Apsley Cottage

Product Description

Apsley Cottage. Wow! If you're tired of the rat-race, long for some peace, quiet, comfort & luxury in the stunning Cotswold countryside
- then this is the holiday destination for you. Apsley Cottage is a beautiful Cotswold Stone ' Arts & Crafts' period building dating back to 1908, named after The 1st Baron Apsley (The 2nd Earl Bathurst) & designed by Lilias, Countess Bathurst, the wife of The 7th Earl Bathurst. Part of The Bathurst Estate, one of Gloucestershire's most historically important family Estates, the cottage nestles in the heart of the village of Sapperton, an area that remains very much part of the family concern itself. This adorable home has undergone a complete & detailed renovation, launching in May of 2013 & has the accolade of being the first holiday cottage on the 16, 000 acre Estate, (if this one is anything to go by, hopefully it's the first of many!) now providing simply beautiful self-catering accommodation with luxury very much at it's heart. The owner, the current Countess Bathurst, whose husband is the 9th Earl Bathurst, has personally overseen every minute detail & no expense has been spared with the comfort of each visitor in mind. As a result of this attention to detail, ' Lady B' (as she is known locally) has created a traditional English country cottage that maintains many of its original features, cleverly mixing it with a host of quality & contemporary touches such as the Eco-friendly, ground-sourced heating system (the bore holes are 85 metres underground!) which provides the under-floor heating & water throughout. The fantastic chic kitchen is any cook's dream & positively invites its guests to create culinary delights, while enjoying the fabulous skylight above that throws warm light into the house. The entire ground floor provides a wonderful open plan design that embraces the whole family within, but still maintains the perfect homely atmosphere in which to unwind. The bedrooms are quaint & cosy & the gorgeous bathroom offers a roll-top slipper bath with shower attachment in which to soak away any fatigue or stress. Soft fluffy towels are provided & the beds carefully selected for their comfort & good night's sleep. The linen is all Egyptian cotton & the duvets & pillows are anti-allergy. With Wi Fi available, Freeview televisions with DVD players & iPod docks in every bedroom, as well as in the Sitting Room, there is access to plenty of media (if that's required or wanted!) & plenty of reading material, local guides & brochures & even a choice of magazines are all there for quiet relaxation & entertainment. During the summer months, the enormous south-facing terrace becomes a fabulous sun-trap, enjoying the rays from morning to sunset. & while everyone has their sundowners & enjoys the spectacular views
- dinner can be prepared on the in-built barbecue made with local stone & locally forged grills. For those who don't fancy cooking, there are two wonderful pubs within walking distance, The Bell at Sapperton & The Daneway
- with excellent menus & fabulous local brews, offering a welcome to families, & they're also pet friendly! The garden is spacious & has a full bordering fence line, so children can play happily, & there is plenty of off-road parking. Apsley Cottage offers an idyllic location for any traveller to enjoy, & with its close proximity to a plethora of Cotswold beauty spots, walks, historical sites, shopping, market towns, as well as year-round activities & events there is something to please everyone. In particular, Cirencester Park Polo Club is just down the road
- & as a special treat, Lady Bathurst has organised membership* for her guests for the duration of their stay. It offers a wonderful opportunity to see this exciting equestrian sport. So, whether visiting alone, as a couple, as a group, or with the whole family, (even the dog!), the sheer peace of the quiet Cotswold village of Sapperton (made famous for its involvement in the ' Arts & Crafts' movement), will bring nothing but relaxation & enjoyment, while exploring all the region has to offer. In the words of one happy family: ' Beyond a doubt, one of the loveliest & most welcoming cottages that we have ever stayed in (& we've stayed in a lot!). From the warm welcome on arrival, the basket of delicious local goodies, the cosiness of the rooms, to the complete attention to detail that cannot do anything but make any family feel at home & relaxed. The walks around Sapperton on a sunny Spring day were loved by all. This is a very special place. Thank you for all you have done to make us feel so welcome. Our children also made some lovely friends on the village green!' Lady B looks forward to personally welcoming you to this 'very special place'
- one to which you will definitely want to return!* Cirencester Park Polo Club season runs from mid-May to mid-September. Membership applies during these times. There is no polo during the later autumn & winter months.ACCOMMODATIONEntrance lying under a protective & well-lit porch through to large, open plan living space with lovely views across the garden & countryside. The front door is original & inside there is a floor length, beautifully h&-made interlined tweed curtain to pull across for extra coziness, made locally & with fabric from Cotswold Woollen Weavers. Kitchen, very well equipped with bright skylight, down lighting, granite work surface, induction hob, electric oven & grill, fridge, dishwasher, electric whisk, electric food processor, microwave, plus wine cooler & iPod dock/clock/radio. The kitchen overlooks the extended hall area that leads to the double doors opening onto the terrace & within this area sits a beautiful oak dresser. Both windows have beautifully h&-made tweed blinds, made locally & with fabric from Cotswold Woollen Weavers. Utility Room with freezer, washing machine/tumble dryer, iron & ironing board, vacuum, mop & bucket. Cloakroom with down lighting, air-extractor, WC & washbasin (and spare logs). Dining Area with luxurious down lighting, a large dining table plus six dining chairs, sideboard, display cabinet, roll-top desk (containing local guides & local attraction information leaflets) leading to living area. Living Area with subtle down lighting & lamps, a large sofa, additional armchairs, wood burning stove, flat-screen TV with Freeview/DVD player. Beautifully h&-made, floor-length interlined tweed curtains, made locally & with fabric from Cotswold Woollen Weavers. A choice of reading material, board games & DVD's are also available. Upstairs Master Bedroom Chandelier lit, with double bed (4ft 6in) & duo-season mattress, all season anti-allergy duvet, (extra blanket if needed), anti-allergy pillows, dressing table, built in wardrobe, plus wall-mounted flat-screen TV with Freeview/DVD, an iPod dock & hairdryer. Beautiful h&-made, floor-length, interlined tweed curtains, made locally & with fabric from Cotswold Woollen Weavers. Bedroom Two Chandelier lit, with double bed (4ft 6in), & duo-season mattress, all season anti-allergy duvet, (extra blanket if needed), anti-allergy pillows, built-in wardrobe, plus wall-mounted flat-screen TV with Freeview/DVD & IPod dock. Beautifully h&-made tweed window blinds, made locally & with fabric from Cotswold Woollen Weavers. Bedroom Three Chandelier lit, with single bed, all season anti-allergy duvet, (extra blanket if needed), anti-allergy pillows, built-in wardrobe, plus wall-mounted flat-screen TV with Freeview/DVD, & iPod dock. Beautifully h&-made tweed window blinds, made locally & with fabric from Cotswold Woollen Weavers. There is an additional roll-away bed available in this room (no extra charge). Family Bathroom luxurious down lighting, with Victorian style roll top bath, handheld shower, wall-mounted towel rail, WC & washbasin with bathroom cabinet & mirror, with overhead light & electric shaving point.. Outside The garden surrounds the cottage & the large stone 'sunken' terrace, with ample lighting, is accessed via double doors from the kitchen/living area
- or the kitchen
- or the front door! Complete with Cotswold Stone built-in barbecue, a large table with six chairs & an umbrella, as well as a wooden garden bench that overlooks the garden & village countryside. It faces almost South & so enjoys unbroken sunshine nearly all day. Magical! The garden is well fenced, or has a solid Cotswold stone wall to the front
- this means that, with the gates closed, Apsley Cottage enjoys a complete boundary. Under-floor Heating (eco-friendly, ground sourced) incl all year. A generous supply of logs are provided for your stay. (More are available to buy if needed). Wifi available (it can sometimes be a little intermittent). One dog welcome (up to Labrador size
- any larger, please enquire). Children welcome. Cot & High Chair available. Ample Off street parking for up to 4 cars. The owner requires a £100 damages deposit in advance of arrival.