It’s that time of year when you start to crave hot chocolates sipped by cozy log fires, long country walks whilst wrapped up warm and festive get togethers round large dining tables laden with celebratory fayre.
I started to develop such Christmassy yearnings as early as late November this year, and booked myself and some of my favourite loved ones a charming cottage break in the Cotswolds.
We arrived at Century House – owned by Cotswold Cottage Gems, full of festive cheer and the need to fully de-stress from hectic London life. This was easy to do once we arrived at this charming countryside abode nestled in the pretty village of Moreton-in-the-Marsh.
There was a plush sitting room and dining area with traditional furniture, a roaring log fire with plenty of firewood to keep it going and lots of comfortable armchairs and sofas to keep all five of us happy.
The kitchen was modern and spacious with all the needed pots, pans and utensils to make the feasts we had planned, and boasted a good speaker system – perfect for obligatory festive jigging whilst cooking.
On the first floor there were two elegantly furnished bedrooms (one with a king bed, one double) and a large bathroom with a gorgeous deep bathtub and separate shower cubicle.
The little touches around the cottage such as the luxury scented candles, freshly-laundered fluffy white towels, high end toiletries, chic ornaments and bountiful book collection made Century House a true home-way-from-home.
The third floor featured a gigantic master bedroom complete with views of the historic St David’s Church opposite the cottage and a quaint en-suite bathroom with shower.
We spent three days and two nights in this picture-perfect country residence and couldn’t have been happier, especially as one of my friends was able to bring her adorable little dog – Cotswold Cottage Gems is proudly pet friendly.
After the hustle and bustle of London life it was a joy to spend our time reading by the fire, watching Netflix, cooking and long bonding talks late into the night.
On the second day during our stay, we visited Daylesford Farm – just a short drive away from the cottage.
In this wholesome organic paradise over etherial green cocktails, I had the pleasure of meeting Gemma Elizabeth Conway, who runs Cotswold Cottage Gems, comprised of six luxury cottages and The Lansdowne – a 14 bedroom boutique guesthouse in Bourton-on-the-Water.
I discovered how this charming cottage collection had recently scooped the Multi-Property Wizard Award at the prestigious eviivo Awards – the UK’s leading hospitality awards which recognise and celebrate the best independent hosts and hoteliers across the country.
Gemma Elizabeth’s passion for her cottages and ensuring her guests thoroughly enjoy their stays is apparent as we talk. “Our bespoke concierge service is there for guests ensuring they have a fabulous stay in the Cotswolds and has included arranging personal chefs to cook meals at the cottages; make local bookings; and I have even been known to drive guests to local pubs and collect them at the end of the evening. Perhaps the oddest request was for me to look after a guest’s dog at my home for the duration of her stay, and ensure it only drank bottled water. All part of the service!”
Gemma Elizabeth personally oversaw the development of the properties and says of her vision, “think of a luxury home from home and that’s us. And if you think of something else, just ask.”
It was hard to pry ourselves away from this peaceful county haven and return to the hustle and bustle of London life, yet pry away we did- after one last cinnamon infused festive hot chocolate by the fire.