Weddings & Honeymoons – July 2024

Location

Around 100 miles from London and situated between the glamorous A lister Cotswolds destinations of Chipping Norton, Burford and Stow-on-the-Wold, this secret Cotwolds hideaway is more than a little bit special. Luxury in every sense (you’re gifted chilled champagne on arrival) and offering utter seclusion, owner Judy Astor has been welcoming guests to the family estate’s 12 luxury and outstanding cottages for over 30 years. You’ll drive down narrow lanes and roads showcasing great expanses of undulating countryside, picturesque villages and lanes with houses, churches, farm buildings (all built from Cotswold honey-coloured limestone). On arrival at the Breurn estate, you’re immediately struck by the stunning yellow and grey hued stone exterior of Cistercian Bruern Abbey (built in 1147) and opposite, Bruern Cottages main courtyard appearing almost ethereally behind a magnificent oak standing in solitary splendour.

First Impressions

The estate is owned by Judy Astor and run by Sara Astor and a team of extremely accommodating, friendly and unobtrusive staff. Astor inherited the estate from her late husband, politician Michael Astor (who had grown up at his ancestral home of Cliveden and is uncle to the current Viscount Astor – AKA Samantha Cameron’s stepfather). He bought the estate in 1947 and now as a luxury cottage operator, the estate has a village-within-a-village feel and is perfect for honeymooners and wedding parties (couples can now get married and host receptions in the beautiful Mirrored Pavillion venue) and also those on familymoons (we came across some extremely happy multigenerational families on breaks). A dedicated on site office is open every day and elevates the stay to that of a five star hotel with friendly, charming and faultless staff. A gorgeous, sun-soaked pool house with pool water heated to bath-like temperatures is the ideal hangout whatever the weather. In the summer, the bifold doors open up to a private garden with sun loungers perfect for sunbathing too.

Manicured gardens pulsing with wildlife and ablaze with vivid flowers are tended to daily by friendly gardeners who’ll say hello to you every morning as you walk past them on your way past the pool and through the swing gate to the cycle hire area (bicycles are free to borrow for all guests). From there you’ll head down to the banks of a babbling brook that winds its way through the estate and flows into Bruern’s monastic ponds before filtering itself into the Evenlode and Thames for brisk walks before breakfast or afternoon picnics.

COTTAGES

Inside all the elegant cottages – many which are situated in the pretty courtyard as a cluster of abodes – it’s about combining essential modern living with refined and elegant country style. And while it’s cosy, our cottage, Goodwood (which used to house the groom and the cowman) is deceptively spacious with oodles of room to spread out across in bedrooms and

living rooms. Interiors are all timeless English classicism with hand-curated selections of opulent fabrics and furnishings from the likes of Colefax & Fowler and Mulberry. Expect cream and mustard blackout curtains, complemented by pale green love seats effortlessly paired with sumptuous, cloud-like sofas draped with luxurious cashmere and alpaca throws and a centrally placed ottoman-style coffee table – perfect for both dining on trays and indulging in feet-up moments while watching a film. Decorative details are provided via a treasure trove of British antiques and the house is filled with homely finds too such as Judy Astor’s copy of Out of Africa and classic books like Gulliver’s Travels found on window ledges, bookshelves and even better – a cupboard behind the TV jam-packed with board games for idling away rainy days. The addition of board games in all cottages is a welcome touch; especially for those wanting a romantic unplugged date night away from devices and technology. Samsung 60 inch flatscreen Smart TVs in living rooms – fully loaded with Freeview and all your favourite apps including Sky sports – are connected to DVD players and can be found in every cottage (an extensive DVD library is also located in the games room).

The main antique wood dining table in the living room is a formal affair of white starched table cloths, napkins, and fine bone China and is presented beautifully on arrival along with elegant silverware and freshly cut flowers from the garden for a cosy afternoon tea or dinner a deux.

Speaking of romance, we’ve never come across such a generous supply of firewood stacked in a pretty tall wicker basket in a self catering stay before either (enough for a fire every night). The piece de resistance here is how the fire is already made up for you on arrival – all you have to do it literally throw in a match and you’ll feel pretty accomplished. The padded windowsill next to a heavy oak study console is extremely swoon-worthy and made for gazing out at the stars or onto the cottage’s private enclosed garden (where you’ll also find lovely outdoor furniture, tables and BBQ equipment for al fresco lunches come summertime).

On arrival, you’ll be delighted to find the welcome hamper comes chock full of artisanal and gourmet goodies including a chilled bottle of champagne, seeded bread from Mor, Billy’s Egg’s from Stow-on the-Wold , sausages and bacon from the Bruern farm shop, utterly delicious creamy milk and farmhouse butter from Holmleigh Dairy and a deliciously moist homemade lemon drizzle cake. You’ll find countrified light green wooden cabinets and stone floors with underfloor heating in the light-filled kitchen along with oversized, sturdy and deep porcelain sinks, Bosch appliances and Nespresso machines – pretty much everything you need to rustle up hearty meals to keep you fortified before those long country walks. Recycling is a biggie here with thoughtful bins supplied so you can separate waste from recycling – just like at home. Soaps and laundry detergents sourced from eco-friendly Method brand and smell divine.

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