Decorated in elegant Gustavian style, not only is Newmarket one of the most beautiful luxury cottages in the Cotswolds, it has to rank as one of the most exquisite examples of luxury self-catering in the UK.
The entrance is to the right of the central arches in the courtyard – you go straight into an enormous open-plan drawing-room/dining-room/kitchen with a high ceiling and large, well proportioned windows. It has pale grey walls, pretty needlework rugs and off-white painted woodwork. The greys are warmed up by rosy pink Victorian cranberry glass on the white marbleised fireplace, rose-and-white fabric on one sofa, rose-and-white cushions on the other, a long french grey one.
There are a couple of elegant French fauteuils in tones of warm pink, and the floor-length curtains are cream overchecked in rose. Light sparkles off crystal sconces each side of the fireplace and old pressed glass plates, and reflects from the large silver-framed looking glass.
The dining and kitchen part of the room are floored in mellow York stone, setting off the refectory table with its old pine top, and the white antique chairs, which are cushioned in rose-and-white Marvic fabric.
The kitchen boasts ultra modern technology – a large US style side-by-side fridge-freezer with dispensers for ice and chilled water, and a big stainless steel Britannia range cooker with two electric ovens and six burners. But the general effect, thanks to the granite work surfaces, the Belfast sink and the soft white Shaker units, is warm and homely.
