Summary

Barndown is a 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom, 19^th Century cottage in the heart of Cotswold walking country. Surrounded by farmland, on a quiet country road, Barndown is in the ancient village of Weston Subedge in walking distance of a popular pub and a village bar, and just 5-minutes’ drive from Chipping Campden – one of the Cotswolds’ most charming towns. Barndown’s private garden and patio with BBQ, plus off-road parking for 2 to 3 cars, provides a perfect retreat for walkers and families exploring the Cotswold Way, Monarch’s Way and Heart of England footpaths, and the wider Cotswolds.

Introduction

This typical Cotswold stone property was built in the late 1800s as the village Reading Room, and somewhat resembles a small chapel. The opening was described in the original village’s monthly Gazette as follows: “The Reading Room is now open for the use of men and working lads of the village and it is hoped all will do their best to keep good order, and as much quiet as possible. Lads who do not go to work are not allowed the use of the room”. The outside, with its lead-pane windows and porched doorway has changed little in the intervening years. Inside, the cottage’s original features, including a stone fireplace and exposed timbers, have been preserved, making this cottage a cosy retreat, surrounded by farmland, in a very pretty village.

Outside, Barndown has a wraparound garden with a lawn and planted borders and a patio to the side of the kitchen, where guests will find a table and seating perfect for al fresco dining. Adjacent to the cottage is a large, gravelled parking area, suitable for 2 to 3 cars.

Guests enter Barndown through the farmhouse-style kitchen-diner, which leads into a hallway and on to the cosy living room, with views out to the surrounding farmland. Stairs lead up to two double bedrooms (one king-size, the other twin) and a family bathroom with a bath and over-bath shower, WC and sink.

Weston Subedge (also written as Weston-sub-Edge), was first recorded in the Domesday Book. It is a small village with about 180 homes, many dating back to the 16^th and 17^th century, lying between the Vale of Evesham and the Cotswold town of Chipping Campden. It sits at the foot of beautiful Dover’s Hill (hence ‘sub Edge’), itself named after Robert Dover, famed for the Cotswold ‘Olympick’ Games that have been held locally since 1612. Part of the Cotswold Way – the 102-mile long-distance national footpath – runs through Dover’s Hill, making Weston Subedge and Barndown an ideal place for walkers to base themselves. 

Facilities

• Sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms across 1 king-size, double and 1 twin bedroom
• Bathroom: 1 Family bathroom with bath and over-bath shower, sink and toilet
• Parking for 2 cars
• Private enclosed garden – safe for children but need supervision as no main gate on roadside.
• Fireplace with gas-fired ‘wood burner’
• All bed linen, bath towels and tea towels provided
• Kitchen Starter Pack: teabags, instant coffee, sugar, salt and pepper.
• Cleaning Starter Pack: scourer, cloth, washing up liquid, general purpose cleaner.
• Bathroom starter pack: hand soap, toilet paper.
• Heating and hot water via gas central heating with central thermostat control.
• Free Wi-Fi
• TV – flat screen Bush 45”
• DVD player
• Games for children and adults
• Child friendly
• Kitchen equipped with toaster, kettle, utensils, crockery, cutlery, glassware (wine and water glasses) cafetiere, bakeware, food preparation (grater, jug, sieve, saucepans)
• Oven/hob – Electrolux gas hob, electric oven, and extractor fan
• Microwave
• Fridge-Freezer
• Washing machine – Indesit
• Ironing board, iron, clothes airer, clothes pegs, outdoor clothesline
• Vacuum cleaner
• Baby/Child Equipment: travel cot (cot linen not supplied) and stairgate; highchair available on request.
• Outdoor patio/seating area
• Garden furniture – seats 4
• BBQ (charcoal) – please provide your own charcoal
• Safety equipment: fire extinguisher, fire blanket, carbon monoxide monitor, smoke alarm.
• Please note: this property does not have a dishwasher or tumble dryer

Full Description

Ground Floor

Kitchen-Dining Area

Guests enter Barndown through the kitchen door, stepping on to original wooden floorboards and into a kitchen that is well equipped for a self-catering holiday, including a hob-oven and washing machine, and a fridge-freezer and microwave in a small pantry off the kitchen. A typical farmhouse table and fours chairs, with plenty of room for a child’s highchair if needed, sits under original exposed wooden beams.

Through to:

Entrance Hall

To the left of the Entrance Hallway is the front door, covered with a long, thick curtain, and beside that a bookcase with a good selection of novels and local interest books. Straight ahead is the staircase, below which is a handy storage cupboard where guests will find the vacuum, ironing board, iron, fireguard, and hooks for hanging coats and bags.

To the right head through to the Living Room:

Living Room

The cream walls and beautifully coloured and textured fabrics set the scene for the living room’s country-cottage furnishings, including a large, sink-in, feather-stuffed sofa, two armchairs, a desk and small dining table, and the stone fireplace with a gas ‘woodburner’. A wooden sideboard and antique blanket box house children’s toys, games and local information. Sit and relax in the comfy sofa, perhaps enjoying a book in the old Reading Room, or watch a movie on the TV-DVD player.

Upstairs

Stairs with a banister and handrail up to:

Bedroom One

The cream-coloured king-size double room, with accents of green that complement the garden below and the view over the fields, is furnished with a built-in wardrobe, an antique chest of drawers and dressing table, a handy luggage rack and chairs to sit and contemplate the view.

Bedroom Two

The cottage’s pretty twin bedroom, with its accents of pink, overlooks the patio and tree-lined parking area. Furnished with an antique pine chest of drawers and mirror, a shared bedside chest with a reading lamp and hanging hooks for clothes, this second bedroom is a comfortable retreat for children or a couple preferring twin beds.

Family Bathroom

The modern family bathroom has a bath and over-bath shower, sink (with shaver point and mirror), toilet and heated towel rail. A handy stool is provided to place your clothing on and there is plenty of space for your personal toiletries.

Outside

Barndown benefits from lots of private outdoor space, including a garden with a lawn large enough for children to play on and a large patio for guests of all ages to enjoy. A table, four chairs and a charcoal BBQ are located on the patio directly outside the kitchen door and the patio extends round the side of the property, making a perfect place to enjoy the morning and evening sun.

Just beyond the patio is a large, private parking area suitable for 2 to 3 cars.