To get to Cheltenham Cottage, you go in through its private entrance, to the right of the central arches of the stables, and up a spiral staircase to an enormous warm and welcoming open-plan drawing-room/dining-room/kitchen.
This is flooded by the light from six windows which look out to staggering views: on one side, across the walled garden, fields and woods to Stow-on-the-Wold in the distance; and on the other, over the stable courtyard and the parkland of Bruern Abbey.
The walls are a Farrow and Balls mizzle, set off by long cream cotton curtains. An off white sofa and two low chairs flank the open fire, and there’s a blue and beige velvet spotted hassock on the needle point rug, just right for a tray or magazines. Behind the sofa is the circular dining-table lit by a woven wicker lamp. Two windows frame a big dresser, whose subtle off-whites and greys set off shelves of decorative pink-and-white china, plates, tea pots, coffee pots and serving dishes. Over the mantelpiece there’s a black-and-gold framed mirror, and by the window a desk.
The fresh and pretty kitchen is screened from the drawing-room by the stairs leading to the upstairs landing. It has cream painted units and granite worktops. There’s every machine and gadget you might need, as indeed you would expect from one of the finest luxury cottages in the UK.
