Cottageguide.net
Dating from the mid 17th century, Swan House is a sumptuously furnished Grade II listed country house in a charming 'secret' village. Sleeping twelve, it represents the very best 5 Star self-catering holiday 'cottage' accommodation. Hidden away on a no-through road, the house is set in two acres of well tended gardens, with its own spring fed trout lake and river frontage. The Coln Valley is reputedly the loveliest in the Cotswolds and Winson is the most exclusive village in it. With credentials such as these, Swan House can genuinely claim to be the most luxuriously furnished house in the prettiest valley in the Cotswolds.
The heart of the house is a magnificent 36' drawing room with a grand piano and extensive views over the gardens and lake. This is augmented by a large hall / sitting room and a formal dining room.
Both the drawing room and dining room have log burning fires. There is also a fully equipped kitchen, laundry and boot room.
Equipment-wise, there is a 42 inch flat screen plasma television, DVD /CD player, Playstation and numerous board games to keep all ages and interests amused.
The sleeping accommodation is provided by six bedrooms: four doubles and two twins. All are beautifully appointed, and most have views of the gardens or the village. The master bedroom even boasts a four-poster bed. There are also four bathrooms, all luxuriously fitted with modern baths and showers set in marble.
The setting of the house is a walkers' paradise, with countless local walks and longer walks to lovely local pubs. Bicycles are also available and, for the less energetic, there are fly fishing rods for use in the lake.
Swan House is well placed for a holiday in the Cotswolds, the village of Winson being about equidistant from Cirencester, Burford and Stow-on-the-Wold, all quintessential Cotswold towns. Cirencester (Roman Corinium) offers a wealth of places to eat, a regular Farmers' Market, plenty of shops and supermarkets, antique shops and internationally important Roman mosaics in the Corinium Museum.Bibury, described by William Morris as the most beautiful village in England, is about two miles away. He is reputed to have visited the village church, part of the Parish of Bibury with Winson; certainly his influence can be seen in the painted walls there.
There are several stunning wool churches locally, including Cirencester, Northleach, Bibury and Fairford. Cotswold Water Park, which has jet skiing, canoeing, sailing, fishing and its own beach, is nearby, as is the Roman villa at Chedworth. Cotswold Wildlife Park, Birdland, Batsford Arboretum and Birds of Prey centre, Hidcote and Westonbirt Arboretum are all within easy driving distance. Bath and Stratford on Avon are close enough for day trips.
Nearby is the now famous Barnsley House Hotel, much frequented by film stars, and across the road and run by the same owners is the Village Pub, where the food is excellent. Bibury offers a wide choice of dining at the local pub, the Catherine Wheel, the Swan Hotel or the historic, riverside Bibury Court Hotel. The New Inn at Coln St Aldwyns offers welcome refreshment after the lovely river walk to it.
Tel 020 8995 9072
www.swanhousecotswolds.co.uk
Gloucestershire self catering holiday cottages