Little Oakley Cottage
Neatly positioned within a stone’s throw of Soho Farmhouse and Chipping Norton, Little Oakley Cottage is a gorgeous Cotswold stone cottage that is just perfect for those seeking an adult-only country retreat. This beautiful abode has been the lucky recipient of a seriously stylish makeover by the current owner and is now an elegant house filled with charm and personality. Sleeping four guests in style with two charming bedrooms, a swoon-worthy bathroom, a wood-burning stove and a dining area that will turn everyday meals into special occasions, Little Oakley Cottage is a heavenly place to stay.
Overview
Tree-lined lanes weave through the pretty countryside, leading you to the peaceful village of Sandford St Martin. This small but perfectly formed village is a wonderful base for an exploration of the Cotswolds. As you step inside the stone walls of this pretty cottage, you’ll find character features, a luxuriously rustic kitchen, a wooden beamed living room with a wood-burning stove and a walled courtyard that speaks of lazy morning coffees in the sunshine and sunset drinks that linger long into the evening.
Pale stone floors lead your eye through to the bespoke kitchen with exposed brickwork, an original bread oven and cunning hidey holes creating clever storage. At the far end is a delightful dining area with an antique table set beneath a soaring roof lantern and a statement chandelier. Hidden behind a sliding timber door are a useful utility space and a ground-floor cloakroom. Doors lead out to the private courtyard. The living room is a warm and welcoming space, filled with thoughtfully curated art, and curios, each piece carefully chosen by the owner. Wherever you turn there’s an old book to read or a picture to study. The first floor is equally charming with two superb bedrooms and a fabulous bathroom with a double-ended free-standing bath and a separate shower.
Hidden behind Little Oakley Cottage is a beautiful walled courtyard filled with planting and a water feature. A timber corner sofa is topped with cushions making this a delightful space to while away a few hours with a good book or enjoy drinks as the day drifts by. There is no allocated parking but on-street parking outside the cottage is freely available.
Ground Floor
Kitchen:
There is a step up to the front door, which in turn leads you into a stylish kitchen. A butler sink sits beneath the window, alongside a slimline dishwasher, whilst a restored butcher's block is in the middle of the room, providing useful preparation space or somewhere to sit with a drink. A Nespresso Vertuo coffee machine is cunningly hidden away behind the old wooden door. Crockery and glassware are stored in the glass-fronted dresser and the fridge freezer and toaster can be found in the cupboard.
Dining Room:
The dining area is at the end of the kitchen and a delightful room that is flooded with natural light from the roof lantern and glass doors to the courtyard. A stunning chandelier hangs above an antique table, surrounded by a wooden bench and four rattan-seat chairs. Overlooking the proceedings is a statement tapestry wall hanging.
Utility:
Hidden behind a sliding timber door is a utility area with a washer/dryer and a door through to the ground floor cloakroom.
Living Room:
This is a room that adapts with the seasons. During the cooler months there’s a cosy wood-burning stove to light, as the days become warmer, throw open the courtyard door and let the outside in. A large sofa and pair of mid-century chairs provide plenty of comfortable seating, the bespoke shelves hold a myriad of old books and artwork. Perhaps now is the time to pick up that classic you’ve always been meaning to read.
First Floor
Bedroom One:
This tranquil bedroom is beautifully furnished with a super king-size bed, white-painted timbers line the walls and ceiling, adding to the overall air of calm. Clever hanging and shelving storage has been created on either side of the bed. Bedside tables and overhead reading lamps add to the charm.
Bedroom Two:
The second bedroom is equally charming. A king-size bed is placed before a panelled wall, with bedside tables on either side. The high ceiling boasts a wicker pendant light and a pretty dressing table with an ornate mirror hanging above and a chest of drawers provide storage. There are also hooks and wooden hangers on the rear of the door.
Bathroom / Shower Room:
If ever there was a room to invoke bath-envy, it’s this one. This bathroom was designed with total relaxation in mind. A large walk-in shower stands in one corner with a large rainfall shower and a hand-held shower head. A bespoke hand basin sits atop a vintage wooden wash table, whilst a double-ended freestanding bath is a place for long soaks after a day of exploring.
Outside
Tucked behind Little Oakley Cottage is an enclosed courtyard. With planting and a terracotta urn water feature it’s a peaceful place to relax. A timber corner sofa is topped with cushions to create a comfortable seating area. There is on-street parking on the road outside the cottage.
Facilities
Indoor
Bedroom One - Super King-size
Bedroom Two - King
1 Bathroom - Family Bathroom With A Freestanding Rolltop Bath And Separate Shower With Soft Water Filter. Ground Floor Cloakroom
Hairdryer - 1
Fire - An Initial Supply Of Logs Is Provided Between 01 Oct - 31 Mar
Oven
Hob
Microwave
Toaster
Kettle
Fridge
Freezer
Coffee Machine - Nespresso Vertuo
Dishwasher
Dining Table - Seats 4
Washing Machine
Tumble Dryer
Iron
WiFi *Please Note That Speeds Are For Guidance Only And Are Not Guaranteed - 400+ Mbps
TV - Smart
Board Games
Outdoor
Garden
Outdoor Dining Area
No BBQ Available
Parking - On-street Parking
On your Doorstep
Eating Out:
- The Cinnamon Stick, Middle Barton. Excellent Middle Eastern restaurant (1.5 miles)
- Quince & Clover, Great Tew. Excellent café/deli for salads etc and sells local produce (3 miles)
- Boxing Hare, Swerford. Highly regarded dining pub (5 miles)
Places to Visit:
- Soho Farmhouse (3 miles)
- Chipping Norton (8 miles)
- Woodstock and Blenheim Palace (7 miles)
Train – Charlbury (8 miles), Heyford (4 miles)
Taxis - Excelsior Taxis Limited; A1 Taxis Chipping Norton
There is so much to discover in the Cotswolds, why not take a look at some of our favourite Bolthole Retreats Experiences
Points of Note
This property has a check-in time of 16:00 and a check-out time of 10:00
- Book with us to get exclusive discounts to top attractions and experiences
- Little Oakley Cottage is an adult-only retreat. Children over the age of 16 are welcome
- The original staircase is still in situ. The steps towards the bottom are narrow and shallow, and deeper towards the top. Care is needed.
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Handpicked by us
Why we love this
- Elegant adult-only escape with two stylish bedrooms and a cosy wood-burning stove.
- Steps from Soho Farmhouse and Chipping Nortonm making it perfect for a Cotswolds getaway.
- Surrounded by pretty villages, historic churches, and scenic footpaths for peaceful walks.
Discover more
The Location
The village of Sandford St Martin is a great location for exploring with Oxford (14 miles), Woodstock and Blenheim (7 miles) and the northeastern end of the Cotswolds, particularly Chipping Norton, just 7 miles away. It’s a pretty and tranquil village, with mostly period, Cotswold ironstone houses and a church, St Martin’s, dating back to 1273. Opposite the church is the impressive Sandford Park, a Grade II* listed building built in 1700. Take a stroll around the village to the cricket green and you’ll feel as though you have stepped back in time. The village is also surrounded by footpaths and bridleways to the equally charming villages of Ledwell, Little Tew and Great Tew.
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Read our reviews
Little Oakley Cottage exceeded our every expectation! Beautifully situated in a quiet town, welcoming & clear arrival instructions, a detailed welcome guide with ample information about the cottage and countryside surroundings, beautiful, light-filled, professionally deocrated rooms, and a stunning outdoor seating area. It was airy and light-filled by day and impeccably cozy at night -- it felt like a little boutique hotel. We can't recommend it highly enough and already long to return!
Matthew
Absolutely stunning cottage, so much care and attention has gone into every aspect of the interior design.
The roll top bath was gorgeous and all the bedding and towels were high quality.
Ideal location to explore the Cotswolds. We actually recommended it to a couple we got talking to last night in a restaurant in Chipping Norton
Angela
The Little Oakley cottage
We stayed eight nights.
The cottage was very clean and well cared for, the owners Josette and David visited on the first day to ensure we had everything we needed and are very nice. Sanford St. Martin is a small, well placed village. Street parking was not an issue.
Very enjoyable stay.
Mark
Perfect Cotswold getaway
Our second time here and love it every time . Great place to use as a base to explore the region. Many lovely restaurants a short drive .
Anne
Beautiful, luxury cottage
The cottage was so cosy, clean, luxury, couldn't fault it. The welcome hamper was a lovely touch, we will definitely be back!
Rebecca
Pleasant hideaway in remote village.
Decorated / renovated to appropriate standard for the price point. Excellent internet and tv facilities. Heating and hot water excellent. Kitchen not suitably equipped for cooking enthusiasts. Terrace somewhat neglected. Limited welcome pack and consumables. Only on-street parking.
Andrew
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us on your recent stay at Little Oakley. Were very glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay. Your valuable feedback has been shared with the property owners who have taken these points onboard and are looking into them. With your comments regarding the parking being on-street. We hope to see you in the Cotswolds again soon.
- Bolthole Retreats, 31st December 2025
Honestly amazing place. Cotswolds is finished to such a high spec and is so cosy and warm. Such a gorgeous place to relax ! Really loved our stay, I’m sure we will be coming back.
Domonique
Beautiful accommodation. Cosy times with a fireplace, really inviting to also spend time at home. Highly recommended. It also has small touches, a welcome package with food, small cloths made of dark fabric for removing make-up, just a well thought-out, beautiful property.
Anna-Laura
Loved our stay!
Sabrina
We had a fantastic stay in the Cotswolds thanks to Bolthole Retreats! Peaceful, wholesome and homely. The cottage was wonderful and beautifully designed - it had everything we needed. Thank you!
Maisie
A dream come true!!!!
Payge
What an absolutely stunning cottage! The pictures are beautiful and yet don't capture just how perfect this cottage is. Quaint, cosy, cute, and perfectly setup and decorated. It has everything you need to make your stay comfortable. The home is very clean and tidy. The owner was an incredibly kind and gracious host. We were so sad to leave and very much hope to come back again.
Sara
Little Oakley Cottage was a dream! Beautiful inside and out, gorgeous walks nearby, easy to drive to the entire Cotswold area/towns. The cottage had everything we could ask for to make us feel at home, and beds were incredibly comfortable. Can’t wait to come back!
Meg
We stayed 4 nights in this amazing house. A holistic experience that we will not forget. Tasteful decor with fine details. The owner of the house was very nice and helpful. We will be back.
Carl
Little Oakley Cottage is the picture perfect stay in a gorgeous little village. Very peaceful and comfortable.
Lucinda
Great cottage and recommendations
The cottage was excellent. Loved staying -4 of us were comfortable.
I feel that the stairwell was not adequately portrayed in the property description. It was difficult to navigate. Mostly the property need an adequate hand rail The rope handrail was broken. It need a sturdy rail as current situation is dangerous
Also we had only one roll of toilet paper for four of us for four days. There was no spare supplies.
Guest
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us on your recent stay at Little Oakley Cottage . We’re very glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay. We’ve taken note of your comments about the stairs, and have shared these with the owners have confirmed that the handrail has been fixed. Also just to note we do also have a 3D tour on our website where you can see the stairs. We also have spoken to the housekeeper who wishes that you had contacted them during your stay, as they would have been more than happy to bring over some extra toilet paper for you. We hope to see you in the Cotswolds again soon.
- Bolthole Retreats, 16th September 2025
Perfect Hideaway
Little Oakley Cottage was a delight. Perfectly placed to explore all the Cotswolds has to offer and the perfect oasis to return to at the end of a hectic day. We loved our stay.
Caroline
Perfect Cotswolds Getaway
We had the most wonderful stay here it was the perfect place for a few days in the Cotswolds with my mum. The home was spotless, beautifully styled, and had everything we needed. The interiors were thoughtful and inviting, and the space itself felt so calm and comfortable exactly what we were looking for. The location was great too, a perfect base to explore the area. We absolutely loved our time here and would come back in a heartbeat!
Caitlin
Delightful cottage in great location
Little Oakley Cottage was furnished and decorated to a lovely style and quality. We felt very at home and the owners and manager took time to ensure we were looked after.
Drew
Stylish but unevenly equipped
This is a fabulous property. As far as design and aesthetics go, it is unmatched. And for the most part, it is very comfortable. Furniture, soft furnishings, linens, etc. are all clean, stylish and luxe. However, the kitchen is very unevenly equipped. There is a hutch full of Noritake china, including serveware, but very few actual pots or pans to cook in. The cooking utensils provided are cheap and underwhelming (think only wooden cutting boards that are really just charcuterie trays, poor knives, no mixing bowls, measuring cups/spoons, etc.). Only one bowl, one small plate and one large plate were microwave- and dishwasher-safe, meaning that nearly everything had to be hand washed. For a weekend away, this is probably just fine. But I was there for a week and had planned to be able to use a more serviceable kitchen.
I love that Bolthole posts activities in the area specific to your rental. These were detailed and somewhat extensive lists. However, the instructions in the book provided in the house were outdated and unable to be followed correctly. For example, we could not access the wheelie bins for rubbish or recycling even though the book indicated we should be able to. (The bins were behind a locked gate.) When I asked the housekeeper about it, she told us to just pile up the trash and shed take care of it when we checked out. For the price of the place, I shouldnt have to pile up my trash for several days when there are bins right on the property.
Overall, an exceptional property where some small things need to be brought up to snuff to justify the price.
Amber
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us on your recent stay at Little Oakley Cottage. We are delighted to hear that liked the cottage. We’ve shared your valuable feedback with the owners and housekeeper, and they are currently looking into the points you raised. Additionally, we are updating the property welcome guide to include more detailed information about the bins.
- Bolthole Retreats, 25th April 2025
A beautiful yet difficult stay
Beautiful cottage wonderfully decorated in a lovely location. However the kitchen is a nightmare to navigate as everything is hidden away, the tiny fridge was hidden under the stairs down a step not the easiest thing to access. Our biggest issue was the heating which is controlled externally the cottage was freezing when we arrived as no heating was on despite it being November then the electric went, then came back in we had to continually communicate with the house keeper all week to keep turning the heating on as the house was not warm which was a pain and interrupted our whole stay. Then the trip box went off and we had no electric downstairs at all for hours once again spending ages on the phone with the house keeper trying to fix it so couldnt cook our food and had to arrange to eat out. We had to wait in for the emergency electrician to arrive as we didnt want people in the house with our belongings when we were not there not a great relaxing stay to be honest. Lastly they encourage you to use the fire, they left 2 small logs and a gas clipper lighter which ran out after 2 clicks. We could not get the fire going and found the rest of the logs upon leaving the property outside. Instruction to go buy more logs from a garden centre were the only instruction in the cottage. When you pay over £1000 for 4 nights I dont expect to have to wrangle and persistently beg for heating. Unfortunately we wouldnt go back to this place again
Juliette
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts following your recent stay at Little Oakley Cottage. We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed both the cottage and its location. However, we are genuinely sorry to learn of the issues you've mentioned. We've spoken with the owner and property manager regarding the heating situation. They confirmed that it was turned on in preparation for your arrival, but we regret that it wasnt functioning properly during your stay. They have since addressed the issue, and we are pleased to inform you that the heating is now working as it should. Regarding the other points you've raised, weve shared these with the owner, who appreciates your feedback and will be looking into them further.
- Bolthole Retreats, 12th November 2024
Review of Little Oakley Cottage
Little Oakley Cottage is a very stylish country cottage with easy access to must visit places within the Cotswolds. The cottage was warm upon arrival and every need was catered for.
All holiday homes I visit provide a kind welcome pack of local produce and it was disappointing this warm gesture was not awaiting us at Little Oakley which simply offered a few teabags and coffee pods, and two offerings of 'two in a pack' basic biscuits. Despite a phone conversation with the owner, Netflix etc could not be accessed due to the previous occupant locking the system. This should have been addressed prior to our arrival.
I hope the above feedback proves useful for future bookings of Little Oakley Cottage.
Guest
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review of your recent stay at Little Oakley. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay, however disappointed to read the points that you have raised. We have shared your feedback with the owner who has taken these points on board, and these will be looked into. They have also let us know that Netflix has now been fixed and they apologise that this could not be accessed during your stay. We hope to see you again in the Cotswolds soon.
- Bolthole Retreats, 28th October 2024
A Charming Cottage
Little Oakley Cottage is a charming cottage tucked away in a lovely village. The cottage had everything we needed and we immediately felt at home walking through the door. The wood stove was an added bonus that really help to capture the cottage's unique character and once lit we felt very cozy and relaxed as we settled in for our stay. The cottage's location made it easy to drive to nearby walks and sights.
Simon
Lovely location, great for Grand Prix weekend!
We greatly enjoyed our stay at LIttle Oakley Cottage during the weekend of the British Grand Prix. Secluded, quiet, and very charming, it kept us nice and warm during an unseasonly cold July. Less than an hour to get to Silverstone, even with the traffic, and plenty of grocery stores + charging facilities along the way made it super convenient. Highly recommend to people visiting the area at all times of year!
David
Adorable Cotswold Cottage
This lovely stone cottage has been beautifully renovated keeping the character of the era but updating it for comfort. There is a lovely terrace for outdoor space, a great bathroom and cozy bedrooms with comfortable beds. We would come back and stay in Little Oakley Cottage.
Kurt
Perfect stay in the Cotswolds!
Everything was perfect with our stay. The cottage was beautifully kept and had a gorgeous homely feel to it.
Very cute and quiet area and amazing restaurants only a short drive away. Great to use as a central location and do walks and drives.
Kept a look out for David Beckham who lives just down the road.
We purchased groceries from Marks and Spencers Food hall in Chipping Norton enroute to arriving.
Highly recommend and you definitely wont be dissapointed if you stay here.
Anne
Stunning Cotswolds cottage
This cottage is an absolute gem, beautifully decorated and furnished whilst being cosy and homely, a great getaway with friends and such a relaxing place. I would definitely return.
Guest
A weekend visit
Beautifully decorated cottage but we felt it was intrusive when the cleaner rocked up at 10am on the dot as we were gathering up our bags. We just needed a few minutes to vacate but she was straight in bombarding us with questions about the dishwasher - completely disrupted our calm vibe when she was frantically racing around.
Cherith
August 2023
Minor Negatives were 10 am early checkout, insects, lack of firewood, unclear who to contact about early checkout and owners do not respond to WhatsApp.
Overall we enjoyed our time here and would like to stay again next year!
Guest
We are very pleased that you enjoyed your stay and look forward to welcoming you again. Thank you for your comments. We were unable to locate any WhatsApp messages on any of the contact numbers we left in the Welcome guide at the property. We did however receive your request for a later checkout as a text message. We replied straight away and apologise that we were unable to accommodate this due to the tight cleaning schedule before the next guests. We remind our esteemed guests that a 10.00 am checkout is clearly stated in our booking conditions and it is an industry standard. Firewood is supplied between October and March, which is stated on the website. As the property is in the countryside, insects do come in especially if external doors are left open. Insecticide is provided although the insects we encounter are usually harmless. Thank you again for your comments and hope to see you in the Cotswolds again soon.
- Bolthole Retreats, 16th August 2023
Great stay
Excellent property. Everything as per description. Only minus was check out at 10 o clock sharp which we could not move.
Francesco
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