Entire home·Private host

Best Design Stay Finalist/Top 12 Luxury Stays UK

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January 2025

Photo gallery for Best Design Stay Finalist/Top 12 Luxury Stays UK

Property grounds
Exterior
Smart TV, fireplace, books, video library
Interior
Dining

Reviews

9.8 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

4 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 7140 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Washer
    Washer
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Pet-friendly
    Pet-friendly
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen
  • Fireplace
    Fireplace

Explore the area

Map
Lechlade, ENG
  • Lechlade Marina
    4 min walk
  • Cotswolds Woollen Weavers
    6 min drive
  • Kelmscott Manor
    9 min drive
  • Oxford (OXF)
    39 min drive

Room options

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Best Design Stay Finalist/Top 12 Luxury Stays UK

A Historic Cotswolds Cottage with Secret Garden
Luxury and centuries of history abound in this authentic country cottage set in the heart of England’s beautiful Cotswolds. One of Harper’s Bazaar Magazine’s 12 Best Luxury Stays in the UK, this enchanting dwelling is characterised by its oak beam ceilings, roaring fire and picturesque garden.

Just a stone’s throw from the shops and eateries of Lechlade town centre, this Tudor house delivers an experience you simply can’t buy. And because it’s ideally situated on the banks of the River Thames, Mother Nature and a range of exciting water-based activities are never far away.

An Authentic Elizabethan-Style Home Dripping with History
The ancient market town of Lechlade-on-Thames is home to quintessentially English architecture. And this stunning cottage exemplifies that characteristic with aplomb. A Grade II Listed Building, its authenticity, cosiness and historic charm attracted the attention of Harper’s Bazaar Magazine in 2021, which included the house in its 12 Best Luxury Stays in the UK list.

The property is dripping with genuine history. Believed to have been built as a home for the Canon of Gloucester, it hasn’t lost any of its elegance or authenticity over the years.

Visitors are greeted by a gorgeous stone archway entrance, which sets the scene for what’s to come inside. Magnificent double oak doors lead into a porch, and an internal door makes way for a jaw-dropping hallway — which is dominated by an ancient flagstoned floor.

A Sumptuous Living Room
As you make your way through this frozen-in-time English cottage, the glorious details and historic features just keep coming. An impressive sitting room lies beyond the hallway, which offers a unique insight into life from a bygone age. A resplendent Tudor fireplace takes centre stage, but it gets a run for its money from the authentic exposed beams that adorn the entire ceiling.

This mesmerising room is packed with character and elegance, yet it’s both uncluttered and spacious. Furnished with classic velvet chairs and sofas, this living space is conducive to relaxation, reflection and time spent with the people you love.

Open-Plan Living
Continuing through the cottage, there’s a second beautiful archway, which is believed to be part of the original home — built more than 400 years ago. This authentic feature leads into an open, vaulted kitchen, which is perfect for open-plan, family living. There’s ample space for dining, entertaining and simply catching up with family after a long day of sightseeing in the heart of the Cotswolds.

From the kitchen, you can head through double French doors and into a secure courtyard. While away the hours in the glorious Cotswolds sunshine by relaxing at the courtyard table. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, take a stroll into the Secret Garden!

Luxurious Bedrooms
The first floor of this magnificent cottage is just as impressive as the ground floor. You’ll find two king-size bedrooms, both of which are adorned by authentic exposed ceiling beams. There’s also a fully equipped family bathroom, complete with shower attachment. But if there’s a queue for the facilities, there’s no need to worry — you’ll find another shower room on the ground floor.

Like many authentic English cottages, this home has many secrets to tell. For example, a brief climb up the second flight of stairs reveals another stunning king-size bedroom, as well as a small bunk room.

Ideally Situated in the Heart of the English Cotswolds
If you can tear yourself away from the splendour of the cottage, there’s a lot to do, see and experience — both in the town and the surrounding areas. Choose from a range of boutique eateries, or cook up a storm with ingredients from a wide selection of family-run grocery stores. You’ll also find the locally renowned Cotswold Tea Shop of the Year a short walk from the cottage. Spend a while strolling through the town centre, and you’ll come across everything from butcher shops to antique stores.

Head beyond the town, and you’ll be able to immerse yourself in some of the most beautiful countryside in England. Located on the border of Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire, Lechlade-on-Thames offers easy access to the wider Cotswolds area, as well as historic towns such as Burford, Cheltenham and Cirencester. The ancient cities of Bath and Oxford are also just a short drive away.

Be Our Guest
We love our cottage, and we’re always excited when we get the chance to show it off to guests. So while you’re there, we want you to treat it as your home from home in the beautiful Cotswolds. To enjoy a truly authentic experience, live as the locals do — and become part of the welcoming community.

If you’re driving to us, there is plenty of on-street parking immediately outside the cottage. And if you have a house-trained dog, he or she is welcome to call our cottage home, too. All we ask is that it’s well-behaved and respectful of our neighbours. For any other pets, please talk to us before booking.

We want your stay in our cherished cottage to be as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. That’s why we’ll try to be there to meet you when you check-in. But if we’re not available, our trusted housekeeper can take our place. We can also arrange for a key to be stored in a secure lockbox if you prefer, so you can let yourself into the property — perfect if you’re arriving late and just want to get some rest.

We’re confident that you’ll have everything you need in our historic cottage for a memorable stay. But we’ll be available if you need any information or assistance. We’ll do everything we can to make your visit to Lechlade-on-Thames something extra special.
During your stay at this cottage, you're just a quick walk from Thames River. You'll find features like a water park. The cottage includes amenities such as free WiFi and a kitchen.
  • The cottage offers a kitchen, a washing machine, and a fireplace
  • Free WiFi
  • Splash around at the water park
  • Just a 4-minute walk from Thames River and 8 minutes by car from Cotswold Wildlife Park
This cottage offers its guests a water park. The family-friendly cottage also features barbecue grills and a garden.

This Lechlade cottage is smoke free.

Property manager

Will

Languages

English, Italian

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach sunloungers

Internet

  • Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Street parking available
  • On-site parking
  • Car recommended

Kitchen

  • Fridge
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Coffee grinder
  • Spices
  • Electric kettle
  • Blender

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 1 bathroom
  • Bath or shower
  • Shampoo
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided
  • Hairdryer
  • Soap

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Smart TV with cable/satellite service
  • Games
  • Video library
  • Books
  • Stereo

Outdoor areas

  • Patio
  • Fenced garden
  • Barbecue
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer

Work spaces

  • Printer
  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • 2 total (up to 25 kg per pet)
  • Welcoming dogs only

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Change of bedsheets (on request)
  • Change of towels (on request)

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • Near a health or beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near outlet shopping
  • Near a zoo
  • In a village

Things to do

  • Water park
  • Fitness facilities nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Wildlife and game walks nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Golf nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Hiking nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Hunting nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • At least 80% of lighting from LEDs
  • Composting
  • Recycling
  • Comprehensive food waste policy
  • Comprehensive recycling policy
  • Unit size: 1507 sq ft (140 sq m)

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

Guests will receive lockbox information
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Access methods

Lockbox

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
  • Only dogs are allowed
  • Maximum 2 (weight limit: 55 lbs per pet)
  • Restrictions apply
  • For more information, you can reach out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Note from host: Well behaved, house trained dogs are welcome

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Note from host: Children to be supervised at all times - pond

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Guests will receive lockbox information. You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account which will enable you to manage your booking.

We should mention

  • To make arrangements for your pet, contact the property directly using the information on your booking confirmation.

Property is also known as

Vrbo Property
Historic Cotswold House Dog friendly Walled Garden
Historic Cotswold House, Secret Garden, Dog Friendly Cottage
Historic Cotswold House, Secret Garden, Dog Friendly Lechlade

Best Design Stay Finalist/Top 12 Luxury Stays UK Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 5 out of 6 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 6 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 6 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 6 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 6 reviews" "

9.4/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Arian A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Magical!
We absolutely loved our stay at Arch Cottage! The house, the gardens, and the village…it’s like stepping back in time. Everything was clean and comfortable. We had everything we needed! Thanks again!
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2022

8/10 Good

Oliver J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Heart and soul-warming place
We spent five nice days in Lechlade. Lechlade is a typical medieval market town and a good starting point for excursions to the better known sights such as Burford or Burton. The property is right in the heart of Lechlade and a very romantic place rich in historic ornaments, charme and there are so many things to explore: books, design magazines, paintings and much more. Everything is arranged with a lot of passion and capable hand. to a greater piece of art.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Heather W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonerful place to stay
Will the host, was attentive and provided all that you could want for a comfortable stay. The walled gardens provided perfect places to relax and enjoy meals. Highly recommend.
Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Highly recommended
We had an amazing stay at Wills cottage. Excellent communication, easy check in. Spotless house and even more beautiful than the photos. The garden was incredible and we loved having breakfast out there each morning. Kitchen was more than well equipped with utensils etc. The only thing I would say is the house sleeps 10 but there were only 6 seats around the kitchen table so we had to use chairs from outside. But otherwise We couldn’t have asked for a better place/trip!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

mandy m.

Liked: Cleanliness
So cute and cosy
Really lovely place to stay so pretty and super cosy we had the fire going in the evening too, lovely AGA in the kitchen and the house is in a beautiful setting. Communication with the host was great from point of booking highly recommend and we will certainly be returning
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Sixto A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic Stay in Cotswolds
Will was amazing, start to finish. Immediate responses to any queries and very nice. The house was beyond beautiful and well decorated. The area was well situated with pubs and stores near by. 10/10 for me.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2020