Introduction
Hawthorn Cottage is within easy walking distance of the medieval wool town of Northleach, just 15 minutes’ drive from the Cotswold favourites of Burford, Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water, and only 30 minutes’ drive from Cheltenham and the racecourse. This luxury Cotswold holiday rental is part of Westwoods, a quiet, new development on the east side of Northleach. Built from the region’s eponymous warm-yellow Cotswold limestone, the property is a handsome and spacious, 3-story, mid-terrace home with an abundance of natural light. Hawthorn Cottage has an enclosed child- and dog-friendly rear garden that is laid to lawn, with a pocket-size lawn to the front framed with a pretty Cotswold drystone wall. To the side is a car-port for one car, and to the rear a dedicated off-road parking space.
Stepping through the front door of Hawthorn Cottage, you’ll immediately feel the luxury and high specifications that run through this newly built home, starting with the underfloor heating and calming greys, ivory and taupe colour scheme. Everything from the stunning dining room chandelier and sitting room’s “lantern” ceiling to the John Lewis cutlery, crockery, glassware and linens exudes good taste, comfort and a dash of opulence.
This gorgeous new development, surrounded by open countryside, is built on the site of the old Westwoods Grammar School, with Rixon Road named after one of the old school houses, itself named after William Augustus Rixon (1858–1948) who was a renowned artist, landowner and Sheriff of Gloucestershire.
The historic town of Northleach is just a few minutes’ walk from Hawthorn Cottage and is one of the best surviving examples of a medieval “New Town”. It was built in an area of almost entirely open sheep country by the church and local landowners who wanted to develop a network of markets where rents and levies could be collected! By 1227 the town was granted its market charter and really began to prosper (a market takes place to this day, every Wednesday). The town’s gentry prospered on wool from the famous Cotswold Lion breed, with the architecture of the town, and in particular the church of St Peter and St Paul, reflecting their wealth. With the decline of the wool industry, the town’s fortunes declined, but it picked up again with the development of a coaching route between Wales and London. The route that became the A40 was itself the reason for the second decline in the town’s fortunes with the rush of modern traffic through the town centre. In the 1980s a bypass was constructed, and the town returned to its peaceful market town roots, luckily with many of its historic 15th-, 16th- and 17th-century landmarks still intact for today’s travellers to explore. (See ‘Local Amenities’ below for more details of Northleach, including restaurant recommendations.)
If you’d like to explore the well-known historic and natural sights of the Cotswolds –perhaps wander around Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, Burford and the grounds of Sudeley Castle or visit Cheltenham Races - yet prefer modern, luxury living to beams and thatched roof tops, look no further than the sumptuously equipped Hawthorn Cottage in the ancient market town of Northleach!
FULL DESCRIPTION
Ground Floor
Entrance Hall
On the left-hand side of the hallway is the downstairs WC with Villeroy & Boch handbasin and dual flush toilet. On the right-hand side is a door through to the open-plan, fully equipped kitchen, while straight ahead is the L-shaped sitting room/dining area, (connecting to the open plan kitchen) leading on to the garden beyond the bi-fold doors. The Entrance Hall houses the fuse box on the left-hand side and the WiFi router on top of the radiator cover. (See ‘At-a-Glance’ above for router information.)
Turn right to…
Kitchen
The bright and light, open-plan kitchen is fully equipped for a luxury self-catering holiday, to include quartz worktops, an integrated five-burner Neff hob, fan-assisted oven and extractor fan, Neff integrated fridge-freezer and dishwasher. You will find new/lightly used John Lewis crockery, cutlery and glassware (including red wine, white wine and champagne glasses) to cater for 12 throughout, all stored in beautifully designed kitchen cupboards and an elegant, light-oak kitchen dresser – where you’ll also find a cocktail shaker, cook books, fruit bowls and serving dishes. Cooking utensils and gadgets, for even the most exacting chef, including a Kenwood blender/liquidizer are stored alongside baking equipment and John Lewis daily cookware (colander, poaching pan, saucepans, sieve etc.).
The double sink, which looks out over the front of Hawthorn Cottage, is where you will find a welcome pack of essential cleaning equipment, including dishwasher tablets and washing-up liquid. The mains water stop cock is under the sink. Please only use/adjust this in an emergency.
To the right of the sink is the Worcester hot water boiler. The boiler is set to provide hot water throughout your stay, please do not alter the settings.
Straight on to the open plan…
Living Room
This elegant and relaxing room, newly decorated in a symphony of greys, white and taupe, looks out towards the room-wide bi-fold doors that lead to the garden, which are delicately screened by long, sheer white curtains. The main attraction is the L-shaped, sink-in grey sofa, with beautiful coffee table, overlooked by the “lantern” ceiling feature, creating a wonderfully bright room, even on a winter day. Relax in this inviting space while curled up in front of the Worcester log burner, watching TV (a Sky box is also provided) on a 50” Samsung screen or chatting with friends and family.
As you enter the Living Room area you will also find, on the left-hand side, the under stairs cupboard housing a Henry vacuum, ironing board, Braun iron, Clothes airer and pegs, a stairgate, a highchair (and plastic mat) and hanging hooks for coats.
Connected to…
Dining Area
The main feature of the dining area is the fabulous Art Deco-inspired chandelier that hangs above the length of the rectangular dining table, its light reflected by three large gilt mirrors along the right-hand-side of the room. These handsome mirrors also bounce incoming light from the garden opposite, making this a wonderful bright and cheerful morning breakfast area. Or screen the windows with the long, sheer white curtains to create an intimate and elegant lunch or evening entertaining area. Comfortably seating 8-10 (plus a highchair), the dining room opens out to the private and secluded garden through French windows.
Upstairs
Stairs with handrail up to…
First Landing
Radiator and cupboard housing water heater. Off the landing you’ll find…
Bedroom One
The en-suite master bedroom, with sumptuously dressed super-king-size bed and buttoned headrest, overlooks the rear of the property, out across the rooftops of this attractive Cotswold development. To each side of the bed is a chest of drawers with pull-out drinks table and table top lamps. At the foot of the bed is large chest of drawers, with BaByliss hairdryer. The room has two, large walk-in cupboards with plenty of wooden hangers.
Bedroom 1’s en-suite is finished with complimentary grey Porcelanosa wall and floor tiles, and includes a large Mira walk-in shower, Villeroy & Boch dual flush toilet and hand sink with large over-sink mirror and shaver point. The opulent feel of the bathroom is completed with electric underfloor heating and a large heated towel rail.
Back to landing to…
Bedroom Two
The front-facing second bedroom also has a sumptuously dressed super-king-size bed and buttoned headrest. To each side of the bed is a mini chest of drawers and table top lamps. The room has a large walk-in cupboard with plenty of wooden hangers and a beautiful double chest of drawers, a padded chair and a range of gorgeous coordinated ornaments and artwork.
Bedroom 2’s en-suite is finished with complimentary grey Porcelanosa wall and floor tiles, and includes a corner Mira walk-in shower, Villeroy & Boch bath with central hot/cold taps and over-bath hand-held shower, dual flush toilet and hand sink with large over-sink mirror and shaver point. The opulent feel of the bathroom is completed with a large heated towel rail and electric underfloor heating.
Back to landing to…stairs with handrail up to…
Second Landing
To the left is a locked cupboard for the owners’ use and above a skylight throwing lots of natural light down the stairwell and onto the beautiful artwork that has been carefully chosen to compliment the cream, grey, blue and taupe colourways throughout Hawthorn Cottage.
Off the landing you’ll find…
Bedroom Three
This pretty, twin bedroom is beautifully appointed with deep, plush duvets, crisp linens and an array of pillows and cushions. The room has a large walk-in cupboard with plenty of wooden hangers, a shared bedside table and table lamp and a large chest of drawers with mirror.
Back to landing to…
Bedroom Four
The last of the bedrooms features a king-size bed attractively set with crisp linens, a thick and fluffy duvet and gorgeous feature pillows and cushions. Bedroom Four looks to the front of the property and, as with all the bedrooms, has a large walk-in cupboard, with plenty of wooden hangers, a bedside chest of drawers and lamps to each side of the bed, plus a double chest of drawers and large mirror.
Back to landing to…
Family Bathroom
The Family Bathroom has Villeroy & Boch sanitaryware, including a large bath, with over-bath shower and glass shower door, handbasin, and dual-flush toilet. There is a large, heated towel rail, hooks for hanging clothes and towels on the back of the door and a small set of storage baskets. Beautifully finished with harmonising grey Porcelanosa wall and floor tiles - the luxurious feel is completed with underfloor heating.
Outside
The garden, to the rear of the property, is accessed through the living room’s bi-fold doors or the dining room’s French doors (keys to the doors are in the sideboard under the TV). The garden is laid to lawn and is completely enclosed and secure for children and dogs (please do not leave dogs unattended at the property). Enjoy having the doors open on a warm, sunny day, extending the living area out into the fresh air, safe in the knowledge that your little ones or doggy visitors are completely safe and secure. Garden furniture will be installed in the Spring of 2019 on a new patio area, to include table and chairs for 8, parasol, BBQ and rattan sofa set.
To the front of the property is a pocket-size grassed area, partly enclosed by a low Cotswold dry-stone wall. To the right of the front of the property is Hawthorn Cottage’s private car port. This area could also be used to store bicycles (please bring your own lock). However, please note that it is an open car port, therefore bicycles and any other equipment are left at guests’ own risk. (Please note: The lock-up cupboard in the garage belongs to the owners.)
