Do you ever have a holiday, think “I can’t wait to share this on the blog” and then nearly a month goes by? Yep. Every time. Good job I’m not a travel blogger. So before too much more time passes I’m dedicating this post to the beautiful cottage we rented in the Cotswolds at the start of October. Every autumn we go away somewhere in the UK with Maddie for a few days to give her a chance to explore outside London and stretch her Spaniel legs. This year I really outdid myself with the accommodation so the bar has been set very high.
When we visited the Cotswolds last year, it was our first time and I booked somewhere which whilst beautiful, was so remote we had to get in the car just to go a shop. When we came across Broadway on one of our adventures we decided to stay there this year even thought it’s sharp-intake-of-breath expensive. It’s such a pretty village/town, definitely our favourite spot in the area and all the amenities you could need are right on the doorstep.
But what about that cottage? Well let me tell you. So at one end of Broadway High Street sits the stunning The Broadway Hotel who own and run two holiday cottages. Both are dog-friendly, Manderley is slightly bigger with two bedrooms whilst Bumble Bee Cottage is perfect for a couple plus poochie. It’s located just off the high street with a parking space conveniently right outside.
Despite the wonderful description and accompanying images on the website, it not only met but truly surpassed expectations. Entering through the front door you come straight into the living room with flagstone floors, fuel-effect fireplace and a comfy Chesterfield-style sofa, it’s the perfect retreat after a long bracing walk.
Carrying on from the living room and to the left is the kitchen with an eat-in table and chairs and everything you’d need to be fully self-catered – oven, hob, fridge, microwave, kettle, dishwasher, toaster and all your tools and implements. They even left us a hamper with scrumptious bread, fresh eggs, and even fresh coffee beans in the fridge.
Out of the kitchen there’s a vestibule to hang coats and jackets and to leave muddy boots. We designated this Maddie’s feeding area but climb up a step and there’s a further smaller utility area with a separate freezer, washer/dryer and the door into the small courtyard back garden. Finally at the very back of the cottage is a little downstairs toilet decked out in the most fabulous doggy wallpaper.
The garden as mentioned is small but perfectly formed with a little table and two chairs, BBQ (although it was unseasonably warm when we visited in October, perhaps not warm enough for a BBQ) and great use for a dog to stretch its legs for nighttime or early morning ablutions. We didn’t make the most of it but I definitely would on a warmer summer’s evening.
And then upstairs! The stairs lead out of the living room onto a small landing with a beautiful low-level window which Maddie loved looking out of. There’s a little table with lamp and also a full-length mirror for those all-important Instagram outfit shots.
The bedroom is such a fantastic size, with a king-sized super comfortable bed, windows on either side, a dressing table area, chest of drawers and small integrated wardrobe. I loved the decor and that no matter what time of day the room always felt so light. I was slightly apprehensive from some reports I’d read about the road outside being noisy but to be honest we’re up so early that deliveries to the nearby pub and coming into Broadway really didn’t register.
Finally, the bathroom which is adjoined to the bedroom. Again, every little touch has been thought of. A walk-in shower and heated towel rail. Fulll-sized Moulton Brown toiletries which you can use and, if you want to take them away with you, just pay for. And the piece de resistance? A roll-top bath. I think I had baths most nights. It’s not the fastest running bath in the world but that’s just fine, I’m used to that at home with ours anyway.
The cottage was quite frankly the most perfect retreat to come home to after all our busy days and long walks, and so easy just to stroll out of for dinner or drinks. We didn’t actually ever use the kitchen for meals, preferring to stop at the Broadway Deli most mornings or head off to pastures new.
Bumble Bee Cottage, thank you so much for taking such good care of us. The standards are now very high so the mission has been sent to find something just as lovely. The problem is I’m not sure we will.
Just to be clear, this is not an ad in any way and I paid in full for our stay at the cottage. I simply really loved it and thought you might too!
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