The drive through the beautiful, rolling Cotswold countryside approaching Paxford will set you in the mood for your stay in this lovely, semi-detached, Victorian cottage. The cottage is one of a semi-detached pair, called Manor Lodge Cottages, and sits on the quiet village road that runs from Blockley to Ebrington. The cottage's pretty bay window greets you at the front of the house.
This cosy but spacious cottage was built in the 1880s and retains some of its original internal features, giving it great character, while being brought up to date with contemporary facilities. On the ground floor there is a cloakroom, hallway, and a beautiful blue kitchen-dining room and living room with an open fire. Upstairs are two light and bright double bedrooms - in a soothingly neutral Farrow & Ball colourway - one super-king and one standard double, and a family bathroom with a bath and separate shower.
There is a pretty cottage garden that runs down the side of the house with a patio that wraps around to the rear. Guests can enjoy a drink or a meal on the patio at the large circular table, relax on the lawn or sit in the little pergola under the garden's towering fir tree. With the easy access from the garden to the kitchen, al fresco entertaining will be an integral part of a stay during the warmer months. To one side of the garden is off-road parking for two cars.
Ground Floor
Entrance Hallway:
Step into the spacious hallway with wood effect flooring, which is carried through the entire ground floor area, and a handy seat and coat hooks.
Cloakroom:
Just off the hallway is a cloakroom with a toilet and a handbasin.
Kitchen/Dining Room:
Head up one step into this attractive room with its sea blue walls and white-washed ceiling and timbers - a gorgeous colour scheme that's carried through to the living room. The small but fully equipped kitchen has all the major appliances needed for a self-catering stay, including an oven, microwave, dishwasher and preparation area, alongside an antique pine table that comfortably seats four guests. To one side are French windows that open to the garden and patio.
Between the two downstairs rooms is a large understair cupboard where guests will find a highchair, travel cot, stairgate, torches and cleaning equipment.
Living Room:
This delightful and welcoming living room is both cool and relaxing on a summer day, with its large bay window bringing light and air into the room, and cosy and warm on a winter's evening, with its open fireplace and twinkling fairy lights. The room is furnished with two armchairs, a double sofa, a coffee table and occasional tables, plus an antique bureau that opens to reveal a beautiful desk. In one corner is a 41" smart TV with an Amazon Firestick.
First Floor
Head up a carpeted staircase with a handrail to two bedrooms and a family bathroom all decorated in neutral Farrow & Ball tones.
Bedroom One:
This bright, light and spacious master bedroom overlooks the front of the cottage through a lovely big window with a wide, wooden windowsill and features a super-king size double bed with bedside tables and lamps. The bedroom also has a fitted wardrobe, antique pine chest of drawers and an ornate, full-length mirror. The room is big enough to accommodate a travel cot.
Bedroom Two:
Sitting at the back of the house, overlooking the patio and entrance hall below, the second bedroom is equally light and bright and features a standard double bed, with a bedside table and reading lamp to one side. The bedroom has a high cupboard with shelves and baskets and five hooks with hangers for hanging up clothes.
Family Bathroom:
Sitting between the two bedrooms, the family bathroom features a full-size bath, a toilet and handbasin with a mirror over and heated towel rail, and a separate walk-in shower with a hand-held shower and overhead rain shower.
Outside
The cottage has a pretty, fully enclosed patio and garden to the rear with mature borders, a lawn and a very tall fir tree in one corner. The patio has a large circular table and four chairs and is accessible via the hallway or through the French doors in the kitchen. A garden path leads up the side of the cottage to the front where there is an original iron gate that opens to the road and a footpath, which leads to the centre of the village, a children's playground and footpaths to longer walks. On the far side of the garden is a wooden gate that opens to the parking area.
