Priory Cottage

Winding lanes meander through the Oxfordshire countryside to Charlbury, a small but thriving Cotswold country town. On a quiet no-through lane, under the gaze of St. Mary’s Church in the oldest part of Charlbury, is where you’ll find Priory Cottage.

Clad in traditional Cotswold stone, outwardly Priory Cottage has a very traditional feel, inside however are beautifully appointed rooms and all the creature comforts needed for a fabulous stay. On the ground floor is a spacious living room with a wood-burning stove and a huge, super-comfy corner sofa and a light-filled kitchen-diner painted in the dreamiest shade of blue that will inspire lazy breakfasts and meals that linger long into the evening. There’s also a very chic ground floor cloakroom. Upstairs is an exquisite master bedroom with a double bed and an ensuite shower room, another pretty double room, a family shower room, and an astonishing double bunk room, with two sets of full-size bunk beds that have been hand-built, with privacy curtains for each bed, making this the ultimate children’s hideaway.

Hidden behind the cottage is a fully enclosed rear garden with a sunny patio and a garden table and chairs set beneath an old apple tree. From June to September there’s also a hammock in the garden for lazy, summer afternoons. Behind one of the side gates is a 3-pin socket which can be used for charging an electric vehicle. There is one parking space immediately outside the property which is suitable for a medium-size family car.

Ground Floor

Entrance Hall:
Step through the reclaimed Arts and Crafts front door into the entrance hall which features a handy bench, where you can perch to remove outdoor shoes. Above your head are plenty of coat hooks, engraved with GWR, a nod to the Great Western Railway which runs through Charlbury.

Living Room:
This elegant, yet cosy room is decorated in calming shades of grey and white and is a welcoming place to relax after a day exploring the Cotswolds. On chilly evenings, put a match to the wood-burning stove, stream a film on the Smart TV and sink into the exceptionally large and comfortable sofa, which can easily seat eight. In the drawers under the TV, you’ll find some games and cards and on the windowsill a selection of books. Dual aspect windows are framed by fabulous curtains from Suzie Watson Designs, you’ll also find her stamp on the cushions and in soft furnishings throughout the cottage.

Kitchen/Diner:
A large, reclaimed refectory-style table is set beneath the front window, flanked on one side by a wood pew, repurposed from its former home in a Walthamstow church, reclaimed captains chairs sit at either end, whilst a long bench completes the seating. Soft cushions and sheepskin rugs add a touch of comfort. Large lamps take centre stage on the windowsill, which looks out to the lane beyond.

The kitchen is painted a stunning shade of blue and behind the cupboard doors is everything you need to create fabulous meals, or why not have a private chef cater for you. An island to one side creates a breakfast bar, where you can perch on one of the twin stools, while to the other side there’s an electric oven, induction hob and a double ceramic butler sink and plenty of storage.

Cloakroom:
The smallest room in the cottage has been afforded the same incredible attention to detail with a beautiful, tiled floor, WC, hand basin set into a marble shelf and brushed brass taps and feature-pipe, heated towel rail.

First Floor

Stairs with a fat rope handrail curve up to the first floor, and two distinctive wall hangings feature on opposite walls.

Bedroom One:
This delightful bedroom overlooks the lane to the front of the cottage and is styled in calm shades of pale grey and crisp white with muted red accents picked up in the velvet cushions, woollen throw, and beautiful curtains. An occasional chair sits in one corner, whilst the double bed has an upholstered headboard and is flanked on either side by night consoles topped with feature naked bulb lamps. A walk-in cupboard provides plenty of hanging storage.

Ensuite:
The well-appointed ensuite features a walk-in shower with a rainfall shower head, a granite-topped table with a circular hand basin and a heated and lit mirror above, a WC and a large, frosted window providing plenty of natural light.

Bedroom Two:
With a décor of the palest dove grey, duck egg blue and cream, this pretty room features a double bed with a beautiful, upholstered headboard, wall-mounted night consoles, with matching lamps, and a button-back occasional chair with a tiny lamp table perfectly placed for resting a drink as you relax. There is plenty of storage in the built-in cupboard.

Bedroom Three:
It could be argued that this is the best room in the house. A pair of bespoke, handmade wooden bunk beds sit opposite each other, providing sleeping space for four. With a wooden ladder at each end, fabulous camel print blinds and cushions, and the ability to create your own hidey-hole with privacy curtains that can be pulled across each bunk, this room is heaven-sent for children. Each bunk also has its own reading light. It works perfectly for two families or friends with children travelling together. A built-in cupboard with hanging space provides lots of storage.

Bathroom / Shower Room:
The stylish family shower room features a marble floor, a marble walk-in shower with a rainfall shower head, WC, and a hand basin with a heated and lit mirror above.

Outside

To the rear of Priory Cottage is a fully enclosed garden, while a paved terrace runs along the back of the house to both side gates and the bin store. Three steps from the paved area lead up to the raised lawn area and the main patio area in the corner, which features an extendable table and eight chairs beneath an old apple tree. There is also a fire-pit style grill barbecue, and from June to September a garden hammock is available. At the top of the steps is a two-seater bistro table and chairs, perfect for a morning coffee in the sunshine, there is also a welly boot rack by the backdoor. To the front of the cottage is a pull-in parking space for one car and a 3-pin socket is available for charging electric vehicles.