This delightful cottage could have stepped straight from the pages of a fairy tale. The honey-hued Cotswold stone brick has mellowed with time, a thatched roof frames mullioned windows and roses cascade around the door. Lily Cottage sits within a row of equally charming cottages overlooking the magnificent parklands of the Great Tew Estate, which has a long history that can be traced back to Saxon times.
They say good things come in small packages and this petite, but perfectly formed cottage certainly lives up to this. Original beams and exposed stone walls feature in abundance, and clever use has been made of the space. The use of colour and texture in the soft furnishings plus unique works of art throughout has created a stylish cottage with bags of personality and character.
On the ground floor, there's a cosy living room with a log burner set into a large stone fireplace and a galley kitchen. On the first floor, there are two charming bedrooms, a pretty single room overlooking the beautiful parkland of the Great Tew Estate and a double room with views over the rear garden and trees beyond, there's also a compact and bijou shower room.
Lily Cottage is the epitome of an English country retreat. The small front garden is enclosed by a clipped box hedge and a wooden gate leads to the front door. Beyond the hedge lies the immaculate, emerald-green expanse of the Great Tew Estate park. The rear garden is terraced and filled with cottage planting. The patio is a lovely spot for dining under the stars or simply easing into the day as you enjoy your morning coffee.
Ground Floor
Living Room:
Step through the old wooden front door into a characterful living room filled with charm and warmth. Deep-set mullioned windows are framed by pretty curtains giving a glimpse of the view beyond. The pale gold wooden floor is topped with a colourful rug and against the wall, is a very comfy sofa with cushions and throws. An upholstered footstool is placed in front, perfect for resting books, cups, and tired feet. There's also a Smart TV on a vintage chest. The exposed stone walls are dotted with varied pieces of artwork and the floor, table and wall lamps cast a romantic, gentle glow to the room. On the far wall, a built-in bookcase houses an assortment of books and object d' art, and a wood burner sits within the original stone fireplace, making this a wonderfully cosy place to stay, particularly during the cooler months.
Kitchen:
A wooden door leads from the living room into the compact but well-equipped, galley kitchen. The thoughtful design maximises the space and you'll find everything you need for your stay including a slimline dishwasher, induction hob and a washer-dryer. The fridge is cleverly stored above the boiler in the cupboard, where you'll also find a mop and dustpan and brush, plus cleaning equipment. Although small the kitchen is filled with light from the window and door, which lead out to the back garden.
First Floor
Polished wooden stairs with a rope handrail and exposed stone walls lead up to the first floor from the living room.
Bedroom One:
This pretty single room has original beams, sloping ceilings and a mullioned window with a wide sill, perfect for perching and soaking up the park views beyond. A striking bovine print wall hanging creates a real statement against the white walls.
Bedroom Two:
Overlooking the back garden and trees beyond this double room is a romantic and cosy hideaway. The metal-framed bed is made up with beautiful linens and colourful cushions and sits beneath the window. To one side there's a bedside table and reading lamp. A vintage tallboy provides clothes storage and there's a storage cupboard with hanging space on the landing.
Shower Room:
The white-tiled shower room has a step-in shower cubicle, the ceiling slopes with the eaves of the roof, so mind your head! There's also a hand basin and WC.
Outside
Step out of the backdoor into a peaceful hidden garden filled with cottage plants and guarded over by towering trees. Four stone steps lead up to a patio area with a wooden table with seating for four tucked into one side. This is the perfect spot for al fresco dining and evening drinks on warm sunny afternoons or under a starlit sky. The garden is terraced with a little pathway leading to a rear gate with access to a footpath beyond. This leads to a large parking area at the rear of the cottages. To the front is the most glorious of scenes, the beautiful parklands of the Great Tew Estate. Walking trails abound, stately trees preside over a view unchanged for years and benches provide opportune spots to sit and just soak up the scenery. A minute's walk away from the cottage is the Falkland Arms, a 16th-century pub steeped in history and atmosphere with flagstone floors and in the winter, roaring fires.
