North End House, Blockley

Gloucestershire. Sleeps up to 8

This wonderfully presented, three-storey holiday home, North End House, is nestled in the heart of the peaceful village of Blockley. The property has an abundance of stunning character features thanks to its late Georgian design and dates back to 1865, where it was one used as a regular meeting house for the village’s silk mill workers who lived in the terraced cottages further up the road. The dwelling provides the perfect getaway for a gathering of friends or family who are looking for a luxurious base from which to explore the Cotswolds. Be welcomed onto the property by three off-road parking spaces, before unloading your luggage through the ornate cast iron porch and into the bright and airy entrance hall, which gives access to the spacious reception room to your right, where you can relax with your loved ones on the four-seater or two-seater sofa’s and listen to your favourite songs through the Bluetooth speaker as the gentle glow from the electric stove-effect fire that sits within the beautiful marble mantlepiece sets a warming tone to the room and keeps you toasty on a cold evening. Further down the hall is the homely sitting room containing a three-seater sofa and mid-century high back wing armchair for you and your loved ones to sink into after a long day of exploring the Cotswolds, whilst catching up on your favourite show on the Smart TV. Completing this side of the ground-floor is a handy utility space with an adjoining cloakroom. The budding chef of the group will be delighted with the stunning farmhouse style kitchen that contains everything required to cook up a delicious, heart-warming meal, to be enjoyed gathered around the dining table surrounded by stunning features such as exposed Cotswold stone chimney breast, cherub chandelier and Edwardian antique chapel dining chairs, as well as a Cotswold stone fireplace housing an ornamental stove. When the night draws to a close, make your way up the staircase which splits two ways; through a privacy curtain to your left, you will discover the pleasing king-size bedroom, complete with ample hanging space that sits adjacent to the stylish bathroom and further up the stairs, you will pass the study which is a peaceful room, perfect for relaxing with a compelling novel sat at the plush velvet sofa, overlooking the garden, and the super-king-size room that houses a unique four-poster bed, and has a cleverly designed dressing room with ample storage space and an en-suite shower room with a large walk-in rain shower. A further staircase leads up the second-floor, where the king-size and twin rooms are located, both beautifully decorated, and share their floor with a shower room in the centre. In the morning, treat you and your guests to an awakening beverage using the filter coffee machine, to be enjoyed outside in the picture-perfect south-facing garden, surrounded by a large lawn area bordered by leafy shrubs, low hedges and mature trees, and a large patio with two seating areas; one with an inviting lounge area with two large three-seater sofas and the other with an outdoor table with seating for eight. Be sure to make use of the charcoal barbecue and dine alfresco in the warm summer months. When you’re ready to head out for the day, start in the picturesque village of Blockley which has a country pub, The Great Western Arms, a historic Norman church, Church of St Peter and St Paul, and the popular community owned shop and café which serves delicious food during the day and hosts a couple of dinner evenings too. Surrounded by wonderful countryside, there are many walks and cycle routes on its doorstep including The Monarch’s Way long distance walking trail which passes through the village and can be followed either north to Chipping Campden or up and over the ridge towards Moreton-in-Marsh, skirting the fringes of Batsford Arboretum which is a 56-acre garden with trees and shrubs from around the world in the plant centre and a café. At North End House, you are close to the bustling market town of Stow-on-the-Wold where you can take a walk around the market square, which is the heart of the community and offers boutique shops, tea rooms, pubs and restaurants, as well as the Farmers’ Market which occurs every second Thursday of each month, featuring inviting local produce. For a holiday you and your loved ones will cherish forever, stay at North End House.