Guests say
The Old School House in Cheltenham is a spacious and comfortable cottage, appreciated for its quiet location and well-equipped kitchen. Guests enjoyed the beautiful setting, comfortable beds, and the cosy living room with a woodburner. Some minor suggestions for improvement were made, but overall, the property provided a delightful stay for families and groups.
The property was generally found to be clean and well maintained, with one mention of an odour in the lounge and a suggestion for more frequent cleaning of soft furnishings due to pet allowance. However, the overall impression of cleanliness is positive.
The location is highly praised for being convenient, with easy access to local attractions, supermarkets, and pubs. The serene setting is perfect for a relaxing getaway.
The property is considered very comfortable, with a well-stocked kitchen and comfortable beds. However, some guests found the mattresses too soft and suggested better pillows and additional sun lounges for enhanced comfort.
The facilities are generally good, with a well-equipped kitchen and plenty of hot water. However, there were comments about the need for a larger oven, vegetable steamers, and a downstairs toilet. The issue with the travel cot and hot water settings indicates some room for improvement in maintenance.
There is no mention of gifts or special touches that would indicate thoughtfulness from the hosts. Therefore, this category cannot be scored.
About this property
Stow-on-the-Wold 1.4 miles. Nestled in the charming village of Lower Swell in the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty near Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire is The Old School House. This fabulous, stone-fronted, dog-friendly holiday home benefits from a wonderful location with easy access to ample walking opportunities and the wonders of the Cotswolds as well as a stylish interior completed by five beautifully-appointed bedrooms; the perfect choice for families and friends looking to explore all of Gloucestershire. Cross the threshold into your new home-from-home and head straight into the sitting room where you can unwind on the plush sofas while the crackling woodburning stove creates a homely ambience. Later, step into the fully-equipped kitchen/diner to rustle up a tasty meal that can then be enjoyed around the spacious dining table. If the sun is shining, why not step outside to indulge in an alfresco affair upon the patio furniture, the perfect place to raise a toast to your well-earned retreat. When the stars appear overhead, head back inside to wash off the day’s adventures in either the bathroom or shower room before retiring to one of five bedrooms; choose between three doubles or a double and family room with double and single housed on the second-floor. If you can tear yourself away from this idyllic holiday home head into the nearby town of Stow-on-the-Wold where you can stock up on all of your self-catering essentials at the local stores or supermarkets or treat your loved ones to a well-earned break from the kitchen with delicious meals at pubs like The Kings Arms, The Porch House or Sheep on Sheep Street. The dwelling’s setting in the picturesque Cotswolds AONB provides keen ramblers with an abundance of walking and hiking opportunities including Greystones Farm Nature Reserve, Leckhampton Hill and Foxhole Reserve which all give breath-taking views across the English countryside. History is also woven throughout the encompassing countryside, immerse yourself in the area’s past by visiting the National Trust’s Chastleton House, The Rollright Stones and the unique Chedworth Roman Villa or embark on a leisurely stroll through Snowshill Manor and Gardens. All this and more awaits at The Old School House.
Stow-on-the-Wold, the highest town in the Cotswolds, was originally an Iron Age Fort and is a perfect representation of traditional England. Since the 12th century, this historic marketplace has hosted a variety of fairs, including the biannual Gypsy Horse Fair, numerous craft fairs, and a monthly Farmers' market. Cotswold stone townhouses, antique shops, tea rooms, traditional pubs, award-winning restaurants, and even its own cricket museum line either side of the enormous market square, which features an ancient cross at one end and the village stocks at the other. The Macmillan Way, the Heart of England Way, the Gloucestershire Way, and the Monarch's Way all pass through or near Stow, making it a convenient starting point for hikes and bike rides through the picturesque Cotswolds countryside. Located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Bourton-on-the-Water is one of the most visited towns in the Cotswolds. It is also known as the "Venice of the Cotswolds" because the Windrush River flows through its centre. Easily accessible, fun day trips include the Saxon market town of Moreton-in-Marsh and the classic English village of Broadway. Cheltenham, located just 20 miles away, is the most fully realised regency town in all of England. Famous for its horse-racing festival in March that culminates in the Gold Cup steeplechase, this spa town also boasts an incredible selection of shops, cinemas, theatres, restaurants, and pubs. Festivals of literature, jazz, classical music, science, and food and drink are held there at other times of the year. Oxford is the oldest university city in England and is also known as "The City of Dreaming Spires" due to its abundance of illustrious attractions such as the university's 38 colleges (half of which date back to before 1600), the oldest university teaching room, the Bodleian Library, the Ashmolean Museum, the Pitt Rivers Museum, and the Botanic Gardens. Stow-on-the-Wold is conveniently located for day trips to nearby Stratford-upon-Avon, Bath, Worcester, and the port city of Gloucester.
Accommodation
Over three floors.
Five bedrooms: 3 x double, 1 x second-floor double, 1 x second-floor family room with double and single.
Bathroom with freestanding bath, walk-in shower, basin and WC.
Shower room with walk-in shower, basin and WC.
Kitchen/diner.
Utility.
Sitting room with woodburning stove
Oil central heating.
Electric oven, induction hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher and coffee machine.
Smart TV and WiFi.
Fuel, power and starter for woodburning stove included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Two highchairs and a travel cot available on request and an iron and board.
Parking available.
Enclosed, side patio with furniture and large, secure, lawned garden.
Two well-behaved dogs welcome.
Sorry, no smoking.
Shop 1.3 miles and pub 0.2 miles.
Note: Sorry, no stags, hens or similar.
Note: No loud music after 10pm.
Note: More dogs may be welcome on request.
Note: The second-floor double room is accessed through the family room.
Note: Check-in 4pm and Check-out 10am
Reviews (12)
-
Stuart
The location is great and very scenic. Useful info packs, reading books and other quirky touches. Beds are good, the showers produce lots of hot water. The kitchen is well equipped and the dining space big enough for 10. The lounge is also big enough for 10 comfortably, however.. The previously reported problem in the comments of people getting stuck in the old side bathroom was still present. The shower is also flooding out which is asking for trouble. We had people in the garden when my sister was stuck luckily. After that no one closed the door⦠(The phone signal sucks so we didnât bother to call this in) The Wi-fi works well, but the Nest thermostat is disconnected at set times (deliberately) and itâs an old house and is on cool side. The sofas have seen better days but are comfortable enough. Thereâs a nice trip hazard rug you have to roll up as well. The new side bathroom sucks if you are over 5.11â you can only stand in the shower or doorway and have to bend double to get to the shower or loo. Generally, we felt the pictures on the site were better than the reality of what is a near £1m property. In hotel speak, the property is tired, and we left feeling like weâd been overcharged.
-
Martin
Could have been a little cleaner . Proprty would benefit from a downstairs loo . Overall a great family location with dis accepted
-
Michelle
It was great to sit everyone around the large table and the very comfortable lounge. Lovely hot shower and warm house. Only problem was likely due to the age of the property hence difficulty in fitting doors, but twice we got stuck in the toilets, handle did not turn on bathroom with slipper bath and the lock on the other door very stiff.