Built for the stable grooms, Epsom stands as the mirror-image of Goodwood across the courtyard, and like it, shines like a supernova in the firmament of luxury holiday cottages.
The front door opens into a quarry-tiled entrance hall. The drawing-room/dining-room is on the left, 19′ square and flooded with light on three sides from the large windows, which look onto the courtyard and the garden, and the parkland of Bruern Abbey beyond. Epsom’s drawing room has been completely transformed. Curtains, upholstery, loose covers and tablecloths are all new and different- the colours are blue, beige, black and white, taken from the Malabar stripes of the curtains, and it’s given it a wonderful lift.
At the dining end of the room, there’s an antique mahogany dining-table and rope-back chairs, next to an oak serving-table.
A couple of writing tables, prints, books, blue-and-white lamps with pleated silk shades and a ravishing collection of flower-printed plates make Epsom feel like someone’s cherished home rather than a holiday cottage.
The kitchen is on the other side of the hall. It’s got marble surfaces, a Belfast sink, marble behind the cooker and French Grey cupboards. It’s decorative enough to eat in; the kitchen table seats 6 – and it’s a dream to cook in as well, with a big fridge freezer, dish washer, microwave, hob and oven, and plate rack.