Bow Cottage

Bow Cottage is a stone-built property with the kind of solid Cotswold presence that comes from real age and careful upkeep. Honey-coloured walls, period proportions and thoughtful decoration throughout give the place genuine character without feeling overworked. The ground floor holds a living room with an open fire, a well-appointed kitchen and dining space, and a bedroom with en-suite shower. Upstairs are two further bedrooms – one with a king-size bed, one double – and a bathroom with both bath and shower. The cottage sleeps 6 and is yours alone for the duration of your stay.

What makes this place practical as well as pleasing: two private parking spaces (genuinely rare in this part of the world), an enclosed garden with a raised decking area that catches the sun, and all the essentials – heating, electricity, linen, towels and wi-fi – included. The kitchen is properly equipped for cooking. If you're bringing a dog, there's a dedicated shower for muddy paws and a secure outside space. Bourton-on-the-Water is less than half a mile away. The property does not permit smoking, and there is a step into the garden.