Although the days of Covid complications while travelling seem to be over, the appeal of an easy staycation lives on, something which is made even better if you can explore a new area whilst doing so.
Step in The Old House in the heart of the Cotswolds; a Grade II listed detached cottage set in the heart of Longborough. Old House in name, and nature; it’s the oldest house in the village, and respectfully, it feels like it.
Carefully renovated to preserve original features, this historic house allows you to step back in time to see how life might have been lived 400 years ago. I visited in mid-December, when the surrounding area was dusted in snow, and The Old House became the perfect spot to nestle in.
The stone property sits neatly on the high street of Longborough, probably one of the lesser known villages of the Cotswolds. Being slightly off the radar meant it was a hub of peace and quiet, and not as touristy as surrounding towns. Quiet but not empty though, the village boasts a local shop and friendly pub – what more could you need?
Longborough is also the perfect base to explore the surrounding Cotswolds villages; it’s a short drive to the market towns of Moreton-in-Marsh and Stow-on-the-Wold, both boasting independent wine bars, coffee shops and pubs. If you’re seeking smaller villages, the cottage is a mere 20-minute drive to the picturesque Lower Slaughter.
The house itself is a sight to behold, you enter via the kitchen, the most modern room in the house, before being transported back to the 1600s. Think vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, wood burners and wonky floors, as well as a selection of historic portraits that follow you around the room, in every room. It really is charming – though probably not suitable for those with mobility issues, as the staircase is a little crooked with a hanging rope for a banister.
What’s not historic however was the welcome bottle of cava and mince pies which we enjoyed in the authentic and comfy lounge. This is just one of Paul – the cottage owner’s – sweet touches. There is so much attention to detail, from the luxury soap brands to the Christmas tree he had put up for us.
This continues to the kitchen, which is well equipped with pots, pans and other cookware, although we didn’t make too much use of them and opted for a cheeseboard one night, and on the second we outsourced dinner to The Feathered Nest pub. A quintessential British pub in Nether Westcote, a scenic 15-minute drive away. Get the sticky toffee pudding with Earl Grey sauce; you won’t regret it.
We loved visiting The Old House in the winter, because it allowed us to make the most of the cottage; nesting up in the lounge with log fire cracking or reading in the roll top bath. Having said that, the sweet garden, fit with table and chairs would come into its own over summer, as would the local walking and cycling routes.
In a nutshell
In short, The Old House is a historic home away from home. Remote enough that you can lose signal for a few days (don’t panic, there’s Wi-Fi), and go completely off-grid, but also located so the modern world is at your fingertips.
For an authentic getaway, this charming cottage can do no wrong.
Factbox
We booked via Holiday Cottages. For more information on the property visit holidaycottages.co.uk
