Swan House - Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England

The gardens are idyllic, with a formal long herbaceous border, wild garden, orchard and lake. Sitting in the hammock listening to the river bubble by is guaranteed to diminish stress. Rare fritillaries grow in the wild garden. The setting is a walkers` paradise with countless local walks. The Saltway is nearby as is the Cotswold Way. Bicycles are available. For the less energetic, there are fly fishing rods for use in the lake. Or just sit in the Yew arbour and watch the wildlife. Moorhens, ducks and wild swans, from which the house takes its name, are regular visitors. There is a large terrace for informal summer dining, and a gas fired barbeque.

The house has been sumptuously furnished throughout. It has six bedrooms (three double, two twins and one single with 2` 6`` trundle bed), and four bathrooms, with a downstairs cloakroom. The dining room and large hall/ sitting room have antique oak floorboards. The 36` drawing room with grand piano (for accomplished players) has maple floors and an oak beamed fireplace, with extensive views over the gardens and lake. The drawing and dining rooms have wood-burning stoves. The fully fitted kitchen has a dishwasher, microwave, fridge freezer, and double oven. A separate laundry room and boot room with a further fridge/freezer in it adds to the convenience.

On the first floor, the master bedroom has a four poster bed, and en suite bathroom with separate bath and shower. The single bedroom on this floor has an en suite shower room. There is also a double and a twin bedroom, and a bathroom with separate bath and shower. A Megaflow system ensures a powerful shower.

On the second floor, reached via a spiral staircase, there is a double bedroom and ensuite bathroom with separate bath and shower and a further twin bedroom. All bedrooms are beautifully appointed, most with views of the gardens or the village. The bathrooms have been luxuriously fitted with modern baths and showers and all are in marble.

There are televisions, CD players, a video player, playstation, and numerous board games to keep all ages and interests amused.

There is car parking for four cars.

Please visit http://www.swanhousecotswolds.co.uk to find out more about the holiday cottage, amenities, surrounding area and places to visit in Gloucestershire.

The village is about equidistant from Cirencester, Burford and Stow on the Wold, all quintessential Cotswold towns. It is an excellent location for exploring the Cotswolds, with something different to do every day. Bibury, described by William Morris as the `most beautiful village in England` is about two miles away. He is reputed to have visited Winson village church, part of the Parish of Bibury with Winson; certainly his influence can be seen in the painted walls here. It also has excellent local suppliers of meat and game, breads and speciality foods. Internationally important Roman mosaics are displayed in the Corinium Museum. There are several stunning wool churches locally, including Cirencester, Northleach, Bibury and Fairford. Cotswold Water Park and Keynes Country Park, which have jet skiing, canoeing, sailing, fishing, mini golf and a beach, are nearby. The Roman villa at Chedworth is about four miles away. Cotswold Wildlife Park, Birdland, Batsford Arboretum and Birds of Prey centre, are all within easy driving distance. For garden lovers, there is Cerney House Garden, Hidcote, Kiftsgate, and Westonbirt Arboretum, with many others in the National Gardens Scheme. Gloucester Cathedral, Malmesbury Abbey, Hailes Abbey are all in the vicinity. Bath and Stratford on Avon are about an hour’s drive, Oxford is about half an hour, as is Cheltenham.

Travel: Kemble railway station

Good places to visit: Startford-upon-Avon, Oxford with its dreaming spires, London, Bath, are all within easy distance for a visit.

Annual Events:

Good places to eat: Nearby is the now famous Barnsley House Hotel, much frequented by film stars, with gardens designed by Rosemary Verey and, across the road, run by the same owners, the Village Pub. The cooking at both is excellent. Bibury offers a wide choice of dining at the local pub, the Catherine Wheel, the Swan Hotel, or the historic, riverside Bibury Court Hotel. The New Inn at Coln St Aldwyns offers welcome refreshment after the lovely river walk to it. The closest town, Cirencester, (Roman Corinium) offers a wealth of places to eat, a regular Farmers` Market, and plenty of shops and antique shops.

Local Sports: Trout fishing on own lake, walking, cycling, horse riding

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