The Manor, Cotswolds

Description

As decadent as the name suggests, The Manor was once described as ‘one of the finest, if not the very best of the small Cotswold Tudor Houses’ by acclaimed historian Pevsner, and still to this day this luxury villa in the Cotswolds lives up to the accolade. Steeped in history dating back to the 15^th century, yet with all the contemporary creature comforts to make for an exceptional stay, The Manor is the ultimate Cotswolds retreat.

Pulling up on the pebbles of a grand private driveway, the sand-coloured stone with creeping vines, flora and apple trees clinging to the façade is a sight to behold. The grandeur continues throughout the grounds, as one would expect from gardens created by silver medal winner Jinny Blom of the Chelsea Flower Show. Soothing sounds emanate from the lily-pad lined water feature, which stretches from one side of the private garden’s lined lawns to another. Sun loungers dot the water’s edge, so you can spend a tranquil morning listening to the tinkle of the fountain before an outdoor lunch at the al fresco dining table. Two original dovecots have found new life at The Manor: behind a secret-garden-esque door within one you will find a cosy cinema room to watch a classic movie or latest blockbuster, and within another a hidden hot tub. Within the wider 14.5-acre Temple Guiting Estate, you will find a myriad of majestic gardens to wander and a shared tennis court ideal for an active afternoon.

Cast your gaze across the interiors of The Manor and you’ll rarely rest your eyes without finding an original feature. The well-worn stone of the staircase which bears the traces of half a millennium of footsteps, the homey wooden beams and the authentic flagstones which line the dining room are true traces of history. There’s a cosy corner for everyone to claim in The Manor, from the squishy armchairs of the cottage-style sitting room with log burner to the formal lounge with open fire feature. The snug is ideal for kids who want a little nook filled with board games and an enviable movie collection. If the 12-seater dining room wasn’t enough, when not playing host to a game of snooker the billiard table transforms into a resplendent 34-seater dining table. Adorned with flags and a magnificent chandelier, the grand room is paragon of splendour fit for any special occasion.

This luxury Cotswolds villa with six bedrooms is perfect for families or groups of friends alike. Lovers of luxury will be satisfied by the grand master bedrooms with deluxe baths, whilst kids will love the snug twin rooms in the eaves of the attic.

What’s Included

Please call us on +44 (0)203 432 7784 for rates and the latest availability.

Welcome hamper of Champagne, organic teas, coffee and milk on arrival
Fresh fruit and mineral water
Towels and bathrobes
La Bruket Sweden toiletries
Charcoal for the BBQ in summer and logs for the fire in winter

Extra inclusions for stays of 7 nights or more:

Mid-week towel and linen change
Housekeeping on alternate days
2 complimentary 30-minute massages

Additional services such as pantry shopping, fitness and tennis coaching and treatments can be arranged upon request at an additional cost.

Price guidelines are based on a 7 night stay. A minimum stay of 7 nights is required during school holidays, Easter, July, August, Christmas and New Year. A 3 night minimum stay is required for bank holidays. A 2 night minimum stay is required for all other periods.

Location

The Manor is part of the Temple Guiting estate, in a traditional Cotswolds village of the same name. We strongly recommend driving if you wish to explore the countryside with ease, such as Stow-on-the-Wold and Moreton-in-Marsh which are only a 20-minute drive away. The storybook houses of Bibury are only a 30-minute drive away and worth a visit.

If you are coming by train, Moreton-on-the-Marsh has a small station which can be reached in less than 2 hours from London Paddington, (booking a taxi in advance from the station is essential). Cheltenham Spa station is well-serviced option, only 30 minutes from The Barn and with plenty of taxis available.

Rooms

The Manor sleeps up to 12 people in 6 bedrooms.

Master Bedroom
Super-king bed with en-suite with bath. Configurable as a twin.

The Bentley Bedroom
Four poster bed with Bentley-inspired en-suite with a bath and walk-in shower.

The Lady in Blue Bedroom
Super-king bed with en-suite with bath and walk-in shower. Configurable as a twin.

Labrador Bedroom
Attic bedroom with super-king size bed with shared bathroom with roll-top bath and walk-in shower (shared with two snug bedrooms). Configurable as a twin.

Snug Bedroom
Attic bedroom with super-king size bed with shared bathroom with roll-top bath and walk-in shower (shared with Labrador and second snug bedroom). Configurable as a twin. Height restrictions due to beams.

Second Snug Bedroom
Two built-in single beds perfect for children adjoined to the main bedroom with shared bathroom with roll-top bath and walk-in shower (shared with Labrador and first snug bedroom).

The Manor house can be taken in conjunction with The Barn on the estate to sleep a total of 27 people. The estate also has the Granary and Cow Byre houses and can be taken as a whole for exclusive use sleeping a total of 32 adults and 5 children. Please enquire for a brochure and availability.

Eating

Dining at The Manor can be as lavish or as laid-back as you wish. A Weber BBQ in the garden calls for sunny picnics on the grass or in the shade of the al fresco dining table. Indoors, the kitchen is kitted out with Miele appliances, meaning a menu of your own making is a pleasure to create. Should you desire a fine dining affair, the billiard room can play host to 34 friends and family members, and an expert chef can be hired to create culinary delights for all.

For a morning coffee fix or tasty treat, the estate’s own Temple Guilting Pantry is in the village a short five-minute walk away. Brimming with character, this once post office turned two storey restaurant with a quaint garden will tempt your tastebuds with breakfast, lunch, coffee and cakes until late afternoon. A takeaway menu is ideal if you want to pick up a bite to eat for back at The Manor. The adjoining lifestyle shop has a tempting selection of wines to choose from too: the perfect accompaniment for a night by the fire.

For a hearty British pub lunch, the Hallow Bottom is a pleasant one hour walk away, and you can reward yourself for your efforts with gastro delights including Cornish whole lemon sole, duck egg rarebit, and of course, a classic fish and chips.

Staff

Firefly pre-arrival concierge service.

An estate manager is on hand throughout the day should you need any assistance. Additional staff such as a private chef, housekeeper and sport coaches can be arranged at an additional cost upon request.

Kids

It’s less a question of what can kids do during a stay at The Manor and more along the lines of what will they pick to do first? Children of all ages love hiding out in the secret cinema room, complete with Xbox, or the snug with board games. Table tennis in the garden followed by a larger scale game on the shared tennis court is classed as a day well spent in the eyes of competitive kids. Classic English garden games are also on offer for hours of fun in your private garden.

For a fun day out with little animal lovers, the Cotswold Farm Park is only a 5-minute drive away and is home to lots of cuddly creatures from rabbits to guinea pigs, and farm animals from piglets to donkeys. In autumn, the pumpkin patch is a riot of colour from where you can pick your Halloween staple.