We still have space in May so you can enjoy the greenness as Spring turns to Summer and visit all the wonderful open gardens nearby. Hidcote Manor Gardens is a hike away over the hills and is particularly lovely in May and June.
Note for our far-away friends - Brexit, whether a deal or not will make no difference to intercontinental/European travel so please do not be scared away!! All is sorted for planes and ports and scare stories are just that. Stories. Besides, the pound is down so you are getting great value for the dollar!
You are looking for a really comfortable, home from home in the middle of England for up to four people? A place from which to explore the Cotswolds and the Stratford area (we are also in Shakespeare country) or even to venture further East to Cambridge, South West down to Bath and Stonehenge or West, over to Wales? London is a 90 minute train ride away. This is all doable from our cosy, traditional stone, Sansome Cottage in the very special Cotswold village of Ilmington. Moreover you do not want to be faced with extraneous surprise 'extras' tacked on. Maybe, in getting this far in finding my cottage, you have found what you seek? There are no hidden extra charges made by the owners. Internet access and free WIFI included.
Spring and early summer is the most delightful time of year in the Cotswolds. Bursting buds, greenness all around, lambs in the fields. A time of freshness and renewal. Come and charge up your tired winter batteries in a quintessential English village, away from the madding crowds! We offer total relaxation in comfortable beds waking to the sounds of a birdsong filled-courtyard. See a summary of the kinds of things you can enjoy in the area by reading the location section here which is to be found near the bottom, below the map and before the availability calendar.
Most of the year stays are a minimum of Saturday to Saturday, 7 night bookings There are no taxes and no extra fees.
Ilmington lies on the borders of Warwickshire and Gloucestershire and less than 15 miles from from both the counties of Oxfordshire and Worcestershire. I describe it as a 'hidden' village as it is away from the hotspots of tourism (7 miles from Stratford upon Avon) and not on the main roads. It is four miles from pretty (but busy, in summer!) Chipping Campden. Lovely places to visit, all within easy reach, without living at the centre of the hustle and bustle.
Drive into a completely private courtyard and find the delightful Sansome House Cottage - a conversion of a 1760's farm building into a charming vacation cottage with all modern amenities. This honey coloured stone cottage lies opposite the main former farmhouse, in summer, with tumbling flowers at the door. The interior style is small English country house - Persian rugs lie on wooden floors downstairs, antique furniture sits happily with modern pieces and the whole place oozes comfort and peace. You will be surprised at how roomy it is inside..a large rustic-style kitchen is so well-equipped that we doubt you will be asking for more (but you are welcome to borrow if we have missed something out!). This is also the eating area, with a big farmhouse table and chairs, although there is a small table in the hall that could be used for romantic dining for 2 if you prefer ( a bit of a squeeze for 4). Doors from the kitchen lead to a small completely enclosed garden with garden furniture for sunny days and a BBQ. The downstairs cloakroom/bathroom has a loo, basin and shower cabinet.
The sitting room boasts plenty of comfortable seating (2 sofas and armchair) grouped around an open log fireplace and has a 40' HDTV with all the normal digital channels (not Sky) and a Chromecast dongle so you can beam Netflix etc. if you have a subscription on your device. You have of course, free wifi access. There are DVDs and CDs and a large collection of books available for your stay. There is a music system playable through Bluetooth. Up quite a steep staircase (not suitable for small children or people with balance difficulties) is the landing, off which are two bedrooms and a bathroom. The bath has grip handles.
The main bedroom (with TV) and dressing room off, is spacious, with a King ('Super king' in England) bed which is made up as Austrian Twins (two mattresses on the same frame) with separate downy duvets so it suits close friends as well as couples. (Also no nocturnal duvet snatching possible!). There is a small sofa, two chests of drawers and hanging space. There is an extra hand basin in the dressing room. The second bedroom has two single beds, chest of drawers and hanging space. All beds have cosy down and feather duvets and pillows, pure white cotton sheets and very comfortable (so I have been told many times!) mattresses.
There is free access to WiFi and the first basket of logs is complimentary. In addition I provide starter supplies of all the basic household items and staples, such as loo paper, soap, foil, cling film, tea, coffee, herbs and much more.. to save you having to shop for essentials straight away. Candles and a complimentary bottle of wine is waiting for your dinner. There is a community shop and café situated in the old Catholic Church on the Upper Green so you can buy all the basic supplies you need from there. You can wander round to the café most days (the shop is open every day) for breakfast, coffee time, tea time etc... With that and the two excellent pubs, you need never leave the village for food!
Basically, the cottage is all set up as a home from home from the off so you can walk through the door and feel you are not missing anything (except maybe your dog and family....) and can feel completely comfortable in YOUR Cotswold cottage for the duration of your stay. Children over five are welcome but the cottage is unsuitable for those under five. There is a good village playground about 5 minutes walk away. Walks/hikes can be taken from your doorstep.
We live in the main house on the other side of the courtyard (a lawn and cherry tree between us!) and are nearly always on hand to give help and advice if required but of course leave you to enjoy your holiday without intrusion. The cottage is well stocked with leaflets and suggestions of places to visit which I keep current, as well as walking, driving and cycling maps. There is plenty of wildlife about and for the budding ornithologist, bird spotting opportunities abound on your doorstep, not least my resident pheasant who currently is accompanied by a wife.
From April to October there is a minimum booking period of a week and a Saturday changeover unless I have gaps created by people staying longer or cancellations ( insurance against this strongly advised!). There is a maximum occupancy of 4 and children over five are welcome. NO PETS!
There are NO OWNER EXTRAS to pay over and above the rate in the rates table. The rate is all inclusive so you are not going to get hit with surprises. I welcome phone calls if you want to establish our place is right for you, by talking to me. Please take note of differences in time zones though! Just send me an enquiry through the "ask owner a question" link and I will get back to you almost immediately (unless i am travelling). I do not do instant booking as it is important for both of us to talk first to make sure the cottage is right for you.
See details of what is on month to month in the area by looking for 'What's On Sansome House Cottage'
People have to jump through hoops to leave reviews here so I am reluctant to ask them but several have kindly done it and you will find tons more in other places. The calendar is kept up to date so please check there before enquiring for a particular period. I am always on email! The automated quote may not be accurate.
At short break times of year I may be doing a special offer, like buy 3 get 4th half price and the system can't cope with that so please check with me as the quote here may not be accurate.! If you are on VRBO or the US Homeaway site the price is quoted in US dollars. For a better idea, go to the rates table and put the rates into British pounds as that is the fixed price (check with fx converter on the £/dollar rate) and the currency changes daily. Try clicking the button for 'send email' (not the quote one which may give an incorrect figure if you are trying for 4 nights)
I welcome communication, rather than instant booking, as I feel it is important for you to make sure the cottage is the right choice for you!
PAYMENT METHODS AND CANCELLATIONS. Please read the details of cancellation before booking as they are set to VRBO's criteria of 'Strict'. I recommend travel insurance to cover cancellations as you might lose out in the event of an unforeseen circumstance preventing your travel. Payment is taken through VRBO and I believe only transferred to me after you arrive (I am new to their commission system and this is my understanding). There are NO extras to pay, save what they add for booking. I don't do instant booking as I prefer that we talk before you commit. If you have concerns about my existence, or promise of fulfilment, please just check me out in other places