfinch, House sparrow, Great tit, Robin, Wren and a few others that I could not identify.

The owners' dog, Chutney, was one of the friendliest dogs we have ever come across. Both of us being dog lovers, enjoyed his company a lot.

Out and About

Burford is under 10 minutes drive from the cottage and many other tourist attractions are within 30 minutes drive. We visited the Cotswold Wildlife Park and also made a trip to Bibury, well-known for Arlington Row (apparently the most picturesque and one of the oldest row of cottages in England).
We also visited many other beautiful villages like:

• Bourton-on-the-Water : A scenic village with low, arched stone bridges over River Windrush. Known for tourist attractions like the Birdland Park and Gardens, the model village and the Cotswold Motoring Museum.
• Stow-on-wold : A lovely market town
• Snowshill : A small charming village home to Snowshill Manor and Snowshill Lavender Farm.
• Broadway : Located near Snowshill and known as the 'Jewel of the Cotswolds', it is known for the Broadway Tower.
• Chipping Norton : A quaint and attractive town with many medieval buildings. Lovely place to do a bit of shopping and enjoy an afternoon tea (The Tea Set on the High offers a lovely selection of afternoon teas, coffee and cakes).
• Chipping Campden : The town has many beautiful buildings and small shops. We enjoyed a lovely dinner at the 2 AA Rosettes restaurant at The Kings Hotel in Chipping Campden.
• Stanton : Less touristy and one of the most prettiest and idyllic villages in the Cotswolds in my opinion. We spent a lot of time just ambling about the village, admiring the honey-coloured cottages and the strikingly beautiful gardens.

Broadway Tower

Stanton

Stanton

The Tea Set - Chipping Norton

We had a wonderful experience driving around Cotswolds in a classic car - the Alfa Romeo Spider. The weather was good for most of the day (of the car hire) and we drove around with the top down! It was fun.

Classic Car Hire - www.greatescapecars.co.uk

Blenheim Palace is also within easy reach.

Overall, we enjoyed our holiday a lot. From the local and historic attractions to market towns and from quaint picturesque villages to fine dining, everything was fabulous. Both of us did not want to come back home!

If you are looking for a lovely little getaway in Cotswolds, then look no further than Manor Cottages. They have a wide range of properties, all ideally located to explore this beautiful part of England.