The Dovecote

The Dovecote sits in the hamlet of Thrupp, immediately beside the Oxford Canal. This one-bedroom property sleeps two and comes as your own entirely – a converted building within the grounds of a manor house, with its own parking and a small paved courtyard that overlooks the water. The bedroom is on the first floor with a galleried space; downstairs there is a kitchen with oven, hob, microwave and dishwasher, plus a shower room. Bed linen, towels, Wi-Fi and heating are all included.

The kitchen is properly equipped for self-catering, and the courtyard has furniture to sit out on. There is a pub within a quarter-mile walk – The Boat, which has open fires and beamed ceilings – and Annie's Tea Room across the canal serves homemade cakes. The towpath offers gentle walks in both directions, and the river Cherwell runs nearby with abundant birdlife. Kidlington village, less than three miles away, has supermarkets, post office and a regular bus service to Oxford; the M40 is easily reached for London or Birmingham. One small dog is welcome. The property does have open spiral stairs.