Lovell Cottage is on a quiet country lane in the historic village of Old Minster Lovell, just a short drive from the main Cotswold arterial road (the A40) yet feeling like a million miles away from anywhere but the peaceful surroundings of this archetypal Oxfordshire village with its Cotswold stone houses and thatched cottages.
To the rear of the cottage is a typical English country garden, mostly laid to lawn, with planted borders and mature trees. A patio area with seating for 6 and a BBQ sits to one side of the garden. A path leads from the garden, past the kitchen door to a gate which opens to the parking area and front of the cottage. The garden, which is private and not overlooked, looks out over a large neighbouring garden and paddock (not for guests' use).
Outside the cottage looks typically olde-worlde Cotswold, with a wisteria climbing across the front, but inside the owner has combined the original features with super-stylish contemporary furnishing and décor. Downstairs, at the front of the cottage, is a gorgeous living room and snug, sharing a double-sided wood burner. To the rear, up an original stone step, is a very well-equipped kitchen with a large dining table to comfortably sit 6 guests, a downstairs shower room and a double bedroom. Upstairs are two large double bedrooms, one with a super-king size bed the other a king-size bed, sharing a splendid Jack and Jill shower room.Ground Floor
Living Room:
The front door opens into the cottage's stunning living room with original features, including a beamed ceiling and flagstone floor, complemented by a double-sided wood burner, shared with the Snug, pale grey walls and beautifully lit feature alcove. The Living Room has a plush three-seater pin-back sofa, a large footstool, an armchair and an inviting snuggler to curl up on.
Snug:
Sitting at the foot of the stairs to Bedroom 1 and 2 the Snug shares the double-sided wood burner with the Living Room. This cosy room, with its original beams (mind your head!), has a large 43" smart TV with plenty of seating for all to sit and view, including on an inviting three-seater dusty pink velvet sofa, a midnight blue chaise longue and a fabulous Ercol bench. A window seat with a comfy cushion provides the perfect place to perch and watch life go by.
Kitchen:
At the rear of the cottage is the striking Kitchen, with its milky-midnight blue units standing out against the backdrop of the cottage's pretty rear garden. The beautifully crafted marble work tops provide plenty of space to create a meal or have a private chef get to work. The kitchen is fully equipped with every appliance needed, from dishwasher to Rangemaster oven, wine fridge to Nespresso machine. At the centre is a long rectangular table, comfortably seating six guests. (On arrival, guests first enter the cottage through the side garden that leads to the back door into the Kitchen.)
Downstairs Shower Room:
Approached from the Snug, up one step, or from the Kitchen, the family shower room features a beautiful wall with raw limestone tiles and a large walk-in shower, with polished limestone walls, a dual-flush WC and wash basin.
Bedroom Three:
The cottage's downstairs bedroom features a double bed on an unusual chrome bedstead, which sits up against a backdrop of pretty bamboo and parakeet wallpaper. The bedroom has two bed side tables with reading lamps, a wardrobe with hanging space and drawers and a wide windowsill with a mirror. The view is directly into the garden from the bedroom, providing a lovely view of the trees, plants and wildlife.
Upstairs
Bedroom One:
This beautifully welcoming dual-aspect master bedroom, in calming dove-grey with accents of pink, looks out over the garden and the small local road running past the front of the cottage. Featuring a super-king size bed with bedside tables and reading lamps, an antique dressing table with mirror, a chest of drawers and a large corner wardrobe. Inside the wardrobe is a safe for guests' use. A door from the bedroom leads to the Jack and Jill shower room shared with Bedroom 2
Bedroom Two:
The first thing you'll notice as you walk into this bedroom is the original oak beam stretching across the width of the room. Mind your head (and please don't be tempted to swing on it!) but look at the detail in the wood - it was probably a ship's mast brought here long ago. This lovely, sunny bedroom is furnished with a king-size bed, bedside tables and reading lamps, a chest of drawers and a large wardrobe with hanging space and drawers. The bedroom connects to the Jack and Jill shower room and looks out to the small local village road below.
Jack and Jill Shower Room:
Sitting between the two upstairs bedrooms, the Jack and Jill shower room is fitted with Duravit and Lefroy Brooks sanitaryware including a large walk-in shower, washbasin with mirror over, dual flush WC, heated towel rail and privacy locks on each door.Outside
Lovell Cottage sits on a quiet village road with stunningly beautiful properties all around, many of which are thatched and date back hundreds of years.
To the front, the cottage is accessed directly from the village path, separated from the road by a small footbridge. A side path leads to a gate and the back door that opens into the kitchen (this is the door guests will use to enter and leave the cottage). Also, at the front, slightly off-set from the cottage, is the parking area, suitable for two cars. To the rear, the property has a medium-size garden, mostly laid to lawn, with a charcoal BBQ, bordered by mature shrubs and trees and Cotswold stone walling with a lovely view out over neighbouring countryside and gardens.
